(July 7th) For decades, New England boxing has been defined by fighters who captured the imagination of local fans before ascending to the national and world stages.

From Rhode Island legends including hall of famer Vinny Paz and two-division world champion Demetrius Andrade to current Massachusetts standouts Rashidi Ellis, Jamaine Ortiz and Kevin Walsh and Connecticut world champions such as Chad Dawson, the region has long served as fertile ground for world-class talent.

Today, a new generation is emerging.

Across #RhodeIsland, #Connecticut, #Massachusetts, New Hampshire, #Maine and New York, a wave of young fighters is beginning to make its mark under the CES Boxing banner. Some are already regional champions. Others are making a name for themselves early in their professional journeys. All share the same ambition: to become the next world champion from the Northeast.

Together, they represent perhaps the deepest collection of young talent assembled by CES Boxing in years.

Visit Cesfights.com for tickets to the return of Demetrius Andrade at CES Championship Jackpot 2026 on July 27 at Mohegan Sun Arena, Boston Fight Night 2 at Encore Boston Harbor on August 29, and all other CES Boxing events.

Rhode Island: Carrying the Torch

Rhode Island has always punched above its weight when it comes to producing elite fighters, including the aforementioned Paz, Andrade, and the likes of Gary "Tiger" Balletto and Peter Manfredo Jr. The latest generation appears to have the potential to continue that rich tradition.

Leading the charge is Providence-based welterweight Victor Reynoso (12-0, 7 KOs). A natural showman, the Dominican-born boxer matches charisma with loads of ambition and an entertaining style. One only has to turn to his 6-round war with Jalen Renaud as proof of Reynoso’s skills, tenacity and ferociousness.

Next up for Reynoso is a New England showdown against fellow unbeaten welterweight Joe Bush on August 29 at Encore Boston Harbor.

A trio of top Rhode Island prospects who headlined Rhode Wars 6 on June 27 at The Park have also shown promise well beyond the Ocean State’s borders.

Coventry super middleweight Will "The Ghost" Guilmette (3-0, 3 KOs) is a 24-year-old apprentice electrician who embodies boxing's blue-collar roots.

After spending his days working with IBEW Local 99, Guilmette heads to the gym to pursue his championship dreams. A former Southern New England Elite Open Golden Gloves champion, he has quickly established himself as one of the state's most promising young pros, combining power, athleticism and a mean streak in the ring.

Not far away in Cranston, Tyler "My Time" Macari (4-0, 3 KOs) is carrying on family tradition.

The son of former Golden Gloves champion Mike Macari, Tyler grew up immersed in the sport but left the sweet science to play college basketball. After an injury sidelined him, Macari returned to boxing and has emerged as one of Rhode Island's most popular young prospects. Fighting in front of hometown crowds has given the undefeated super welterweight a vocal following that will only grow as he graduates to the national stage.

Then there is Kevin "Kut Throat" Mojica (5-0, 5 KOs).

Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Johnston, Mojica has quickly become one of the most exciting young fighters in New England. The undefeated southpaw has built a reputation as an aggressive, entertaining knockout artist whose fights rarely last long. Every appearance seems to generate more buzz than the last.

Another prospect to watch is super middleweight Ayowole Tom Jones (1-0-1). The University of Rhode Island graduate has already participated in two "fight of the year" contenders since turning professional and seems destined to electrify fans with many more memorable moments as his career develops.

This quintet represents the next chapter of Rhode Island boxing.

Connecticut: A Talent Factory

If Rhode Island is the heart of CES Boxing, Connecticut may be its deepest talent pool. Leading the way is Bridgeport lightweight Jacob "Lefty" Marrero (11-1, 8 KOs).

A gifted southpaw with exceptional skills, the 27-year-old has overcome his share of adversity in life, from surviving a gunshot that threatened his promising career to returning to the sweet science after five years in prison. Many within the boxing community view the charismatic Puerto Rican as one of the most complete young fighters in New England.

Close behind is Stamford's Douglas "El Uno" Marroquin (10-0, 6 KOs).

The stocky middleweight of Mexican and Guatemalan descent has consistently accepted dangerous assignments and delivered impressive performances. A showman, the 27-year-old has electrified crowds with his entertaining ring entrances and aggressive style. Fans will get to witness both when Marrquin battles fellow unbeaten middleweight Daine Smikle on July 24 at

Mohegan Sun Arena.

Another Connecticut fighter generating considerable excitement is Marroquin’s training stablemate Victor Guerra Vargas (3-0, 2 KOs).

The Venezuelan-born, Norwalk-based prospect has lived up to his middle name—"Guerra," which translates to "war"—by bringing a come forward, all action style to every fight. His willingness to engage and entertain has quickly made him a fighter worth watching, as fans found out on June 27 at Rhode Wars 6 in Cranston, where Vargas pounded out a 4-round decision over previously unbeaten Raheem Davis in what many saw as the fight of the night.

The state's depth extends much further.

Stratford’s 20-year-old phenom Joseph "J-Elite" Chisholm (7-1, 6 KOs) continues to electrify crowds with his exceptional blend of speed and power, while Stamford-based Polish prospect Slawomir Bohdziewicz (7-1, 6 KOs) has demonstrated both thudding power and poise while building a rabid fan base of loyal supporters.

Both will be in New England showdowns on July 24 at Mohegan Sun Arena, when Chisholm takes on New Bedford, MA’s Josh Alvarado and Bohdziewicz battles Peabody, MA’s Russ Kimber.

