Irvington Boxer Wins Bronze Medal At National Golden Gloves

IRVINGTON, NJ — An Irvington resident is carving out a name for himself as one of the best amateur boxers in New Jersey.

Earlier this month, Jean Pierre Valencia, 23, battled his way to the semifinals at the Golden Gloves National Tournament of Champions at Harrah’s Casino in Pennsylvania, capturing a bronze medal in the 165-pound class. He defeated three other boxers before dropping a close decision to the boxer who is rated no. 2 in the United States: Jonathan Montalvo.

According to Ryan Songalia, his head trainer, Valencia managed to give Montalvo all he could handle, rocking him several times and outhustling him in the final round in a decision loss. It was an impressive performance considering that Montalvo is among the most experienced boxers in the tournament with over 70 bouts to his record, while Valencia was competing in just his 21st fight.

Valencia was one of two bronze medalists from New Jersey, with Tyric Trapp of Tinton Falls finishing third in the 176-pound category. Malachi Georges of Teaneck was the only boxer from New Jersey to advance to the finals after defeating Theon Davis of Chicago by decision.

Valencia, who began boxing at age 18 after moving to Barcelona, Spain as a teenager, plans to rest after a busy schedule before preparing for other national and state tournaments.

Valencia, who was born and raised in Esmeraldas, Ecuador, announced his arrival on the national stage by beating Dyelon Latimore of Chicago on May 8, and then defeating the California champion Sergio Gonzalez in a thrilling decision on May 10. Valencia had his most dominant performance of the tournament in the quarterfinals on May 11, scoring three standing eight counts on Jauan Bacon of Indiana to advance to the medal rounds.

“No one knew who I was before I entered the tournament, but now everyone knows my name after I hurt some of the best boxers in the country,” said Valencia, who won the 165-pound novice New Jersey Diamond Gloves title last year and the 165-pound open class New Jersey Golden Gloves title this year.

“This was valuable experience, and I look forward to getting another opportunity to show my potential,” Valencia added.

Songalia said that Valencia has showed he is now a threat to beat the best boxers in the world.

“There are no words to express how proud I am of this young man,” said Songalia, who works alongside Valencia’s conditioning coach Aaron Watson.

“Valencia was not picked by anyone to go deep into the tournament, but he pushed one of the top boxers to the limit,” he said. “I believe he’ll be a national champion soon, and a world champion when he turns professional.”

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