West New York amateur boxer Jean Pierre Valencia is making his United States debut in Trenton on September 10th at the Capital City Sports Complex.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
The three-round bout will take place in the 156-pound novice division on the annual Trenton Mayor’s Championship Boxing Show and will pit Valencia against Mitch Desir. Championship belts will be awarded to all winners at the event.
The 22-year-old Valencia, who is originally from Esmeraldas, Ecuador, has an amateur record of 6-1 and has already sparred against professional boxers Jamir Cope and Juan Rodriguez Jr.
“It is my dream to become a boxing champion, and America is where that dream will come true. I am excited to represent my gym and my city in the capital of New Jersey,” said Valencia, a member of Little Mach Boxing in North Bergen whose previous amateur bouts were in Spain.
His coach, Ryan Songalia, says the plan for Valencia is to compete in the New Jersey Diamond Gloves tournament in October, followed by the Golden Gloves tournament next year before turning pro.
The 21-year-old Desir is six feet tall and had excelled as a football and track athlete for Montclair High School. He has compiled a 2-2 boxing record thus far in his young career.
The event will also feature an awards ceremony for former professional boxers from Trenton who were inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame, including 1996 Olympic bronze medalist Terrance Cauthen, former title challenger Bryant Brannon, as well as former contenders Charles Boston and Michael Covington.
The Capital City Sports Complex is located on New Willow Street and fights will begin at 3 p.m. for the free event.