New Haven has particularly become a boxing hotbed, as Carlos Perez (6-0, 1 KO), Kevante Wineglass (4-0, 3 KOs), Gianni Liguori (5-0-1, 4 KOs) and Anuel Rosa (6-0-1, 4 KOs) have consistently excelled against increasingly difficult competition.

And that’s just the men. Columbia, CT’s Stevie Jane Coleman (7-1, 2 KOs) is riding a 7-fight winning streak and improving in every outing as she closes in on a world title shot.

Altogether, Connecticut's current generation represents one of the strongest collections of young fighters the state has produced in years.

Massachusetts: The State of Champions

If one fighter currently symbolizes the future of Massachusetts boxing, it may be Francis "Frank the Tank" Hogan (22-0, 17 KOs).

The Boston born, Weymouth raised middleweight has become one of the most promising prospects in New England, compiling an undefeated record while steadily increasing his level of opposition. Impressive victories over Elvin Ayala and Khiary Gray set up an NABF Middleweight Championship opportunity against Antonio Todd last November, which the 25-year-old won by dominant decision.

Next for Hogan is a main event slot at CES Boxing’s return to Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, RI on September 26.

Hogan is far from alone in Massachusetts.

His training stablemate Tevin Regis (8-0, 7 KOs) has emerged as one of the region's most devastating young knockout artists. The Dorchester native's willingness to engage and his fan-friendly style have made him a favorite among New England fight fans, while his continued development suggests he’s more than just a puncher.

Marshfield’s Joe Bush (7-0, 5 KOs) has likewise established himself as one of Massachusetts' most hopeful young prospects, demonstrating the combination of drive and ambition necessary to climb into the national ranks in a highly competitive sport.

Bush linked up with CES in 2024 with the primary goal of fighting on more meaningful cards. He will get that opportunity on August 29 when he headlines Boston Fight Night 2 against fellow unbeaten welterweight Victor Reynoso at Encore Boston Harbor for the vacant New England Welterweight Championship.

Hogan, Regis, and Bush are helping ensure that Massachusetts remains one of New England's premier boxing hotbeds well after the likes of current contenders Ellis, Ortiz and Walsh hang up their gloves.

On the female circuit, Norton’s Melanie "Pitbull" Costa (3-1, 1 KO) has shown that she is as tough in a ring as she is on the streets of Norton as a patrol officer. Costa returns to action on August 29 at Encore Boston Harbor.

New Hampshire: A Growing Force

While neighboring Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut have traditionally received much of the boxing spotlight, New Hampshire has quietly begun producing a new generation of talented fighters eager to make their mark.

Leading the way is Michael Fontanez (12-0-1, 8 KOs), a skilled super welterweight whose combination of charisma and talent has made him one of the Granite State's most bright prospects in years.

Alongside Fontanez stands fellow Nashua native and training stablemate Christian Moura (3-0, 3 KOs), a 27-year-old who draws huge crowds while packing a big punch.

Another name generating excitement is Londonberry welterweight Jaydell Pazmino (9-0, 8 KOs). Originally from Lynn, MA, the new ‘Pazmanian Devil’ possesses the pedigree, temperament and power to become a force in the welterweight division.

Collectively, Fontanez, Moura and Pazmino represent a new wave of New Hampshire fighters looking to compete with their counterparts in the other New England states.

Maine & New York: The Meteoric Rise of Amelia Moore & Iman Lee

No CES fighter has climbed the rankings faster than Maine’s Amelia Moore (4-0, 1 KO).

Raised in Oxford Hills and now living in Colorado, the 2020 US Olympic alternate is ranked in the top 10 of every sanctioning body with just 4 pro bouts. Moore defeated Canadian Bonnie Hunter in March to win the NABF Lightweight Championship and is looking to up the ante when she challenges WBC/WBO World Lightweight Champion Caroline Dubois on August 29 in Birmingham, England. It’s a spectacular rise from a boxer who is as articulate outside the ring as she is skilled in it. Moore may very well be CES Boxing’s next world champion.

And while most of CES Boxing's prospects hail from New England, New York has contributed the organization's other fastest-rising star.

Iman Lee (15-0-1, 8 KOs) has quickly become one of the most accomplished young fighters on the CES roster.

The undefeated super featherweight gained national attention through his impressive performances in the WBC Grand Prix Tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia before capturing the NABF Super Featherweight Championship in April. Combining speed, athleticism and composure, the 26-year-old from Yonkers has demonstrated the qualities of a fighter capable of competing for world titles in the very near future.

The Future of New England Boxing is Already Here

What makes this generation unique is not simply its talent, but its depth.

Not long ago, New England boxing often revolved around a handful of recognizable names. Today, CES Boxing boasts a roster of rising fighters spread across six states, each progressing along a path toward championship contention.

Top contenders including Jamaine Ortiz, Rashidi Ellis and Kevin Walsh are in the mix for world title opportunities. Prospects such as Francis Hogan, Iman Lee, and Amelia Moore have already captured regional titles. Others are building momentum with every appearance, developing the skills, experience, and following necessary to breakthrough when the opportunities arise.

These fighters form a pipeline unlike any in recent memory.

Whether it’s fighting for world championships, winning regional titles or coming up the ranks, one thing is clear: the future of New England boxing is here, and CES is leading the way.

ABOUT CES BOXING

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast. Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as "The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.", "Mayweather vs. Gotti III" and "The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton".