Estrada helps CES Honor Rocky Marciano
with One Sided Win Over “Mount” Whitaker!
By: Bill Ethan April 4th, Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, Rhode Island: 2003 Pan Am Games Gold medal winner and 2004 Olympian heavyweight Jason “Big Six” Estrada 12-1, 2 KO’s added his fifth straight win since his upset majority decision loss to Travis Walker in 2006. Estrada won a ten round unanimous decision over former contender Lance “Mount” “Goofi” Whitaker 32-5-1, 27 KO’s Estrada 6’1” entered at 239lbs and 6’8” Whitaker matched Estrada and also came in at atrim 239lbs. Estrada a three time United States amateur super heavyweight champion (2001, 2002, 2003) combined skills learned in his extensive amateur background with his quickness and work rate to maintain the advantage over the bigger Whitaker. In the first round Estrada used his jab and straight right to reach “Goofi.” Estrada used his jab to to keep the momentum in the second round again out working the older Whitaker. The former Olympian used a modified rope a dope in the third pot shotting “Goofi” and closed the round with a solid combination emphasizing his growing confidence. Estrada would continue to use his quickness in the fourth but Whitaker began to reach “Big Six’s” body regularly. Round six saw Whitaker pick up the attack and continued to work Estrada’s body. Whitaker appeared to hurt Estrada with a body shot and the two began the verbal game. Estrada turned to his jab and quicker feet doing just enough to steal the round. Whitaker behind now began punching in combination and Estrada used his inside shot fighting off the ropes again. Estrada who appeared to have regenerated picked up his punch count and out worked Whitaker to take round nine. The final round saw Estrada use his agility and footwork to keep a safe distance from the desperate Whitaker. “Mount” landed some glancing shots but never landed the big shot he was looking for and clearly needed. The judges announced the scores 97-93, 98-92 times two.
Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc (CES) honored “The Brockton Blockbuster” legendary Rocky Marciano posthumously inducting him into the CES “Ring of Honor” with his brother Peter receiving the award on behalf of the Marciano family. The CES “Ring of Honor" was established by CES president Jimmy Burchfield to honor New Englands boxing finest. Marciano the only undefeated heavyweight champion 49-0, 43 ko’s fought over half his fights in the New England region, 28 times at the Rhode Island Auditorium, in Providence.
In the semi main event “Awesome” Aaron Williams 17-0-1, 12 Ko’s opened up hard on Andre “Tombstone” Purlette 40-3, 35 Ko’s landing several hard right hands. In the second round a Purlette was on the attack bulling Williams to the ropes where he exploded with a double right hand planting Purlette for an eight count. When the action resumed Williams was “awesome” exploding with a volley of punches burying “tombstone” for the night as referee Dick Flaherty to stop the bout at 2:50 of the second round.
“The KO Kid” Joey Spina 22-1-1, 15 Ko’s won a close decision over Canadian David Whittom 10-6-1, 6 Ko’s winning his third straight since losing to Rhode Islands own Peter Manfredo Jr. by Tko in 2006. Scores were announced judge Steve Epstein 58-56, judge Glenn Feldman 57-56 Spina and judge Ed Scunzio 57-56 Whitton.
Undefeated flyweight Isander Beauchamp 5-0, 2 Ko’s won by Tko over Rob Bell making his pro debut. The Lynn, Massachusetts resident floored Bell three times causing referee Dick Flaherty to call the fight over a prone Bell at 2:14 of round two.
Super middleweight Andre Nevsky remained undefeated 5-0, 3 Ko’s with a four round shutout decision over Fitzgerald Johnson 1-4, 1 Ko.
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U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada to Conquer ‘Mount’ Whitaker April 4 Headliner on ESPN2 on Friday Night Fights at Twin River Events Center in Rhode Island
PROVIDENCE (March 24, 2008) – 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada (11-1, 2 KOs), coming off of his dominating win by 10-round decision in January against former world heavyweight title contender Charles Shufford, plans to breakaway from the rest of the U.S. heavyweight prospect pack with a convincing performance April 4 on national television against former NABO/NABA/WBC Continental Americas champion Lance “Mount” Whitaker in the 10-round main event on “Heavy Hitters,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment, Inc. at Twin River Events Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island.
Estrada-Whitaker moved from co-feature to main event on the April 4th ESPN2 Friday Night Fights show when Estrada’s CES stablemate, “Baby” Joe Mesi (36-0, 29 KOs) suffered a shoulder injury forcing him off of the April 4th card.
“Fighting on ESPN2 in the main event is one more step I need to take,” Estrada said. “I’m happy – not the way it happened with Joe getting injured – but now this is my moment. I’ve been waiting for this chance. I was going to be on TV in the co-feature, anyway, but now I’ll be the guy in the main event.”
The 6’ 8” Whitaker (32-4-1, 27), who has beaten former world champions Oleg Maskaev (KOs) and Al “Ice” Cole, will not be the tallest opponent Estrada has ever fought. Back in the amateurs, Jason defeated a 6’ 9” Cuban fighter and, although it’s difficult to find sparring partners Whitaker’s height, Estrada can’t wait for the challenge.
“I have the kind of hand speed Whitaker’s never seen before,” Jason spoke about his experienced opponent. “He’s been around a long time and has a lot of experience, but Whitaker’s also 35 and I don’t think he’s gotten better with age like some boxers. He’s too big and his arms are too long. I’ll be putting pressure on him from the start. I’ll be going forward and he’ll be going backwards. I’m going to keep beating him to the punch. I’ll out-hustle him like I did to Shufford.
“We were given a list of opponents. I wanted to fight on TV and said yes right away when his name was brought up. Beating a fighter like Whitaker – he’s big and has a big name -- on national television will accelerate my career. I’m not taking anything away from him. Maybe he’ll come out hungry. Who knows? But Whitaker better worry about me. I’m younger, stronger faster, quicker and more motivated. I don’t care if he’s 6’ 8” because we’re not playing basketball. (Mike) Tyson proved height doesn’t matter in heavyweight boxing.” Estrada, promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), recently opened his own gym, “Big Six Boxing Academy,” in Providence.
“It doesn’t get any bigger than this,” Estrada’s father and advisor/head trainer Dr. Roland Estrada commented. “What better way for Jason to prove himself than on ESPN2 in the main event. It will give him an opportunity to impress fans all over. He’s fighting a 6’ 8” guy who has fought just about everybody and only has four losses in 37 pro fights. It’s going to be a nice time to shine and separate Jason fro the pack, into a fight against a top 20 opponent and on the way to becoming world champion. People are going to be surprised at how strong Jason is. He’s been working very hard.”
Providence-native Estrada, 27, was one of the most highly decorated American amateur boxers ever, compiling an amazing 261-14 record in U.S. competition. He was the first boxer to win both the U.S. Nationals and U.S. Challenge three years (2001-2003) in a row. Highlights of his amateur career included representing the United States in the 2004 Olympics and capturing a gold medal at the 2003 Pan-American Games.
During his sensational amateur career, Estrada defeated some of today’s leading professionals including former world title challenger DaVarryl “The Touch of Sleep” Williamson (24-5, 20 KOs), unbeatens Malik Scott (30-0, 10 KOs) and Donnell “The Real Touch of Sleep” Holmes (28-0-2, 24 KOs), Malcolm “The Showstopper” Tann (23-4, 12 KOs), and Felix “Bad News” Cora, Jr. (18-2, 9 KOs).
Tickets for “Heavy Hitters,” promoted by CES, are priced at $35.00 (ADA stage seating only), $40.00, $50.00, (Bronze), $75.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club) are, available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going on line at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at the Twin River Event Center (100 Twin River Road, Lincoln, RI), or any TicketMaster location. Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Events Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.
CONTACT: Bob TriegerFull Court Press 978.664.4482 bobtfcp@hotmail.com
