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02/25/2004 Archived Entry: "New England Chatta"
New England Chatta
By J.D. Vena
Estrada Chips His Way to Stardom
“Ladies and gentleman, the number one ranked super-heavyweight of the United States, from Providence, RI…Jason Estrada!”
After that kind of announcement, the sounds of ‘Ooh’ resounded throughout the Lowell Auditorium. I mean, what an attention getter that must have been to the couple thousand in attendance at last year’s annual New England Golden Gloves Tournament. It’s not often when you hear of someone with those credentials hailing from the New England area.
In fact, with the exception of New Bedford’s Andre McCoy, who perished in a fateful plane crash in 1980, there hasn’t been an amateur from these parts to have such a high profile since Wilbert “Skeeter” McClure captured an Olympic gold medal. McClure’s teammate that year was an 18-year old Cassius Clay, who also captured gold in Rome in 1960.
As the story goes, Clay went on to win the heavyweight title, change his name to Muhammad Ali and became one of the most recognized athletes the planet has ever seen.
Last week in Biloxi, MS, Jason Estrada made an impressive three fight sweep at the Olympic Trials and is one fight from being the first New Englander to go to the Olympics since McClure. On Friday night in Cleveland, OH, Estrada will need to defeat Mike Wilson of Central Point, OR in the Box-Offs to be cast off to Athens this summer. What’s more convenient is the fact that Estrada defeated Wilson 23-14 this past Friday night in the winner’s bracket to advance to the Box-Offs. Should Estrada lose to Wilson, he will at least have another shot at him the next day, whereas, if Wilson loses, he’s eliminated.
Estrada knows what it’s like to feel pressure. Last summer, he felt and dealt with pressure pretty well when he became the first American to win a gold medal at super-heavyweight in the Pan-American Games. In fact, he was the first non-Cuban to win it.
“I’d say I felt more pressure during the Pan-Am Games because I was fighting guys who I had never seen before,” said Estrada. “I haven’t lost to an American since the (2000) Olympic Trials and I had beaten every body that was at the Olympic Trials this year. The only guy I hadn’t fought was Wilson, who I have now beaten.”
Last Tuesday, Estrada defeated 2003 P.A.L champion George Garcia (16-4). Estrada had beaten Garcia in last year’s U.S. Challenge and U.S. Championships, two of the six major tournaments that qualify a boxer to advance to the Trials. The next day, Estrada defeated Travis Walker (15-4), last year’s National Golden Gloves Champion.
Estrada likes to point to the fact that there are tournaments that you just can’t compete in because some coincide with others. After Estrada won the New England Golden Gloves with two dominant wins, he decided to pursue other challenges.
“I never won the National Golden Gloves title because I chose to compete in international tournaments,” said Estrada. “At the time we thought it would be better to get the international experience to prepare for the ultimate amateur goal and that’s winning an Olympic gold medal.”
On the same night he won the trials, his good friend and stablemate, Matt Godfrey, also of Providence, was fighting in hopes of joining Estrada in Cleveland. Godfrey had won the 201-pound U. S Championships only a few weeks earlier and was on the same pace as Estrada winning his first two bouts convincingly. Godfrey, who was rated 5th in the country defeated Ohio’s Robert Jacobs, the Eastern Trials representative last Tuesday and then defeated Chazz Witherspoon, the cousin of former heavyweight champ, Tim on the following day. But on Friday, Godfrey hit a roadblock when he was defeated by top seeded, Devin Vargas of Toldeo, OH in the finals. The setback was enough to ruin his emotional run permanently. The next night he was defeated by Witherspoon in the loser’s bracket. Not only had Godfrey beaten Witherspoon a few days earlier, he had beaten him on two previous meetings in the P.A.L. tourney and the U.S Championships. Witherspoon, not Godfrey will now meet Vargas in the Box-Offs.
“With (Matt), he was saying all the right things before his fight with Witherspoon,” said Roland Estrada, who trains Godfrey and his son Jason. “He knew he had to concentrate on Witherspoon, but deep down, I think he was more concerned with having to beat Vargas twice to make the Olympic team. Jason and Matt had a great camp but it takes a lot out of a guy when he has to fight three or four times within a five day period, especially against real good fighters. Witherspoon had just stopped (Jacobs) on Friday night, so he was coming in with more confidence, whereas Matt was coming off a huge let down. With Jason, I think the pressure is all on Wilson.”
“If I were Matt, I’d be turning pro very soon,” said Jason of his friend. “My plan is to turn pro right after the Olympics. I’ve always wanted to turn pro and win a world title.”
But for now, there are bigger fish for Estrada to fry. Should he make the Olympic team and win the gold medal, he would not only become the first American to such a medal since David Reid had in 1996, he would be the first American to win the super heavyweight title since Tyrell Biggs captured it in 1984, a year when Russians and Cubans weren’t even participating.
Estrada departed for Cleveland on Tuesday and will be joined by his father on Friday for what he hopes will be his final fight as amateur on U.S. soil.
“Right now there’s no relaxing,” said Estrada. “I have to keep doing what I’m doing and keep winning until I capture the gold medal in the Athens.”
