2026 News and events
Siblings Mohamed, Ilyas, Idris and Amina Bashir at Gettin’ Gritty in the City 3.
The Portland Boxing Club sent two amateur boxers to the “Gettin’ Gritty in the City 3 hosted by Cugno Boxing in Lewiston, Maine. When the final decisions were announced, Portland Boxing Club finished the evening with one victory and one narrow defeat, with both fights remaining in doubt until the final scorecards were read.
Portland’s Idris Bashir faced local boxer Derek Hairston in a closely fought contest that featured constant action and momentum shifts throughout. Hairston maintained a busy pace from the opening bell, pressing the action and forcing exchanges in each round. Bashir answered with clean punches and more scoring opportunities, though at ringside the outcome appeared far from certain.
When the scorecards were announced, Bashir was awarded the razor-thin decision. It was the type of fight where either boxer could have won.
In the evening’s other Portland Boxing Club bout, Awes Ibrahim squared off against Jefrey Paulino of Lawrence, Massachusetts in a closely contested battle. The fight was competitive throughout the opening two rounds, with neither boxer able to clearly separate himself on the scorecards. Knowing the bout was likely hanging in the balance entering the final round, Ibrahim responded with his strongest round of the night.
When the judges returned their verdict, however, Paulino was awarded a split decision victory in one of the most competitive bouts of the evening.
The USA Boxing 2026 New England Championships concluded Sunday after three days of amateur boxing at Sonny’s Boxing & Fitness in Middleton, Massachusetts. Top fighters from across New England competed for New England titles and the chance to advance to the USA Boxing National Championships later this year in Louisiana.
Portland Boxing Club’s Awes Ibrahim (143 lb) opened the tournament Friday night against Lawrence’s Jhoniel Lopez. After a slow first round—expected after a year of injury‑related inactivity—Ibrahim surged in the second with sharp, clean scoring blows. A tight third round saw him finish stronger, earning a split decision and advancing to Saturday’s semifinal.
In the semifinal, Ibrahim again rebounded from a slow start, outworking Lopez in the later rounds to secure another split decision. The win set up a final against Aidan Feeney, a rematch of last year’s dramatic championship bout.
In the final, Ibrahim and Feeney delivered another tactical, high‑paced contest. Feeney’s forward pressure in the second round proved decisive, while Ibrahim’s late surge in the third wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit. Feeney earned a unanimous decision and punched his ticket to Nationals.
PBC’s Abbas Ngoboka (154 lb) delivered an impressive performance on Saturday, avenging a razor‑thin loss from earlier in the year to Cranston’s Lorenzo Giaccarini. Using a disciplined jab to enter, exit, and reset exchanges, Ngoboka controlled the pace and earned the well‑deserved decision. The victory advanced him to Sunday’s final against Providence’s Ransell Correa.
In the final, Ngoboka fought with grit and determination but was ultimately out‑boxed by Ransell Correa, who used steady body work and ring‑cutting pressure to control the action. Despite moments of success, Ngoboka fell short on the scorecards, concluding a strong tournament run.
PBC’s Zordan Holman (198+ lb) faced South Boston’s John O’Toole in a rematch of their 2024 Expo bout. In the rare position of giving up height, Holman fought hard but came up short in a competitive contest, with O’Toole advancing to Sunday’s final.
PBC’s Ilyas Bashir (132 lb), a three‑time New England Golden Gloves Champion, entered the final seeking retribution after last year’s narrow loss to Anthony Schurko. Despite improved strength and conditioning and his trademark technical skill, Bashir was edged by Schurko, losing a unanimous decision in a bout defined by inside pressure and difficult clinch breaks.
July 19, 2026 - Sanford, ME
The annual Jass Summer Bash, hosted by Jass Boxing, delivered a full night of high‑energy amateur boxing on July 18 at the Sanford Memorial Gym in Sanford, Maine. The Portland Boxing Club entered four athletes and finished the night with two victories and two razor‑close defeats.
