Marc Anthony Muniz, right, is pictured with trainer/coach Dan Kelly of Dorchester Boxing Club. Photo courtesy DBC

Just a year after he started training at Dorchester Boxing Club in Fields Corner, 16 year-old Marc Anthony Muniz won his sixth amateur fight on Saturday night in front of a huge crowd at TD Garden. Muniz (6-1) once again prevailed over fellow lightweight Luca Lo Conte Botis, whom he beat in their first match-up last year.

Muniz, who lives off of Pleasant Street near Uphams Corner, is a South Boston High School student who met his trainer, 21 year-old Jason Kelly, while hanging out in Savin Hill. Under Kelly’s direction, Muniz has blossomed into a promising young fighter and a Honor Roll student.

“When I first met him, he was really strong, but now his boxing skills have come a long,” says Kelly, who runs the Dorchester Boxing Club with his dad, Dan Kelly. “I would say it’s a result of Marc’s own dedication. He comes in every day after school for hours and hours. That keeps him sharp. He eats and breathes the sport and there’s no coincidence that the kid that’s here the most is the most successful.”
The 132 pound Muniz credited Kelly and their gameplan for his latest win.

We had a game-plan this time and we stuck to it. I came right at the body and got [Botis] tired.

“I was very excited. I never thought I’d be able to fight at the Garden this soon.”

Kelly said that Muniz showed a lot of heart getting up in front of so many people in the Night at the Fights.

“He was nervous, but he responds to it a little better than I do even. Some are better in a gym than in front of a crowd. He stepped up.”