Darmani Rock solid at Golden Gloves

RENOWNED TRAINER Bozy Ennis was asked for his evaluation of Darmani Rock's prospects as a boxer. Less than 24 hours before, Rock had surprised the No. 1 amateur in the world to win his first Golden Gloves national title.

"That kid," Ennis said. "I think he's the future of the super-heavyweight division."

Rock beat Cam Awesome on Saturday in Las Vegas. Awesome, 27, previously fought under the name of Lenroy Thompson. He owns three Golden Gloves championships, including the 2009 belt he received when he beat Philadelphian Bryant Jennings.

"A lot of people doubted me with this dude Cam Awesome," said Rock, a 19-year-old who lives in the area of 21st and Chew in Olney. "They said he had too much experience . . . I feel like I'm on top right now because I beat the No. 1 dude. I feel good about myself."

Up next for Rock is an Olympic qualifying trip to New Mexico at an undetermined date.

Rock broke through in 2014 with wins at the Youth World Championship and the Continental Championship and was named the local amateur fighter of the year by the website PhillyBoxingHistory.com. He's on a roll.

Rock dedicated his Golden Gloves title to his older brother Don, who was killed in a dirt-bike accident in Olney 2 years ago.

"He's my motivation. I was with him every day, from the morning to the night," said Darmani, 3 years younger than Don. "When you saw him, you'd see me."

The way things are going, the world is going to see lots more of Rock, who at 6-4 1/2 and 271 pounds isn't easy to miss anyhow.

"He's so big and he's agile," Ennis, the trainer, said. "He's light on his feet and has one of the best jabs you ever seen - like Larry Holmes or Muhammad Ali. I mean beautiful."

Ennis' son, Jaron, claimed the other national championship for the Pennsylvania contingent. According to Bozy Ennis, who trains Jaron, his son won every round of his five fights and breezed to a championship in the 141-pound class.

"It was real fun," said Jaron Ennis. "It was easy. I did everything I was supposed to do."

Ennis, who will be 18 in June, beat Jonathan Jarabek of the Colorado/New Mexico team in the title bout.

Last year, Ennis brought home the trophy from a second-place finish at the Golden Gloves tournament and stuck it right in his bedroom.

"I see it every day," he said. "It's in my room. It motivates me every day. It's what made me win this thing this year." And with that, he laughed about how he's bringing this year's championship belt to Saul High School in Roxborough where he's a senior.

"I'm No. 1 at 141. The Olympics are the next step, then the pros after that," he smiled. "Time to make that money."

Paul Kroll, from North Philly, lost a close decision in the championship of the 165-pound title bout . . . Christian Carto, last year's 108-pound champion, moved up to 114 and made it to the semifinals . . . Other competitors for Pennsylvania included Kahlim Mills (123 pounds), Felix Alvarado (132), Francis Oran (152), Nigel Rogers (178) and Tom Hogan (201).

Nico Hernandez, the 108-pound silver medalist, tweeted an interesting observation from his stay in Sin City. "How [come there are] so many fine women here in vegas if alotta ugly people visit? Lol."