By: Richard L. Smith
Irvington boxer Jean Pierre Valencia punched his way to the New Jersey Golden Gloves finals with a hard-fought decision win over Chris Campbell on Friday at Bloomfield High School.
A spokesperson for his organization said Valencia, who won the N.J. Diamond Gloves novice title last year at 165 pounds, took the first round to study the taller Campbell before turning up the pressure in rounds two and three to earn the victory in the 165-pound open class bout.
The 23-year-old Valencia is a native of Esmeraldas, Ecuador, who began boxing after moving to Barcelona, Spain as a teenager.
He now makes his home in New Jersey, where he has steadily made his impact as an amateur boxer. His boxing record now sits at 15-1.
"It felt good to earn a win in my first big tournament. Chris Campbell did a great job, but I refused to lose. I am sure we will fight again one day," said Valencia.
Head trainer Ryan Songalia credits the victory to Valencia's tireless work in the gym, where he spars with many of the top professionals in New Jersey, New York City and Philadelphia.
Valencia now turns his attention to the Golden Gloves finals, which will take place at the Recreation Center in North Bergen on April 14 and 15.
He will face Trenton's Alvin Matthews, who advanced to the finals via walkover after his semifinals opponent William Balbonet failed to make weight at Friday's event.
Valencia defeated Matthews last year by a one-sided decision in the Diamond Gloves finals at the same venue. A win over Matthews will qualify Valencia for the National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions, which takes place May 8-13 at Harrah's Casino in Chester, Pa.
Other Essex County boxers to advance to the finals were Keith Colon, who outslugged Yohenrry Rosario in the 125-pound semifinals, and Jasai Kirkpatrick, who used his boxing skills to outclass Alexander Collado in the 139-pound semifinals.
Both boxers train out of the Ironbound Boxing Academy in Newark.