Should he do that, then the name Jason Estrada will be getting more attention than a couple of thousand people.
When the legendary Vinny Paz (49-10, 30 KO’s) seeks his 50th win in what promises to be his last fight on March 27th at Foxwoods Resort Casino, it will mark the first of many good things to happen for New England boxing.
CN8, the Comcast Network has teamed with Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports and will broadcast five shows, the first, in what will prove to be a memorable confrontation between the Pazmanian Devil and former world title challenger, Tocker “TNT” Pudwill (39-5, 14 KO’s).
“We know there are literally thousands of people in our coverage area who really enjoy and appreciate boxing,” said Jon Gurevitch, Vice President, CN8 Sports. “And this is a great opportunity for CN8 to bring those folks what should be a momentous and highly-entertaining fight.”
“Boxing’s a great sport and I’m so happy CN8, The Comcast Network stepped up to the plate,” said Burchfield. “Instead of making excuses, we found a way for our fights and fighters to be shown live on the leader in cable broadcasting. We worked hard and diligently to make this happen. All of us at CES are excited and we hope this is the beginning of a long relationship far beyond this series. CN8, The Comcast Network is a champion in its field; CES is a champion in boxing. They are equally thrilled and enthused about this series and that’s the type people we want to work with.”
On Monday, Paz met with media in downtown Providence to discuss his upcoming fight and astonishing ring career. The 40-year old Paz was his usual colorful self.
“It’s been a crazy, wild ride. Imagine all I’ve done. I don’t get scared of much. Imagine…..I fought the heavyweight champion of the world (Roy Jones, Jr.). What the fuck was I thinking? I’m only 5-8 on a good hair day.” “I’m going for my 50th win and Pudwill’s going for his 40th. He can fight. He gave Sven Ottke a good fight. I’m going to leave it all in the ring. Why? Because I don’t want to do it again; I want to go out with 50, not 49. You know, I look good now, but when this is over, I’m going to be fat.
He then made some comments to Pudwill who was listening via conference call. “You’re not tough enough to beat me,” boasted Paz. “We’re going to jam. Let’s go toe-to-toe, you’re not going to have a problem finding me. I never make predictions, but I don’t think you’re going to last past three. I’m ready to rock. I thank you for your kind words and respect, but I have to knock your ass out. I guarantee I’m going to get my 50 wins and you’re not going to get your 40. Now it’s on.”
In the 10-round co-feature, IWBF junior welterweight champion Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt (12-2, 4 KOs), of Narragansett (RI), defends her title for the first time against Lanie Ellis (9-1 3 KOs), of Houston (TX). Clampitt-Ellis will also be fought for the vacant NABA crown.
Tickets for the show are priced at $150, $100 and $75. Call CES’ corporate headquarters at 401-724-2253 to order tickets, for additional information about “History in the Making,” or sponsorship/advertising opportunities. CN8 will broadcast the fights live at from 8:00 – 10:00 P.M.
In case you haven’t heard already, John “The Quietman” Ruiz was recently informed by the WBA that he is their new champion. Ruiz’ attorney Anthony Cardinale received a fax from WBA Championships Committee Chairman, Renjo Bagnarol that as of February 20th, Ruiz is now their titlist, because Roy Jones, Jr. who defeated Ruiz for the title on March 3rd of last year relinquished it rather than fight him again.
“I’m happy not having ‘Interim’ next to my name,” Ruiz said from his Las Vegas home. “As proud as I am to be the first Latino heavyweight champion of the world, I’m equally proud to be the first two-time Latino heavyweight champion of the world.”
Ruiz, a native of Chelsea, MA is expected to make his first title defense of his second reign on April 17th against fellow Puerto Rican favorite and Detroit native, Fres Oquendo at Madison Square Garden. Worcester’s Jose “el Gallo” Rivera is also slated to defend his WBA welterweight championship against former world champ, Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga.
Replies: 2 Comments on this article
Hi JD,
I agree with Juan, terrific article. One correction, however.
Wilbert (Skeeter) McClure represented his hometown of Toledo, OH, not New England, when he won multiple national titles as well as gold medals at the1959 Pan American Games and the 1960 Rome Olympics. His first introduction to the New England area occurred in April 1962 (his 5th pro fight) after he was drafted in the US Army and stationed at Ft Devens.
Best,
Dan Cuoco
Posted by Dan Cuoco @ 03/01/2004 12:02 AM EST
Nice job, J.D.!
I had to laugh, however, at the following quote:
“As proud as I am to be the first Latino heavyweight champion of the world, I’m equally proud to be the first two-time Latino heavyweight champion of the world.”--John Ruiz
The dubious, second installment in Ruiz' "two time" status wasn't even earned in the ring, but garnered by default. That's almost like winning the Illinois Lotto and saying, "As a Latin man from humble means, I'm proud to say that I'm now a multi-millionaire several times over." Just curious: can we find another way to water down the significance of winning titles multiple times?
Cheers,
Juan C. Ayllon
Posted by Juan C Ayllon @ 02/26/2004 02:52 PM EST
