Nursing Major Wins Golden Gloves Boxing Matchups

03/26/2024
By Karen Angelo

Fighting in a recent New England Golden Gloves boxing match at Lowell Memorial Auditorium, E’Armani Corporan found himself on the defensive. But during the third round, the UMass Lowell nursing major turned the bout around with a little help from his dad. 

“When I compete, I always listen for my father’s voice,” says Corporan. “He yelled from the sidelines, ‘This kid doesn’t have anything for you. Step aside and throw your right hand and it’s yours.’ That’s exactly what I did.” 

A native of Lawrence, Massachusetts, Corporan won the 139-pound novice division regional championship by unanimous decision. Two weeks earlier, he also won in his weight class in the Central New England Golden Gloves. 

“I’ll keep training and fighting over the summer and then compete in the Golden Gloves again next year,” says Corporan, 18, whose two opponents were 28 and 30. 

The two fights were Corporan’s first at the New England Golden Gloves, a competition that’s been held every winter at Lowell Memorial Auditorium since 1945. Previous fighters who have gotten into the ring there include Rocky Marciano, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler and Micky Ward – all legendary champions in their pro careers. 

“Since I’m 18, this is the first year I could qualify to fight, and it was exciting to compete at an event where legends have boxed for years,” says Corporan. 

Boxing has been part of Corporan’s life since he was 14. 

“I was bullied as a kid and wanted to defend myself, so I joined a gym in eighth grade,” he says. “I liked working out, because it released my frustrations and I felt more confident.” 

Corporan also excels in school. He attended Abbott Lawrence Academy, a small, accelerated honors high school within the Lawrence High School campus. It was created to “retain the best and brightest students of the city,” according to the school’s website. 

At Abbott Lawrence Academy, he took college courses, including anatomy and physiology, and found that he was drawn to the field of health sciences. 

“I was naturally interested in nursing because the profession helps people, and I was doing well in my courses,” says Corporan, a first-generation freshman who was named to the dean’s list in his first semester. “I chose UMass Lowell because of the nursing program’s excellent reputation and the university’s diverse community. My experience so far has been great, with very supportive faculty.” 

Corporan lives on campus but appreciates residing close enough to home to help out with his four younger siblings. He continues to train at Lawtown Boxing in Lawrence. 

“I work out, eat healthy and see my family,” says Corporan. “I don’t party or go out much, but that’s OK with me. I train and do well in school, so that’s what matters most.”