The historical event will feature eight-year-old Josenio Ray ‘Little Bear’ Alvarez and nine-year-old PJ ‘Lightning’ Litulumar in the octagon.
Alvarez, now in second grade at Garapan Elementary School, has been training “for a couple years on and off at the Trench Tech gym and is ready to showcase his boxing skills,” according to his older brother and TT president Cuki Alvarez.
The slightly older Litulumar is currently in third grade at Dandan Elementary School and has been Alvarez’s sparring partner for the past three months.
“This will be history in the making and the first time ever that kids of this age, eight years and nine years will be competing inside the octagon,” Cuki Alvarez told Marianas Variety in an email.
“The two youth boxing combatants will be doing just an exhibition match showcasing basic boxing skills and footwork. I know that this will be a fan pleaser for sure as it is something new and a first for the fans as well. We have a lot of support from the family and relatives of both kids and all their friends are eager and anxious to see them compete,” he continued.
Both young guns are part of ROP 10’s 21-bout fight card, which leads to the main event between TT’s Jason Tarkong and TJ Cruz of Guam’s
Kisetsu Warriors.
“The main purpose for this youth exhibition boxing bout is to increase the awareness of unarmed combat in the CNMI. MMA, boxing, wrestling, jiu jitsu, and other forms of sport fighting aren’t just strictly for the adults. I believe that with proper guidance, training, discipline, and most of all, responsibility, children can have a place in the fighting arena and compete and represent their teams and clicks in events such as Trench Warz and ROP. Not to mention, this youth match will spread the awareness of conducting and practicing MMA in a safe haven and controlled environment. I am hoping that parents may eventually also get their children involved in mixed martial arts and have MMA and boxing as another sport of choice here in the islands,” said Alvarez.
“Josenio, who is my brother and PJ who is my nephew, are always hanging out at the gym and joining in on the adults’ boxersize classes. At the time, there was no ‘special’ class for kids and really still there isn’t one. Again, this exhibition bout is the chance to create an opportunity to provide a kids’ class and get parents more involved in the whole aspect of training and competing. In the meantime, PJ and Josenio are right in the mix of things and practicing right along side the adults. Whether you are five years old or 50 yrs young, we practice all the same techniques and learn all the basics of boxing and MMA at Trench Tech,” he added.
Official weigh-in for all ROP 10 fighters is scheduled for Thursday, March 10 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at The Flair Bar.
This Friday’s fight card includes:
-Juan Langsangan vs. Joe Aldan at 145 lbs. (boxing)
-Ton Villagomez vs. Tavita Leuta at 136-145 lbs. (K-1 kick boxing)
-Kekai King vs. Harry Nekaifes at 146-155 lbs. (grappling)
-Danny “The Warrior” Santos vs. Joy Inais Fred at 155 lbs.
-Leandro Dalalo vs. Roman Cabrera or Raegan Mality at 126-135 lbs.
-AJ “Tayo” Mettao vs. Josh “Chaos” Duenas at 145 lbs.
-Kelvin “Yo Gee” King vs. Derrick San Nicolas at 205 lbs.
-Eric Aguon vs. Josh Cruz at 136-145 lbs.
-Juan Ogarto vs. Prescott Cabrera at 155-170 lbs.
-PJ “Lighting” Litulumar vs. Josenio “Little Bear” Alvarez (exhibition youth boxing)
-John Ilo vs. Shane “Pikaboo” Alvarez at 136-145 lbs.
-Ben Quinata vs. Maitai “The Charger” Charley at 146-155 lbs.
-Ben “Out Of Gas” Duenas vs. Alverick “Prety Boy” Alvarez at 136-145 lbs.
-Saimon Sebuu vs. Robert “MOJI” Mojica at 180 lbs.
-Jesse Santos vs. Marlon Gardee at 140 lbs.
-Jarick Atalig vs. Mylo “AlabaMMA” Lassiter at 206-265 lbs.
-Pete Keju vs. “Badd” Brad Palacios at 155 lbs.
-Justin Salas vs. Ningbo “Slice” Cepeda at 186-205 lbs.
-Derrick “El Peligro” Rangamar vs. Chris “No Luv” Laayug at 136-145 lbs.
-Will “The Kill” Chope vs. Giovanni “Palakse” Sablan at 146-155 lbs.
-TJ Cruz vs. Jason Tarkong at 156-170 lbs.
