Vernon's Charlie Williams lands N.J. Golden Gloves title

Vernon — Charlie Williams was hungry. He was determined. And now, just four fights into his fledgling boxing career, he’s also a champion. Williams, 18, won a three-round unanimous decision against Mario Moran of the Brick Township Police Athletic League on April 20 at Morristown High School, to nab the 141-pound sub-novice title in the New Jersey Golden Gloves amateur boxing competition. Williams, who fights for Vernon’s Team Boxing, “easily” took each round of the fight and forced his opponent to take two standing eight counts, said his trainer, Tom Watson. “Charlie came out and boxed a great fight,” said Watson. “His skills have improved dramatically every fight.” Williams, who took up the pugilistic pastime last summer, received strong support from fellow boxers and officials at Team Boxing, who turned out with 30-plus people to cheer him on in the Golden Gloves finals Friday night. There’s no let-up from Williams, a senior at Vernon High School. He’s back in the gym training for what Watson said will be a soon-to-be-held one-night show with a handful of other boxers from Team Boxing, including Ryan Mulligan, at a location to be determined. But for now, Williams will bask in the glow of having become a boxing champion. “Charlie’s thrilled to have won the title and he should be,” said Watson. “He’s worked very hard for it.”