Bloodlines

Mitchell Kane · Feb 24, 2011

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/...ther-Leija-Jr-sparkles-in-amateur-1026050.php

Unlike his father, Leija Jr. sparkles in amateur debut
Light welterweight subdues opponent in just 55 seconds.
By John Whisler
jwhisler@express-news.net

Updated 04:06 p.m., Wednesday, February 23, 2011

James Leija Jr. may never match his father in terms of fame or fortune, but when it comes to ring debuts, it's not even close.

Boxing as a 141-pound, sub-novice light welterweight in the first bout of his life, Leija, 19, needed just 55 seconds to beat Vance Greer on Tuesday night at Woodlawn Gym in the opening session of the 2011 San Antonio Regional Golden Gloves tournament.

He threw straight lefts and crisp combinations, looking every bit like the son of a former world champion.

â€œIt wasn't what I expected at all,â€ said Leija, a student at St. Mary's. â€œI think I was just as scared as he was. It's the fear of the unknown. I just didn't want to start my career 0-1.â€

His father, â€œJesseâ€ James Leija, started 0-2 as an amateur. After his first bout, also as a 19-year-old, the elder Leija said he â€œwent home crying.â€

Tuesday, after his first bout, his son was busy signing autographs and doing interviews.
Click to expand...

Mitchell Kane · Feb 24, 2011

http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/02/23/v-print/2872559/boxer-john-duplessis-follows-fathers.html

Boxer John Duplessis follows father's lead
Posted Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011

By Tobias Xavier Lopez

tlopez@star-telegram.com

A week before Hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans, John Duplessis and his mother headed for Texas.

Duplessis, 23, eventually made his way to Brooklyn and trouble rained down on him in New York.

Fortunately, there was boxing.

A year ago he rejoined his mother, Katrina Anderson, in Fort Worth and refocused his life and his potential in the ring.

On Wednesday he thrilled the crowd for the second night in a row during the Fort Worth Regional Golden Gloves tournament. He picked up a first-round stoppage of Daetwan Thompson, who didn't respond properly after a standing eight count.

"I was getting into a lot of trouble in New York and my mother told me that if I didn't stop I'd wind up in jail or dead," he said. "...Now, I'm loving every second of it. I'm really happy. Just think of the thing that makes you feel you're happiest and that's how I feel when I'm boxing."

Duplessis fought when he was younger but rededicated himself to boxing in October with Wolfpac Boxing Club.

He displays the pedigree of his father, John Duplessis, who was 40-3 as a pro, including a light welterweight title bout loss to the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez on March 18, 1991.
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Bloodlines

Mitchell Kane WBC Silver Diamond Emeritus Champ

Mitchell Kane WBC Silver Diamond Emeritus Champ

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Mitchell Kane WBC Silver Diamond Emeritus Champ

Mitchell Kane WBC Silver Diamond Emeritus Champ

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