In the presence of all-time great fighter Joe Frazier, fought in the championship match of the 165 lb. Open Class at Friday night's 84th Annual NY Golden Gloves Finals at Madison Square Garden.
"Smokin' Joe" Frazier was known for his incredible resilience in the ring, and in similar style, Nuncio pushed the pace yet again in boxing's most prestigious tournament, behind a measuring jab and a straight left downstairs, he closed each round with blistering flurries of punches to vie for the gold.
However, victory was not in the cards Friday night for the Glen Cove fighter, as Herve Duroseau of the Freeport PAL was awarded the gold via decision.
"For the first time, I was not nervous at all," Nuncio said. "It was a weird feeling, but I felt the best I've ever been, and in the best shape of my life."
Even without the outcome he had hoped for, Nuncio said he plans to go professional in the near future: "I'm not sure when or how just yet, but it's definitely going to happen, as that fight was my final fight as an amateur."
In the meantime, Nuncio will continue to serve as a trainer at the Competitive Edge Gym in Glen Cove. This year marked the fifth in a row a member has reached the finals, according to Chris O'Boyle of CEA Gym.
Aside from Frazier – best remembered for his three fight trilogy with Muhammad Ali, the first of which took place at Madison Square Garden, dubbed "The Fight of the Century" – also in attendance was 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist Mark Breland and Brandon Jacobs of the New York Giants.
