Alumni Sports News (Seriously) Jazz Alum Michael Spiegel Wins 2010 New York Golden Gloves Championship
It may not seem jazz-related, but to me boxing is a lot like jazz. It is no wonder that Miles, Red Garland, Steve Coleman, and many other prominent Jazz figures were fascinated by the Sweet Science.,
Such is the peripatetic wisdom of New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music alum Michael Spiegel (2007), who won the 83rd Annual New York Daily News Golden Gloves Championship in the 178-lb Novice division on March 25. Spiegel’s tournament journey consisted of five back-to-back victories, including three decisions and two technical knockouts. The Golden Glove Finals, held at Madison Square Garden, marked Spiegel’s fifth and final bout. Though the stacked light heavyweight division once boasted more than 40 contestants, the only fighters left standing were Spiegel and Russian-born Aleksey Kuper of Staten Island.
In an email exchange, Spiegel told The Observer, Like with jazz, developing proficiency in boxing takes countless hours of dedication, practice, and training. In both endeavors, one has to constantly adjust, modify, and improvise in order to meet the demands of the situation and succeed. Both disciplines also require the practitioner to maintain a keen awareness and to always live in the moment in order to be completely responsive.,
The Golden Gloves final marked Spiegel’s 10th amateur boxing bout. In addition to winning the tournament, Spiegel was a finalist in the 2009 Metropolitan Championships, losing a controversial final decision. In addition to his rigorous training schedule, Spiegel works as a musician, guitar instructor, and a personal trainer. Content, but never complacent, he plans to continue fighting in the 178-open division in 2010, including a potential run at the 178-lb Open division of the 2011 Golden Gloves. His bout from the 2010 Golden Glove finals will be broadcast on the MSG cable network later this year.