Finals 2008 National PAL Tournament

Well, I don’t even know where to begin or how to begin with the results from last night’s Championship bouts. Jamal James started the evening off competing against Emmanuel Robles from Imperial Beach, CA in the Open 141 lbs weight division. Emmanuel was shorter than Jamal and a south-paw. The height difference was to Jamal’s advantage but the south-paw could have posed a problem for Jamal. The first round was an awesome round for Jamal. The fact that Emmanuel was a south-paw didn’t bother Jamal at all. He kept his jab sticking the entire time and added combinations to the jab. He was cautioned once in the first round for slapping.

The second round began and Jamal made sure to keep his movement to the left, which makes it harder for a south-paw to throw punches and catch their opponent. Jamal threw a beautiful short straight right to Emmanuel, which dropped him and gave him an 8-count. Many people wouldn’t recognize the power of the punch that Jamal threw because they don’t understand the art of the sport, but luckily for me, I’ve been trained and studied under one of the best coaches in the nation and saw the effect of the punch right away. Jamal also landed a beautiful left hook on the side of Emmanuel’s face, which made Emmanuel stubble into the ropes. Unfortunately, the referee didn’t see it as a left hook but a slap and gave Jamal a warning for slapping, after only giving him one caution for slapping.

A quick amateur boxing rule for everyone. When a referee gives a warning to a boxer, that boxer’s opponent receives two points. So Jamal received a warning for slapping; Emmanuel received two extra points. Now just another fact for everyone. Officials that are judging the bout do not have to agree with the referee’s call and can put an “X” on the score card; therefore not giving the other boxer two points.

The third round began and Emmanuel decided he was not going to come after Jamal but do his best to keep his distance from him. He didn’t want to feel those sharp, hard punches that Jamal continued to land throughout the round. Jamal threw body combinations and then would go to the head with a nice jab. The fourth round began and Jamal was stalking Emmanuel the entire round. Emmanuel did land some good punches and received some points for those punches but it wasn’t enough to win the bout. Well that is what I thought and everyone else at the tournament, including other officials, who weren’t judging the bout, doctors, boxers, coaches and spectators. But unfortunately, the officials judging the bout saw something completely different and gave the gold medal and belt to Emmanuel Robles leaving the Silver medal for Jamal. It was one of those moments that made you very disappointed in the officials working the bout.

Javontae ended the night competing against Errol Specnce from Desoto, TX. Errol recently won the Under 19 tournament in August in Kansas City, MO and will be representing the United States in international competition in Mexico. Errol is also a south-paw.

The first round started and Javontae was throwing his jabs and combinations but kept moving to the right. You definitely do not want to move to the right when you are boxing a south-paw because it makes it much easier for them to land their punches and gain points. Javontae did switch up his movement during the first round and started moving to the left which made it harder for Errol to catch Javonate with scoring punches.

The second and third round were good rounds for both boxers but Javontae wasn’t at his best. He was having a hard time catching Errol with clean sharp punches. Errol was landing more scoring blows but he made sure to keep as far away from Javontae as possible, because he definitely didn’t want to get caught with anything.

The fourth round was the best round out of all of them for Javontae. He was catching Errol with some beautiful combinations and his movement was fast, which made it hard for Errol to keep away from those punches. Errol received the gold medal and the belt and Javontae was awarded the silver medal. Javontae lost the bout with a 5 – 0 decision. It was a good bout and Errol did win the bout. We wish him the best of luck in Mexico

So the Circle PAL Amateur Boxing team will bringing home a bronze medal and two silver medals. Unfortunately, Jamal and Javontae will not be representing the National PAL team at the USA National tournament in June of 2009 but they did great throughout the entire tournament along with Francisco and are still bringing home medals. Congratualtions to all three of them and have a safe trip home. Everyone is proud of your accomplishments

One more thing, be sure to keep your eye on YouTube. If you do a search on YouTube under Jamal, Javontae and Francisco’s name their bouts should come up from the 2008 National PAL tournament. It may be a few weeks but they will be on YouTube. I will be sure to post it on our blog once I know they are on YouTube.

Semi-Finals Update 2008 National PAL Tournament

What a night, What a night!!!!!

