Age: 27
Pro Record: 13-1 (3 KO's)
Born: November 30, 1980 in Providence, Rhode Island
Hometown: Providence, Rhode Island
2004 U.S. Olympian
2003 Pan-American Games, Gold Medallist
3-time U.S. Nationals, U.S. Challenge & National PAL Champion
Rated No.10 NABO
Jason “Big Six” Estrada, 2004 United States Olympian, is making noise in the heavyweight division. He has been on a mission to prove that he will be an even better professional fighter – America’s leading heavyweight prospect -- than he was as an amateur, when he was one of the most decorated boxers in U.S. history and rated among the world’s best for several years.
His last win was arguably his most impressive as a pro, taking a one-sided 10-round decision from former NABO/NABA/WBC Continental Americas heavyweight champion Lance “Mount” Whitaker (32-5-1, 27 KOs) in their April 4 ESPN2 FNF show headliner.
Estrada has fought anybody put in the ring with him and none of them has had a losing record (203-73-9 combined record of his opponents when they fought Estrada). His much-anticipated pro debut December 10 ended in a unanimous four-round decision in his favor against Joseph Kenneth at Foxwoods Resort Casino.
Four months later Jason put Jerry Simpson to sleep at 2:35 of the opening round, throwing a devastating knockout punch that resulted in Simpson being taken out of the ring on a stretcher and evaluated at a nearby hospital (he was okay).
He followed June 17 with a unanimous four-round decision against Demetrice King (7-6), in which, King’s corner tried to stop the fight by throwing in the towel. Only the referee can stop a fight in Rhode Island, however, and Demetrice managed to last the remainder of the fight.
Jason floored Earl Ladson (10-6) three times en route to a unanimous six-round decision (60-51, 60-51, 60-51) on August 26, 2005 and followed that (Nov. 23) with a six-round decision against highly respected veteran Najee Shaheed (21-10-2) in back-to-back Providence-based matches.
In February of 2006, Estrada stepped into the ring at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence on “The Contender Special – East Coast Pride” card against his toughest and most experienced opponent, Yanqui Diaz (13-3), who had registered victories against previously unbeaten Juan Carlos Gomez (37-0) via a shocking first-round TKO and former world title challenger Vaughen Bean (44-4). The fight, however, was stopped in the first round due to a cut on Diaz’ head from an unintentional head-butt and ruled a “no contest.”
In only his sixth pro fight, Jason went 10 rounds against veteran Robert Wiggins (20-6-1), pitching a shutout (100-90 three times) in complete domination of his cross-town Providence rival, who has beaten Derek Bryant, Courage Tshabala, Eric Kirkland and Cisse Salif, as well as been in with world heavyweight challengers Monte Barrett and DeVarryl Williamson. Jason extended his perfect winning rounds streak to 39 on Sept. 23, 2006, easily defeating Maurice Wheeler (10-7-1) by unanimous eight-round decision (80-72 three times) in Hartford.
On November 17, 2006, Estrada, however, injured his arm and was unable to extend his vaunted jab, resulting in an eight-round majority loss (76-76, 75-77, 74-78) to Travis “Freight Train” Walker (21-0-1) on ShoBox. Trimmed down to 239 pounds and in his best condition of his pro career, Jason returned to the ring March 6, 2007 at Mohegan Sun Arena, where he pitched a shutout, winning a six-round decision (60-54 three times) against upset specialist Zack Page (13-11-1), who had beaten former world champion Lou Del Valle, on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights.
On May 11, 2007, Estrada weighed in at a pro career low of 238 pounds, and he easily won a six round decision (60-54, 60-54, 59-56) versus former IBU heavyweight title-holder Robert Hawkins (21-7), who recently upset Dominick Guinn.
Jason closed out 2007 with a devastating knockout of James Northey (11-1, 8 KOs), former NABC title-holder, in the fourth round of their fight last October. Estrada easily won a unanimous 10-round decision (99-91, 99-91, 98-92) against former world title challenger Charles Shufford this past January at Foxwoods. Jason’s last fight was the 10-round decision in April versus Whitaker.
Providence-native Estrada, 27, 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 sensational amateur career, Estrada defeated some of today’s leading professionals including former world title challenger DaVarryl “The Touch of Sleep” Williamson (24-5, 20 KOs), unbeatens Malik Scott (30-0, 10 KOs) and Donnell “The Real Touch of Sleep” Holmes (28-0-2, 24 KOs), Malcolm “The Showstopper” Tann (23-4, 12 KOs), and Felix “Bad News” Cora, Jr. (18-2, 9 KOs).
Jason Estrada, rated No. 9 by the NABO, is promoted by Classic Entertainment & Sports, managed and trained by his father, Dr. Roland Estrada.
