Montville Teen to Compete in Amateur Boxing Match

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When school ends for the day, most high school students head home to relax and take it easy. For 16-year-old sophomore Nicolas Vitone, the bell signifying the end of the school day simply means the commencement of his boxing training.

For nearly a year, Vitone has been working out at Aces Boxing Club, learning the art of the sport while honing his skills in anticipation of his first amateur fight. On May 25, Vitone will be stepping between the ropes of the squared circle for the first time as he makes his amateur debut at the Boonton Elks Lodge. 

Growing up an avid boxing fan, Vitone has spent much time watching fight videos of both professionals and amateurs to study their styles, footwork and anything he can apply to his own skillset within the ring.

“I love the competitiveness of boxing,” Vitone said. “There’s nothing else like it.  I’ve played a handful of other sports, but there’s no feeling compared to when you are in that ring.”

At a young age and with less than a year of formal training, Vitone exhibits the poise, comfort and ring presence of a skilled and experienced amateur who has been fighting for years.

Vitone attributes picking up of the sport so quickly to his coach and trainer Joe Zabry, an 11-year Air Force veteran and owner of Aces Boxing Club in Boonton. 

“Joe pushes us and trains us hard every day,” Vitone said. “Whether it is boxing, strength and conditioning or sparring, he makes sure we give it our all so that we are ready for anything we face inside the ring.”

The lifestyle of a boxer at any level is not an easy one. Boxing requires unrelenting discipline and perseverance and Vitone knows that in order to be victorious, he has to put the work in to get ready for May 25.

Preparing for his amateur debut means more than hitting a heavy bag once in a while. Vitone’s training schedule consists of the following:

· Boxing skills and conditioning three days a week

· Endurance and strength conditioning twice a week

· Sparring twice a week

· Running (distance and sprinting) four times a week

In addition to going to school, Vitone diligently trains day after day to work toward his dream of one day making it as a professional fighter. He possesses the discipline, determination and drive to go far in this sport and can’t wait for his opportunity to get in the ring.

“I just want to get in there and fight,” Vitone said about May 25 with a smile on his face. “A lot of my friends and family will be there for my debut, so I want to go out and put on a good show.”

Nicolas Vitone will be making his amateur boxing debut May 25 at the Boonton Elks Lodge, located at 125 Cornelia Street in Boonton. Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased at Aces Boxing Club—718 Main Street, ‘Top Floor,’ Boonton.