Another Star

Twelve-year-old Thomas Blumenfeld was named National Champion of his age/ weight class a week ago in San Antonio, Tx at the National Police Athletic League Championships, making Blumenfeld the top fighter in his division in the country.

http://compasspaper.com/another-star-p1843-1.htm                               Thomas Blumenfeld of Springfield, Vt trains at the Claremont Boxing Club days after being named National PAL Champion in San Antonio, Texas. The 12-year-old boxes in the 75 lb open class and has a 23 fights under his belt already.  •  Jesse Baker  •   Thu, Oct 21, 2010  •  The Claremont Boxing Club and the Blumenfelds of Springfield, Vt have produced another star fighter. Twelve-year-old Thomas Blumenfeld was named National Champion of his age/ weight class a week ago in San Antonio, Tx at the National Police Athletic League Championships, making Blumenfeld the top fighter in his division in the country. This award also marks the highest achievement to date for any Claremont Boxing Club contestant.  •  Thomas, a lean boy weighing in at around 75 pounds at any given time, looks like any other active 12-year-old boy. That is until you see him working the bags or sparring in the ring with boxers twice his age and more than twice his size.  •  "Thomas began training at age 8," mom, Marisa Blumenfeld said as she watched her boy train. "He used to compete in gymnastics. One day he picked up his dad's tattered old boxing gloves and never really put them down until we agreed to let him train.  •  We fit it around his gymnastics schedule at first, but eventually boxing won."  •  Mom and dad Blumenfeld travel to the Claremont Boxing Club every weekday with Thomas and big sister Ashley, who also boxes through the club, for training. They exercise, learn about nutrition, spar with other boxers and gain the discipline necessary for a fighter. But training doesn't end at the club. "We have a heavy bag in the living room at our house," Marisa said with a chuckle as she gestured to one of the long, cylindrical black punching bags." At home he's either working that bag or playing outside. Thomas loves boxing and the outdoors.When he's not outside he's in the gym. When he's not in the gym he's outside."  •  Marisa pointed out that Thomas is a very focused kid, and very goal driven. For example, boxers compete in weight classes and often have to either gain or lose a couple pounds at a time in order to compete against boxers their own size. "Thomas has no trouble with that at all," Marisa said. "He's stubborn to a fault, like a pitbill. When he wants something he grabs onto it and doesn't let go until he gets it."  •  Thomas' most recent bout was against Isreal Rodriguez of Houston, Tx. According to coach Ed Farris, Rodriguez was the top youth fighter in the open class in the nation, yet Thomas, with less experience and less wins, had no trouble taking him down (so to speak). Blumenfeld won in the third round as five judges scored a total of 6-5 full-contact hits.  •  "[Thomas] was confident, but not cocky before the fight," said dad Bob Blumenfeld. "He said that he knew he was going to beat this guy, and we knew he probably would." According to Bob this is Thomas' biggest fight to date.  •  "He moved out of the amateur class and into the open class when he first came in about 6 months ago," said coach Ed Farris. "Right now he's fighting at a really elite level... he's fighting the best of the best."  •  The open division is used to identify any boxer who has competed in ten or more fights. Farris said, "When you're fighting in the open division you're fighting at a whole different level."  •  The Blumenfelds are excited for Thomas and look forward to what is next to come. But nobody is more excited than Thomas. "I want to win more tournaments," Thomas said in a very matter-of-fact tone, adding "I can't go to the Olympics until I'm 17, but that's where I want to be."  •