Professional boxing returns to Providence on June 29 with 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada headlining the “Takeover” card, presented by Big Six Entertainment, at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence.
Providence favorite Estrada (18-4, 5 KOs) takes on 1992 Puerto Rican Olympian Alex Gonzales (20-6, 10 KOs), in the eight-round main event. One of the most decorated United States amateur boxers ever, Estrada is coming off of arguably his most impressive performance as a pro, a stunning second-round knockout of veteran Dominque Alexander last March.
The 31-year-old Estrada went the distance on the road with World Boxing Association (“WBA”) heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin and Tomasz Adamek, a two-time world champion. Jason’s has also defeated notable heavyweights such as Lance Whitaker, Derek Bryant, Charles Shufford and Zuri Lawrence.
Gonzales, an experienced southpaw, is a former United States Boxing Association heavyweight champion who has been in the ring with former world champion Vassiliy Jirov and past world title challenger Calvin Brock.
“We’re excited to be back in Providence promoting another exciting event headlined by Olympian Jason Estrada,” Big Six Entertainments president Artie DePinho said. “Jason is coming off an impressive knockout victory and he is looking to ‘Takeover’ the heavyweight division. Jason is ready for meaningful fight with guys like Seth Mitchell or Bryant Jennings. Our goal is to provide local boxers with opportunities to improve and continue their careers, as well as providing competitive fights for fans to watch. We’re building on the momentum and success we’ve had in our two previous shows in Rhode Island.”
Former USBA/NABO middleweight champion Brian “The Bull” Barbosa (30-6, 22 KOs), also fighting out of Providence, continues his comeback against dangerous light heavyweight John Johnson (13-2, 10 KOs) in the six-round, co-feature.
Pawtucket (RI) welterweight Diego Periera (6-0-1, 2 KOs) will attempt to keep his unbeaten pro record intact against William “Chino” Correa (9-5, 8 KOs), of Framingham (MA), in a six-round bout.
Also fighting on the undercard in four-round match-ups are Providence welterweight Kali Reiss (4-1-1, 2 KOs) vs. Lyneisha Jefferson (0-1), of Newark (NJ), Providence junior welterweight Josh “Bam Bam” Beeman (4-11-3, 2 KOs) vs. Robert Hunt (0-2), of Hyannis (MA), light heavyweight Paul Gonsalves (4-2, 3 KOs), of Harwich (MA), vs. Borngood Washington (3-11, 1 KO), Waterbury (CT) light welterweight Jair Ramos (2-0, 1 KO) vs. New Bedford’s Joel Alarcon (0-2), Providence’s Rameil Shelton (0-4) vs. Puerto Rican junior middleweight Jesus Javier Cintron (7-4-1, 1 KO), and Cape Cod heavyweight Jesse Barboza (4-1-1, 3 KOs), of Hyannis (MA), vs. TBA.
Pawtucket lightweight Toka Kahn-Clary, a 2010 National Golden Gloves champion who has signed a promotional deal with Top Rank, makes his much anticipated pro debut against an opponent to be determined. All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, reasonably priced at $35.00, $45.00 and $75.00, are available to purchase by calling 1.401.241.3490 (RI) or 1.617.312.5059 (MA), going on line at www.bigsixentertainment, com or www.ticketmaster.com, and at the Rhode Island Convention Center box office.
