Studio City, CA – One boxer is trying to carry on the tradition of one of the sport’s royal families; the other is trying to establish a reputation for himself and his brother to be eventually synonymous with some of the greatest sibling tandems to lace on the gloves. Both will be featured on the undercard of Goossen Tutor’s “LIVE AT THE LODGE” event on Saturday night, August 11.
In the eyes of 22-year old junior featherweight Jessie Villanueva (3-0, 3 KOs), his scheduled four-round contest against Sytel Wilbarn (2-1) from Los Angeles, CA is the next step in his development towards an eventual world championship – a goal his older brother Matt, an undefeated super flyweight — shares with him.
In the main event, 2008 U.S. Olympian Shawn Estrada (14-0, 12 KOs) will square off with undefeated Felix Piedra (8-0-1, 5 KOs) in a scheduled 8-round light heavyweight contest — with both fighters taking on their toughest challenge to date. Three other bouts are slated for the card including the pro debut of Armenian heavyweight Sergo Pogosyan.
Tickets priced at $100.00 VIP, $50.00 Ringside & $30.00 (plus fees) are still available by email irma@goossentutor.com or by calling the Goossen Tutor office at (818) 817-8001. Tickets will be available the day of the event only at the Sportsmen’s Lodge starting at Noon.
“Matt and I are working hard to improve with each and every fight,” the Palmdale, CA native said. “Not only do we want to win world titles, but we hope someday to be compared to some of the greatest boxing brother combinations ever – a number of them Mexican-American like us. Most notably Gaby and Orlando Canizales, Michael and Cruz Carbajal and our predecessors with the Goossens: Gabriel and Rafael Ruelas.”
“Spinks” is a household name in boxing circles, and Leon Spinks III is looking to cement his own place in the sport in which his grandfather Leon, great uncle Michael and brother Cory all achieved world champion status. Currently 2-0 with 1 KO, the 24-year old junior welterweight will take on Eduardo Melendez (0-2), Pasco, WA at the intimate and star-studded Studio City, CA venue. This will mark the first experience fighting outside of his home state of Missouri for the up-and coming self-described “entertainer” known as “The Third Generation.”
“I come from a long line of champions,” Spinks observed. “But I don’t feel the pressure that comes with that. I really enjoy what I do for a living and want to not only win my bouts, but do it in a fashion that entertains the crowd because that is what I am: an entertainer. Hopefully, I will win a world title someday, but if not, my family will love me no less.”
Promoter Dan Goossen is all too familiar with what it means to be a member of a boxing family as the one-time head of Ten Goose Boxing in nearby Van Nuys, CA.
“Boxing is in our blood, and when our blood relatives share the same passion and commitment be it in the ring or on the sidelines as promoters, managers, trainers, etc., it can be mutually rewarding or devastating depending on the level of success or failure. There is definitely pressure to perform and standards upon which to live up. We feel that Jessie and Leon III need to show the qualities it takes to be successful and earn their place within their respective boxing families and in the sport. Their next tests come on August 11 at The Lodge.”
The recently-renovated Events Center at “The Lodge,” boasts room for 1,000 boxing fans.
