NJ Diamond Gloves: Jean Pierre Valencia, Justin Penaranda repeat as state champs
Photo from left: Armando Hernandez, Tymon McCall, Ethan Gonzalez, Jean Pierre Valencia, Malachi Georges, Alessandro Jaucian, Xavier Correa and Justin Penaranda show off their championship rings and medals.
NORTH BERGEN, N.J. — Jean Pierre Valencia and Justin Penaranda were among the repeat state champions who were crowned Sunday, October 15 as the 2023 New Jersey Diamond Gloves came to a close at the Recreation Center in North Bergen.
Valencia, who won last year’s 165-pound novice title, overcame a determined challenge from the iron-willed Alvin Matthews to take a 4-1 decision in the 165-pound open class division. The 23-year-old Valencia of Irvington, N.J. had scored a third round stoppage win over Jordan Simpson the day before, and had to dig deep to hold off the relentless Matthews, 26, of Knuckle Game Boxing, who had advanced to the final due to two walkovers. After a competitive first couple of rounds, Valencia began to find the distance to land his power punches in round three, snapping back Matthews’ head with both hands en route to a decision win.
“I feel great, this is what I’ve been working for all this time, to become a champion again and to be able to receive my championship belt at the New Jersey Hall of Fame dinner,” said Valencia. “Last year I went to the Hall of Fame dinner as a spectator and I had faith that if I worked hard I could attend the following year as a champion.”
Ironically, all three of the state titles Valencia has won, including last year’s Diamond Gloves and this year’s Golden Gloves, have been won against Matthews in the final.
Penaranda won his third straight Diamond Gloves title with a decision win over Jeylin De La Cruz in the 139-pound final. Penaranda of Bayonne Recreation, moved up in weight to 139 pounds after winning the 132-pound titles in 2021 and 2022, and looked strong at his new weight. Penaranda used his speed to get in and out with quick combinations, which he punctuated with his left hook, to earn the victory.
“I knew I was gonna win. I went with a winning mentality. I worked hard in the gym and since this is a new weight class for me I felt a lot stronger at 139,” said Penaranda, who has also won two Golden Gloves titles.
After winning a pair of novice Golden Gloves titles, Alessandro Jaucian earned his first open class title, defeating Sebastian Cargua by split decision in the 125-pound final. Jaucian of Shraim’s Academy showed the same final round determination he showed in the semifinals, when he outhustled Quazir McLeod the day before for another split decision victory.
“I never know what is going to happen in that ring since each opponent is different. The only thing that stays the same is me and my Coach. I trust in myself and instincts to secure the win,” said the 20-year-old Jaucian of Hillsborough, N.J., referring to his trainer, Ahmed Shraim.
Other open class champions crowned on Sunday were Xavier Correa of True Warriors Boxing, who defeated Luis Aybar of Brunswick Boxing Stars by unanimous decision in the 147-pound final, and Ethan Gonzalez of Stevenson and Moses Boxing For Life, who won a split decision over Kirc Bargamento of Wall Athletics in the 132-pound final.
Both Abedallah Elaiwah (156 pounds) of Aces Boxing and Tyler Vanorden (176 pounds) of Team Gladiator were scheduled to fight on Sunday, but won by walkover after their opponents, Samir Dieujuste and Tyric Trapp respectively, withdrew from the tournament. Malachi Georges (203 pounds) and Kevin De La Rosa (203+ pounds) were unopposed in their respective weight classes.
Open class winners will receive their championship belts at the annual New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame dinner, which takes place on November 9 at The Venetian in Garfield, N.J.
Novice/sub-novice winners
125 SN: John Cruz
132 N: Devine Guzman
132 SN: Adolfo Hernandez
139 N: Tymon McCall
147 N: James Ligabo
147 SN: Richard Cammann
156 N: Eduardo Corona
156 SN: Jaden Lisboa
165 N: Shemar Williams
165 SN: Elias Bernado
176 SN: Armando Hernandez
189 SN: Omotayo Fatiregun