The performance of the night belonged to Portland Boxing Club’s Ilyas Bashir (132 lb), the three‑time New England Golden Gloves Champion. Bashir delivered a masterclass in boxing, stopping Marco Uribe of Nashua, NH in the third round after three standing eight‑counts. Bashir opened the fight by establishing a sharp, disruptive jab. Once he saw Uribe struggling to read the rhythm, Bashir emptied the entire arsenal: snapping power rights, left hooks to the body and head, clean power lefts, and a perfectly timed uppercut that visibly rocked Uribe. Uribe attempted to engage but quickly found himself. Referee Tom Clark halted the contest in the third, ending a clinic that left the crowd stunned. Bashir’s increased strength and conditioning were evident, adding new pop to his already elite technical skill.
PBC’s, Codey Haskell delivered a disciplined and composed performance, defeating Jayden Magulu of Uppercuts Boxing (Framingham, MA) by unanimous decision. Magulu showed early speed, but Haskell’s strength, pressure, and consistency carried the bout. Haskell controlled the exchanges, outworked Magulu, and never allowed momentum to slip away.
PBC’s Samuel Mbemba lost a close split decision to Anthony Ares Bambara of Combat Fitness (Vermont). Mbemba’s power was evident throughout the fight—he hurt Bambara multiple times—but his tendency to load up without setting up shots allowed the more experienced Bambara to defend effectively. Mbemba received a warning for a low blow in the second. Later, a clean body shot in the third appeared to be mistaken for another foul when Bambara bent over, giving himself a brief recovery. No points were deducted, but the pause allowed Bambara to regroup and finish strong enough to edge out the decision. It was a fight Mbemba had the power to win outright, but the missed setups proved costly.
Abbas Ngoboka of the Portland Boxing Club faced Dylan Crockett of Cugno Boxing (Lewiston) in what many considered the fight of the night. Both fighters brought high‑level skill and nonstop action. Ngoboka started fast, getting inside and scoring effectively in the first round. Crockett used his experience to slip and avoid most of Ngoboka’s power shots. Ngoboka had success to the body throughout and rocked Crockett late in the third, but Crockett controlled the first two minutes of the final round and edged out the decision. Despite the loss, Ngoboka showed meaningful improvements in his jab, consistency, and conditioning. His energy never dropped, and his pressure created several strong moments
Portland Boxing Club's Kate Zehr (left) at the National Golden Gloves.
Casey Streeter competed on the main card of Zuffa Boxing 07: Billam-Smith vs Rozicki at the Bournemouth International Centre in Bournemouth, England and televised on Paramount+. Irish contender Stevie McKenna returned to action with a whirlwind performance as he stopped Streeter 64 seconds into their middleweight contest.
When the opening bell sounded, McKenna and Streeter met in the center of the ring and immediately got involved in a tear-up as they both unloaded vicious combinations. But while Streeter was swinging punches, McKenna was landing them, and a huge left hook rocked the Streeter, who looked very close to touching down, but didn’t. Realizing Streeter was still upright, McKenna resumed and dropped him with more heavy shots that forced the referee to wave off the fight.
The USA Boxing 2026 New England Junior Olympics took place May 16–17 at Sonny’s Boxing & Fitness in Middleton, Massachusetts. The Portland Boxing Club entered two Junior athletes—12‑year‑old Cody Haskell and 17‑year‑old Euchan Park, both of whom delivered determined performances in tightly contested bouts.
In the Junior 125‑lb division, Cody Haskell faced Dominic Funai of Bernardo’s Boxing (Fall River, MA) in what was effectively Haskell’s first real test. His debut bout earlier in the year ended in a first‑round stoppage, offering little opportunity for development. This time, Haskell was pushed and he responded.
Haskell fought with composure under pressure, countering effectively and showing improved ring awareness. In the first round, he appeared to score a knockdown when a straight right hand sent Funai stumbling backward several steps before going down. The referee ruled it a slip, but it appeared the punch contributed to the fall. Funai’s pressure ultimately earned him the close decision, but Haskell’s performance showed meaningful growth and toughness.
Originally preparing to compete at 132 lbs, Euchan Park saw his matchup changed mid‑week to a 143‑lb opponent. Despite coming in several pounds light, Park looked strong and confident as he stepped into the ring against Tosh Mitchell of Nashua PAL (Nashua, NH).
