2016 News and events
Portland Boxing Club's Josniel Castro Earns Bronze Medal in USA Boxing National Championships
Kansas City, MO – December 10, 2016
Portland Boxing Club’s welterweight Josniel Castro, of Portland, lost a close 5-0 decision to Quinton Randall, of Katy, TX in Friday’s semifinal round of the USA Boxing National Championships in Kansas City, MO. This was a hard-fought awkward-style matchup with Castro losing the decision by one point on each of the judges’ scorecards.
Before competing in the semifinal round, Castro started the tournament on Tuesday by out-hustling local favorite and 100 fight veteran Marcus Davidson, of Kansas City, KS to win a 4-1 decision in a hard-fought bout.
On Wednesday, Castro pulled off another big win with a 4-1 decision over nationally ranked Angel Pacheco of Wilman, MN. After two close rounds, Castro showed the ability to change up during the fight, pulling it out in the third round by definitively outscoring his aggressive opponent.
On Thursday, Castro won all three rounds on 4 of 5 judge’s score cards in a 4-1 decision over left-hander Joshua Moreno of San Antonio, TX in the quarterfinal round. Castro was non-stop aggressive against Moreno, repeatedly landing straight right hands and combinations.
This week’s impressive performance earns Castro a top ten spot in the welterweight’s division national rankings. Castro will be competing in the New England Golden Gloves Championships starting in January in hopes of advancing to another national championship.
Castro Does it Again!
KANSAS CITY, MO – December 8, 2016
Portland Boxing Club’s welterweight Josniel Castro won all three rounds on 4 of 5 judge’s score cards in a 4-1 decision over Joshua Moreno of San Antonio, TX in the quarterfinal round of the USA Boxing National Championships in Kansas City, MO. Castro was non-stop aggressive against Moreno, repeatedly landing straight right hands and combinations. Castro advances to the semifinal round tomorrow to face Quinton Randall of Katy, TX.
Portland Boxing Club’s welterweight Josniel Castro (left) and Joshua Moreno (right) of San Antonio, TX in the quarterfinal round of the USA Boxing National Championships in Kansas City, MO. Photo courtesy of Kineo Photography.
Another Good Win by Castro
KANSAS CITY, MO - December 7, 2016
Portland Boxing Club welterweight Josniel Castro, of Portland, pulled off another good win tonight at the USA Boxing National Championships in Kansas City, MO with a 4-1 decision over nationally ranked Angel Pacheco of Wilman, MN. Castro showed the ability to change up during the fight. After two close rounds, he pulled it out in the third round by definitively outscoring his aggressive opponent. Castro advances to the quarter finals tomorrow against Joshua Moreno of San Antonio, TX.
Portland Boxing Club Welterweight Josniel Castro Advances to USA Boxing National Championships Quarterfinals. Photo courtesy of Kineo Photography.
Castro Advances to Sweet Sixteen
KANSAS CITY, MO – December 6, 2016
Portland Boxing Club’s Josniel Castro, of Portland, out-hustled local favorite Marcus Davidson, of Kansas City, KS in the Elite Male 152-pound division at the USA Boxing National Championship in Kansas City, MO. Castro won a 4-1 decision in this hard-fought match against Davidson, a veteran of over 100 fights. Castro advances to the Sweet Sixteen to face Angel Pacheco of Willmar, MN Wednesday night.
Portland Boxing Club’s Josniel Castro (right/red trunks), of Portland, and Marcus Davidson, of Kansas City, KS. Photo courtesy of Kineo Photography.
Morales Wins First Round of National Championship
KANSAS CITY, MO – December 5, 2016
Portland Boxing Club’s Gabriel “Tito” Morales, of Portland, won an exciting match against Jason Meza of National City, CA in the Youth Male 123-pound division in the first night of USA Boxing’s National Championship in Kansas City, MO. Morales was clearly the better and faster boxer, controlling the action for the entire fight.
Morales advances to face R. Chance of East Orange, NJ tomorrow night. Also tomorrow night, Portland Boxing Club’s Josniel Castro, of Portland, has his first match in the Championship against Marcus Davidson of Kansas City, KS in the Elite Male 152-pound division.
