For fans of the Sweet Science who attended the NY Daily News Golden Gloves event at Glen Cove High School in March and saw Raul Nuncio fight, your next opportunity to cheer on the Glen Cover is in two weeks. Raul has fought his way to the top and will be boxing in the Golden Gloves finals being held at Madison Square Garden on April 19 and 20 in the 165-pound novice division.

The 26-year-old pugilist fought in last year's Golden Gloves and won his first three fights. At the time, he had been boxing for just about a year and, he said, "We were only training maybe once or twice a week." His trainer Tim Lane, a World Kickboxing champion added, "and we weren't traveling to do any sparring." Over this past year, they have been training five times a week, mostly at Island Fitness, and working with Gary Grella, who runs the club's boxing program. At the Golden Gloves finals, Gary will be in Raul's corner, along with Tim. "Raul has overcome a lot of obstacles," said Gary, "and learned a lot this year. He's got the fire."

Also over the past year, Raul has been in many a ring in many a gym sparring with many a partner. "You have to work with people who are better than you...pros," said Tim. One day found them at a gym with Zab Judah, and with no one else to spar with Raul, the former World Champion and three-time Golden Gloves winner got in the ring. "When you know you can hold your own sparring with Zab Judah, it raises your confidence, which helps improve your skills," said Tim. The three men smiled at the memory.

In a fast-paced conversation that resembled a round of jabs and left hooks, Tim and Gary explained just what it is about Raul that could win him the Gloves, with the fighter, a much quieter man, interjecting a word here and there before the bell. Raul is admired as much for his dedication, focus and work ethic as for his ability, good health and strength. "This guy eats, sleeps and breathes boxing," noted Gary.

When asked to name his role models in the boxing world, Raul could only cite Tim Lane, who has been a friend for about five years and Raul's trainer for two. "I was never into boxing," Raul smiled. When he was younger, he favored the sport of Tai Kwon Do and then went on to kickboxing. After breaking his forearm, he found his way to a boxing ring and began working out with his good arm. Once recovered, he was in the ring to stay.

Glen Cove Police Det. Steve Vetrone is a big fan of the fighter. The two men met at the Glen Valley Deli, where Raul works on weekends. "He'd make me a sandwich and we'd talk," said the detective. "Next thing you know, we were friends. He's a terrific guy and I wish him all the luck in the world. He deserves it."

The Glen Valley Deli is also the place Tim and Raul met and became friends. At that time, Tim was training his wife, boxer Kelly Lane, and Raul would come watch her fight. Tim said, "Raul is only the third fighter that I have had the pleasure to train and I have to say that he has everything it takes to win the tournament this year."

When asked about his most difficult opponent to date, Raul noted the boxer he faced in Glen Cove, his complaint being that the opponent was "awkward." Gary agreed. "Raul is a 'pretty' fighter as opposed to a 'tough' fighter. The match up for the finals is a good one, with two clean, standup fighters," he added. Raul is matched against Sean Mockler from the Suffolk County PAL.

Raul has lived in Glen Cove since 1999 and, in addition to working those serendipitous weekends at the Glen Valley Deli in Glen Cove, works full time at Brook Electric in Port Washington and finds time to put in a few hours working at Panza Martial Arts in Syosset.

Just in case you don't know the strong connection Glen Cove has with the sport of boxing, consider the following: Darcy Belyea, Glen Cove Parks and Recreation director, is a former public relations director for Main Events and Madison Square Garden Boxing; the assistant principal at Glen Cove High School, Allen Hudson, is Allen "June Bug" Hudson's son; and the principal at Finley Middle School, Anael Alston, is a former Golden Gloves champ and cousin to the aforementioned former World Champion Zab Judah; Hubert Hilton, a former city employee, fought in heavyweight title bouts around the world and Howard Davis, Jr., a 1976 Olympic gold medallist and teammate of the great Sugar Ray Leonard, was also a Golden Gloves champ from Glen Cove.