“We Win. We Learn. We Never Lose.” The 10th Annual Westchester County Boxing Championship

On Saturday, September 7th, the Tenth Annual Westchester County Boxing Championship took place outdoors, under sunny skies, in Mount Vernon’s Hartley Park. Fans who attended the free event were treated to 13 competitive and entertaining amateur bouts where both developing and advanced boxing skills were on display along with great sportsmanship. The event was sanctioned by USA Boxing Metro and hosted by Mt. Vernon’s Main Street Boxing Gym.

Mt. Vernon Mayor Andre Wallace welcomed the combatants, officials, sponsors and fans noting that the Westchester Boxing Championship is a special event in the city and one that he looks forward to seeing continue. A warm welcome was also extended by Jacene Thomas of Mt. Vernon’s Department of Parks and Recreation as was a welcome by Danielle Campisi of Prime My Body before the crowd rose for Janelle Albritton’s rendition of the National Anthem.

Above: (left) Nick Stellate of Main Street Boxing with Mt. Vernon Mayor, Andre Wallace; (center) Janelle Albritton singing the National Anthem; (right) Jacene Thomas of the Mt. Vernon Parks and Recreation Department

It’s quite fitting that The city of Mt. Vernon, N.Y. be host to the Westchester County Boxing Championship as the city holds a solid place in boxing history. Mt. Vernon was, after all, the home of Olympic Gold Medalist and two time World Heavyweight Champion, Floyd Patterson. It is equally fitting that the event be held outdoors, in one of the city’s beautiful parks. Two years before James Braddock won the world heavyweight title by defeating Max Baer in Madison Square Garden, he fought a bout against Abe Feldman in a temporary outdoor ring set up in one of Mt. Vernon’s outdoor parks. The bout, on September 25th, 1933 was a benefit for the Mount Vernon Police Department Relief Fund, took place in the city’s Memorial Field. Port Chester native, David Telesco fought in the Capitol Theater as did Carl “The Truth” Williams of Ossining.

Above: Main Street Boxing's Ahijah Stewart (red) stares down Ivan Castillo of John's Jim (blue) in a 95 pound youth division bout.

U.S.A. Boxing Metro president and former IBO World Heavyweight Champion, Sonya Lamonakis, noted that, “Today was a great event for the city of Mount Vernon. It was great to see the community come together and support a local organization that teaches kids discipline and helps them gain courage. As always U.S.A. Boxing is proud to be part of these events. Special thanks to Mike Stellate of Main Street Boxing. He always goes out of his way to help others and create opportunities for the youth”. The title of this article, “We Win. We Learn. We Never Lose.” are the words of Mike Stellate and bear witness to that commitment.

Above: Jessica Prada of Main Street Boxing (red) lands a left to the face of Stephanie Moss of Champs Boxing, Connecticut (blue) in an unsuccessful attempt to win the bout. Moss won by unanimous decision.

Although for 13 of the boxers, today did not go as planned, all were winners and will take home lessons from their performance to improve in the future. The results of the 10th Annual Westchester Boxing Championship are:

Ahijah Stewart (Main Street Boxing) defeats Ivan Castillo (John's Gym)

Aaron Stewart (Main Street Boxing) defeats Miguel Tellaze (John’s Gym)

Elijah Allison (Gleason’s Gym) defeats Richie Daunt, Jr. (Finest Fitness)

Rebecca Guzman (Champs Boxing) wins by Walkover

Juan Mena (Main Street Boxing) defeats Joe Rettig (Finest Fitness)

Joe Boyd (Main Street Boxing) defeats Emilio Contrera (Maestro Boxing)

Curt Aitcheson (Main Street Boxing) defeats Clinton Howard (Gleason’s Gym)

Stephanie Moss (Champs, Ct) defeats Jessica Prada (Main Street Boxing)

Kamaal Davis (Unattached) defeats Mauricio Martinez (Main Street Boxing)

Chris Deleon (Eastern Queens Boxing) defeats Dedan Wilson (Main Street Boxing)

Christopher Estrella (Gleason’s Gym) defeats Izaiah Mitchell (Main Street Boxing)

Kerry Duperval (Westbury Boxing) defeats Dawshaquan Thomas (Main Street Boxing)

Sean Meeghnah (Everybody Fights NYC) defeats Anthony Esposito (Main Street Boxing)

Kidane Ramelo Bennett (Main Street Boxing) defeats Elijah Redduck (Gleason’s Gym)

Above: Mt. Vernon Mayor, Andre Wallace, presents the Championship Belt to Kidane Ramelo Bennett of Main Street Boxing. This final fight of the afternoon was in honor of the memory of the late Frankie Stellate.

Below: Jose “Chocolatito” Gonzalez, 2014 New York Golden Gloves champion and undefeated featherweight in his pro career on-hand to present a Championship Belt

The 10th Annual Westchester Boxing Championship would not have been the success it was without the efforts of Main Street Boxing's president and head coach, and event promoter, Michael P. Stellate and support from the City of Mount Vernon and the following sponsors.

Midland Pizza, Yonkers

Addicted to Ink, White Plains

Laborers Union Local 79, NYC

Soldier of God

Jacene Media.com, Yonkers

DigiPrint, Mount Vernon

Damn Nice Tattoos, Scarsdale

Maggie Spillane's, Mount Vernon

Devonte Magic

Prime My Body

Edie de La Torre Photography

Vitamin Shoppe, Pelham

Gotcha

Samuk

Ultimate Juices, Mount Vernon

Jan Mar Trophies. New Rochelle

Photos of all bouts will be posted at www.nyspg.com by midnight Sunday