Portland Boxing Club's Gabriel "Tito" Morales (right/blue trunks) of Portland, ME and Jason Meza of National City, CA (left/red trunks). Photo courtesy of Kineo Photography.
Lamour Steals the Show
November 12, 2016
Portland Boxing Club’s pro middleweight Russell Lamour, Jr. of Portland scored a hard-fought win over Central American Middleweight Champion Jaime Barboza of San Jose, Costa Rica in front of a packed house at the Portland Expo on November 12. The match started fast and it looked like it was going to be an early night when former North American Middleweight Champion Lamour connected with a vicious right uppercut dropping a stunned Barboza late in the first round. In the second round, Lamour was looking to finish Barboza but got dropped with a right hand. The back and forth battle continued throughout the rest of the bout with Lamour out-boxing a very tough and aggressive foe winning an 8-round unanimous decision. Two judges scored the fight 77-74 and the third judge had the score 78-73.
In the co-feature, Portland Boxing Club’s super bantamweight Jorge Abiague of Portland won a 6-round unanimous decision over Basilio Nieves of Puerto Rico by way of Lawrence, MA improving his record to 10-2. Portland Boxing Club’s super welterweight Casey Kramlich of Raymond improved his record to 6-0-1 with a runaway 4-round unanimous decision over Larry Smith of Dallas, TX.
Super lightweight Matt Doherty of Salem, Massachusetts stopped Josue Rivera of Philadelphia by way of a TKO 46 seconds into the third round. Super lightweight Rocco Salimbene of Philadelphia looked impressive in his professional debut with a 4-round unanimous decision over veteran boxer Ian James of Bronx, NY. Super welterweight Mike Materkowski of Amesbury, MA won a close, hard-fought decision over Ricky Ford of Claremont, NH. Both boxers were making their professional debut.
The show started the night off with two rising amateur stars from the Portland Boxing Club. In the first bout of the night, open class lightweight Gabriel “Tito” Morales of Portland outboxed Christian Castro of Red Bank, NJ winning a 3-round unanimous decision. In the second bout of the night, Portland Boxing Club’s open class welterweight Josniel Castro of Portland won a 3-round unanimous decision over John DeAngelis of Hazlet, NJ. Castro was impressive showing sharp boxing skills throughout leading to a runaway win.
Mayor Ethan Strimling presented a key to the City of Portland to the special guest of the evening former World Heavyweight Champion Larry Holmes of Easton, PA who was on hand signing autographs and taking photos with the fans.
Portland Boxing Club's Russell Lamour, Jr. (right) and Jamie Barboza of San Jose, Costa Rica. Photo courtesy of Kineo Photography.
Portland Boxing Club's Morales Wins New England Title
October 9, 2016
Portland Boxing Club’s open class (youth division 17-18 years) featherweight Gabriel “Tito” Morales won the USA Boxing New England Featherweight Championship with a close, hard-fought unanimous decision win over Calixto Cruz of Springfield, MA. The bout was a back-and-forth battle from start to finish. The win earns Morales a trip to the National Championships in Kansas City in early December.
Portland Boxing Club's Tito Morales and Cruz Boxing's Calixto Cruz. Photo courtesy Kineo Photography.
Three Portland Boxing Club Score Victories at USA Boxing New England Event
October 1, 2016
Portland Boxing Club’s Barry Wilson (12 year old junior 95-100 lbs) scored a unanimous decision over a very tough and determined Keno Luna of Framingham, MA at the Southbridge Community Center in Southbridge, MA on Saturday night at a USA Boxing New England tournament. Wilson showed excellent boxing skills throughout the hard-fought contest. PBC teammate Josniel Castro, (open class welterweight 152 lbs), won a clear-cut unanimous decision over Brandon Brunell of Boston. Castro was just too fast and accurate for the very game Brunell. Gabriel “Tito” Morales (open class featherweight 123 lbs), also fighting out of the Portland Boxing Club, had way too many weapons for the very tough Wilson Reich of Southbridge, MA. The referee had finally seen enough and stopped the fight half-way through the third round when Morales had scored the third standing 8-count of the fight.
Portland Boxing Club boxers shown here with another Maine boxer from Lewiston, Isaac Escobar, who also scored a victory (left to right: Josniel Castro, Gabriel Morales, Isaac Escobar, and Barry Wilson). Photo credit: Kineo Photography.
