Saturday, November 21, 2009

One To Watch #4 Ray Ximenez

Our next featured boxer in One To Watch comes from the Lone Star state and home of the team I love to hate, those Dallas Cowboys (had to do it, it’s Redskins-Dallas Week). However, I do love to watch this boxer in action. I’ve only been able to see 16-year-old Ray Ximenez live just recently, but I have started to make sure that I add his bouts to my collection. He has a promising future in front of him. I first saw Ray two years ago as a 14-year-old sparring future 2008 Olympian and fellow Texan Luis Yanez and I didn't forget the name. You can do the math on their ages, but like I said, I didn't forget the name. Ray is now the 2007 National Silver Gloves Champion, 2007 National PAL Champion, 2009 National PAL Champion, 2009 National Silver Gloves Champion, 2009 National JO Champion and most recently lost a rubber match to 2009 National PAL Champion to the inaugural One To Watch featured boxer Tramaine Williams.

Ray is a monster in the ring with a very methodical and deliberate boxing style—workmanlike. Boxing out of the Dallas PAL under the watchful eye of Ray Ximenez Sr., Ray has been in the ring with great boxers and received much needed international experience in this past May at the AIBA World Junior Championship in Yerevan, Armenia. He faced the best 21 Junior boxers in the World. Ximenez won 2 bouts before losing in the semifinals—but gained invaluable international experience, which is a must for Olympic hopefuls. My collection isn’t that big on Ray, but I’m sure I’ll see plenty of him over the next few years as he gets gets closer to earning a spot on the 2012 US Olympic Team and the XXX Olympiad.

Friday, November 20, 2009

One To Watch #3 - Kevin Rivers

The DMV’s own Kevin Rivers, who trains out of the Headbangers gym in Southeast DC, is featured today in the third installment of One To Watch. Kevin may have just started to come into his own on the national and international scene, but in the DC area we’ve known about him for years. He has won the Ringside World Championship, National PAL Tournament and Jr. Golden Gloves—being named Outstanding Boxer of the tournament.
Kevin has competed and won in virtually every major amateur boxing tournament there is: National Silver Gloves, National Golden Gloves, US Future Stars, Under 19 National Championships, AIBA Youth World Championship, World Championships, US Nationals and even most recently competing in Italy against the Italian National Team, where he boxed to a draw.
Currently, Kevin is the #1 125lbs boxer in the United States after winning the US National Championships in Denver, Colorado this past June. With his hopes set on the 2012 Olympics, you will hear this name a lot of the next few years on the amateur boxing scene. Enjoy these 15 bouts going back to 2001 when Kevin was 11 years old.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

One To Watch #2 - Zeddie Adams

In this installment of One To Watch, we feature Zeddie Adams from Cleveland, Ohio. Training out of the Salvation Army Boxing Academy (S.A.B.A.), the same gym that produced 2009 US Olympian Raynell Williams, the 17-year-old Adams has a long list of accomplishments since entering the sport in 2001. He won the National Silver Gloves Tournament in 2006 and 2008 as well as the 2006 Junior Golden Gloves. In 2007 and 2008 Adams was the #1 ranked 138lbs. JO boxer in the United States (15 and 16-year-olds) after winning consecutive National Junior Olympic titles. In 2007 as part of the US Team he traveled to Baku, Azerbaijan and lost a close decision, but gained his first international experience.

2009 marked Adams entry into the Open Class Division (ages 17 – 34 years old) as he advanced through local and regional brackets all the way to the National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions . There, Adams advanced to the quarterfinals before losing. Adams also advanced through three rounds at the 2009 US Nationals before losing in the fourth round to Jose Benavidez, who was one month removed from winning the 2009 National Golden Gloves Championship. Not bad company at all. Below are some of the bouts that I’ve recorded and collected featuring this 2012 Olympic hopeful. Be sure to check out the bouts vs. Strayhorn and NYC’s Golden Glove Champion Pedro Sosa in the playlist.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

One To Watch #1 Tramaine "Midget" Williams

This is the first of a series that I plan on doing regularly on this blog site and my first attempt at editorial content, but that’s what blogs are for, right? In the first installment of One To Watch, I have some videos featuring New Haven, Connecticut’s own Tramaine “Midget” Williams, the 16-year-old recently-crowned 2009 National PAL 114lbs. division champion. He boxes out of Ring One Boxing under Brian Clark.

