Irvington Boxer Wins NJ Golden Gloves Title, Slugs Way To Championship

IRVINGTON, NJ — An Irvington boxer has slugged his way to the national championships, winning the New Jersey Golden Gloves 165-pound open class title on Saturday at the North Bergen Recreation Center in North Bergen.

Jean Pierre Valencia, 23, defeated Trenton’s Alvin Matthews by decision in the state’s premier amateur boxing tournament. Valencia now turns his attention to the Golden Gloves of America National Tournament of Champions, which takes place May 8 to 13 at Harrah’s Casino in Chester, Pennsylvania. There, the Essex County resident will face some of the best boxers in the country as he builds his experience towards a professional career.

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 the United States a year ago. He’s won 10 consecutive 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 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,” Songalia said. “His will to win borders on obsession.”

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