2016 Olympic hopeful Marlo (Deon) Moore this years silver medalist at the USA Boxing national Championships is bringing his dream for a gold medal to Gamespeed. Following in the footsteps of the last local American gold medalist Andre Ward he is using a similar formula. Under the direction of the notable Virgil Hunter he has added a customized boxing conditioning program with Aaron Thigpen at Gamespeed.
Super heavyweights Glanton, Moore going for gold
The USA men’s boxing teams haven’t won gold in more than a decade and haven’t taken home a medal since 2008.
Brandon Glanton and Marlo Moore are both dreaming of gold.
Glanton and Moore each won super heavyweight semifinals (over 201 pounds) on Friday to qualify for the U.S. Olympic boxing trials.
Deontay Wilder was the last American male to win an Olympic medal and the same boxer brought a heavyweight title back to American shores.
Wilder won bronze in the Olympics in 2008 and defeated Bermane Stiverne in January to claim the WBC belt, the first heavyweight title for an American since 2006.
Glanton, of Ellenwood, Ga., stopped Lorenzo Deloney by TKO at the 1:17 mark of the second round. Glanton landed numerous big punches and worked tirelessly to throw punches throughout the fight, overwhelming Deloney.
At 204 pounds, Glanton likely won’t be moving into heavyweight when he turns pro. But he definitely wants to bring gold back to the U.S. And seeing what Wilder has done lets him know anything is possible.
“Deontay Wilder is a man just like I’m a man,” said Glanton, 23. “He puts his pants on the same way I do.
“Anything one person can do, another can do. And depending on the person, they can do it better.”
Moore said his effort wasn’t his best, but it was enough to defeat New Mexico’s Zayn Bin Bilal in a split decision. Moore, who couch surfed at 17 after leaving home, is planning on turning pro when this run at the Olympics ends. Watching Wilder has Moore looking to the future.
“He’s done amazing things for the time he’s been in the sport,” said Moore, who has been around Andre Ward, the last American to win gold in 2004. “I would love to get there and I know I will. I’ve been trained by Virgil Hunter … I’ve seen the blueprint.”
Moore and Glanton will meet Saturday in the final, each wanting to come out the champ of the qualifier. Then they’ll reconvene in October at the Olympic trials. If one of them can get past that, it’s on to Brazil for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
When reminded that Wilder was the last male American to win a medal in boxing, Glanton had a response.
“We’re going to change that,” he said.
From living on the streets to caring for his daughter as a single parent, Moore is headed to the Olympic trials.
“It hasn’t hit me yet,” Moore said.
“I’m going to go home to my daughter and tell her, her daddy is going to be an Olympian.”