I think I first met Midget at the Ringside World Championships about 5 years ago. He was pointed out to me by my son’s boxing coach, who talked him up as one of the best around. It was only seconds into his first bout that I understood what the buzz was about. A slick and graceful boxer at such a young age is great to watch and after that first tournament, I made sure that if Midget was boxing, I was watching and more importantly recording—and eventually collecting. So, here are some of the bouts that I have on this 9-time national champion, which include 4 from the National Silver Gloves.


For those that don’t know, the National Silver Gloves is the largest and most prestigious amateur tournament for boxers 10 to 15-years old. I say this because you have to win to get in, and stay in. The country is divided into 8 regions (see chart below in red) which all have local Silver Gloves Tournaments to determine the local champions who compete in the first leg. Champions from the local tournaments advance to the Regional Tournament and compete against other local champions to see who advances to the National Tournament to represent the region. At the National Tournament, held in Independence, Missouri at the beginning of February, all the Regional Champions for their age bracket and weight division meet to compete for the belt and title of National Silver Gloves Champion—and the #1 ranking in the US. There have been too many of these champions to name but I can tell you that 6 of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Team members were former Silver Gloves Champions. However, winning multiple years puts you in elite company and Tramaine not only won multiple National Silver Gloves titles, but he won 4 consecutive years and was in the finals during the year he didn't win! If I remember correctly, there was one year that he qualified, but didn't attend. Below is a video playlist of some of the videos that I have collected and recorded of my first featured One To Watch Boxer, Tramaine “Midget” Williams.

(Click on the rectangular icon to the right of the play button on the bottom menue to select on of the 12 videos)





Region 1- Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Conneticut, New York, New Jersey (8 states)
Region 2-Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky (5 states)
Region 3-West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland/D.C./Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama (10 states)
Region 4-Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota (4 states)
Region 5-Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas (5 states)
Region 6-Oklahama, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee (6 states)
Region 7-Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, Washington (5 states)
Region 8-California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico (6 states)

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

2009 National PAL Tramaine Wiliams vs. Ray Ximenez

From San Antonio, TX. 2009 National PAL quaterfinals in the 114 ILB. 15-16 senior JO division Williams wins 6-4. Williams is in the red corner

2009 National PAL Tramaine Williams vs Yovvan Nava

2009 National Pal semifinals bout between Tramaine Williams vs Yovan Nava in the 114 ILB. senior Jo division. Williams wins 7-1. williams is in the blue corner.

2009 National PAL Finals Tramaine Williams vs Keevan Evans

From San Antonio, TX. 2009 National Pal Finals in the 114 ILB. senior Jo division between Tramaine Williams vs Keevan Evans. Williams wins 9-1.

1984 US Olympic Trials Mark Breland vs. Luis Howard Part 2

1984 US Olympic Trial semifinal in the 147lbs. division between Mark Breland and Luis Howard.

1984 US Olympic Trials Mark Breland vs. Luis Howard Part 1

1984 US Olympic Trial semifinal in the 147lbs. division between Mark Breland and Luis Howard.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

2009 National PAL Jesse Hart vs. Luis Arias

From San Antonio, TX. 165lbs. Men's Open Division bout between Jessie Hart and Luis Arias. Hart is in the blue corner. Video courtesy youtube.com/innerphilly

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

2009 National PAL Champion Tyriesha Douglas in the News

Story from WUSA about 2012 Olympic Hopeful, 2009 Ringside World Champion and 2009 National PAL Champion, Tyriesha Douglas.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Congrats to DC Area National PAL Champions

The following DC Area boxers won titles at the National PAL Championship from San Antonio, Texas:

Intermediate Division
114 lbs: Gervonta Davis defeated Erickson Lubin, 5-5 (11-11) (3-2)
138 lbs: Kareem Martin defeated Mark Reyes, 8-2

Senior Division
165 lbs: D'Mitrius Ballard defeated Desmond Nicholson, 6-1
176 lbs: Jerry Odom defeated James Singleton, 31-3

Women's Open Division
112 lbs: Tyriesha Douglas defeated Ashley Alvarado, 21-7

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Championship Results from 2009 National PAL

