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11/12/2003 Archived Entry: "New England Chatta"
New England Chatta
By J.D. Vena; Photo by Emily Harney
Estrada(right) lends some advise
You may be wondering why Jason Estrada, this year’s Pan American Games gold medalist at super-heavyweight, the first non-Cuban to win that title, didn’t participate in this year’s New England Tournament of Champions in Somerville.
Though it is a respected boxing tournament (at 116 years old) in New England, Estrada, the 22-year old native of Providence has had bigger fish to fry as of late. After all, with the exception of a gold medal in next year's Olympics, there isn't a championship at the amateur level he hasn't captured. Lately, the first three-time U.S. Nationals and U.S. Challenge champion amateur champion, Estrada has been leading Team USA in boxing duels. His most recent outing was a winning effort against Frenchman, Medhi Aouiche, who Estrada dominated on November 1st in a hot ring in Reno, NV.
Estrada, used his lightning fast combinations and body attack to outwork Aouiche. It was the same approach that the 6’1, 235-pounder employed in dismantling the much larger Nate James of Malden, in this year’s annual Golden Gloves tournament in Lowell. The mammoth-sized James, the 2002 New England Golden Gloves 201+ champion (another tournament Estrada did not participate in), incidentally won the 201+ title on Tuesday when he drew a bye last night in the finals. So how does Estrada do it?
“I attack the body,” said Estrada. “You have to attack the body to win these fights. That’s why I give an ass-kicking in my fights.”
Though amateur boxing has been known to be judged by landing clean punches, primarily head shots with the white part of the gloves, Estrada has been using the professional approach in all of his fights.
“Going to the body sets up everything and to be honest with you, I’d rather take a clean shot to the jaw than a hard body shot,” admitted Estrada.
Estrada is scheduled to meet Russian, Alexander Povetkin, a World Boxing Championship gold medal winner in a USA-Russia duel on November 22nd in Biloxi, MS but according to Estrada, the tournament might not come off. Estrada has beliefs as to why the show may not go on.
“Because the man doesn’t want an ass-kickin.”
Speaking of ass-kicking, one of New England’s better known ass-kickers returns to the ring in Worcester in a Doug Pendarvis promoted show at The Palladium on Friday, November 28th. Contrary to what you might have assumed, that ass-kicker will not be newly crowned WBA welterweight champion Jose Antonio Rivera, but it will be welterweight and local favorite “Sucra” Ray Oliveira of New Bedford. Oliveira, who lost his IBU welterweight title earlier this year, will be fighting an opponent to be announced within the upcoming days.
Undefeated Leticia Robinson (9-0, 8 KO’s) of Chicago, in search of a title shot with Laila Ali will face Yvonne Reis (3-1-1) of Ft. Lauderdale. Also scheduled to appear will be super-middleweight Derrick Graham (12-7-1, 4 KO’s) of Newark, NJ who faces Brockton’s Dave “The Hammer” Hamilton (15-11-1, 5 KO’s). Fitchburgh’s Elio Rodriguez (8-3, 2 KO’s), the Massachusetts featherweight champion takes on Jose Abel Ayala in Rodriguez’s first fight in two years. Worcester cruiserweight, Roy “The House of” Payne (15-12-4, 6 KO’s) and John “The House of Rain” Rainwater (9-9, 3 KO’s) will also appear in separate attractions.
Doors open at 7:30 P.M. with the first bout scheduled to kick off at 8:00 P.M. Tickets are Priced at $50 ringside, $30 reserved and $20 general admission. To order tickets or for more information, call Pendarvis Boxing Promotions at 617-825-3283.
A week earlier, Friday night (Nov. 21) at the Matrix Entertainment Complex in Taunton, MA, 10-Count Enterprises, a revamped boxing promotional team will run its first show and it looks to be a good one. Unknown, but promising Dominican middleweight, Julio De La Cruz (14-3-1, 13 KO’s), who now resides in Hartford, CT will headline the show in an 8-rounder against an opponent TBA. Also slated to appear are undefeated Springfield light heavy, Sal Zabian, who meets tough Guyanan transplant, John Douglas in a 6-rounder and Hector “The Pit Bull” Sanjurjo (12-7-5, 7 KO’s) better known for stopping world rated Scott "The Sandman" Pemberton a few years back than losing controversial decisions will square off with Mark Doku. Veteran Mike Culbert (27-4-1, 6 KO’s) of Brockton, and unbeaten prospects, Melvin Cumba (7-0, 4 KO’s) of Taunton and Reinaldo Rodriguez (3-0, 2 KO’s) of Woonsocket, RI will also be featured on the exciting undercard. For ticket information, call (860) 558-9919.
The newest release of New England Ringside is now available and it's a packed with all of this year's second quarter New England boxing news. The second issue includes a cover story of the 40-year old Vinny Paz, a special feature on the late great, Paul Pender, New England ratings and results, a collection of photos and much, much more. Copies can be purchased at all New England boxing events, as its editor, Joe Bills doesn't miss a show or you can visit www.newenglandringside.com for more information.