-JE-
Exclusive Interview with
Jason "Big Six" Estrada
Jason Estrada vs Moultrie Witherspoon
Jason Estradavs Lance Whitaker
Estrada’s Boxing Academy Unveiled!
By Peter Mark Heintzelman
Fightnews.com
In the southern quadrant of Providence, Rhode Island, sometimes the best measure of a promising young professional boxer, is not the size of his purse, nor read between the parentheses of win, loss, draw, and knock out statistics.
Sometimes, the best measure of a man is revealed outside of the limelight of the national spotlight. By his associations. By what he attempts to do, with family and friends, to give back to his community.
Such a man is Jason “Big Six” Estrada, of Providence, Rhode Island (10-1, 2 KO’s), the future of the heavyweight division, according to his promoter, Jimmy Burchfield, of Classic Entertainment & Sports, who recently resigned Big Six to a second promotional boxing contract.
As if preparing for a seasoned veteran like Charles Shufford (20-7-1, 9 KO’s) on January 25, 2008, at Foxwoods Resort Casino was not enough to keep Estrada occupied, on his quest for the best in the big man division, he finds time after the final bell rings, to provide inspiration and guidance to those who dream of following in his footsteps.
After the Providence public schools’ bells ring at the end of the day, and the youth are released onto the streets, that take them in all directions, both good and bad, Jason Estrada and his manager-trainer, Dr. Roland Estrada, and other associates, have opened the doors of the Big Six Boxing Academy. The gym is not only where Estrada himself spars and trains in preparation for his battles in the professional ring, but where they invite the young men and women of South Providence, to get off the streets, and out of the cold. The goal: to give these young men and women, an opportunity to be around successful people who mentor the disciplines of the gym: conditioning, respect, the difference between a hook and a jab, and along the way, a dose of self-esteem.
When you walk through the rustic doors, and into a room centered by an elevated regulation size boxing ring suspended above a space formerly occupied by a pool, the room is a buzz, with the sounds of aspiring contenders, young and old. Boys and girls. Young men and young women, some performing push-ups and skipping rope. Others being coached in the art of shadow boxing in front of the large mirrors at the end of the gym. Yet more be-gloved and hitting the speed bag, the heavy bag, and all the other entrapments of a busy boxing gym. The smell of workout is in the air, the sense of self-entitlement can be seen in the eyes. A place to go, to get out of the cold, to get off the streets, to better oneself.
“Big Six Boxing Academy, is located inside the Davey Lopes Recreation Center, 227 Dudley Street in Providence, Rhode Island” notes Estrada. “This place was opened a while back, but they shut it down. So, me and my Dad took it over, so we had the name signed over to our name about six month’s ago. The State of Rhode Island actually pays for it, but its registered under our name, so anything that happens here is under the title of “Big Six Boxing Academy.”
“Well, the last time, this place was named “Davy Lopes” one of the old timers. Davey Lopes was a great baseball player with the Las Angeles Dodgers. He did some coaching after. Unbelievable speed he had; he broke many records in stolen bases, and everything, “piped in Jimmy Burchfield” who showed up for the opening gala of Estrada’s gym, to support his contender, and probably to eye what the future promises. Burchfield wore a content smile, hosting the city’s mayor and other dignitaries at the opening ceremonies in late January 2008, knowing his Estrada was already a champ, by his community efforts.
Estrada continued, “This is my home now, this is where I’ll be training from now on. But this gym is also where kids from the neighborhood can just come and possibly start a boxing career. Boxing has always been a poor man’s sport, and there is lots of opportunities just to box, even if you don’t want to do it as a career, you can always do it to stay in shape. Its one of the best things to stay in shape, so, its good for the community. This is a rec center anyway, so people come here to get off the streets and out of the cold, and I’m glad to be involved in it.”
“The membership is only $50 for the year, just so we can get a new tread mill and some new equipment, that is basically, because no-one is paying for that kind of stuff. The young kids who come to this gym are trained by myself, or my father. We’re about to start a program that was happening before, but we have to go out and get the funds to get it back, to start a program where I can come here right after school, and work with some of the kids, and that’s what I always used to do anyway. I used to work at the NYSP Camp in Lincoln, RI, and I like working with kids,” added Big Six.
“This new boxing academy in this area of Providence, is just what is needed here. This was a very troubled area, called South Providence, Rhode Island. And to do something like this here is just unbelievable, because it will keep the kids off the streets and occupied. I think there are a lot of good things going on here. And the $50 membership, I think just about anybody could afford that, so that’s great!” said Burchfield.
For more information, or to sponsor a membership for a deserving kid, go to Jason Estrada’s webpage at: http://www.jasonbigsix.com
