| Jesse James Leija | |
 |
|
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Real name | James Leija |
| Nickname(s) | The Texas Tornado |
| Rated at | Super Featherweight |
| Nationality | American |
| Birth date | July 8, 1969 |
| Birth place | San Antonio, Texas |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 57 |
| Wins | 47 |
| Wins by KO | 19 |
| Losses | 7 |
| Draws | 2 |
| No contests | 1 |
James Leija (born July 8, 1966 and better known as Jesse James Leija), is a professional boxer from Texas. Super Featherweight (also known as Junior Lightweight) is a weight division in professional Boxing. Events 939 - The Major Occultation or Ghaybat el-Kubra of Muhammad al-Mahdi 1099 - First Crusade: 15000 Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 939 - The Major Occultation or Ghaybat el-Kubra of Muhammad al-Mahdi 1099 - First Crusade: 15000 Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. Boxing (sometimes also known as English boxing or pugilism) is a Combat sport in which two participants generally of similar weight, Texas ( is a state geographically located in the South Central United States and is also known as the Lone Star State.
Contents |
Amateur career
Leija had an amateur career that spanned three years, going 23-5 during this time. He won the San Antonio Golden Gloves in 1988. For the honor in Major League Baseball, see Gold Glove. The Golden Gloves is the name given to annual competitions for Amateur Later that year he lost in the first rounds of the Olympic Trials to Kelcie Banks. Kelcie Herron Banks (born May 8, 1965 in Chicago) is a retired boxer from the United States, who competed in the Featherweight [1]
Professional career
Jesse James Leija began his professional boxing career on October 2, 1988, beating Oscar Davis by knockout in round one, in Leija's native San Antonio. Events 1187 - Siege of Jerusalem: Saladin captures Jerusalem after 88 years of Crusader rule Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) When he turned professional he took the name "Jesse James" in honor of his father, Jesse Leija, who trained him. [2]
On January 1, 1989, he defeated Joe Mitchell by a decision in four at the Trump Plaza hotel in New Jersey. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American Business magnate, Socialite, Television personality, and New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. This marked Leija's debut outside Texas. On his fourth fight, Leija beat Manuel Gomez in San Antonio by decision in four, on April 10. Events 879 - Louis III becomes King of the Western Franks. 1407 - the lama
During the early 1990s, Leija won his first fifteen fights, ten by knockout. The 1990s collectively refers to the years between and including 1990 and 1999 His first blemish came on October 8, 1990, when he was held to a ten round draw by Edward Parker. Events 314 - Roman Emperor Licinius is defeated by his colleague Constantine I at the Battle of Cibalae, and loses Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar)
Leija won his next three bouts, and then, he had an upgrade in opposition quality when he met the experienced Miguel Arrozal, on May 31, 1991. Events 1279 BC - Rameses II (The Great (19th dynasty becomes pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. He beat Arrozal by an eighth-round disqualification. On October 18, he met Steve McCrory, the former WBA bantamweight champion, in Houston, beating McCrory by a ten-round decision. Events 1009 - The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a Christian church in Jerusalem, is completely destroyed by the Fatimid Steve McCrory ( April 13, 1964 &ndash August 1, 2000, both in Detroit Michigan) was an American boxer, who The World Boxing Association (WBA is a Boxing organization that sanctions official matches and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level The term bantamweight usually refers to a class in Boxing or boxers who weigh between 112 and 118 pounds (between 51 and 54 Kilograms
Leija got his first championship try on the fight that proceeded his win over McCrory. On March 3, 1992. Events 1284 - Statute of Rhuddlan incorporated the Principality of Wales into England 1575 - Indian Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) He met Jose Luis Martinez for the North American Boxing Federation bantamweight championship. The North American Boxing Federation (NABF is a not-for-profit regional sanctioning body that awards regional boxing titles This fight was held in San Antonio, and it resulted in a nine-round technical draw decision. A technical decision is a term used in Boxing when a fight has to be stopped because of a headbutt
Leija proceeded to win three bouts, two of them against former world champions. Having defeated Jesus Poll by a decision in twelve rounds and Troy Dorsey by a knockout in six, he was matched, on March 23, 1993, with Louie Espinoza, a former two-time world featherweight champion. Troy Glenn Dorsey (born November 19, 1962) is a former professional boxer and martial arts fighter Events 1174 - Jocelin, Abbot of Melrose, is elected Bishop of Glasgow. Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) Louie Espinoza (born May 12, 1962 in Winkelman) is an American boxer in the Featherweight division Leija won this fight by a twelve round decision, and with this, the NABF title and the right to challenge for the world title for the first time.