Park won the first round with sharper counters and cleaner scoring blows. The second round saw Park slow as Mitchell applied steady pressure. In the third, Park regained momentum, landing the more significant punches of the round and finishing strong.
The bout was close throughout, and Mitchell ultimately earned a split decision.
The 2026 Golden Gloves of America National Tournament of Champions was held May 11–16 at the Arvest Convention Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, bringing together more than 30 regional teams and the nation’s top amateur fighters. The Portland Boxing Club sent two New England Golden Gloves Champions, Kate Zehr and Rodrigues Paulo, to represent Team New England on the national stage.
Competing in her sixth straight National Golden Gloves, PBC’s Kate Zehr entered the 143‑lb division with experience, conditioning, and her trademark body‑punching arsenal. She faced a tough draw in Nevaeh Williams of Cleveland, the #1‑ranked fighter in the country.
Zehr came out firing in the first round, slipping most of Williams’ punches while landing the more significant blows. She appeared to clearly win the round, though two of the five judges scored it for Williams, an early surprise that did not reflect the action.
Williams adjusted well in the second, using her reach and a stiff jab to keep Zehr at bay. The judges scored the round 5–0 for Williams. Down on the judge’s scorecards entering the third, Zehr pressed forward aggressively. After receiving an eight‑count early in the round, she responded by landing four straight unanswered punches that drove Williams to the ropes and visibly stunned her. Despite the impact, no eight‑count was issued.
Zehr fought every second of every round and showed remarkable sharpness. Though Zehr did not advance, her effort was one of the most spirited of the night.
In the 176‑lb division, PBC’s Rodrigues Paulo, the Northern New England and New England Golden Gloves Champion, made his first National Golden Gloves appearance. Paulo faced Dragon Radusewicz of G Force Athletic (Charleroi, PA) in a fast‑paced, technical bout.
Paulo opened strong, establishing a long, sharp jab that controlled distance and disrupted Radusewicz’s rhythm. He appeared to win the round, though judges scored it 3–2 for Radusewicz. The second round was close, with Paulo landing clean straight rights and Radusewicz countering effectively. Judges scored the round 4–1 for Radusewicz.
Paulo started the third round aggressively, but fatigue crept in during the final minute. When he stayed behind the jab, he created openings for his secondary punches and controlled the action. When he abandoned it, Radusewicz capitalized with timely counters. It was a narrow, high‑quality fight between two talented boxers, and Paulo left everything in the ring.
The Exchange Club of Lawrence Annual Invitational was held at the Boys & Girls Club in Lawrence, Massachusetts, featuring a full slate of competitive amateur bouts and fast‑paced action. The Portland Boxing Club entered three athletes, Euchan Park, Abbas Ngoboka, and Idris Bashir, each of whom fought hard in challenging matchups but lost on the scorecards after slow starts and high‑volume pressure from their opponents.
In the opening PBC bout, 17‑year‑old Junior boxer Euchan Park faced Derek Rivera of Evolution Boxing (Tewksbury, MA). Rivera’s experience was evident from the opening bell, as he came out throwing combinations and setting a fast pace. Park never backed down, landing several clean, heavy punches and fighting with determination throughout all three rounds. Despite his effort, Rivera’s higher punch volume carried the unanimous decision. Park falls to 2–1, but the bout served as a valuable learning experience against a more seasoned opponent.
In the second PBC bout, Abbas Ngoboka faced Amed Abdulla of Boston Boxing in a tactical contest heavily influenced by larger ring size. Ngoboka, normally a 154‑lb Open fighter, stepped up to face Abdulla, who typically competes at 165 lbs and made 160 lbs for the event.
Abdulla used the large ring masterfully, staying mobile and avoiding Ngoboka’s inside pressure. Ngoboka struggled to cut off the space early, but rallied in the third round, landing a big left hook that rocked Abdulla and drove him backward. Despite the momentum shift, Abdulla survived the round and earned the unanimous decision.
