Philippines, 08 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Stand out Amateur Donovan Estrella making his Pro Debut Tonight


PhilBoxing.com


Decorated amateur Donovan Estrella will make his pro debut tonight against John Nunez at The Stampede in Aurora, Colorado on a card promoted by AirTight Boxing. Estrella amassed a stellar record going 121-9 in the amateur ranks.

Donovan?s grandfather, who started boxing at age 12, played a major role in his life and boxing when he influenced Donovan at a very young age. Many of Estrella?s family members currently or have been involved in the sport of boxing, including his father, two brothers and three cousins. Being the youngest boxer of a big family Donovan was just 4 years old when he started going to the gym, looking up to his brothers and cousins watching and learning enough to have his first fight at age 8.

His success brought many accolades as an amateur including a fight that could shed some light on his potential as a pro, a semi-final matchup in the 2011 Junior Olympics with Gary Russell Jr., who up until recently due to inactivity from injury was a top rising prospect. In that Russell fight Estrella showed a little bit of everything using his reach and defense, at times being the aggressor, and other times countering with hand speed sprinkling in some showboating on his way to beating Russell Jr. in a highly competitive fight.

In his time spent at the US Olympic training center in Colorado not far from the place Estrella fought out of Arvada, Colo., he got a chance to see many different styles from bangers to boxers. In my interview on Rope A Dope Radio he stated ?A lot of the boys from the east coast they?re style is way different and you gotta adjust to that?. He was honored for the opportunity to not only watch and workout but also spar with a lot of top national fighters.

His nickname ?Slick D? was earned from his ability to make his opponents miss, using head movement, a tight guard to avoid punches turning that fundamental defense into offense with counterpunching.

Although he can be aggressive and walk fighters down he likes to stay on his toes using his skill to win fights. He can make adjustments in the ring and is versatile switching from orthodox to southpaw in the blink of the eye with ease.

As a fighter jumping to the pro ranks there are adjustments that need to be made to fit the profile of what the judges and networks want to see. The main thing that he and his trainer Anthony Barela have been working on is sitting down on his shots to create more power.

He has trained and sparred at the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas something he cherished stating ?It was also an honor to workout at the Mayweather Gym, getting a chance to spar fighters from all over, New York, California, Texas, Arizona, got a lot of good work.?

At the time of our interview in early July Donovan had been training for 3 to 4 months after him and his father had made the decision to turn pro. The plan is to use a good friend of his Robert Diaz to help build his career and in the near future sign with Golden Boy Promotions. I asked him where he sees himself in the 3 to 5 years to which he answered, ?I?m destined for greatness, that?s where we?re headed and with God I think I can do it. I gotta keep working hard and stay focused I think I will be world champion?. He confidently added ?I will be going after Abner Mares and Nonito Donaire?.

Donovan Estrella is a very confident and skilled young man who has the right plan and people in place to have a successful pro career. Only time will tell if his early start influenced by his grandfather Frank, a family tree which is rooted in boxing along with a solid amateur pedigree, will propel him to become a world champion one day.

To listen to my full interview with Donovan Estrella click the link below(starts at 101 minute mark) http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio/2013/07/04/tony-grygelko-and-prospect-donovan-estrella-gggmacklin-recap

Written by Chris Carlson Owner and Host of Rope A Dope Radio at www.blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio

Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio

YouTube Channel ?The Rope A Dope Report? Subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/user/kg21carlito

Visit http://ropeadoperadio.wordpress.com/


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Chris Carlson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Abne, Zhu Make Weight for IBF Eliminator in Cebu; Winner Fights Taduran
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • IBA presents stacked fight card for May 21 event in Mexico City
    , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Laurente to promote amateur boxing
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Heavyweight Gustavo Trujillo Has a New Date Returns May 30 at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale
    , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Toro Promotions & Whitfield Haydon Officially Announce ‘Sizzling Summer Boxing Series’
    , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Jean Henri Lhuillier Drives ASAPHIL’s Winning System Through Long-Term Vision and Coaching Continuity
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Dy ready to face Malignaggi in BKB on May 16
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 07 May 2026
  • ‘A younger lion always comes for that old lions spot. Your time is up, GET OUT OF MY WAY! – Manny Ritti challenges former ONE FC World Champion Nobutsu Suzuki May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
    , Thu, 07 May 2026
  • Kenia Enriquez Signs Multi-Year Contract with Latin KO Promotions
    , Thu, 07 May 2026
  • FM Habla, Madriaga win Armageddon for IIEE-PSME Quezon City in PCAP
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 07 May 2026
  • Undefeated heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor Graduates to 10-rounder this Saturday in Atlanta
    , Thu, 07 May 2026
  • Jonas Magpantay bags P300,000 with Congressman Jeffrey Ferrer 10-Ball title win
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 06 May 2026
  • Abdullah Mason Returns Home for Lightweight World Title Defense against Joe Cordina July 4 at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center
    , Wed, 06 May 2026
  • Christopher Guerrero to face Delante Johnson on July 4 at the CSU Wolstein Center in Cleveland!
    , Wed, 06 May 2026
  • Yanong and Horiike make weight in Japan for OPBF 140 lb. title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Kulog at Kidlat: Boxing, Art, Thunder and Lightning at the 3rd Pacquiao–Elorde Awards
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Camique forced to fight after food poisoning; hospitalized after losing by UD
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Tony Tolj Previews Thunderdome 54
    , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Mexican boxing historian Eduardo Lamazón passes away at 70
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • NM Rolly Parondo rules Thailand FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Wardley vs Dubois: 95% KO Power Collides in Manchester — Winner Gets Usyk Next
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Former Cuban champions Gamboa and Rigondeaux returns on May 30 in Fort Lauderdale
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Pido to defend crown in SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Yanong arrives in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 04 May 2026
  • OLEKSANDR USYK VS RICO VERHOEVEN ‘GLORY IN GIZA’ TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR HISTORIC UNDISPUTED CLASH IN EGYPT – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Mon, 04 May 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.