Title fights against Nelson
On September 10, 1993, Leija participated at one of the Alamodome's first ever events, when he challenged Azumah Nelson for the WBC super featherweight title. Events 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul meet in the Council of Agde. Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) The Alamodome is a 65000 seat multi-purpose facility that is primarily used as a football /basketball stadium and convention center in San Antonio, Texas Azumah Nelson (born September 19, 1958) is a former boxer and three-time world champion The World Boxing Council was initially created by 11 countries the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Super Featherweight (also known as Junior Lightweight) is a weight division in professional Boxing. After twelve rounds, Nelson had been announced as the winner by a split decision, only to find out twenty minutes later that a judge had miscalculated his scoring card, and the fight was really a draw.
On May 7, he got a rematch with Nelson. Events 558 - In Constantinople, the dome of the Hagia Sophia collapses Leija became the WBC super featherweight champion when he defeated Nelson by a twelve-round unanimous decision in Las Vegas.
Losing the title and afterwards
On September 17, he defended his title against Gabriel Ruelas, once again, in Las Vegas. Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec Gabriel Ruelas, (born on July 23, 1970 in Yerbabuena, Mexico) was a professional boxer. Leija lost his world title when he lost to Ruelas by a twelve-round unanimous decision.
Leija rebounded with two wins, including one over Jeff Mayweather, and then, on December 15, 1995, he received a chance at becoming world champion for the second time, when he challenged Oscar de la Hoya for de la Hoya's WBO lightweight title, at Madison Square Garden. Jeff Mayweather (born July 4, 1964 in Grand Rapids MI) was a boxer who fought in the 1990s Events 533 - Byzantine general Belisarius defeats the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Oscar de la Hoya (ˈɒskər dɛlə ˈhɔɪə (born February 4 1973 &mdash nicknamed "The Golden Boy" &mdash is an Mexican American boxer The World Boxing Organization ( WBO) is a sanctioning organization currently recognizing professional Boxing world champions LightWeight is a developer of Video games with Samurai themes such as the Bushido Blade series and the Kengo Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG, and known colloquially as The Garden, has been the name of four Arenas in New York City. He lost by second-round knockout.
On June 1, 1996, Leija challenged Nelson, who had regained the WBC super featherweight title. Events 193 - Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is Assassinated 987 - Hugh Capet is elected Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Leija lost by a tech. knockout in six.
After a string of wins against relatively insignificant competition, Leija won the NABF lightweight title, defeating Joel Perez by a decision in twelve rounds on January 20, 1998. Events 250 - Emperor Decius begins a widespread persecution of Christians in Rome. Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar)
After a second round knockout victory over Troy Crain, Leija fought Nelson for the fourth time. In what was Nelson's final career bout, Leija defeated Nelson by a twelve-round unanimous decision on July 11, 1998. Events 911 - Signing of the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte between Charles the Simple and Rollo of Normandy. Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar)
On November 14, Leija had a shot at the WBC lightweight title when he faced Shane Mosley. Events 1533 - Conquistadors from Spain under the leadership of Francisco Pizarro arrive in Cajamarca, Inca "Sugar" Shane Mosley (born September 7, 1971) is a boxer from Pomona California. Leija was dropped in rounds six, eight and nine before the fight was stopped, with Mosley retaining the world title by a ninth-round knockout win.
Leija's next significant bout came on August 5, 2000, when he fought Juan Lazcano. Events 642 - Battle of Maserfield - Penda of Mercia defeats and kills Oswald of Bernicia. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Juan Lazcano (born 23 March, 1975 in Juárez City, Mexico) is a Mexican American professional boxer from El Paso Although no world championship was involved in this bout, it created general interest among Hispanic boxing fans, as Lazcano, nicknamed "The Hispanic Causing Panic," had become a popular boxer among Latinos. Hispanic (hispano hispánico hispânico Hispānus adjective from ''Hispānia'', the Roman name for the Iberian Peninsula) is a term that historically Leija lost an unpopular dec. in a ten-round split decision (scores of 94-96, 93-97 and a favorable 96-94) to Lazcano in Uncasville, Connecticut. Montville is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States.
