February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
The County Mayo native turned up at St. Catherine’s Church in Franklin Square, Long Island, a week ago Tuesday spoiling for a fight after his grueling points win over Laurence Covington at the Elks Club in his first bout on Feb. 20.
However, he was one of seven fighters that got a free pass into the next round of the newly created weight division.
“There were nine guys left, so two had to fight to reduce the field to eight for the quarterfinals,” said Conlon, who is representing Rego Park’s Lost Battalion Hall in America’s oldest and largest amateur tournament.
His trainer, Tony Paolillo, welcomed the extra break offered by the second-round bye.
“It’s a plus for the simple fact that Dave was coming off the flu a week and a half ago, and even though he dominated [Covington], the fight was a grueling bout. The extra week’s rest makes him stronger,” he said.
Conlon, who fancies his chances in the Gloves, though he doesn’t yet known who his opponent will be Thursday, agreed. “It gives me more time to spar,” he said
He said of his fellow quarterfinalists, two stand out. He named last year’s 147-pound Gloves champion, Anthony Arrows, as one of them.
“They’re probably the two best guys left,” he said. “But I’d be up there with them. I’m probably one of the biggest [152-pounders] left.”
Conlon, who boosted his senior amateur record to 46-5 with his last victory, stands 5-foot-10.
Said assistant trainer Steve Maiorano: “We’ve got a couple of tough guys in the division, but I’m sure Dave can handle them. He’s a good puncher.”
Added Conlon: “Just two more fights to the Gloves final. I’m glad it’s [at the Elks Club on Queens Boulevard]. There’s always a large Irish crowd.”
A losing finalist at 147 pounds in the 2002 All-Irish Championships, Conlon is a one-time Irish Intermediate titleholder at the same weight. He is also one of two Lost Battalion Hall fighters remaining in the 2003 Gloves. The other is 165-pound novice Will Rosinsky.
Although smaller than other New York clubs in the number of fighters entered annually in the Gloves, Lost Battalion, under the tutelage of Paolillo and Maiorano, has consistently placed fighters in the finals.