RACINE - Donald Fields has found a future for himself.

The former homeless man, who joined the Racine Boxing Club last year, put his spectacular punching ability on display during the semifinals of the Wisconsin Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament Saturday at Memorial Hall. Fields won a three-round decision in a 165-pound novice division fight over Trevor Shill of the Ford's Gym in Madison.

After the public address announcer had to summon him to the ring - Fields had a problem with his gloves - the 25-year-old Chicago native simply out-punched Shill en route to improving to 5-1 in his novice career. His most impressive moment came in the second round, when he set up Shill with two quick left jabs, the second of which appeared to momentarily blind him, followed with a devastating right that knocked Shill to the floor.

Fields, admittedly a little overconfident in the third round, let down his guard and Shill connected with a right to his chest. But that only re-ignited the passion for Fields, who was far more aggressive in the final minute.

"This is beautiful, man," Fields said. "I've watched old Muhammad Ali videos, Floyd Mayweather highlights, Mike Tyson highlights, I went over to talk to my coach and I was punching the bag … just practicing."

Fields, who also plans to play for the Racine Raiders this year as a running back or wide receiver, feels he has the foundation in place for a successful boxing career. In fact, when asked about his chances in next Saturday's championship round, Fields all but

declared himself a champion.

"I'm going to take it, OK?" he said. "I'm going to take it."

The night wasn't as successful for two other RBC members - Dominic Galati, the defending 141-pound novice champion, and Jeremy DeLabio, a junior at Kenosha St. Joseph High School who was boxing his first bout.

Galati was out-pointed in a close decision against Daniel Rivera of the Milwaukee Community Center. Rivera appeared more aggressive while Galati used a more deliberate, conservative approach.

Afterward, Galati was convinced he won the bout and the decision only inspired him to come back next year on a mission.

"I'm going back to the gym," Galati said. "Sometimes you lose, but you can't let it end here. I'm going to stay in the gym this summer and train 24-7. This makes you want to come back, rematch him and show the judges how the fight really should have been.''

While this bout could have gone either way, that was not the case for DeLabio. Matched against the United Community Center's Andre Sawyer, who was competing in his 11th career bout, DeLabio's nose was badly bloodied by a punch in the second round.

Afterward, with his shirt heavily spotted by his blood, DeLabio vowed to continue working to try and match the greatness of his father, Ron, a four-time Wisconsin Golden Gloves champion from 1994-97.

"I enjoy boxing, so the blood was not a turnoff," DeLabio said. "My dad was a real good boxer, so I want to be what he was."

In a late bout Saturday, Noah Reece of the Racine Boxing Club lost his much anticipated 165-pound open bout to Luis Arias of the United Community Center on a close decision.

Santos Boudreaux (165 open), also of the Racine Boxing Club, had not yet fought when The Journal Times went to press Saturday night.