Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
Mother-Son Boxing Dynasty: Reese Mistretta Wins Ring Masters Title, Following in Mom’s Golden Gloves Footsteps
Brooklyn, NY – Reese Mistretta wasn’t contemplating history as he stepped into the ring on Saturday night. His focus was immediate: the burning sensation in his legs, the struggle to fully inflate his lungs, and the presence of Ali Conde across the canvas. Conde, a skilled tactician from El Maestro’s Gym in the Bronx, is known for his strategic approach, patiently waiting for opponents to initiate attacks before capitalizing on their vulnerabilities.
Gravesend Rematch Secures Championship
Just two nights prior, under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, Mistretta had narrowly defeated Conde in the Ring Masters Championships elite 176lb final, New York’s premier amateur boxing tournament. However, the format is double elimination, requiring Mistretta to secure a second victory against Conde to claim the coveted title. This rematch took place in a humid Brooklyn gym in Gravesend. “He definitely returned, made adjustments, and applied more pressure this time,” Mistretta acknowledged. “I had to increase my activity and be cautious of his counterattacks. He’s a proficient counterpuncher.”
A Family Affair: Desiree Mistretta’s Corner Presence
Adding another layer to the narrative, Mistretta’s mother, Desiree, wasn’t merely an observer. A decorated boxer herself, having claimed New York Golden Gloves titles in 1999 and 2005, Desiree was in her son’s corner, providing coaching, focus, and keen observation during each exchange. When Reese’s victory was announced, their bond transcended familial ties and a shared passion. They etched their names in history as the first mother-son duo to both win championships in the prestigious New York Golden Gloves, the world’s longest-running amateur boxing competition outside of the Olympic Games.
“This Tournament Was For Her”: A Victory with Deep Meaning
“This means everything,” expressed Reese, 26. “This particular tournament was dedicated to her. While I have my own aspirations – we are aiming for a national title too – this victory here is incredibly special. We are now a championship pair.”
Ring Masters: The Modern Era of New York Boxing
The Ring Masters Championships represent the contemporary iteration of the Golden Gloves in New York. The name evolved following a 2017 trademark dispute involving USA Boxing Metro and the Daily News Charities. Despite the name change, the fundamental structure remains consistent: tournaments for both elite and novice boxers, culminating in the finals at Madison Square Garden. These finals once drew massive crowds exceeding 20,000 spectators during boxing’s zenith. Today, elite-level winners are awarded a custom ring and earn qualification for the national Golden Gloves tournament.
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Golden Gloves: A Storied Tradition of Amateur Boxing
Established in 1927 by Daily News sports editor Paul Gallico as a strategic move to elevate the fledgling tabloid’s readership, the New York Golden Gloves has become a globally recognized and respected amateur sporting event. The tournament’s illustrious alumni include boxing legends such as Sugar Ray Robinson, Floyd Patterson, Héctor Camacho, Mark Breland, and Riddick Bowe. While some participants transition to professional careers, for many, the competition serves as a vital arena for cultivating self-respect, discipline, and a sense of belonging.
Generational Gold: Necklaces and Rings
Desiree still cherishes her original winner’s necklace, featuring miniature 10-carat gold gloves, awarded by the Daily News for decades before the legal dispute discontinued their use. It is more delicate and smaller than the rings awarded to champions today. She proudly wore it around her neck this year. Reese’s championship ring will be a modern symbol of victory: substantial, radiant, and laden with significance.
A Boxing Story Across Decades
Their narrative encompasses decades, weight divisions, and multiple generations within the New York boxing scene.
Desiree’s Journey: From Adversity to Champion Boxer
Desiree, a carpenter by profession, initially embraced boxing in 1997 as a positive outlet after confronting substance abuse and depression in her twenties. “I grappled with addiction, alcoholism, depression, and all those challenges,” she recounted. “Boxing sparked my interest. Once I started, I was hooked. I loved everything about it – the act of punching, the thrill of evading hits, the satisfaction of landing a direct strike.”
She found her way to the Academy of Boxing for Women in Huntington, Long Island, and discovered a passion. “If it wasn’t specifically for women, I might not have walked in,” she admitted. Just two years prior, women were finally permitted to compete in the Golden Gloves, thanks to the advocacy of local fighter Dee Hamaguchi. Desiree received guidance from coach Rich Mancina, who specialized in training female boxers. “Initially, I was quite rough,” she explained. “I didn’t experience a full three-round bout until the Golden Gloves. Many of my early fights were stopped prematurely by the referee.”
Early Victories and a Pause for Motherhood
Desiree’s first amateur fight was at Gleason’s Gym, unknowingly pregnant at the time. (“I finished it in the first round,” she recalled.) Pregnancy led her to withdraw from the Golden Gloves. However, a year later, after a September caesarean birth, she returned to training and triumphed in the 1999 Golden Gloves, outscoring the more experienced Jill Emery in the 156lb women’s category. “I was heading to the gym the morning I went into labor,” she stated. “I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight within 30 days.”
Pioneer of Women’s Boxing
At 28, she went on to achieve runner-up at the national level. “We were just beginning,” she reflected. “I truly believe I am among the pioneers, along with Kathy Collins, Jill Emery, Jean Martin, Stella Nijhof, Jamie McGrath – we were navigating the early stages of women’s boxing in New York.”
