Norwin’s Deacon Shannon takes shot at Pa. Golden Gloves title
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Norwin’s Deacon Shannon walks into Boyce Boxing Gym in Plum and trains day in and day out in preparation for the Pennsylvania Golden Gloves finals.
Fighting in the Bantamweight Division, he stands 5-foot-11 and fights at 132 pounds. He has a 76-inch reach and wears a size 12 shoe. Despite growing stature, Shannon is just 12 years old.
He has been in the gym since he was 4, following in the footsteps of his father, Patrick Shannon, who had seven fights in his career, and his uncle Spencer Shannon.
His father trained with two-time world cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, who was 30-9-1 with 13 knockouts.
“When I used to train with Steve, Deacon was a little boy, and he was just always in the gym, so he’s known Steve forever,” Patrick Shannon said. “I’d say about a year and a half ago, Deacon started taking it seriously. He said, ‘Dad, I want to start fighting.’ Steve and I have been training him for about a year and a half now to get ready for these fights coming up.”
Deacon Shannon is ready for the Golden Gloves finals, set for Feb. 14. He wants to win it for his boxing family.
“He pushes me to do my limits,” he said about his father. “I think that just helps me a lot. When he competed in the Golden Gloves, he didn’t make it to the finals. I’m trying to win it for him.”
Patrick Shannon would love to see his son bring home the bantamweight title.
“Boxing has been in my family; my brother’s boxed, I’ve boxed, and now he’s taking it upon himself that he’s fighting in the Golden Gloves,” the elder Shannon said. “I’m just really proud of him, and it’s been a really cool process. Having Steve there the whole time, someone who has the wealth of knowledge, who’s been a world champion, who’s fought at Madison Square Garden, fought Tyson Fury, it’s just been a great experience overall.”
Deacon Shannon conducts a rigid routine that includes a strict diet that avoids fatty foods to make sure he maintains weight. When he walks into the gym, he puts on his boxing shoes, warms up, and jumps rope for five minutes. He starts doing that for three rounds.
“In between, I’ll do five push ups,” he said. “After that, I’ll shadow box for three rounds. I’ll then do bag work or mitt work with either Steve or my dad. I’ll also go into sparring too. We usually do push ups, sit ups and dips after that.”
His father is proud of his commitment.
“He takes it very seriously,” Shannon said. “He works extremely hard for a 12-year old boy. He’s a big boy for 12. He really has a lot of natural talent, but he works very hard as well, so I’m just super proud of him.”
Deacon Shannon also plays football at Norwin. He plays linebacker and said boxing helps with the footwork needed in football and football helps with the conditioning needed in boxing.
As for his approach heading into the Golden Gloves, he’s keeping it simple.
“I want to try to keep my distance with them,” Deacon Shannon said. “I want to try more combinations than them. I want to throw more punches at them. That’s how I’m going to win in the tournament.”
Deacon Shannon trains at Boyce Boxing Gym and Northside Athletic Club. He said he’s most grateful for his father, Cunningham, and his other trainer at Boyce, Ryan Flora, who also boxed professionally.
“I think Deacon is in really great shape, so I’m looking forward to just showcasing his skills that he’s been working on for the past year and a half,” his father said. “I think he can win the tournament, so I’m looking forward to him just giving his best effort, and putting all the hard work into three minute rounds.”
Overall, he is very impressed with how Deacon spars.
“He spars kids regularly that are 14, 15, 16, years old because of his size,” Shannon said. “I think that’s the most impressive thing is seeing him get in there with kids that are sometimes four years older than him, and him not only holding his own, but flourishing against some of these kids. It’s really impressive to me.”
His father wanted him to stay committed, and he’s done just that.
“When we agreed to do this, I told him that he had to listen 100% and he had to do this the right way,” Patrick Shannon said. “There’s no shortcuts and he’s fulfilled every promise. He’s worked incredibly hard, he’s done everything I’ve asked him to do, and more. He’s pretty fearless. He goes in there and he’s not scared of anybody, and he’s done a great job.”
His father said staying humble is important. He added that he doesn’t want him to get too high or too low on losses or wins. Patrick Shannon said with his attitude, he is built for boxing.
“He’s very stoic,” Patrick Shannon said. “He doesn’t show a lot of emotion. He’s pretty fearless when he gets in there. As his father, and not just in this sport, I want to give him the tools to prepare him for life in general, just being able to attack anything, whether it’s a job interview in the future, a sport in the future, or whatever goals he sets for himself as he becomes a man.”
He believes he’s taking home the title.
“I think he’s going to win,” Patrick Shannon said. “He’s prepared for this. He’s mentally ready. Not only is he physically and in great shape, he’s mentally ready too and he has two great coaches with a lot of experience behind them, including a world champion. We’re going for the victory. Nothing less.”