In the final PBC bout, Idris Bashir faced Josue Mercado of Haverhill Inner City Boxing. As with the earlier bouts, the larger ring created challenges in range and positioning, and Mercado capitalized with quick movement and steady punch output. Bashir landed several heavy shots throughout the fight, but Mercado’s consistent combinations and higher volume earned him the unanimous decision.
Portland Boxing Club's Samuel Mbemba at the Jimmy Burchfield Classic Amateur Invitational XVI. Photo credit Steve Shea.
The Jimmy Burchfield Classic Amateur Invitational XVI, held March 28 at the North Shore Theatre in Beverly, Massachusetts, delivered a full night of tightly contested amateur action. The Portland Boxing Club entered two fighters, Samuel Mbemba and Abbas Ngoboka, both of whom left everything in the ring in what proved to be two of the most exciting bouts of the evening.
In the opening PBC bout, Samuel Mbemba faced Boston’s Mischael Morency in a toe‑to‑toe battle between two heavy punchers. The first two rounds were close, with Morency applying steady pressure and Mbemba looking for openings to land his power shots. Entering the third round likely behind on the scorecards, Mbemba dug deep and produced his best round of the night. He hurt Morency with clean, heavy punches and controlled the final exchanges, earning a hard‑fought split decision victory.
The second PBC bout featured Abbas Ngoboka in a rematch with Lorenzo Giaccarini of Johnston, Rhode Island—an explosive three‑round contest that had the crowd on its feet from start to finish. If fans wanted hooks and uppercuts, they got them. Both fighters came out swinging from the opening bell, trading combinations and heavy shots in a nonstop effort to impose their will. Giaccarini was bloodied but never backed down, while Ngoboka pressed forward with relentless aggression and clean inside work. After three rounds of fast action, Giaccarini earned a razor‑sharp split decision, was widely regarded as the amateur fight of the night.
After several weeks of competition featuring the best amateur boxers from across the region, the All-New England Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions concluded at the historic Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, Massachusetts. The tournament serves as New England's final proving ground before the Golden Gloves of America National Tournament of Champions in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Leading the charge for Portland Boxing Club was Rodrigues Paulo, who captured the 176-pound Open Division Championship with a convincing victory over Christopher Rivera of Fall River, Massachusetts. Rodrigues Paulo used exceptional reach, disciplined footwork, and a sharp jab as he consistently frustrated opponents attempting to get inside. Throughout the tournament he controlled distance, dictated tempo, and boxed with a maturity beyond his experience.
In the semifinals, Rodrigues Paulo earned a unanimous decision over Nathaniel Jump, using his reach advantage to keep the fight where he wanted it. He followed that performance with another commanding display in the championship bout against Rivera to secure the New England title.
Portland Boxing Club veteran Kate Zehr advanced to the National Golden Gloves for the sixth consecutive year after going unopposed in the New England Tournament. Zehr's continued presence at the national level further solidifies her place among the most accomplished amateur boxers in New England and extends an impressive run of national appearances representing both Portland Boxing Club and Team New England.
Returning to competition following an extended layoff, Xavier "Tiger" Diaz put together an impressive tournament run that culminated in the 121-pound Open Division Final against Christian Shurko of Medford, Massachusetts.
Diaz advanced to the finals with a split-decision victory over Antonio Torres of Springfield and looked sharp throughout the tournament despite his time away from competition. In the championship bout, Diaz lost a close decision to Shurko.
The growth of Abbas Ngoboka may have been one of the most encouraging stories of the tournament for Portland Boxing Club. Ngoboka captured the Northern New England Golden Gloves title before stopping Western New England champion Quantaveis Knighton in the New England semifinals.
Using consistent pressure, a sharp jab, and determined body work, Ngoboka forced a second-round stoppage to punch his ticket to the finals.
Awaiting him was defending champion Malik Johnson of Lynn, one of the region's most accomplished fighters. Ngoboka battled hard throughout the championship bout and performed admirably against an elite opponent. While Johnson earned the victory, Ngoboka showed continued improvement and demonstrated that he belongs among New England's top 154-pound fighters.
Heavy-handed novice Samuel Mbemba fought his way through the 165-pound division in spectacular fashion, producing knockdowns in every tournament bout. Mbemba's semifinal victory over Anthony Rojas Rosa was one of the most exciting fights of the tournament, highlighted by a dramatic knockdown and standing eight-count that had the crowd on its feet.
