Valencia, Jean Pierre Valencia, boxing
Jean Pierre Valencia at Little Mac Boxing in North Bergen. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Songalia)

West New York boxer Jean Pierre Valencia to fight on Sept. 10 in Trenton

NORTH BERGEN, N.J. -- West New York boxer Jean Pierre Valencia will have his first amateur bout on U.S. soil on September 10 when he faces Mitch Desir in Trenton, N.J.

The three-round bout will take place in the 156-pound novice division on the annual Trenton Mayor’s Championship Boxing Show at the Capital City Sports Complex. Championship belts will be awarded to all winners at the event.

The 22-year-old Valencia, who is originally from Esmeraldas, Ecuador, has an amateur record of 6-1 and has already sparred against professional boxers Jamir Cope and Juan Rodriguez Jr. He now trains under coach Ryan Songalia at Little Mac Boxing in North Bergen, N.J.

“It is my dream to become a boxing champion, and America is where that dream will come true,” said Valencia, whose previous amateur bouts were in Spain.

“I am excited to represent my gym and my city in the capital of New Jersey.”

Songalia says the plan for Valencia is to compete in the New Jersey Diamond Gloves tournament in October, followed by the Golden Gloves tournament next year before turning professional.

The 21-year-old Desir stands an imposing 6’0” tall and had excelled as a football and track athlete for Montclair High School. His boxing record is 2-2.

The event will also feature an awards ceremony for former professional boxers from Trenton who were inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame, including 1996 Olympic bronze medalist Terrance Cauthen, former title challenger Bryant Brannon, plus former contenders Charles Boston and Michael Covington.

Capital City Sports Complex is located on New Willow St. Fights will begin at 3 p.m. Admission is free.