15.12.03 – By Keith Terceira: The Blaze Boxing Club in Columbia, Pa has been in operation since 1997. Former Golden Glove Champion Miguel DeJesus has been operating a karate School in the same building since 93. Miguel is the father of outstanding former amateur boxer Johnny DeJesus. Johnny is training with Nelson Torres who along with Miguel built the regulation ring rather than continue to visit other gyms for sparring. Johnny DeJesus who won the Mid-Atlantic Championship in 98 went on to Colorado Springs making it to the finals losing to Larry Mosely at 147. After winning the PA Golden Gloves and heading to Thailand with the USA Boxing Team for the Kings Cup Tournament where Johnny had a outstanding showing . Afterwards he got caught up in the hype of huge signing bonus’s and failed to sign with anyone for a professional career.
Blaze continued to pump out top caliber fighters with Miguel and Nelson adding Sal Polizzi and Dan Race as coaches.
Jose Rosa at 154 has won his second Golden Gloves Championship at the age of 16. Isaac Suarez is a Golden Gloves Champ at 132lb . Both Boys participated at the Junior Olympic Regional Tournament losing in the finals. Other rising stars at Blaze are Chris Havice at 106, Larry Sancez at 95lbs, John Portillo 125,and Mark Duncan 201lb. Suarez and fighter Octavio Carnerero at 141, recently competed at the Philadelphia Diamond Belt Tourney.
Blaze Boxers Compete regularly at local shows, at Barry Stump’s East Side Athletic Club, Terry Nye’s Boxing Club and at The Thanksgiving show at Fairlis Hills, PA. East Side Athletic Club will be the scene of a show on December 20th, its in Lancaster Pa. So you guys that enjoy good young fighters make an effort to grab a seat.
Johnny DeJesus once ranked as high as second in the world of amateur boxing has returned to training after a long layoff. DeJesus is planning to turn professional shortly and was painfully honest with me when I caught up with him the other day.
DeJesus admits that he didn’t go into the talks with professional representatives for managers and promoters with the right attitude after his amateur career.
“All the guys on the team with me were signing these huge contracts and getting big money bonus’s so I figured I should have to” DeJesus continued” I held out to long an interest in me waned. I got a rep for being difficult and I earned it. But all that has changed”
“He steps into the ring after being off for a while and spars with guys going to the national tournaments and its like he never left, he beats the daylights out of these guys” Sal Polizzi commented
Johnny has found a renewed vigor for the sport and at 23 has matured, realizing that his love for the sport.
He is no longer interested in anything but finding someone to support and assist him his pro career.
The Blaze Boxing Club survives despite some bumps in the road. Here is where it all starts , with thousands of dedicated devotees to boxing. Miguel and Sandra DeJesus are proud foster parents that work with kids in need on a daily basis. A Salute to the DeJesus family and the Blaze Boxers. Special thanks to Sal Polizzi for the info on the Blaze Club, keep the calls coming Sal. Let us know how the guys are progressing and make them keep those hands up.
– Moorer sending a letter to Mesi may be a set-up for the next card at the Seminole Cocoanut Grove Casino in Florida where the full fight card is not yet released. What will be interesting will be who gets matched up with Whitaker, Castillo, and Moorer. We should get some releases in the next few days according to Warrior. Frankly, Castillo is the most intriguing of the three.
Whitaker could a good match up for Tye Fields, giving us another Clash of Giants. Personally with Kevin McBride back in the ring I would rather see him face Fields. The “Clones Colossus” is looking ready to move up again to the next level of fighters. Kevin recently returned from deployment overseas and we wish him and his family a Welcome Home and Happy Holiday.
Undefeated WBC Cruiserweight Champion Wayne Braithwaite may have his hands full with his Panamanian opponent tonight, insiders tell me that WBA and WBO Latin Champ Luis Pineda is hoping to create a name in this country and has been hitting the gym like a demon. Got to have some upsets once in a while maybe this is one of those times. Tough to go against the “Big Truck” though.
Get your Amateur, Club and Gym news to us and we will give you a call. Remember, boxing begins with you, so lets support and fix it from the foundation up.