by David P. Greisman
Tamerlan Tsarnaev — the older of the two brothers who police say planted bombs that killed three and wounded scores more earlier this week at the Boston Marathon — had an amateur boxing background, according to multiple newspaper reports.
The 26-year-old died during a shootout with police early Friday morning, police told the media.
He debuted in 2004 in the Greater Lowell (Mass.) Novice Golden Gloves, winning a novice title at 178 pounds, according to the Lowell Sun. That newspaper also notes Tsarnaev as competing in national Golden Gloves tournaments in 2009 and 2010. That coincides with a Boston.com article that links to results from 2009, when Tsarnaev competed in the 201-pound division and lost.
David P. Greisman is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Follow David on Twitter @fightingwords2 or send questions/comments via email at fightingwords1@gmail.com
