By: Richard L. Smith
Jean Pierre Valencia has punched his ticket to the national championships, winning the New Jersey Golden Gloves 165-pound open class title on Saturday, April 15, at the North Bergen Recreation Center in North Bergen, N.J.
Officials say the 23-year-old Irvington resident used power punching and unrelenting aggression to defeat Trenton’s Alvin Matthews by decision in the state’s premier amateur boxing tournament.
According to Valencia’s managers, Matthews, who also lost a decision to Valencia last October in the N.J. Diamond Gloves finals, attempted to box and move against Valencia but was quickly worn down by Valencia’s body punches.
The referee issued a standing eight count against Matthews in the third round after he was stunned by a right hand to the head, putting an exclamation on the win.
“This victory fills me with pride. I want to thank God, my team and my family. I will continue working hard to earn another championship at the National Golden Gloves,” said Valencia, who celebrated with a Cuban sandwich and a slice of tres leches cake.
Valencia now turns his attention to the Golden Gloves of America National Tournament of Champions, which takes place May 8-13 at Harrah’s Casino in Chester, Pa.
There he will face some of the best boxers in the country as he builds his experience towards an eventual professional career.
The Golden Gloves title marks another milestone in the meteoric rise to the top of New Jersey amateur boxing for Valencia, a native of Esmeraldas, Ecuador, who started boxing after moving to Barcelona, Spain as a teenager. Valencia, whose amateur record is now 16-1, has been on a tear since moving to America a year ago, winning ten straight fights since September, including a defeat of this year’s 156-pound champion Isaiah Mack in February.
Head trainer Ryan Songalia, who has been in the corner for those ten fights, says Valencia’s unmatched determination has been the key to his success.
“Many people overlooked Jean Pierre when he first came to America, but he has made believers out of everyone,” said Songalia, who works alongside Valencia’s conditioning coach, Aaron Watson.
“There aren’t enough hours in the day to outwork Jean Pierre. His will to win borders on obsession.”
Other open-class champions include Keith Colon (125 pounds), Justin Penaranda (132 pounds), Xavier Correa (139 pounds), Daniel Gonzalez (147 pounds), Tyric Trapp (176 pounds), Malachi Georges (203 pounds) and Kevin Delarosa (203-plus pounds).