Junior Championship Bouts
60 lbs/junior: Guillermo Gutierrez, Jr., dec. Aidan Campos, 7-5
65 lbs/junior: Dylon Price dec. Jody Gauthier, 5-3
70 lbs/junior: Andrew Strode dec. Timothy Longora, 6-3
75 lbs/junior: Kevin Montano dec. Jonathan Rodriguez, 16-5
80 lbs/junior: Michael Dutchover dec. Jorge Castaneda, 5-2
90 lbs/junior: Ruben Villa dec. Anthony Gonzales, 10-1
95 lbs/junior: Brandon Trejo dec. Dominic Delgado, 12-2
101 lbs/junior: Luis Garcia dec. Justin Aranzamendez, 10-3
80 lbs/intermediate: Roscoe Hill dec. Roger Portillo, 14-4
85 lbs/intermediate: Isaias Perez dec. Francisco De Los Reyes, 17-16
90 lbs/intermediate: Mario Barrus dec. Isajah Najera, 19-5
95 lbs/intermediate: Daniel Ramirez dec. Mike Yanez, 10-2
101 lbs/intermediate/female: Dominique Salas dec. Jasmine Hampton, 7-5
101 lbs/intermediate: Hector Valdez dec. James Taylor, 9-4
106 lbs/intermediate: Heriberto Ramirez dec. Jonathan Padilla, 3-2
110 lbs/intermediate: Luis Castro dec. Christian Sanibanes, 11-5
114 lbs/intermediate: Gervonta Davis dec. Erickson Lubin, 5-5 (11-11) (3-2)
119 lbs/intermediate: Ruben Ozuna dec. Joey Alday, 14-10
119 lbs/intermediate/female: Mariah Maribal dec. Kristal Gonzales, 14-8
125 lbs/intermediate: Gilbert Vasquez dec. Jacob Almaguer, 6-3
132 lbs/intermediate: Junior Younan dec. Christopher Johnson, 9-3
138 lbs/intermediate: Kareem Martin dec. Mark Reyes, 8-2
101 lbs/senior: Aaron Gerda dec. Gilbert Llamas, 7-5
110 lbs/senior: Shawn Simpson dec. Edwin Sandoval, 7-4
114 lbs/senior/female: Christal Barajas dec. Ayanna Vasquez, 11-10
106 lbs/senior/female: Rianna Rios dec. Elizabeth Rodriguez, 8-1
106 lbs/senior: Ernesto Delgadillo dec. Carlos Suaraz, 13-11
114 lbs/senior: Tramaine Williams dec. Keevan Evans, 7-1
119 lbs/senior: Thomas Hill dec. Jorge Rodriguez, 18-2
125 lbs/senior: Luis Feliciano dec. Ezequiel Martinez, 6-6 (10-11)
125 lbs/senior/female: Selina Barrios dec. Shanne Ruelas, 31-10
132 lbs/senior: Cristain Shapa dec. Mikail Jones, 9-6
138 lbs/senior: Javier Montes dec. Cristino Ceballo, 9-9 (19-17) (semifinal)
138 lbs/senior: Martin Mares, Jr., dec. Braulio Martinez, 12-5 (semifinal)
145 lbs/senior: Martin Luganas dec. Kent Cruz, 11-9
154 lbs/senior: Austin Omeben dec. Immanuwel Aleem, 7-6
165 lbs/senior: D'Mitrius Ballard dec. Desmond Nicholson, 6-1
176 lbs/senior: Jerry Odom dec. James Singleton, 31-3
176+ lbs/senior: Adrian Garza stopped Alberto Espinozo, RSC-1 (1:27)


Open Division Championship Bouts

138 lbs/senior JO: Martin Mares, Jr., dec. Javier Montes, 11-5
101 lbs/open/female: Laura Ramirez dec. Jessica Ponce, 5-4
108 lbs/open: Santos Vasquez won on retirement over Michael Benedosso, RET
112 lbs/open: Tyriesha Douglas dec. Ashley Alvarado, 21-7
114 lbs/open: Adam Lopez dec. Alan Garcia, 27-4
119 lbs/open/female: Lauren Fisher dec. Cristina Cruz, 6-2
125 lbs/open/female: Melissa Roberts dec. Elizabeth Leddy, 41-7
132 lbs/open/female: Miakela Mayer dec. Katonya Fisher, 17-9
132 lbs/open: Erick Deleon dec. Eric Altamirano , 12-3
141 lbs/open/female: Queen Underwood dec. Althea Saunders, 11-4
141 lbs/open: Pedro Sosa dec. Tommy Duquette, 13-2
152 lbs/open: Alex Martin dec. William Williams, 7-4
165 lbs/open/female: Alyssa Defazio dec. Jaquilia Bullard, 27-4
165 lbs/open: Luis Arias dec. Chris Pearson, 10-7
178 lbs/open: Samuel Alex Clarkston, Jr., dec. Siju Shabazz, 11-10
178+ lbs/open: Denise Rico dec. Traynora Locke, 12-6
201 lbs/open: Fredrick Samuels dec. Joshua Temple, 8-6
201+ lbs/open: Lenroy Thompson dec. Bryant Jennings, 7-1