Jamal James started it off again for the Circle PAL Amateur Boxing team competing against Donte Strayhorn in the Open 141 lbs division. Jamal boxed Donte earlier this year at the Platinum Gloves in Orlando, FL and beat him, so this was a rematch for Donte. Jamal looked beautiful all three rounds, throwing combinations and jabs at Donte all three rounds. At one point Jamal sat down and let loose a combination that stopped Donte in his tracks. Donte was doing his best to stay in the bout trying to come through Jamal’s combinations and putting the heat on Jamal by moving forward, which didn’t work at all for him. Donte ended up getting an eight count in the first round from Jamal walking straight into a beautiful combination Jamal threw. Jamal won the bout with a 5 – 0 decision and advanced to the finals this evening.

Javontae Starks ended the evening for the Circle PAL Amateur Boxing team competing against a hometown boxer from Oxnard, CA, Abraham Lopez in the Open 152 lbs division. So you already know the crowd was thick for Abraham. However that didn’t phase Javontae at all. He started the bout off throwing jabs and landing every single one. In the second round Javontae’s coach, Sankara Frazier, told Javontae turn the heat up on the body shots and get in close. What a round that was!! Javontae was landing damaging body shots to Abraham. I was surprised that Abraham could continue after the second round. The third round Javontae came out utilizing his jab again keeping Abraham at a distance for the first part of the round and ending the round working in close again with awesome body punches and uppercuts. Javonte won the bout with a 5 – 0 decision and advanced to the finals this evening.

We are now down to one ring, so I will be free to watch both Championship bouts. I forgot to grab the bout sheet this morning at weigh-ins to let everyone know who their opponents are this evening. I know Javontae will be competing against a boxer from Texas and Jamal is competing against a boxer from California. I will be sure to have the correct information of their opponents and the outcome of the championship bouts for the last update, so stay tuned.

Oh yeah, don’t forget to continue to send that positive energy, thoughts and prayers their way for this evening competition .

4th Day 2008 National PAL Update

The Circle had two boxers compete in last night’s competition, Francisco Solis-Noyola, Jr. and Javontae Starks. Francisco started the evening off for the Circle PAL Amateur Boxing team competing in the semi-final bout against Victor Pasillas from East Los Angeles, CA. Both of these boxers competed in the Intermediate (15 – 16 yrs) Junior Division at 114 lbs. Francisco started the bout out looking great. Victor was shorter than Francisco, which gave Francisco the upper hand with his reach. He utilized his jab to keep Victor on the outside but as the rounds progressed Francisco began to get tired and let Victor get past his jab, which made it hard for Francisco to land points because his punches were smothered. Francisco received a Bronze medal last night losing the bout to Victor by decision. It was Francisco’s first time competing in the National PAL tournament and he did great coming home with a Bronze medal. Congratulations Francisco .

Javontae Starks ended the evening for the Circle PAL Amateur Boxing team competing against Alex Martin from Joliet, IL in the Open 152 lbs weight division. Alex was a little shorter than Javontae, which was another benefit for Javontae. He was catching Alex with nice sharp jabs but did not throw his right or left as much as he could’ve. Javontae won the quarter-final bout with a 3 – 2 decision and advanced to the semi-finals.

Tonight Jamal James and Javontae Starks will be competing in the semi-finals. I am fortunate enough again to have both boxers competing in my ring, so I will have the opportunity to watch their entire bout and take good notes for everyone .

Jamal will start the evening off competing in the Open 141 lbs division against Donte Strayhorn from Cincinnati, OH. Jamal competed against Donte before and beat him so he feels confident that he will be able to get through this bout with ease, but he did say, “never under estimate your opponent.” Javontae will end the evening competing against Abraham Lopez from Oxnard, CA. Coach Sankara said, “Abraham looks all right but it should be an easy win for Javontae, however the fact that Abraham is from Oxnard will make it a little tough for Javontae so he needs to leave no doubt in the officials mind this evening and let his punches go. No holding back tonight.”

Both boxers feel confident and are ready for this evening. So again, be sure to send all your positive energy, thoughts and prayers their way

Stay tuned for tonights update tomorrow afternoon.