All-Star Pro Boxing at the Portland Expo on November 12, 2016
September 12, 2016
The Portland Boxing Club will be staging its 103rd event in Portland since the club’s inception 24 years ago. The event will once again feature local stars dominated by the Portland Boxing Club boxers. Headlining will be Portland Boxing Club’s pro middleweight, Russell "The Haitian Sensation" Lamour Jr., the former New England and North American Middleweight Champion, teammates former New England Super Bantamweight Champion Jorge "Mantequilla" Abiague, undefeated middleweight Jason “The Fighting Fireman” Quirk, and the undefeated Super Welterweight Casey “Buzzsaw” Kramlich.
The special guest for this event will be former undisputed World Heavyweight Champion Larry Holmes. Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2008, Holmes ruled the heavyweight division from 1978 to 1985 with a streak of 48 wins and no losses - one shy of the all-time record held by Rocky Marciano - before being upset by Michael Spinks, the undefeated Light Heavyweight champion. He will join a legendary group of boxing icons who have come to Portland in support of our grass roots non-profit boxing program. That list includes boxing greats “Irish” Micky Ward, Gerry Cooney, Vinny Pazienza, Buster Douglas, Roberto Duran, Evander Holyfield, Michael Spinks, Riddick Bowe and Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini.
Portland Boxer Casey Kramlich Stays Undefeated
September 12, 2016
PBC Pro Super Welterweight Casey “Buzzsaw” Kramlich improved his pro boxing record to 5-0-1 with an impressive display of boxing skills, stopping a very game John Ortolani of Tampa, FL. Kramlich boxed smartly behind a constant jab that set up sharp combinations that sent Ortolani to the canvas four times. The referee finally called a halt to the contest after the fourth knock-down at 1:21 of the fourth round. Casey’s next bout will be at the Portland Expo on November 12.
Portland Boxing Club's Casey "Buzzsaw" Kramlich. Photo by Kineo Photography.
Kyajohnian wins Bronze Medal at Women's National Golden Gloves
July 16, 2016
Portland Boxing Club’s Lindsay Kyajohnian of Gorham, ME, the reigning New England Golden Gloves Light Welterweight Champion, lost a close decision to Stacia Stuttles, the New York Golden Gloves Light Welterweight Champion, at the Women’s National Golden Gloves tournament in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Thursday night. The bout was hard fought all the way, with Kyajohnian in pursuit throughout in a very close back and forth battle that could have gone either way. Kyajohnian gets the bronze medal in her first try at a National Championship.
PBC's Lindsay Kyahohnian (center)
Women’s National Golden Gloves Tournament
July 13, 2016
Portland Boxing Club’s Lindsay Kyajohnian, the current women’s New England Golden Gloves Light Welterweight Champion got off to a good start at the Women’s National Golden Gloves Tournament in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with a hard fought win over a much more experienced Alycia Baumgardner of Toledo Ohio, a veteran of 67 bouts. Kyajohnian will now face New York Golden Gloves champion Stacia Suttles of New York City in the Semi Finals Thursday night.
Portland Boxing Club Boxers Score KOs
June 18, 2016
PBC’s pro boxers, Super Welterweight Casey Kramlich (5-0-1) of Raymond, Maine, and teammate Middleweight Russell Lamour Jr. (14-2) had a pretty easy go of it with both boxers scoring KO’s. The NEF Promotion featured bouts in both the MMA and in boxing at the Colisee in Lewiston on June 18. Kramlich overwhelmed a game but totally out-classed Zenon Herrera of Skowhegan, Maine scoring knockdowns in the first and second round. The bout was mercifully stopped in the third round with a bloodied Herrera having no answer for the relentless assault of Kramlich. Teammate Russell Lamour made short work of veteran Roberto Valenzuela of Aqua Prieta, Mexico, dropping Valenzuela twice with stunning combinations to the head. Valenzuela started fast, throwing bombs at Lamour, but was quickly slowed down with a hard jab and a determined body attack by Lamour. Lamour then dropped his opponent with a vicious right hook to the head. Valenzuela beat the count and the fight continued but ended quickly with Lamour landing a picture-perfect left-right combination that ended it at 2:28 of the first round.
