Local standout boxer Devon Siegfried is about to “Hit” the national stage.
Siegfried made it to the National Golden Gloves, which will be held in Oklahoma August 15-20th.
His journey to the national competition began with a knockout in the Western PA Golden Gloves Championship on April 2nd at North Way Christian in Wexford.
“It felt amazing to win the Golden Gloves again in 2022,” Siegfried said. “Not only was it against a tough fighter, but it was local in Wexford, PA, which is where I work. A lot of my co-workers, family and friends were able to make it to the fight, so to win by TKO in the 3rd round was a great feeling and I’m happy I could share that with everyone who came out to support me! Each fight I get I feel like I can improve on something, and I’ve been slowly but steadily just gaining the momentum for this National Tournament and now I’m finally starting to put it all together.”
Western PA Golden Gloves Champion Devon Siegfried (center) with Ellwood City Boxing Club coaches Jack Maine (left) and Bob Boyle (right)
According to one of his coaches, Jack Maine, Seigfried landed some fierce punches.
“He knocked his opponent down in the second round with a very solid uppercut,” Maine said. “Although struggling to get up from the canvas, he was able to survive the 8 count and was saved by the bell. Early in the 3rd round the fight was stopped by a barrage of punches landing from Siegfried.”
Siegfried was set to compete in the state championship in Philadelphia on April 30, but Maine said there was no one from Philadelphia for him to fight.
“I feel that nobody cared to fight him after seeing his last match,” Maine said.
Siegfried continues to train in anticipation of the National Golden Gloves.
“I’ll be training for the fights just like I always have, with my coaches Jack Maine and Bob Boyle,” he said. “Lots of road work and sparring. Jack has been taking me all over to spar some of the best fighters in the Eastern side of the US. We’ve been traveling to Cleveland and Toronto, OH, Buffalo NY, Pittsburgh, North Versailles, Ambridge, and Butler PA with many other gyms around the area.”
His other wins include: 2016 sub-novice Golden Glove champion in western-PA; 2019 western PA novice Golden Glove runner-up; and 2021 open-class PA State Golden Glove Champion.
In December 2021, Siegfried told Ellwoodcity.org that in 2016 there was a pivotal moment for him.
It was the moment he stepped inside the boxing ring at the Ellwood City Police Boxing Club.
“A high school classmate and close friend of mine, Rosie Morales brought me down to the gym in Ellwood City,” Siegfried said. “He introduced me and Coach Jack Maine who took me under his wing and began coaching me.”
Siegfried grew up in Ellwood City and went to Lincoln High School.
He said being involved in boxing is like being part of a giant family.
“The mutual respect with the other athletes I compete with is great. In victory or defeat, it’s a big boxing family, especially in the greater Pittsburgh area,” he said. “I am proud to be a fighter from this great fighting city.”
Siegfried said having such a strong boxing program in Ellwood City is a blessing. He said at the core of the association is a top-notch coaching staff including Jack Maine and Bob Boyle. According to Siegfried, the coaches donate their time because of their love and dedication to boxing and to area youth.
“There is no charge for working out and fighting at the gym other than 25 cents for a bottle of water so obviously they don’t do this for the monetary gain,” he said. “They do this because they genuinely care about the kids and provide an outlet for some kids to stay off the streets or keep them out of trouble.”
He encourages local youth to give boxing a try and to stick with it.
“There are days you are going to get beat up, knocked down, etc. but never giving up is the key,” Siegfried said. “I think its super important to set goals for yourself and strive to achieve them.”
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