U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada set to conquer
‘Mount’ Whitaker - April 4
PROVIDENCE (March 24, 2008) – 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada
(11-1, 2 KOs), coming off of his dominating win by 10-round decision in
January against former world heavyweight title contender Charles Shufford,
plans to breakaway from the rest of the U.S. heavyweight prospect pack with
a convincing performance April 4 on national television against former NABO/NABA/WBC
Continental Americas champion Lance “Mount” Whitaker in the 10-round main
event on “Heavy Hitters,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic
Entertainment, Inc. at Twin River Events Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island.
Estrada-Whitaker moved from co-feature to main event on the April 4th ESPN2
Friday Night Fights show when Estrada’s CES stablemate, “Baby” Joe Mesi
(36-0, 29 KOs) suffered a shoulder injury forcing him off of the April 4th
card.
“Fighting on ESPN2 in the main event is one more step I need to take,”
Estrada said. “I’m happy – not the way it happened with Joe getting injured
– but now this is my moment. I’ve been waiting for this chance. I was going
to be on TV in the co-feature, anyway, but now I’ll be the guy in the main
event.”
The 6’ 8” Whitaker (32-4-1, 27), who has beaten former world champions Oleg
Maskaev (KOs) and Al “Ice” Cole, will not be the tallest opponent Estrada
has ever fought. Back in the amateurs, Jason defeated a 6’ 9” Cuban fighter
and, although it’s difficult to find sparring partners Whitaker’s height,
Estrada can’t wait for the challenge.
“I have the kind of hand speed Whitaker’s never seen before,” Jason spoke
about his experienced opponent. “He’s been around a long time and has a lot
of experience, but Whitaker’s also 35 and I don’t think he’s gotten better
with age like some boxers. He’s too big and his arms are too long. I’ll be
putting pressure on him from the start. I’ll be going forward and he’ll be
going backwards. I’m going to keep beating him to the punch. I’ll out-hustle
him like I did to Shufford.
“We were given a list of opponents. I wanted to fight on TV and said yes
right away when his name was brought up. Beating a fighter like Whitaker –
he’s big and has a big name -- on national television will accelerate my
career. I’m not taking anything away from him. Maybe he’ll come out hungry.
Who knows? But Whitaker better worry about me. I’m younger, stronger faster,
quicker and more motivated. I don’t care if he’s 6’ 8” because we’re not
playing basketball. (Mike) Tyson proved height doesn’t matter in heavyweight
boxing.”
Estrada, promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports,
Inc. (CES), recently opened his own gym, “Big Six Boxing Academy,” in
Providence.
“It doesn’t get any bigger than this,” Estrada’s father and advisor/head
trainer Dr. Roland Estrada commented. “What better way for Jason to prove
himself than on ESPN2 in the main event. It will give him an opportunity to
impress fans all over. He’s fighting a 6’ 8” guy who has fought just about
everybody and only has four losses in 37 pro fights. It’s going to be a nice
time to shine and separate Jason fro the pack, into a fight against a top 20
opponent and on the way to becoming world champion. People are going to be
surprised at how strong Jason is. He’s been working very hard.”
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).
