NB boxer takes regional Golden Gloves

By John Behling
After nearly three years of amateur competition and a crippling shattered elbow, boxer Tony Grygelko still hasnít touched canvas during a bout.
ìI guess I can take a pretty good shot,î Grygelko said.
And he can deliver a good one as well.
Grygelko scored a knockout against Ricky Aulie in the final round of the Upper Midwest Golden Gloves tournament last month to advance to the national tournament in Las Vegas this weekend, Memorial Day.
ìIím pretty excited. Itís a great opportunity for someone from Minnesota,î Grygelko said.
ìIíve got the power, the strength, the stamina and the skill level.î
Speaking with confidence about his chances, Grygelko addd: ìWeíll have to see how the cards fall.î
The 26-year-old 147-pound welterweightís career took a ëpretty good shotí in 2000 when he delivered a simple left hook that unexpectedly shattered his elbow.
Initially, neither the boxer nor his trainer, Ron Lyke, knew if he would ever return to the ring.
They approached his recovery just as they approached his career: little steps.
Improve one percent every day you train, after 100 days youíve improved 100 percent, Grygelko said reflecting on the philosophy of his trainer.
After two surgeries and a year of physical therapy, Grygelko returned to the ring in July 2001.
Although his body had mended, Grygelko found that he had not completely recovered psychologically from his injury.
ìIt was easy to rehab my body,î Grygelko said. ìBut subconsciously, I was afraid to throw my left hand.î
After the painful freak accident, such fears are understandable.
In surmounting his internal blockade, Grygelko went as far as seeing a hypnotist.
When asked whether it helped or not, the recovered boxer wouldnít rule anything out, regarding it as just one more element in the process.
Now that heís returned to full strength, Grygelko again is talking about turning pro, a step he was planning to take in the fall of 2001 but delayed to give his recovery more time.
The former Stacy resident wrestled for North Branch High School and Augsberg College before discovering boxing after college.
From the start of his career others have noticed his footwork, which he attributes to wrestling.
ìWhat made me successful in wrestling was my endurance and hard work ethic. Iíve been able to transfer that over into my boxing career,î Grygelko said.
When asked which sport is more difficult, Grygelko is careful to answer, although he has been asked this many times.
ìYou never get punched in the head in wrestling,î he concluded.
After qualifying for the national competition, Grygelko stepped up his training considerably.
ìTheyíre trying to give me more ring time,î he said, adding that he normally spared two or three times a week, but now heís sparring everyday.
The intensity of his workouts has been stepped up as well. He described a session last week where he fought 15 consecutive three-minute rounds against opponents ranging from amateur welterweights to pro heavyweights.
Grygelko continues to hone his endurance and conditioning, just two of the techniques he uses to wear down his opponents.
ìIt may take a couple rounds, but Iíll break a guy down,î Grygelko said.
He talks with a firmness in his tone consistent with the career of an athlete who surmounted a potentially career-ending injury to boast a 32-11 record and an Upper Midwest Golden Gloves title, all without being knocked out or even knocked down.
Grygelko seems determined to keep things this way.
The Golden Glove National tournament will be May 27-31 at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.

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