Ocean County boxers prepare for U.S. Junior National Championships By BRITTANY GRUGAN, For The Press Posted: Sunday, June 13, 2010 Bobby "The Bull" McCarthy is a sophmore at Lacey Township High School Rocco "The Rocket" Salimbene is a junior at Southern Regional High School Bobby McCarthy was in search of a hobby 31Ž2 years ago. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native and his family relocated to the Forked River section of Lacey Township when McCarthy was in middle school. As a new kid in a new neighborhood and without many friends, McCarthy wanted to get involved with something. McCarthy, 16, found out about boxing at Gladiator Gym in town and decided to give it a try. It didn't take long for the sport to become far more than a hobby. "It evolved into something much more than a way to get friends," McCarthy said Friday. "I'm 110 percent dedicated to it. It's my life, it's what I do." That dedication is starting to pay off for the 6-foot-2, 240-pound sophomore at Lacey Townshp High School. He and friend Rocco Salimbene of Waretown, who also trains at Gladiator, will compete this week in the USA Boxing Junior National Championships in Camp Lejeune, N.C. More than 200 of the top 15- and 16-year-old boxers from across the country will participate in the tournament, which runs from Monday to Friday. It is the 39th Junior National Championship in USA Boxing history. McCarthy trains six days a week with Gladiator Gym instructor Sean Darling. McCarthy realized the depth of his potential at the start of the year. In February, he won the 2010 National Silver Glove Super Heavyweight Championship in Missouri. Now the top-ranked 16-year-old super heavyweight (201+ pounds) in the country, McCarthy hopes to carry that momentum to a national title. Winning the National Silver Glove title has boosted his confidence. McCarthy is one of 15 reigning National Silver Glove titleists competing in North Carolina. "It was one of the biggest moments in my life," McCarthy said of winning the Silver Glove title. "I always knew I was all right, but when I won it made me feel legitimate." McCarthy wants to pursue the sport for as long as he can, and is hopeful to become a 2012 Olympics qualifier. He said he's anxious and even a little nervous about this week. But mostly, he is confident about his skills. "I wanna get in there and prove myself again," McCarthy said. Salimbene, 16, will compete in the 132-pound weight class. He qualified for the national tournament by winning the Junior Olympic Northeast Regional Championship in May in Lake Placid, N.Y. "I'm anxious and excited. I'm just really happy to be there and I hope to get a victory," Salimbene said. McCarthy and Salimbene have become very good friends through Gladiator Gym and their shared passion for boxing. That passion has kept Salimbene, who got his start with the sport when his father taught him at age 10, to keep participating in boxing for six years. "I'm really into it," Salimbene said. "It's the only thing I do, really." Friendships made through training and competing have helped boxers like McCarthy and Salimbene thrive. McCarthy said Darling, an Atlantic County corrections officer, and the other members at the gym have become his support system. Darling puts in many hours of work with his trainees. The other gym members often spar with McCarthy. "Boxing is a one-man sport. You're gonna feel lonelier than on a football field with teammates. You need a support system," McCarthy said. "They won't be in the ring with you, but they'll be a part of you." Preliminary rounds will be held Tuesday and Wednesday. The semifinal round will be at noon on Thursday, and the title matches will take place at 11:30 a.m. Friday.