Mike Fontanez had the ring pulled out from under him over the past year or so.

Titles, trips to Nationals, even a potential OIympic shot were derailed by a torn ligament in the Nashua PAL Boxing Club sensation’s right hand.

The adversity did nothing to dissuade the dream. It has just forced Fontanez to an alternate route.

Last week, the 24-year-old, picked up his second Central New England Golden Gloves title, disposing of the 2019 champ with a dominating 5-0 decision.

“I cleaned up my side of the street,” said Fontanez, who now moves on to the upcoming New Englands in Lowell on Feb. 27.

The plan to turn pro remains in place this summer after Nationals. The disappointment with the injury, Fontanez says, will only drive him in the future.

“It was a huge rough patch, but we bounced back,” Fontanez said. “RIght now, I feel great. There was no rust.”

With 50-plus amateur fights, Fontanez certainly paid his dues.

The self-made business man has certainly developed an affinity for his sport that is matched by few.

For the past year, that right hand has been the only thing that was inactive on his carved 165-pound body.

“It was tough, but there’s just so much else you can work on, my left, footwork, defense,” said the 10th-rated fighter in his weight class nationally.

His team, led by Nashua PAL trainer Mo Brooks, has pushed Fontanez hard and the showed through at the Gloves.

It will be interesting with the bit of a resurgence of pro club shows in the region, most notably from Peter Czymbor’s “Boston Boxing” group, if Fontanez’ fine following could help that grow even stronger.

First things first, though. There are titles to be won.

“With Mo, and with Marc from Momentum Boxing, and the Veritas folks in New Hampshire in my corner, greatness will be achieved,” said Fontanez. “I can be unstoppable.”

JESSE DELIVERS

Fontanez was one of two Nashua PAL open champs at the Lowell Gloves.

Slugger Jesse Batanda won a heavily-contested 3-2 decision over Lawrence, Mass., 178-pounder Andrew Perez for the Central New England title. Batanda will, like Fontanez, see action next on the 27th.

Nashua’s Nick Molina, who fights out of the famed Lowell West End Gym, won the 132-pound Central New England title, with a 5-0 decision last week over Lawrence’s Kevin Rodriguez.

ODDS AND ENDS

A simple memo to the Boston Celtics and everyone else in the NBA, who continue to send James Harden and the Rockets to the foul line at an alarming rate:

Just stop hacking. …

In case you missed it, Charlie McAvoy surged into a 19th-place tie among Bruins goal leaders with the immortal Karson Kuhlman.

Charlie McAverage had better not get complacent with his one goal — a cheapie in the 3-on-3 overtime — in 55 games. Snipers like Steven Kampfer (0 goals in 18 games) and Anton Blidh (0 goals in 5 games) are hot on his trail. …

My DC Defenders are 1-0, baby! XFL fever. Catch it.

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