In the final against Sam Lorusso of Saugus, Mbemba again delivered fireworks. He scored a first-round knockdown with a short right hand and appeared to have done enough to secure the victory. When the scorecards were announced, however, Lorusso earned a narrow 3-2 split decision.
Three-time New England champion Ilyas Bashir entered the tournament seeking a fourth straight trip to the National Golden Gloves. In a highly anticipated match against Anthony Shurko, Bashir delivered another skilled performance. Shurko earned the unanimous decision, ending Bashir's run, but the fight once again demonstrated why the rivalry has become one of New England amateur boxing's best.
Idris Bashir, competing at 132 pounds after dropping down from 143, fought hard in his semifinal bout against Adan Marquez of Lawrence but lost by split decision.
Heavyweight Zordan Holman, returning after two years away from competition and major shoulder surgery, faced a tough challenge against former national champion and Olympic hopeful Gilbert Kabamba. Holman showed determination, standing his ground and competing aggressively against Kabamba.
Rodrigues Paulo and Kate Zehr will represent Team New England at the 2026 Golden Gloves of America National Tournament of Champions in Tulsa.
Todd Bacon, Casey Streeter and Allen Bunmy at Zuffa Boxing 03.
Casey Streeter made his Zuffa Boxing debut on Zuffa Boxing 03: Ajagba vs Martin at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas and streamed live on Paramount+ on February 15, 2026. Experienced middleweights went head-to-head in the final preliminary card matchup of the night, as Leo Ruiz claimed a fourth-round TKO victory over Casey Streeter in their eight-round 157-pound catchweight matchup.
Streeter focused on speed and volume as he worked several multi-punch combinations through the opening rounds, while Mexico's Ruiz looked to dip and duck into range before ripping hard to the body and coming upstairs with clubbing shots.
Streeter started Round 3 looking to stay on the outside, but found himself out of range for his combinations. Once he stepped back in and started to land his work again, Ruiz loaded up and hurt Streeter.
Ruiz loaded up and cracked Streeter with a huge straight right, and the referee waved off the fight at the 1:23 mark of Round 4.
Portland Boxing Club's Samuel Mbemba Bobby Russo and Rodriguez Paulo at the Northern New England Golden Gloves.
The 2026 Northern New England Golden Gloves Championships were held January 24 and 31, 2026 at the Sanford Memorial Gymnasium in Sanford, Maine. The Portland Boxing Club delivered several stoppages and a host of fighters who advanced to the New England Golden Gloves Championships in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Samuel Mbemba, a 165-pound novice, an impressive second-round Referee Stops Contest (RSC) victory over Julian Picchotti. The heavy-handed novice prospect showcased his punching power. Euchan Park, a 143-pound junior, had a strong performance of his own, earning a third-round RSC victory over Hunter Long. Park demonstrated composure and conditioning throughout the bout, steadily breaking down his opponent before forcing the stoppage. Anthony Riga, a 176 pound novice, scored a second-round RSC win over Cole Dunphy, giving the PBC three stoppage victories in three bouts.
Idris Bashir, a 132-pound novice, won a competitive 3-2 split decision victory over Abdi Noor. Bashir's determination and ring intelligence proved the difference in a closely contested bout. Cody Haskell, a 125-pound junior, scored a first-round RSC victory over Jacob Menzietti. Haskell wasted no time asserting himself, delivering a dominant. Youness Lakaris , a 179-pound novice, boxed effectively throughout his bout, earning a unanimous decision over Mason Rose. Abbas Ngoboka, a 154-pound open class, secured a razor-thin 3-2 split decision victory over Hunter Dickenson. Known for his work ethic and constant improvement, Ngoboka found a way to win a close bout and continue his impressive progression through the amateur ranks. Rodrigues Paulo, a 176-pound open class, used his superior length and athleticism to earn a unanimous decision over Travis Campbell. Awes Ibrahim, a 143-pound open class, lost a unanimous decision in a highly competitive contest against Roger Palmer. Despite the result, Ibrahim had another strong overall showing.