LUBBOCK, Texas — Staten Island native James Gentile originally got involved in the sport of boxing after seeking a way to improve his self-defense abilities and discovering that he had a knack for play fighting with his brother. What began as a childhood curiosity has since grown into a lifelong passion.
Earlier this month, Gentile, a senior at Tottenville High School, captured the 165-pound Male Youth Division title at the 2025 USA Boxing National Championships. His victory also earned him a spot on USA Boxing’s High Performance team, qualifying him for the upcoming Colorado selection camp. Gentile will then set his sights on the U19 Futures Cup, scheduled to take place in Bangkok, Thailand, this coming March.
“As soon as I started fighting, it’s just been just nothing but boxing ever since,” Gentile said simply.
“I didn’t really start taking fighting seriously until I was 14. That’s when I decided to fully commit — spending less time with friends and dedicating myself to the sport — because I truly loved it,” he continued.
That decision has clearly paid dividends for Gentile, who has emerged as one of the top boxers in both the New York metropolitan area and the nation.
“I feel like everything is falling into place, and everything I wanted is coming to me,” Gentile said. “I still have to perform and I do my best, but I’m where I’ve wanted to be since I was little. I just have to keep do my thing, keep my head on straight, and keep my position.”
Despite entering the National Championships as a dark horse after recently changing weight classes, he described the thrill of fighting in the final rounds of the tournament as the standout moments of his recent boxing journey.
Staten Island native James Gentile receives his championship belt after winning his weight class at the USA Boxing National Championships in Lubbock, TX on Dec. 13, 2025ABC School Photo Inc
“I went in there as a big underdog and put on a big performance in the semifinals, not dropping and giving a standing count to the No. 1 guy in the country. I feel like a lot of people saw how much better I got and really started seeing who I am because I put on such a good performance.”
“Two days later, I fought the number two kid in the country, still as an underdog. People saw how that fight went, and I felt more confident, like everyone was a little more on me. The second fight was just as good as the first, but more technical. The kid was pretty game, too, but I still put on a dominant performance and won,” he went on.
Recently, Gentile also received a prestigious invitation to train at the New York Athletic Club under the guidance of Richard Stephenson, a USA Boxing–certified coach with more than 15 years of experience in the sport.
NYAC will certainly be one of Gentile’s best opportunities to train at the highest level, but he said that “what definitely got me to this point is all of the Staten Island boxing community’s support.”
“Whether it’s been training at the Berry Homes or Hard Knocks, all the different gyms here on Staten Island have definitely helped me along the way,” he added.
Given that traveling from the South Shore of Staten Island to midtown Manhattan can take up to a four-and-a-half-hour round-trip commute, Gentile said that while his mentors and support system have carried him through difficult moments, much of his determination has ultimately come from within.
“Coaches have definitely been important, but it is an internal mindset, because if you’re not strong and you don’t have the mind for it, you’re not going to go anywhere,” he said.
“The little bumps in the road are where weaker people stop. It’s all in your head, because boxing is all mental. If you’re scared, you don’t know what to do, or you’re down on yourself, you’re not going to go anywhere.”
He also shared that training with a variety of coaches throughout his career has added a multifaceted dimension to his boxing style, saying, “Training under Coach Stephenson, it’s a totally different style compared to what I’ve seen before, and I’ve picked it up quick.”
“It’s perfect because it works through my old style. This style makes me more of a multidimensional fighter, because I can go inside and bang it out. At the same time, since I started learning here, I picked up being on my back foot, jabbing, hooking, and making sure I’m not getting hit. Between the two styles, it’s really hard to get past me,” he added.
With the 2028 Olympics on U.S. soil approaching, Gentile said that while he has a long way to go, competing in the Games would be the honor of a lifetime.
Staten Island native James Gentile looks to land a blow on his opponent at the USA Boxing National Championships in Lubbock, TX earlier this month.ABC School Photo Inc
“In my opinion, I think an Olympic gold medal is bigger than becoming a world champion,” Gentile said.
“You’re representing your country, your hometown. It means so much more; of course, being a world champion is great, but the chance at a gold medal only comes around a few times. There hasn’t been a gold medalist in America since 2004, so to have your name up there in history would mean a lot,” he concluded.