Portland Boxing Club Boxers Score 2 Wins
May 14, 2016
Portland Boxing Club's open class lightweight, Gabriel “Tito” Morales, of Portland, scored a 2-1 split decision win over Johnathan DePina of Peter Welch's Gym in South Boston. Morales landed the more accurate blows in a close decision win.
Portland Boxing Club's open class welterweight, Josniel Castro, of Portland, won a unanimous decision over Miguel Ortiz of Cruz Gym in Springfield, MA. Castro looked sharp outscoring Ortiz in this exciting back-and-forth rematch of the prior bout won by Ortiz.
Teammates, Barry Wilson, Lindsay Kyajohnian and Sasha Lamour were not as fortunate in their bouts. Twelve year old, 90 pound junior Barry Wilson lost a close 2-1 split decision to Angel Cruz of Old School Boxing in Springfield, MA. Wilson seemed to land the more accurate punches but lost the close decision in a hard fought battle.
Open class light welterweight Lindsay Kyajohnian gave height and reach to Shelly Walsh of Boston Boxing in a close but unanimous decision loss in a good match up of a bout that could have gone either way.
Open class middleweight Sasha Lamour started strong in the first round scoring a knock down against Brian Lawrence of Peter Welch's Gym in South Boston. Lawrence evened the score in the second scoring a knock down over Lamour. Lamour beat the count and the fight continued until Lawrence landed two powerful straight lefts that sent Lamour to the canvas again. Upon rising, the referee had seen enough and stopped the fight at 2:59 in the second round.
The boxing event was put on by O'Brien Promotions at the Windsor Recreation Center in Windsor, VT.
Portland Boxing Club Boxers Score 2 More Wins
April 16, 2016
Portland Boxing Club’s open class lightweight, Gabriel “Tito” Morales, of Portland, scored a 2-1 split decision win over Joseph Valdez of Nashua, NH. Morales started a little slow against the aggressive Valdez but found the range in the second and third rounds, with sharp combination punching to pull away and win the decision.
Portland Boxing Club’s open class light heavyweight, Ivan Papkee, of Portland, gave away height and weight to Marvin Jones of Burlington, VT but made up the difference with aggressive and a determined body attack to pull out a close 2-1 split decision in a thrilling back-and-forth battle. The boxing event was put on by Cugno Boxing at the Longley School in Lewiston, ME.
The Portland Boxing Club boxers went four for four over the weekend posting wins in Andover MA and Salem, NH. PBC New England Golden Gloves Novice Featherweight Champion, , Tito Morales of Portland, looked sharp outscoring Jonathan DePina of Nashua NH, winning a unanimous decision. PBC teammate, Sasha Lamour of Portland also scored a unanimous decision over Lorenzo Giovanni of Middleboro MA in an annual fundraiser for abused women and children at the Wyndham Hotel in Andover MA Friday night.
Portland Boxing Club Boxers Score 2 Wins
April 9, 2016
On Saturday night in Rockingham Park in Salem, MA pro middleweight Russell Lamour Jr. was impressive, dominating Born God Washington of Queens NY, scoring a TKO in the third round. PBC pro middleweight pro super welterweight Casey Kramlich of Raymond ME also scored a third round TKO when Jason Kelly of Dorchester, MA refused to come out for the third round. Kramlich was relentless wearing down the out-gunned Kelly over the first two rounds, scoring with combination punching to the head and body.
Young boxing champs keep their eyes on the prize
Portland Press Herald story by Susan Kimball, Video Reporter "Young boxing champs keep their eyes on the prize: A better life, Two half brothers from Portland have high hopes in and out of the ring."
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Portland Boxing Club’s Morales Winning Streak Ends
PBC featherweight Gabriel “Tito” Morales’ incredible streak in his first Golden Gloves competition ended Thursday night losing a close but unanimous decision to Jacob Marrero of Bridgeport, CT. Morales, who entered his first Golden Gloves tournament in the novice class easily won the Northern New England Golden Gloves Championship and advanced to the overall New England Novice Golden Gloves Championship. The Deering High School junior dominated the Southern New England and Central New England Champions without losing a round and was named Outstanding Boxer in the Novice New England Championships. When a vacant spot in the Open Class featherweight division became available, Morales stepped up, facing off against Central New England Open Class champion Jonathan Perez of Lowell. Morales turned in another dominating performance, shutting out the veteran Perez and advanced to the Open Class Championship Finals against Marrero, a 41 fight veteran. The bout was razor close in all three rounds with both boxers having difficulty landing sufficient blows in a bout that could have gone either way.
