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With his father as his primary tutor, Benny Sinakin has absorbed boxing’s history, especially its local chapters, for most of his life.
Eager to add to his hometown’s annals, the 5-foot-10, 200-pound pugilist gained a unanimous decision victory March 30 at Kensington’s Front Street Gym to claim the Philadelphia Golden Gloves 15-16 heavyweight championship, the first entry in what he hopes will be a lengthy list of accolades.
“I wanted to prove even more that South Philly guys are tough,” the 15-year-old sophomore at The Academy at Palumbo, 1100 Catharine St., said Friday from his home on the 2400 block of South Orkney Street. “I know it was once a big area for fighters, so I’m just looking to show how proud I am to be from South Philly.”
Benny boosted his turf’s reputation two weeks ago by sweeping his three-round bout against Chad Johnson, who had hoped to use a four-inch height advantage to produce sharper blows, thus forcing the local athlete to retreat to the ropes. Mindful of his foe’s plan, Benny opted for aggression and used swift lateral movements to create openings for crisp jabs.
“Before you know it, he had his man on the ropes,” Andre Horne, who trains Benny at the Marian Anderson Recreation Center, 744 S. 17th St., said. “My guy is so committed and intense that I knew he’d do it.”
Likewise nicknamed “The Bull,” the resident of the 2400 block of South Fifth Street had a short professional career yet has experienced success preparing hopeful fighters for the rigors of their sport. Teaming up with Benny in late 2011, he noticed a youngster ready to endure pain to pursue glory.
“Andre likes to say God must have put them together because they’re so in sync,” Lincoln Sinakin, the new titlist’s patriarch, who fought once as an amateur in 1962, said. “It’s been special to watch their bond grow.”
That union has helped Benny to develop a fervent curiosity for tactics and the belief that no matter who stands before him, he will never find himself unprepared or overwhelmed. The teenager called on that confidence for a pre-duel sparring session with United States Boxing Association cruiserweight champion Garrett Wilson and for his premiere, where, despite early butterflies, he offered enough variety to impress the judges and to give himself opportunities to gloat at his South of South training facility, chances he has shunned.
“The day of the fight, I knew I had done the necessary work, and it felt great to be declared the winner,” Benny said. “When I heard my name, I thought ‘It’s my time,’ but I’m the same kid I was before, and I want to do much better.”
Along with providing joy, last month’s triumph also offered evidence that patience pays, as the Whitman dweller had needed to wait years for someone to brawl.
“I’ve been enrolled for some time, but kids couldn’t make weight, so I went without a fight,” Benny said. “While that was frustrating, I decided to be more dedicated so that when I heard about having a match, I felt great.”
The promising talent approached his father for instruction as a 12-year-old student at D. Newlin Fell School, 900 W. Oregon Ave., allowing boxing to join baseball, football and track to give him a quartet of recreational passions. Having noticed how now-19-year-old brother Demetri Sinakin experienced enhanced focus through acquiring punching prowess, Benny found himself lacing up gloves to give his family another potential bruiser, but his motivation seemed precarious.
“At first, I just did it because my brother and others were doing it,” he said. “I was interested but something was missing, and I had other sports on my mind.”
Godmother Evelyn Miranda had expressed her fear that Benny might end up injured yet knowing his affinity for fighting, she told him to stick with it if he felt he could excel. Her Feb. 2012 death compelled him to seek distinction, and he chooses to honor her advice and influence by donning pink socks.
“I’m really fortunate to have so many supporters,” Benny said. “Every day is a chance to learn something new and reach new heights.”
Horne has helped him to hone his hopes, with the physicality of their sessions teaching him to persevere no matter the odds. That discipline also has motivated him to continue his baseball and football infatuations for Horace Furness High School, 1900 S. Third St., through a School District agreement, as his Hawthorne secondary site does not field those teams. As a catcher for the diamond unit and an offensive and defensive lineman for the gridiron group, he likewise displays his grit, although his boxing allegiance will likely yield his vocation.
“I want to represent my country in the [2016] Olympic Games and eventually become the heavyweight champion of the world,” Benny said. “I can’t wait to represent South Philly.”
The fighter next will test his caliber May 11 at North Philly’s Derby Ink Gardens. If he wins, he will claim the regional title and head to Reading for May 25’s state final. With weeks to prepare, he plans to hear many calls for consistency from Horne.
“He tells me we can take it all,” Benny said. “I believe that and I want it to come true.”
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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