Semifinal Results from 2009 National PAL Tournament

Evening session - Open Semifinal Bouts
101 lbs/open/female: Laura Ramirez dec. Delira Christian, 8-6
101 lbs/open/female: Jessica Ponce dec. Paola Arana, 14-6
108 lbs/open: Santos Vasquez dec. Joe Garcia, 13-2
108 lbs/open: Michael Benedosso dec. Oscar Mojia, 15-8
112 lbs/open/female: Ashley Alvarado won on walkover
112 lbs/open/female: Tyriesha Douglas dec. Cynthia Moreno
114 lbs/open: Adam Lopez dec. Diego Hurtado, 10-1
114 lbs/open: Alan Garcia dec. John Franklin, 14-12
119 lbs/open/female: Christina Cruz dec. Amy Sowers, 13-2
119 lbs/open/female: Lauren Fisher stopped Hartia Aleem, RSC-2
125 lbs/open/female: Elizabeth Leddy stopped Leesa Daniels, RSC-2
125 lbs/open/female: Melissa Roberts stopped Alexandria Cardenas, RSC-3
123 lbs/open: Victor Pasillas dec. Isaac Torres, 8-0
123 lbs/open: Joe Perez dec. Oscar Vasquez, 9-8
132 lbs/open/female: Katonya Fisher dec. Caroline Barry, 7-7 (15-14)
132 lbs/open/female: Mikaela Mayer dec. Jennifer Fern, 19-10
132 lbs/open: Eric Altamirano dec. Adam Munguilla, 5-3
132 lbs/open: Erick Deleon dec. George Rincon, 22-15
141 lbs/open/female: Althea Saunders dec. Kristin Gearhart, 18-7
141 lbs/open/female: Queen Underwood dec. Jenna Johlin, 8-1
141 lbs/open: Tommy Duquette dec. Mark Martinez, 8-6
141 lbs/open: Pedro Sosa dec. Jamal James, 5-2
152 lbs/open: William Williams dec. Sidney Williams, 7-5
152 lbs/open: Alex Martin dec. Kelvin Butler, 4-2
165 lbs/open: Chris Pearson dec. Damazo Tello, 6-1
165 lbs.open: Luis Arias dec. Samuel Vasquez, 11-2
165 lbs/open/female: Jaquilia Bullard dec. Maria Norton-Baum, 23-21
178 lbs/open: Samuel Alex Clarkson dec. Payton Boyea, 8-4
178 lbs/open: Siju Shabazz stopped Gildardo Garcia, RSC-2
178+ lbs/open/female: Traynora Locke dec. Dominique McGlotin, 15-0
201 lbs/open: Joshua Temple dec. Javonta Charles, 8-2
201 lbs/open: Frederick Samuels dec. Michael Bissett, 8-5
201+ lbs/open: Lenroy Thompson dec. Shawn Seymore, 16-1
201+ lbs/open: Bryant Jennings stopped Jabril Temple, RSC-3

Saturday, October 24, 2009

2009 National PAL Alantez Fox vs. Antoine Douglas

From San Antonio, TX. Day 1 Action in the 152lbs. Open Division between Alantez Fox and Antoine Douglas. Fox is in the blue corner.

2009 National PAL Manny Rojas vs. Aceson Leseure

From San Antonio, TX. Day 1 Action in the 132 lbs Sr. Division between Manny Rojas and Aceson Leseure. Rojas is in the blue corner.

2009 National PAL Ray Ximenez vs. Pedro Duran

From San Antonio, TX. Day 1 Action in the 114lbs. Sr. Division between Ray Ximenez and Pedro Duran. Ximenez is in the blue corner.

2009 National PAL Tramaine Williams vs. Victor Galvan

From San Antonio, Texas. Day 1 Action in the 114lbs. Sr. Division between Tramaine "Midget" Williams and Victor Galvan. Williams is in the blue corner.

2009 Boxing Featuring Martez Small

12 year old 85lbs. division bout of Martez Small in his 2nd career bout.

2009 Boxing Featuring Marshall Sanchez

Marshall Sanchez was competing this weekend at a Amateur Boxing event in Houston, Texas. Marshall was fighting in the 108lb 15 yr old catagory. The event was hosted by Hit Gyms. Overall good night of action. The showstopper was this 2nd Round KO by Marshall Sanchez. Video courtesy http://youtube.com/officialscorecard