Community and Identity
Desiree had already come out as queer before entering the world of boxing, even while in a relationship with Reese’s father. She found unwavering support within both the LGBTQ+ and recovery communities, which remain integral to her and Reese’s lives. Her initial girlfriend lived near the gym where she began training. “That’s how I discovered the Academy,” she said, highlighting the interconnectedness of her life.
Second Golden Gloves Title and Family Focus
Eventually, Desiree stepped away from fighting to start a family. Then, she experienced a relapse. Upon regaining sobriety, she decided to make one final competitive run before reaching the age limit of 35. This led her to Joe Higgins, the former marine and firefighter who ran the Freeport PAL gym on Long Island. Together, they secured the 2005 Golden Gloves title in her final year of eligibility.
Reese’s Return to Boxing: Finding Direction
Reese was raised around boxing but explored other interests: BMX biking, DJing, and wrestling. He engaged in some sparring as a youth but did not fully commit to boxing until recent years. “I had a difficult period,” he shared. “Each winter seemed worse than the last. I applied for a position with the fire department and wasn’t selected, which was truly disheartening. My mental state suffered. I turned back to boxing because I needed it.”
Unwavering Maternal Support
Desiree was supportive but never forceful. “She never pressured me into boxing,” Reese emphasized. “Not even once.”
Instead, her support manifested in practical ways: driving him to training, preparing meals, and providing coaching. “This is more emotionally challenging for me,” Desiree admitted. “Back then, I had control over my own weight and training. This is different, navigating my son’s emotional journey. We have all made sacrifices to support him immensely.”
Freeport PAL: Familiar Ground
Back at Freeport PAL, the established routines resumed. Higgins, Desiree’s former trainer, mentored Reese. “I’ve known him my entire life,” Reese stated. “Now, I’ve earned his respect as one of his boxers.”
Overcoming Adversity and Injury
The tournament journey was not without challenges. Reese entered the same competition the previous year, only to suffer a broken jaw during sparring shortly after Christmas. “Boxing was my redemption,” he reflected. “Then it became the source of my pain. Returning to win? It’s a complete circle.”
Navigating the Finals: Garden and Gravesend
Last month, he faced a setback, losing a decision to Rodney Phoenix from the Harlem House of Champions in a demanding preliminary bout that placed him on the brink of elimination. Then came the initial encounter with Conde on Thursday night at the Garden’s 5,600-seat theater. Reese dictated the pace, displayed skillful movement, and secured a split decision victory. But the rematch loomed. In the days between fights, Desiree experienced restless nights. “I didn’t want to impose pressure on him due to the historical significance,” she said. “But it was definitely in the back of both our minds.”
Championship Victory in Brooklyn
The second fight, held at the New York Fight Club in southeast Brooklyn, proved more intense. Conde adapted his strategy, increasing his punch output. Reese responded by mirroring his intensity, move for move, and executing cleanly. When the referee raised his hand again, the significance was clear. “I’ve now won all three New York tournaments,” Reese declared. “This was the one that held the most importance.”
Tribute to Patrick Day: A Shared Gym Legacy
The victory held personal meaning for both of them – and honored the memory of Patrick Day, the late Freeport PAL standout who tragically passed away from ring injuries in 2019. “We both have tattoos dedicated to him,” Desiree shared. “Even Reese’s boxing trunks feature ‘All Day’ and the Haitian flag [acknowledging Day’s Haitian-American heritage]. I witnessed Patrick’s early days at the gym as a teenager, offering encouragement. Later, Patrick became a source of encouragement for Reese. He was a role model for my son. He holds a special place in our hearts. Our gym has a profound story – encompassing Joe Higgins, Patrick, and now Reese. It all comes together.”
Full Circle at Madison Square Garden
Reese also recalls watching his mother win the 2005 Golden Gloves at the Garden when he was six. “The theater is large and well-lit, but not a massive stadium,” he described. “But as a child, it appeared colossal, like the Colosseum, overwhelming in scale. And I remember seeing her after her victory with my coach Joe. I often reflect on that moment now, having achieved victory at MSG myself.”
National Golden Gloves and Future Aspirations
Next on the horizon is the National Golden Gloves in Tulsa. Beyond that? His future path remains open. “I tend to be someone who takes things as they come,” he said. “If a professional opportunity arises and my coach believes I’m prepared, I would pursue it. But I wouldn’t proceed without their support. I want to continue winning, and that national title is a major goal. That would be another historic mother-son achievement, I believe.”
A Mother’s Pride
Desiree will be ringside in Oklahoma, cheering, supporting from the corner, and likely shedding more tears of pride. “It’s not about vicariously living through him,” she clarified. “It’s about sharing this aspect of myself with him. Witnessing his growth into his own man, that’s the true victory.”
Resilience: The True Inheritance
They did more than simply win titles. They fought their way back – through dedication and quiet perseverance – from obstacles, from sorrow, from the edge of despair. That is the authentic legacy passed down from mother to son: the bravery to falter, the steadfast resolve to try again, and the unwavering willpower to persevere.