Zugic, at 6 foot 4 and 178 pounds, is a three-time Chicago Golden Gloves champ and is ranked ninth nationally in his division. Wright is moving into the division after winning two Chicago Golden Gloves middleweight championships.

"I'm figuring it'll be like David and Goliath," Wright said.

Zugic, a lanky fighter who has 5 inches and 6 pounds on Wright, is hoping to win his first Golden Gloves title since his father died March 14 of a heart attack. He is dedicating the match to his dad, Bobby Zugic.

Wright and Zugic say they bonded during last year's national championships in Grand Rapids, Mich.

"I'm the dominant male bully of Chicago Golden Gloves," said Zugic, 27, of Brookfield. "I come back and beat everyone up again and again and again. … Junior is going to be the best test yet."

Back in the Evanston Boxing Club, Wright pauses, leaning to the left, pressing against the ropes. He looks at Durham straight on and cocks an eyebrow.

Durham pops him.

If Zugic is the bully, Wright is the class clown everyone loves. He started boxing in 2003, after being inspired by a video game and a cousin who boxes.

"Everyone said I was too goofy, too immature, too much of a nice guy," Wright said. "That really made me want to do it."

Wright's full-time job is working in the plumbing department of the Home Depot in Evanston. His co-workers gush over him, telling stories about how he has learned bits of Arabic, Spanish and Polish while helping customers. They talk about his tips for healthy eating.

"Working in a store as big as this can be a challenge," said John Piorkowski, a co-worker. "But you can put Junior in plumbing or in kitchen and bath or in any area, and he finds ways to help customers. He accepts the challenge."

Wright also handles odd jobs for his father's landscaping business—something he has done since he was 11. Although working about 65 hours a week makes it difficult to train for the ring, Wright finds time every day.

He said that his father, Junior Wright Sr., doesn't think much of the boxing and that he'd rather see him working.

"He's pretty determined," Wright's father said. "I like boxing, but it's not my choice of a career for him. But if that's what he's going to be, that's what he's going to be."

Junior Wright Sr. hasn't been to a fight yet but said he will make it to a bout—if he's not too busy with work.

His son said he hopes to turn pro after winning a couple more championships. He took some community college classes but dropped out to earn money.

He figures now is the time to try to make the most of boxing.

Caravello said he thinks Wright would have a good shot as a pro. Since last June, he said, Wright has gotten more relaxed, is punching harder and thinking more.

But Zugic will be a tough opponent, Caravello said.

"Junior's either gotta completely outclass him or knock him out," Caravello says. "He's got the strength. He's just gotta be able to use it."