Thirty-one-year-old Jason “Big Six” Estrada(19-4, 5 KOs) has been patiently waiting the past two years for his last shot at the big-time. The 2004 U.S. Olympian, fighting out of Providence, is preparing to headline the November 10th “Big Things” card at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence.
Estrada fights veteran Galen “Bad Boy” Brown (38-20-1, 23 KOs) in the eight-round main event, presented by Big Six Promotions, on the “Big Things” show featuring many of New England’s favorite boxers. Estrada has won his last three fights against Alex Gonzales, Dominique Alexander and Joseph Rabotte, while the battle-tested Brown has fought former world champion Hasim Rahman, world title challenger Mariusz Wach, and former Russian titlist Andrey Fedosov.
“I’m trying to work my way back into position for a big fight,” Estrada explained. “It’s a lot better staying active instead of just training, which gets boring after a while. I’m hoping to get a call if an opponent falls out in a big fight or if somebody hears my name and he wants a challenge. I’m staying busy. I’m not in a situation where I can call the shots. Guys today pick their opponents, waiting to get a fight against one of the Klitschko brothers.”
Today, Estrada is much different from the highly-decorated U.S. amateur boxer who turned professional nearly eight years ago. He has changed his style back to the way it was when he was boxing in the Junior Olympics, plus he’s healthier than he’s been at any time since his amateur days.
“I sat down with my father (and head trainer Roland Estrada) and we changed my style a lot, back to what it was when I was fighting in the JO’s,” Estrada said. “When computer scoring came to the amateurs, I had to win points and did that by boxing. It was easy but that style doesn’t work in the pros. I made a transition the past two years to sit on my punches and hurt guys. It just took a little time to get there. Everything was new for me when I turned pro.
“I’m healthy now, too. Fighting as a pro, my body hurt all the time. I had elbow, foot and other issues that are all cleared up. I’ve become more patient, picking my shots better. I learned that boxing is a marathon, not a sprint, and I’m smarter today. I’m only fighting eight, 10 and 12 round fights now.
“I’m not fighting past 35, so the clock’s ticking, faster and faster. I’m waiting for my opportunity. It has to come before long. I’ve been working two years like this, staying busy and ready. Once I get that chance, I’m going to snatch it. I’ve become a professional fighter.”
Unbeaten Pawtucket (RI) junior welterweight Diego Periera (7-0-1, 2 KOs) faces veteran Bryan “The Brick” Abraham (6-14-2, 6 KOs) in the six-round co-feature.
A solid six-round bout has been added to the card matching a pair of unbeaten junior welterweights, Gabriel Deluc (6-0, 1 KO), of Boston, and Waterbury’s (CT) Jair Ramos (3-0-1, 2 KOs).
Scheduled to fight on the undercard in four-round bouts are Providence junior welterweight Josh “Bam Bam” Beeman (4-11-3, 2 KOs) vs. Carlos Hernandez (3-2, 2 KOs), Hyannis (MA) heavyweight Jesse Barbosa (4-1-1, 3 KOs) vs. TBA, Hyannis light heavyweight Paul Gonsalves (4-2, 3 KOs) vs. Ahmad Mickens (1-2-1), former Irish National amateur champion Michael McLaughlin (2-1-1), fighting out of Boston, vs. Robert Hunt (0-2), of Hyannis, Providence middleweights Kevin Harrison and Pubilo Pena make their pro debuts fighting each other, Springfield super middleweight Reinaldo Graceski (2-0) vs. Michael Mitchell (0-1), and Portland, Maine middleweight Russell Lamour in his pro debut vs. TBA.
All fights and fighters subject to change.
Tickets, reasonably priced at $40.00, $60.00 and $100.00, are available to purchase by calling Big Six Boston at 1.617.312.5059, Big Six Providence at 1.401.241.3490 (RI), going on line at www.bigsixentertainment, com or www.ticketmaster.com, and at the Rhode Island Convention Center box office.
Doors open at 6 p.m. ET with the first bout scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
