
Marie-Angelis Rosendo, 18, of DeLand, has returned home from the 2024 National Golden Glove Tournament of Champions as a champion of amateur boxing!
The competition — held in Detroit during the week of May 12-18 — is a prestigious annual boxing event that has hosted competitions for more than 100 years.
“For the age group from 18 to 40 … [Golden Gloves] is a super, amazing tournament. Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard — some of the greatest people to ever box were in this tournament, so it was an honor — a blessing — to be able to be a part of this tournament,” Rosendo said.
Rosendo faced challengers literally twice her age, and with considerably longer training and competition experience. “Each fighter is different … and it was a great experience to be able to get in the ring with older women and see what that feels like,” Rosendo said.
In order to prepare for the experience, Rosendo spent four years training with Luis Rodriguez, coach and owner of DeLand’s Lou’s Community Boxing and Fitness, located at 813 Flight Line Blvd. in north DeLand.
In that time, Rodriguez has seen Rosendo grow into the athlete that she is today — one who Rodriguez says excels not only physically, but who exhibits a strong sense of leadership and sportsmanship, while incorporating faith and community fellowship into her dedication to the sport of boxing.
“She was born to box. Going through personal growth, the many challenges that a young teenager has … she has overcome them. Her faith has grown, and really pointed her to Christ, to God,” Rodriguez said. “She is only 18, but from 14 to 18, we have seen a great maturity develop in her.”
Rosendo is named the winner in a May 17, 2024, National Golden Glove Tournament of Champions boxing bout with challenger Alex Cirka, who represented Colorado and New Mexico in the national competition.
Speaking with Victor, Rosendo’s father, Beacon staff learned how he and Marie’s mother, Stephanie, were at first a bit hesitant to encourage Rosendo’s interest in the sport of boxing. But, her enthusiasm — and a chance encounter with Rodriguez at church — won them over.
“Coach Luis came and spoke to us … and said, ‘She’s really, really talented — she’s just a natural at it, and you should really consider letting her keep trying it,” Victor said of what Rodriguez saw in Rosendo’s early talent.
“Over the past four years, we’ve seen her whole life basically change, and she’s had so many different accomplishments,” Victor said. “Boxing is a sport that really highlights where your character is … it has shaped and molded her into an amazing young woman.”
Rosendo described some of the “secrets to her success” to Beacon staff. “I think what has definitely helped me is my relationship with the Lord and having good people around me who help and support me … a good support system,” Rosendo listed. “Staying consistent and dedicated to hard work, having the right people around you and staying focused.”
Rodriguez himself is a former professional boxer who worked as a trainer at a gym in DeLand until the COVID-19 pandemic.
As access to gyms and indoor facilities became limited in 2020, Rodriguez adapted to training individuals in the backyard of his DeLand home. In 2021, he opened Lou’s Community Boxing and Fitness. Since then, the business outgrew the original space and is now operating out of a 3,000-square-foot facility.
Rodriguez describes the facility as a place where youth and adults can engage in “physical, mental and spiritual training.”
“It’s a real safe haven for young people, for families in general … The gym is more than boxing,” Rodriguez said. “You’ll learn how to box … how to defend yourself … how to lose weight … but really train up the soul. It’s a family gym … it’s built on the Word of God,” Rodriguez said.
Rosendo was a part of the gym’s amateur boxing team and youth program, and now Rosendo pours what she has learned back into the next generation of athletes.
“She has just started working at the gym … she helps [the younger kids] learn boxing now, so she’s taking what she’s learned and is now helping the kids,” Victor said.
Rosendo is in the process of completing her senior year as a home-school student, and her goal is to become a professional boxer.
Rosendo’s sights are set on additional national competitions, and she will be attending the 2024 National Junior Olympics and Summer Festival that will be taking place in Wichita, Kansas, in June.
“Her determination,” according to her father, “not just her talent,” is a defining feature of Marie’s success. “When anybody sees her in the ring, she stands out. She’s just different,” Victor said. “She’s only been competing for three years … and she’s just getting started.”
Great article.
You are a Champ & a gteat young lady. Your values & Christian faith makes you shine. So proud of all you have accomplished@
You are absolutely right she is our shining star. I’m so beyond proud as an aunt to see how far all of her training has taken her. God Bless her always..