Next followed another HBO televised fight, when Leija fought Ivan Robinson, who had twice beaten Arturo Gatti, on November 11 at Las Vegas. Ivan "Mighty" Robinson (born February 27 1971 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a boxer who has compiled a record of 36-10-2 (12 KOs since becoming Arturo "Thunder" Gatti (born April 15, 1972) is an Italian-Canadian former professional boxer. Events 308 - The Congress of Carnuntum: Attempting to keep peace within the Roman Empire, the leaders of the Tetrarchy declare Leija beat Robinson by a ten-round unanimous decision.
After a victory over Fred Ladd, Leija faced Hector Camacho Jr. in Long Island, July 7, 2001. Hector Camacho Jr (born September 20 1978 in San Juan Puerto Rico) is a professional boxer Long Island is an island located in southeastern New York, USA, its western shores directly across from Manhattan, from which the island stretches Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. This would prove to be a very controversial fight: after an accidental headbutt, Camacho Jr. was injured and he could not fight on. Camacho Jr. was initially announced as the winner by a technical decision, but the Leija team formally protested the result with the New York State Athletic Commission. The New York State Athletic Commission, also known as the New York Athletic Commission, regulates all contests and exhibitions of Unarmed combat within the state of The athletic commission decided to declare the fight a five-round no contest. No contest is a technical term used in the sport of Boxing, to describe a fight which ends for reasons outside the fighters' hands
Having beaten Arturo Gatti, Micky Ward was being considered for a fight with WBC, WBA and IBF world light welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu. Arturo "Thunder" Gatti (born April 15, 1972) is an Italian-Canadian former professional boxer. "Irish" Micky Ward (born October 4, 1965) is a retired Junior welterweight professional boxer from Lowell Massachusetts The World Boxing Association (WBA is a Boxing organization that sanctions official matches and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level Professional boxing The light welterweight class (also called junior welterweight or super lightweight) is a weight division in professional boxing Konstantin Borisovich "Kostya" Tszyu (Константин (Костя Борисович Цзю ˈkɔstə ˈzʉː in Australian English) (born September On January 5, 2002, Leija and Ward faced off at San Antonio. Events 1477 - Battle of Nancy: Charles the Bold is killed and Burgundy becomes part of France. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Once again, the fight was stopped as a consequence of a headbutt, but this time, it was Leija who was injured. Leija won the fight by a five-round technical decision, and became the number-one challenger to Tszyu.
Leija then proceeded to move to Australia for six months, to get acquainted with the country and its climate before his challenge of Tszyu, scheduled for January 19, 2003. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Events 1419 - Hundred Years' War: Rouen surrenders to Henry V of England completing his reconquest of Normandy. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Tszyu retained the title when he beat Leija by a six-round knockout.
After three wins, Leija faced young prospect Francisco Bojado. Francisco Bojado (born May 11, 1983) is a professional boxer at the international level Leija and Bojado fought on July 24, 2004, in Atlantic City. Events 1132 - Battle of Nocera between Ranulf II of Alife and Roger II of Sicily. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Leija produced what some viewed as a minor upset by beating his much younger rival by a ten-round split decision.
Final bout
On January 29, 2005, Leija fought Arturo Gatti for Gatti's interim WBC light welterweight title. Events 904 - Sergius III comes out of retirement to take over the papacy from the deposed Antipope Christopher. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Fighting once again in Atlantic City, Leija lost to Gatti by a fifth-round knockout. Leija retired after the loss.
Leija's record consists of 47 wins, 7 losses, 2 draws and 1 no contest in 57 fights, with 19 knockouts wins.
References
External links
- Jesse James Leija's Official Website by Reyna Studios, LLC.
- Professional boxing record for Jesse James Leija from Boxrec
| Preceded by Azumah Nelson |
WBC Super Featherweight Champion 7 May 1994– 17 Sep 1994 |
Succeeded by Gabriel Ruelas |
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