Golden Gloves champion Bobby Osterrider doesn't plan to bail out on boxing ... perhaps because boxing bailed out his life.

The former Pine Township resident and Pine-Richland graduate recently became the sixth Pennsylvania Golden Gloves champ in the 38-year history of the Butler Cubs boxing program.

Osterrider scored a decision over Octavio Hidalgo Pamiento of the James 5:16 gym in Tarentum to win the 152-pound sub-novice title.

“It was the best fight of the night. Those guys got a standing ovation afterward,” Cubs boxing trainer Don Spinetti said.

Osterrider improved to 5-0 as an amateur — three of those wins by TKO — in becoming the Cubs' first state champion since Joel Rehm in 2007.

Standing ovations had not excactly been part of Osterrider's life over the past few years.

“Boxing wasn't even in my life a year ago,” he admitted. “Now I'm ready to commit to it in one way or another.”

Osterrider's father spent his career in the Navy and the family relocated quite a bit. When his father retired, the family moved from Virginia to the Pittsburgh area to be near extended family.

A baseball player from age 8 to 18, Osterrider played shortstop at Pine-Richland and received collegiate interest from Pitt, Duquesne and Slippery Rock. His grades weren't good enough to get a scholarship offer, however.

“I never settled down to any structure, never had friends anywhere ... I had no self-discipline,” Osterrider admitted. “I quit on practically everything I've ever done. I used to get in fights to occupy my time.

“I got kicked out of the house when I was 18. I was homeless for a while, lived out of a cardboard box, probably quit 20 part-time or full-time jobs in the past three years.”

Osterrider has been staying at DeShon Place on the Veterans Administration grounds in Butler. He began showing up at the Cubs Hall boxing gym “to cope with my stress and anger, to physically vent a little bit.

“Not knowing where you're going to sleep that night or when you're gonna get your next meal can wear on you.”

Eventually, Osterrider tried some sparring in the ring. But whenever the sparring session didn't go his way, he quit.

“Right in the middle of the session, he would just walk out,” Spinetti said.

Steve Six, exective director of Specialty Outreach Services and an assistant trainer for Spinetti, had seen enough.

“Bobby came back, wanting to spar again after having quit a few times. I refused him,” Six said. “I let him pound the bag, work out, but I wouldn't let him in the ring.”

This went on for a number of months. Finally, Six relented.

“I could see how badly he wanted it. He was practically begging me,” Six said.

And Osterrider hasn't quit since.

“That was the best thing Steve ever did for me,” Osterrider said. “He made me realize you have to work for things in life.”

When Osterrider fights now, his parents are in the stands, along with uncles and aunts.

“My mom is my biggest fan,” he said. “I tell her before every fight, I want you to leave without any voice left. When I hear her voice in the ring, it keeps me motivated to keep going.”

Rose Osterrider said she supports her son in whatever venture he opts for in life.

Even boxing.

“When I first heard of this, my jaw locked. I was a little scared, but I couldn't say no,” Mrs. Osterrider said. “ It's his dream he's pursuing, not mine.

“My wish is that he follows through on this. I'm constantly screaming, watching my son box. But I'm behind him. His whole family is supporting him.”

That includes Osterrider's younger brother, 16-year-old Aaron, a soccer player at Pine-Richland.

“I've never been much of a role model for him. Maybe now I can be,” Osterrider said.

He plans to take a shot at turning pro, but isn't Osterrider trains three or four hours a day, five days a week, at the Cubs Hall.

He has no job, so he spends up to eight hours per day at the Hall, doing volunteer work and helping some of the younger fighters.

“When I give them advice, watching them take it and seeing it help them ... That feels very rewarding to me,” Osterrider said.

Spinetti says Osterrider packs a powerful punch and “his footwork is pretty advanced for someome that inexperienced.”

As for a pro boxing career?

“Way too early to tell. That's a ways away yet,” he said.

That makes no difference to Osterrider. He considers himself married to the sport either way.

“If a pro career doesn't work out, I'll do some coaching, get a job here, work with younger fighters, open a gym, something. I've got direction now.

“This isn't just a gym. This place changes kids' lives.”