Newark, NJ-October 4, 2024—Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced today that the City of Newark will host the Diamond Gloves Championships boxing event for more than 100 amateurs aged 17 to 35, on the weekend of Friday, October 4, through Sunday, October 6, at the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center.

“Newark is a boxing town, where so many of us come together to cheer the athleticism in the ring,” Mayor Baraka said. “In every ward, our youth benefit from the sport as they develop physical and mental acuity and hone the discipline, fortitude, patience, and motivation skills that will serve them throughout their lives. I’m grateful to DB Productions, our Department of Recreation, and USA Boxing for their ongoing commitment to Newarkers of all ages and abilities.”

A collaboration between the City and DB Productions, the Diamond Gloves event is part of a statewide program that serves as a talent pipeline for Olympic boxing. The three-day tournament begins on Friday with a weigh-in from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., followed by showtime at 7 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, the weigh-ins will be from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., with showtimes at 5 p.m.

“I want to commend our recreation team and its partners for the hard work they have done in putting these bouts together,” said Director of Recreation, Cultural Affairs, and Senior Services Donnell Redding. “Their teamwork, energy, and commitment will provide our boxers and attendees with the highest quality venue. They are Newark at its best. I look forward to seeing a new generation of Larry Hazzards getting their start at this tournament.”

Newark is known for its wide-ranging support of the sport and has launched the careers of many acclaimed fighters including Larry Hazzard, Shakur Stevenson, and Keith Colon. It provides boxing programs at the City of Newark Department of Recreation, Cultural Affairs & Senior Services boxing gyms at Central Ward’s JFK Recreation Center, the West Ward’s Boylan Street Recreation Center, the North Ward’s Rotunda Recreation Center, and the Ironbound Boxing Academy at the Kenneth Gibson Sharpe James Recreation Center. These training centers are sanctioned by USA Boxing, the national governing body for Olympic-style boxing, which is overseen by the US Olympic Committee and World Boxing.

“The winners of this tournament will go on to be honored at the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame at the Venetian in Garfield, New Jersey, and qualify for the USA Boxing Nationals in Richmond this December,” said New Jersey Boxing President Jacklyn Atkins. “But the greatest value of a dynamic boxing program is the education and character-building that develops skills needed to achieve our dreams and lead meaningful, fulfilling lives.”

Founded by Daniel Travis and Carolyn Victorian, DB Productions is bringing the Diamond Gloves Championships to Newark as a valuable platform for amateur fighters to display their skills, gain experience, and advance in their competitive journeys. It is also a way to express their passion to give back to their community.

“By offering a structured and supportive environment, this event will ready aspiring athletes to test their abilities, receive professional feedback, and build confidence in their sport. Ultimately, it serves as a stepping-stone for participants to progress toward national competition levels, fostering discipline resilience, and a pathway to higher achievement in the world of boxing. We are so thankful to collaborate with Mayor Ras Baraka and the City of Newark to make this event free to all,” said Ms. Victorian.

For information and seating, contact Daniel Travis at (862) 588-5239 or Carolyn Victorian at (410) 946-7770.

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