Tri-State Golden Gloves Tournament Coming to Ashland

Tri-State Golden Gloves Tournament Coming to Ashland

Rebecca Hemlock

The Ashland Beacon

In a city known for its close-knit community and unwavering love of boxing, the 2026 Tri-State Golden Gloves Tournament is set to light up the arena March 13–15. Ashland's historic National Guard Armory will host athletes from across the region as they step into the ring for a chance to punch their ticket to the national stage in Tulsa, Oklahoma, this May. For more than three decades, this tournament has been a cornerstone of American boxing, shaping young fighters and reminding fans why the sport runs on grit, discipline, and heart.

From its beginnings at the National Guard Armory to its modern era as a qualifying tournament, the event has served as a proving ground where champions are born and legends are remembered. The winners advance to nationals in May in Tulsa, a crucible where the best of the best confront one another for a shot at glory on the national level. The significance of the Golden Gloves in the boxing ecosystem cannot be overstated; many of the sport's most storied names who later climbed to the world stage — from Oscar De La Hoya to Muhammad Ali, from Mike Tyson to Floyd Mayweather Jr. — cut their teeth as Golden Gloves champions, using those wins as a launching pad toward dazzling careers.

Leading the spotlight this year are a pair of local legends who have helped keep the tournament thriving. Charlie Hanshaw ran the Tri-State Golden Gloves for more than 30 years, turning a neighborhood boxing scene into a nationally respected platform. This year, Hanshaw will be inducted into the National Golden Gloves Hall of Fame, a testament to his decades of dedication to the sport. He will share that honor with two other icons acclaimed by boxing fans in West Virginia and beyond: Christy Martin, the trailblazing West Virginia boxing legend, and Deontay Wilder, the former world heavyweight champion whose path from amateur rings to world titles inspired thousands.

Continuing the family legacy that has powered the tournament through the pandemic and beyond, Hanshaw’s son, Aaron Hanshaw, has been at the helm since the disruptions caused by COVID-19. A former heavyweight Golden Gloves champion in his own right, crowned in 2012, Aaron has steered the tournament with the same stubborn optimism that defines the sport, keeping the doors open for young athletes and fans alike.

This year’s tournament will also feature a special presentation recognizing one of the region’s most inspiring fighters. During the Friday, March 13 session, the Virgil Hanshaw Outstanding Achievement Award will be presented to Jeremy “The Beast” Bates — a three-time Tri-State Golden Gloves Champion and former Champion of Champions Award winner. Bates, who was also featured on the television program Monsters Underground, has shared the ring as a professional with multiple former world champions, including the legendary Evander Holyfield.

What makes his story extraordinary is not just his résumé, but his resilience. At 52 years old, Bates made a remarkable return to professional boxing — and is currently 3-0 since his comeback, an almost unheard-of achievement in a sport where most fighters have long retired by their 40s. Even more impressive, he has another bout scheduled for the Kentucky State Title.

In a discipline that demands youth, speed, and endurance, Bates continues to prove that heart, discipline, and determination do not fade with age. He will be present at the Armory to accept the award and be honored before fans and fighters alike — a living example of longevity and fighting spirit.

Officials say the event builds more than boxing skill. It fosters discipline, community pride, and opportunities for scholarships, college teams, and aspiring professionals who learn to handle the pressure of the ring. With dozens of bouts scheduled over three days, spectators will witness the raw energy, precision, and sportsmanship that have defined the Golden Gloves for generations.

Tickets go on sale soon, organizers say, and families from across the tri-state area are encouraged to plan ahead. The 2026 Tri-State Golden Gloves Tournament promises to be a celebration of local talent and national ambition — a reminder that the road from local rings to the world stage begins with a single jab in Ashland. As the dates approach, boxing clubs across the region are rallying volunteers and host families, while local businesses prepare for the influx of visitors.

If you respect grit, longevity, and true fighting spirit, March 13 at the National Guard Armory is a night you will not want to miss.

For more information, contact the Ashland Boxing Commission or visit the tournament’s official channels for schedules, weigh-ins, and live results. This is more than a competition; it’s a community ritual that keeps the ring sharp and the dream of national glory alive.