CES Boxing: Estrada Looks To Close Out 2008 Strong On “Holiday Havoc”

On a mission to establish himself as America’s No. 1 heavyweight prospect, 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada closes out 2008 on November 29, headlining “Holiday Havoc” in the eight round main event against Derek “The One Man Riot” Bryant, 20-4-1 (17), at Twin River Events Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island.

Estrada, 14-1 (3), has won all four of his 2008 fights, thus far, against former world title challenger Charles Shufford and multi-regional title-holder Lance “Mount” Whitaker by 10-round decisions, as well as Carolina champion Moultrie Witherspoon by seventh-round technical knockout and Texas State champ Domonic Jenkins by eight round decision.

“This has been my best year by far because of the quality of opponents and the way I beat them,” Estrada said. “I’ve also had very little injuries or physical conflicts this year and everything is right on schedule. It doesn’t upset me that lesser fighters have gotten bigger opportunities. I’m patient and my time will come. I think my biggest improvement this year has been my patience in the ring.

“I haven’t gotten frustrated when opponents hold me. Next year, I want to improve my pressure, finishing off opponents when I have them in trouble. For some reason, sometimes, I pull back in that situation. In my mind, I have to finish them off when they’re ready to go…..give them a ticket to leave.”

Estrada, who turns 28 the day after his fight against Bryant, has been in the retiring business, often sending his beaten opponents into another line of business or regulating them to club fighters. Robert Wiggins, Whitaker and Shufford haven’t fought since losing to Estrada and Najee Shaheed has only fought once since his loss by 6-round decision to “Big Six” in 2005.

Jason has fought anybody and everybody put in the ring with him, never turning down an opponent, and none had a losing record (230-82-10 combined record of his opponents when they fought Estrada).

“I go into the ring thinking I’m going to beat my opponent to the point where they’ll second-guess why they’re still professional fighters,” Estrada explained. “I out-class and out-think them. I’m stronger, faster and quicker than them. I want to let them know it’s time to leave the heavyweight division to young guys like me.”

Providence-native Estrada was one of the most highly decorated American amateur boxers ever, compiling an amazing 261-14 record in U.S. competition. He was the first boxer to win both the U.S. Nationals and U.S. Challenge three years (2001-2003) in a row. Highlights of his amateur career included representing the United States in the 2004 Olympics and capturing a gold medal at the 2003 Pan-American Games.

During his extraordinary amateur career, Estrada defeated some of today’s leading professionals including former world title challenger DaVarryl “The Touch of Sleep” Williamson (25-5, 21 KOs), unbeatens Malik Scott (31-0, 11 KOs) and Donnell “The Real Touch of Sleep” Holmes (29-0-2, 25 KOs), Malcolm “The Showstopper” Tann (23-4, 12 KOs), and Felix “Bad News” Cora, Jr. (18-2, 9 KOs).

His vast amateur experience, Jason believes, gives him a significant advantage over fellow American heavyweights. “A lot of these U.S. heavyweights can’t fight,” Estrada added. “Their promoters protect them by giving them easy fights, padding their records, and moving them into title fights that they aren’t ready for. They aren’t ready to fight these Russians who’ve had long amateur backgrounds, technological advantages, and much better sparring on a regular basis.

“Most American heavyweights can fight one, maybe two styles, real well, but, I’ve fought them all – world-class, southpaws, bangers, switchers, fast, etc. I’ve fought so many different styles of boxers because of my International competition as an amateur and those experiences are going to help me become world champion. My time is coming.”

In association with The Louminati Youth Leadership Foundation, Jason “Big Six” Estrada and fellow pro boxers Josh Beeman, Kali Reis and Josh Beeman will be giving away free Thanksgiving Gift Packages on Sunday, Nov. 22 between 3:00 PM and 5 PM at the Davey Lopes Recreation Center, 227 Dudley St. in Providence.

“Holiday Havoc” tickets, priced at $19.00, $40.00, $55.00 (Bronze), $75.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and limited $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club), are available to purchase at Jason’s gym in Providence, Big Six Academy (401.241.3490), calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), or going on line at www.cesboxing.com.

Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Events Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.