Aside from the normal sports coverage The Saratogian's Sports Department provides (high school and college basketball, swimming, hockey, etc.), we also take pride in the other wide array of sports we are able to cover in the Spa City.

Which brings me to my next big assignment, the 5th Annual Golden Gloves boxing matches at the Holiday Inn on Broadway, presented by Saratoga Youth Boxing. Now in their 33rd year, SYB has been working extremely hard to promote the sport and its program, and deserves credit for it. Moreso, the SYB deserves our community's support as they help keep youths off the streets while using their energy in a positive way, all while promoting physical fitness.

Next week (Feb. 1 through Feb. 6) I will be writing a series of articles on some of the boxers taking part in the event, the history of SYB and the Golden Gloves event itself, and other important information for all the boxing buffs out there. Keep an eye out for stories on: up-and-coming 12-year-old Nacoda Meredith as he readies for his first amateur bout in the ring; undefeated Shawn Miller (20-0), brother of local boxing icon Shannon Miller, as he looks to keep his record one-sided; and Greenwich native Josh Dulmer, who wowed the crowd at last year's tournament, as he defends the coveted John Morrissey Saratoga Championship Heavyweight Title in the headlining bout.

The 12 brutal boxing matches take place Friday, Feb. 6, at 7:30 p.m. and admission is only $10 in advance ($15 at the door). Advanced tickets can be bought at Mohr's West Avenue Mobil (80 West Av.) and Mohr's Service Center (239 Washington St.). We hope to see you at the Holiday Inn on Friday, but if we don't, check out our coverage of the boxing card in Saturday morning's Saratogian.

— Sam Hollingsworth