North Bergen boxers Jean Pierre Valencia and Peter Roldan won the New Jersey Diamond Gloves tournament this weekend in front of a home crowd at the township recreation center.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Jean Pierre Valencia (165-pound novice), Peter Roldan (203-pound open), Erick Rivera (112-pound sub novice) and Luis Aybar (147-pound novice) all brought home championships in the amateur tournament, while Jimmy Martinez finished as the runner-up in the 147-pound open class final.
All of the boxers represent Little Mac Boxing in North Bergen.
“I thank God for giving me this victory. I am grateful for all the support from my team, friends, and fans. My goal is to keep growing and improving as a boxer,” Valencia, who is known in boxing circles as “El Verdugo de Esmeraldas,” or “The Executioner of Esmeraldas,” said in a statement.
Valencia, 22, of West New York, entertained fans on Saturday and Sunday, outfighting the heavy-punching Ryan Leonard to a decision win in the semifinals before pummeling the overmatched Alvin Matthews in the championship fight the following day.
The win punctuated a meteoric rise in amateur boxing for Valencia, a native of Esmeraldas, Ecuador who only arrived in America four months ago after spending several years in Barcelona, Spain.
He will be back in the ring on November 18th, when he faces N.J. Golden Gloves champion Abedallah Elaiwah at the Police Athletic League in Wayne.
Trainer Ryan Songalia expects this to be the first of many championships for Valencia.
“I believe Jean Pierre will be a champion at all levels of the sport. The greater the challenge, the greater his will to win becomes. There is no one who listens better and trusts the process more than this young man,” said Songalia, who works alongside coaches Danny McDermott, Ryan McElroy, Bruce Seldon and Carlos Solano.
Roldan, 28, of Englewood, finished old business by winning the title unopposed, having fallen short twice in past Diamond Gloves finals.
Now the 2013 N.J. Golden Gloves champion turns his attention to his upcoming bout against West Point cadet Matthew Beason on October 23rd in Haledon.
Roldan will have a busy schedule next month as well when he represents New Jersey in the Inter-state Diamond Gloves tournament in Atlantic City from November 4th through 6th, then will receive his N.J. Diamond Gloves championship belt at the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame dinner on November 10 at the Venetian in Garfield.
“What a beautiful welcome back gift from the universe,” said Roldan, who had been inactive from boxing for six years.
“I’ve earned my stripes in this game. I’m back full throttle and I’m looking forward to shaking this sport up.”
Rivera, 19, of Guttenberg, also won unopposed when his opponent no-showed the championship fight. He will be in the ring on November 11th when he competes at an amateur show at Park Elite Boxing Academy in Roselle Park.
Additionally, Aybar, 19, of Perth Amboy outfought the tough Jason Aguilar to win his title on points. He had previously competed on the Perth Amboy High School wrestling team.