Third Day of 2008 National PAL Tournament

What an awesome night of competition last night (Wednesday, Oct. 1st). Francisco Solis-Noyola was to compete against Caleb Orozco from Sacramento, CA, however Caleb was medically disqualified and Francisco advanced to the semi-finals tonight (Thursday, Oct. 2nd). Francisco will be competing againist Victor Pasillas from East Los Angeles, CA.

Jamal James competed against Anthony Walker from Cincinnati, OH. All three rounds were packed with awesome action from both boxers. I had the opportunity to actually watch Jamal compete last night. All three rounds were very busy for both boxers. Jamal did an awesome job utilizing his jab and right. As long as he kept his jab busy he was able to keep Anthony at a distance and catch him with strong punches and gain points. His combinations were beautiful and strong throwing straight rights and left hooks after his jabs. It kept his opponent a little confused at times. The third round Jamal started slowing down a bit, which allowed his opponent to catch up with him on points. Jamal wasn’t utilizing his jab and reach to keep Anthony at a distance as much as he should have. Jamal won the bout on a split decision and advances to the semi-finals on Friday, Oct. 3rd. He has the night off this evening.

Javontae Starks had the night off last night but not tonight. He will be competing against Alex Martin from Joliet, IL. On Tuesday, Sept. 30th Javontae competed against Terrance Jarmon from Cincinnati, OH, which he won and advanced to tonights competition. That same night Jamal competed against Luis Borrego from Tucson, AZ and advanced to last night’s competition, which he won and advances to the semi-finals on Friday, Oct. 3rd.

The great news about this night competition is that both boxers, Francisco and Javontae are competing in the ring that I am officiating in so I will be able to watch both bouts. I will not be able to judge or referee either of their bouts because that of course would be a conflict of interest and could you imagine the drama it would cause with other coaches . So I will be sure to take excellent notes and give everyone an update on the blog website tomorrow afternoon.

Don’t forget to send positive energy, thoughts and/or prayers to our boxers, Francisco and Javontae this evening and stay tuned for the outcome

Preliminary 2008 PAL National Update

Hey Circle Fans,

The Circle PAL Amateur Boxing team has been performing awesome thus far. Jamal James is competing in the Open Senior division at 141 lbs, Javontae Starks is competing in the Open Senior division at 152 lbs and Francisco Solis-Noyola is competing in the Junior Intermediate division at 114lbs. Jamal is a returning champion competing to keep his 2007 Championship PAL National Title.

Jamal and Javontae started competion on Monday, Sept. 29th. Jamal competed against Jonathon Candido from Las Vegas, NV. Unfortunately I do not have any details of this boxing match because I was busy judging or refereeing. However, I do know that he won by decision and advanced to Tuesday, Sept. 30th competition.

Javontae Starks competed against Marquis Moore from Capital Heights, MD. Again, I do not have any details of his boxing match because of my officiating duties but I know that he won by decision and advanced to Tuesday, Sept. 30th competition also.

On Tuesday Jamal competed against a boxer from Arizona, unfortunately I misplaced my bout sheet so I do not have details at this time on his opponent’s name or where he is from. I will get that information this evening and be sure to update the blog. I also don’t have any details on his bout because once again my officiating duties have taken over . Jamal did win his bout by decision and advanced to Wednesday, Oct. 1st competition.

Javontae also competed on Tuesday against a boxer from Ohio. I wish I had more information about his opponent but unfortunately I will have to update that information later. Javontae did give his opponent at least two 8 counts throughout the bout, which I was able to see during the breaks of my rounds that I was judging . Javontae won his bout by decision and advances to the quarter-finals on Thursday, Oct. 2nd. Javontae has the day off on Wednesday.

Francisco Solis-Noyola has had the first two days of competition off, so he has been our camera man taping Jamal and Javontae’s boxing matches. Francisco is to begin competition Wednesday, Oct. 1st. Unfortunately, Francisco’s opponent has caught the flu and was medically disqualified, so Francisco won Wednesday’s competition by a walkover and advances to the quarter-finals on Thursday, Oct. 2nd.

So tonight our only boxer competing will be Jamal James. Be sure to send positive energy, thoughts and prayers his way. I am confident he will do great this evening and advance to the quarter-finals. I will be sure to update everyone tomorrow on this evenings competition.