By Carmine Frongillo, Lowellsun.com
LOWELL -- Elhan Nevzadi consistently dispels the notion that boxers in the lower weights can't swing with the big boys.
Most of Nevzadi's fights turn into an arms race, with his opponent typically trying to play catch-up when it comes to matching the volume of punches thrown.
With a title on the line, Nevzadi, a native of Albania who now lives in Waltham came out firing, and he never backed off his all-out assault until he had earned the decision over Efrin Ramirez of Southern New England in the New England Golden Gloves Novice Tournament 123-pound championship bout at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium last night.
Nevzadi, 18, who calls himself the Albanian Assassin, was so impressive while punching his way to the crown, that he was named the winner of the Luis Ayala Memorial Award, given annually to the Outstanding Boxer at the New England Tournament. The victory improved Nevzadi's amateur record to 7-0.
"I never slow down during a fight," said Nevzadi, who dedicated the win to his grandpa, Islajm Nevzadi, who celebrated his birthday this week. "I'm the Albanian Assassin. I don't get tired. I train hard. I'm dedicated to boxing. I want to thank my coaches for pushing me."
Nevzadi pushed Ramirez, owner of a 2-1 record, from start to finish. Although Ramirez never backed down in the face of the onslaught, he did back into the ropes, where he caught the full-brunt of Nevzadi's punishing one-two combos.
"He stood there right with him, but he wasn't supposed to do that," said Ramirez' trainer Libby Medeiros. "He fought the kid's fight. He was supposed to stay in the middle (of the ring). He's a better fighter in the middle. But the kid pushed right into him and that's where they ended up. He's a fighter and he fought right back."
For most of this six minutes of fury, Nevzadi's gloves were a red blur. He scored with punches to the body and head, with his straight right his primary source of power.
"I have a hard, hard right hand," said Nevzadi. "I think I'm gifted for fighting. I love to fight. My oldest brother, Erkan, was a fighter and he made me a fighter.
"I can fight any style. If I fight a brawler, I'm going to be a brawler. But I'm going to be twice as strong as he is as a brawler. But if he is a boxer, I'll dance with him and throw some punches. It was a good fight. He's a good fighter."
As good as he looked winning the title, the best may be yet to come for Nevzadi, who moved to Waltham from Cleveland.
"He's a tremendous fighter and believe it or not he was probably only 60-percent (tonight)," said Nevzadi's trainer Alex Rivera. "He's winning but there's room for improvement. He's just getting off the flu. He fought two fights, where he couldn't even breath. When he gets back to 100-percent, he'll knock people out because his punches will be even more compact with speed and strength.
"What a fight he was in tonight! That was one of the best fights of the tournament. My guy took some shots, but he was able to keep going."
Nevzadi came to the U.S. with his family when he was seven. He has gone back to visit his homeland several times. His goals include representing the USA in the Olympics and turning pro .
"When I go pro, if I ever make real good money, I'm going to help all the poor people over in Albania," said Nevzadi. "That's my dream."
Western New England won the George J. McGuane Memorial Team Trophy.