PBC teammate, Lindsay Kyajohnian, won by walk-over in the Women’s Open Class Light Welterweight division when her opponent, Meisha Tuitt of Springfield failed to make weight and was disqualified.
Portland Boxing Club’s Tito Morales on a Roll at Golden Gloves Tournament
PBC’s featherweight Gabriel “Tito” Morales of Portland again put on a dominating performance in the Semi-Finals of the Open Class Golden Gloves Championships in Lowell, MA. Morales, who recently won the Northern New England Novice Championship and last week added the overall New England Novice Championship, moved up to the Open Class Championship Tournament this week and scored another impressive shut-out win over Central New England Champion Jonathan Perez of Lowell, MA, winning a 5-0 unanimous decision. Tonight, Morales will face Western New England Champion Jacob Marrero of Bridgeport CT in the New England Open Class Championship Finals. At stake is a trip to Salt Lake City, Utah to compete in the National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions.
Also boxing tonight representing Northern New England is Portland Boxing Club’s Lindsay Kyajohnian of Gorham, Maine who will face Western New England Champion Meisha Tuitt of Springfield, MA in the Women’s Light Welterweight Open Class Championship Final.
New England Novice Tournament of Champions
Portland Boxing Club’s Gabriel “Tito” Morales, Northern New England Golden Gloves Novice Featherweight Champion, put on another impressive performance in the New England Novice Tournament of Champions, overwhelming Central New England Champion, Marquis Fowler of Lowell, MA, winning a one-sided unanimous decision and adding the New England Novice Belt to the Northern New England Novice Golden Gloves title. Morales coming off 3 impressive wins in his first Golden Gloves tournament will take advantage of a vacant Northern New England Featherweight Open Class position, and will try his luck in the New England Golden Gloves Open Class Championships next Wednesday and Thursday in Lowell. A win in the open class will give the Deering High School junior a shot at the National Golden Gloves Championships in Salt Lake City in May.
PBC’s Morales Advances Again in the Golden Gloves
Portland Boxing Club’s Northern New England Golden Gloves Featherweight Champion, Gabriel “Tito” Morales, looked very sharp with rapid fire combinations and accurate counterpunching, overwhelming Southern New England Novice Champion Devin O’Neil of Coventry, RI, winning a unanimous decision.
Morales will now advance to the New England Golden Glove Novice Championship Finals on Thursday February 18 in Lowell MA. Morales will face Central New England Champion Marquis Fowler of Lowell, MA for the New England Championship.
Portland Boxing Club Boxing Brothers Both Win Golden Gloves Titles
Portland Boxing Club’s Gabriel “Tito” Morales put on an amazing display of boxing skills, defeating a game but out-gunned Chris Fisk of Stockton Springs, Maine, by a one-sided unanimous decision. Morales won the Northern New England Golden Gloves Novice Lightweight Championship in Burlington, VT at the Northern New England Golden Gloves Championships. Morales will advance to the Novice New England Tournament of Champions to be held this Thursday (February 11) for the semi-finals and next Thursday (February 18) in for the Championship Finals in Lowell, MA. Tickets to the events are available at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium.
Morales’ younger brother, 12-year-old Barry Wilson, also boxing out of the Portland Boxing Club, looked very sharp dominating Ryan Antonivich of Springfield, VT, winning a clear-cut unanimous decision and the Junior Novice Northern New England Golden Gloves Championship.
Portland Boxing Club teammates Novice Lightweight Kate Zehr of South Portland loss a close split decision to Ali Watson of Burlington, VT and Open Class Middleweight, Portland Boxing Club’s Sasha Lamour also loss a questionable split decision to Rory Stapleton of Lancaster, NH. The Open Class Tournament of Champions will be held February 24 and 25 at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. Winners of the Open Class advance to the National Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah in May.