Westbury Boxing Club Won The Boxing Weekend

Westbury Boxing Club won the weekend with a very big Saturday night.

The Westbury Boxing Club is a free boxing club located in the basement of the M. Phipps Sports Center in Westbury, New York. The Village of Westbury is in North Hempstead in Nassau County on Long Island, about 18 miles east of Manhattan.

Anyone is welcome to come and train at the facility and it serves as the “home” gym of several professional fighters.

Pete Latorre and Emmanuel Etienne both won their bouts on Saturday, September 7. Courtesy Westbury Boxing Club

Westbury Boxing Club Winners

Pete Latorre, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps from Elmont, New York, and Emmanuel Etienne, a New York City police officer from Uniondale, New York, both fought on Saturday on the “Wanted: NYC’s NextStar” card at Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York.

Latorre (2-0, 2 KOs) blew out his opponent in dominating fashion, a second-round knockout of Lucas Andres Dadamo of Argentina (3-5-3, 1 KO) in a scheduled four-round welterweight division fight.

Cruiserweight Etienne of Uniondale (7-1, 4 KOs) earned a hard-fought unanimous decision win over Raphael Carolina, a native of Spring Valley, New York now training in North Carolina (2-6-2, 1 KO). Both men advanced their careers and put together strong performances.

Where Were The MIA Trainers?

Conspicuous by their absence were trainers Scott Lopeck and Joe Gadigian from either men’s corner. Both men are heavily involved in coaching at the gym. Why would two staples of Westbury Boxing miss two great performances?

Because they were with Cletus “The Hebrew Hammer” Seldin, 70-plus miles away at an aquarium of all places. It was not for the long-awaited title shot Seldin has been seeking. It was for The Hammer’s wedding to Jessica Ostrowski.

Jessica Ostrowski shows off the ring after Cletus Seldin's proposal. Photo: Screenshot/NY Fights

Seldin (28-1, 23 KOs) proposed to Ostrowski after his last fight on March 15, a majority decision win over Jose Angulo, in the ring at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. The proposal was a viral social media sensation, and the couple's happiness was celebrated as much as Selden's win. The wedding and ceremony were unique and well done.

Boxing has always been an individual sport, but there has always been a family nature to it. Saturday night, the Westbury Boxing family had a night for the ages. They picked up three big wins albeit in varying fashion.

On September 9, Westbury Boing hosts its annual fundraiser to help keep the gym free for its participants. If it was
anything like this past weekend. It will be a huge success. It's too late to attend, but you can send a check to the address below.

Support the Westbury Boxing Club by sending a check to the club at 103 Post Avenue, Westbury NY 11590.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Gyms like the humble Westbury Boxing are the life's blood of boxing in the U.S. and worldwide. They allow the seeds of ambition and greatness to grow and inspire young men and women to improve their lives, whether or not they ever fight on network TV or win a title. Give these gyms your support. Helping them survive helps boxing and helps our communities thrive.