Jordan Simpson, Khalid Murray capture NJ Diamond Gloves titles
PATERSON, N.J. —A number of New Jersey’s amateur standard bearers added to their accolades on Saturday afternoon as the 2025 New Jersey Diamond Gloves commenced at True Warriors Boxing.
In the 165-pound open final, Jordan Simpson racked up his first title since switching gyms to True Warriors, stopping Shahiyd Terry of Park Elite at 1:23 of the first round. Simpson, 24, of Middlesex used his vast advantages in experience and strength to break down the 32-year-old Terry, who has fought just two times in the past seven years. After landing several body shots, Simpson scored a knockdown with a left hook that prompted the fight to be stopped.
“It feels good, it shows that the fruits of my labor are coming to manifestation and I know I’m on the right track,” said Simpson, who works early mornings as a switcher for a truck driving company.
Simpson, who was captain of the football and wrestling teams for Westfield High School, says his next move is to compete at the USA Boxing National Championships this December in Lubbock, Texas.
The show kicked off with the 132-pound novice final, as Park Elite Boxing’s Khalid Murray won a split decision over the more experienced Michael Cuba Tarazona by split decision. After splitting the first two rounds, Murray, 23, of Rahway took over in the third round, landing repeatedly with right hands that knocked back Cuba’s head, securing the victory.
Murray, who had never fought before the tournament opened earlier this month, moved to 4-0 with the win over Clifton’s Cuba of True Warriors Boxing. Cuba, 22, was last year’s Golden Gloves sub-novice champ at 125lbs.
“I really don’t know what to say. I’m lost for words. It feels crazy. I’m number one in New Jersey though,” said Murray, who works overnights at a UPS warehouse.
What Murray lacks in experience he makes up for in ambition and bloodlines: his father Darryl Murray was an amateur boxer out of Elizabeth Recreation who boxed alongside one of Murray’s current co-trainers, Mervin Luciano.
“Don’t ever let anyone put their limitations on you,” said Murray. “I became a state champion and I’ve only been boxing for six months.”
Neither the novice of open class championships at 143lbs were decided in the ring as Xavier Correa repeated as open class champion after this year’s Golden Gloves champ Randy Cardona withdrew, and the novice semifinal bout between Andrew Atienza and Sebastian Silva was scrapped after Atienza came down with the flu.
Yohenrry “Pepo” Rosario won his second title of the year, adding the 132-pound open class Diamond Gloves title to the 121-pound Golden Gloves championship he won earlier in the year. Rosario of Legacy Boxing found a consistent home for his overhand right on the taller Mendez of Ike and Randy’s Boxing, scoring standing eight counts in the second and third rounds. Ironically, it was after the second count that Mendez had his best success of the fight, landing hard body shots with both hands that kept Rosario at bay.
The 27-year-old Rosario of Passaic is a veteran of the sport, having won his first open class title at the 2017 NJ Golden Gloves.
In the other open class elite fight of the night, Hackensack’s Christian Taveras Martinez won the 154-pound title with a decision win over Mark Ellison in a technical matchup.
In other results, William Rivas defeated Donte Foster by decision to take the 165-pound novice title and Makai Moore won the 132-pound open class youth title with a unanimous decision over Gerardo Diaz Jimenez.
The last two titles to be decided will be sorted out next Saturday, November 1 at True Warriors Boxing when Bradley Rossignol and Jandel Martinez face off for the 154-pound novice youth title, while Strategic Boxing’s Vincent Torres will compete against True Warriors’ Silva for the 143-pound novice title.