Tabiti has little margin for error at nationals

Michael Hunter doesn't need to win this week's USA Boxing National Championships to secure his spot in the Olympic Trials next month. Hunter's win in the Golden Gloves nationals did that for him.

Andrew Tabiti doesn't have that luxury, though.

For Tabiti, a fellow Las Vegan and a friend of Hunter, the USA Boxing nationals, which begin Monday in Colorado Springs, Colo., mean everything. If Tabiti wants any chance of making the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team in the 201-pound division, he needs to perform at a high level this week. The top four in each weight class advance to the Olympic Trials, July 30 through Aug. 6 in Mobile, Ala.

The 21-year-old Tabiti, the Nevada state Golden Gloves champion at 201 pounds, lost his first-round bout in Indianapolis in April, while Hunter captured the gold medal in the division and locked up a Trials berth. Tabiti said he has had a lot of time to think about what he needs to do this week.

"It's real competitive," said Tabiti, who fights out of Elite Boxing and is one of six Southern Nevadans competing at nationals. "But I have fought a lot of top guys, and I feel I have what it takes. I just can't hold anything back."

Along with Tabiti and Hunter, Las Vegas will be represented by Sergio Lopez (108), Lanell Bellows (178) and Brett Rather at super heavyweight (201-plus). Also scheduled to compete is Henderson's Thomas Gennaro (152).

In the women's competition, which also gets under way Monday, Las Vegas will be represented by Marina Ramirez (106) and Bernice Hernandez at (112).

Tabiti, in his second year as an amateur, said he has learned that every round counts.

"I thought I had beaten the guy," he said of his first-round national Golden Gloves loss to Jake Sahlaney on April 25. "But the judges gave it to him. I have to go out and dominate and not leave it up to the judges."

Tabiti said his training has gone well since his return from the Golden Gloves and that he has put the disappointment of Indianapolis behind him.

"I've moved on," he said. "I've worked on my conditioning, and I've been sparring with a lot of southpaws. I know what I have to do."

■ TEXAS STATION CARD -- Top Rank's July 15 fight card at Texas Station's Dallas Events Center is coming together, with six fights supporting the 10-round main event that features NABF super featherweight champion Diego Magdaleno (19-0, seven knockouts) defending his title against Alejandro Perez (15-2-1, 10 KOs).

Magdaleno's younger brother, Jesse, who is 4-0 (three KOs), will be on the undercard in a six-round super bantamweight bout against an opponent to be determined. Las Vegas' Anthony Lenk (11-1, six KOs) will meet Fernando Rodriguez (6-3, three KOs) in a six-round junior welterweight bout.

Also on the card will be a pair of undefeated super featherweights, with Casey Ramos (13-0, four KOs) meeting Joselito Collado (12-0, three KOs) in an eight-round bout.

The card will be televised on Showtime as part of its "SHObox: The Next Generation" series.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.