PROVIDENCE, R.I. – For decades, New England boxing has been defined by fighters who captured the imagination of local fans before ascending to the national and world stages.
From Rhode Island legends including hall of famer Vinny Paz and two-division world champion Demetrius Andrade to current Massachusetts standouts Rashidi Ellis, Jamaine Ortiz and Kevin Walsh to Connecticut world champions such as Chad Dawson, the region has long served as fertile ground for world-class talent.
Today, a new generation is emerging.
Across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut and New York, a wave of young fighters is beginning to make its mark under the CES Boxing banner. Some are already regional champions. Others are making a name for themselves early in their professional journeys. All share the same ambition: to become the next great champion from the Northeast.
Together, they represent perhaps the deepest collection of young talent assembled by CES Boxing in years.
Rhode Island: Carrying the Torch
Rhode Island has always punched above its weight when it comes to producing elite fighters, including the aforementioned Paz, Andrade, and the likes of Gary “Tiger” Balletto and Peter Manfredo Jr. The latest generation appears to have the potential to continue that rich tradition.
Leading the charge is Coventry super middleweight Will “The Ghost” Guilmette (4-0, 4 KOs).
The 24-year-old apprentice electrician embodies boxing’s blue-collar roots. After spending his days working with IBEW Local 99, Guilmette heads to the gym to pursue his championship dreams. A former Southern New England Elite Open Golden Gloves champion, he has quickly established himself as one of the state’s most promising young professionals, combining power, athleticism and a relentless work ethic.
Not far away in Cranston, Tyler “My Time” Macari (5-0, 4 KOs) is building momentum of his own.
The son of former Golden Gloves champion Mike Macari, Tyler grew up immersed in the sport. A three-time Jimmy Burchfield Classic Invitational Tournament champion, Macari has carried his amateur success into the professional ranks, where he has emerged as one of Rhode Island’s most polished young prospects. Fighting in front of hometown crowds has made the undefeated super welterweight a draw that will serve him well as he graduates to national ambitions.
Then there is Kevin “Kut Throat” Mojica (6-0, 5 KOs).
Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Johnston, Mojica has quickly become one of the most exciting young fighters in New England. The undefeated southpaw has built a reputation as an aggressive, entertaining knockout artist whose fights rarely last long. Every appearance seems to generate more buzz than the last.
The Ocean State pipeline extends well beyond those three.
Super welterweight Victor Reynoso (12-0, 7 KOs) combines showmanship with an exciting style that has caught the imagination of many. Ayowole Tom Jones (1-0-1) has already participated in two “fight of the year” contenders since turning professional, while a host of other young Rhode Islanders continue to develop under the CES banner.
Together, they represent the next chapter of Rhode Island boxing.
Massachusetts: The State of Champions
If one fighter currently symbolizes the strength of Massachusetts boxing, it may be Francis “Frank the Tank” Hogan (22-0, 17 KOs).
The Weymouth native has become one of the most accomplished prospects in New England, compiling an undefeated record while capturing the NABF Middleweight Championship. Adding a new wrinkle with each outing, Hogan has steadily evolved from a promising prospect into a legitimate contender.
Yet Hogan is far from alone.
Marshfield’s Joe Bush (7-0, 5 KOs) has likewise established himself as one of Massachusetts’ most promising young prospects, demonstrating the combination of work ethic and ambition necessary to climb into the national ranks in a highly competitive sport.
Together, Hogan and Bush are helping ensure that Massachusetts remains one of New England’s premier boxing hotbeds well after the likes of current contenders Ellis, Ortiz and Walsh hang up their gloves.
Connecticut: A Talent Factory
If Rhode Island is the heart of CES Boxing, Connecticut may be its deepest talent pipeline.
Leading the way is Bridgeport lightweight Jacob “Lefty” Marrero (11-1, 8 KOs).
An undefeated southpaw with exceptional skill and ring IQ, the 27-year-old has overcome his share of adversity, from surviving a gunshot that threatened his promising career to returning to the sweet science after five years in prison. Many within the boxing community view the charismatic Puerto Rican as one of the most complete young fighters in New England.
Close behind is Stamford’s Douglas “El Uno” Marroquin (11-0, 6 KOs).
The stocky middleweight of Mexican and Guatemalan descent has consistently accepted challenging assignments and delivered impressive performances. A natural showman, the 27-year-old has electrified fans with his entertaining ring entrances and aggressive style.
Another Connecticut fighter generating considerable excitement is Norwalk’s Victor Guerra Vargas (3-0, 2 KOs).
The Venezuelan-born prospect has lived up to his middle name — “Guerra,” which translates to “war” — by bringing a come forward, action-packed style to every professional bout. His willingness to engage and entertain has quickly made him a fighter worth watching.
The state’s depth extends much further.
Stratford’s 20-year-old phenom Joseph “J-Elite” Chisholm (8-1, 7 KOs) continues to electrify crowds with his exceptional blend of speed and power. Stamford-based Polish prospect Slawomir Bohdziewicz (8-1, 7 KOs) has demonstrated both thudding power and poise while building a rabid fan base of loyal supporters.
New Haven has particularly become a boxing hotbed, as Carlos Perez (7-0, 1 KO), Kevante Wineglass (5-0, 3 KOs), Gianni Liguori (5-1-1, 4 KOs) and Anuel Rosa (6-0-1, 4 KOs) have consistently excelled against increasingly difficult competition.
Taken together, Connecticut’s current generation represents one of the strongest collections of young fighters the state has produced in years.
New York: Iman Lee’s Rapid Rise
While many of CES Boxing’s prospects hail from New England, New York has contributed one of the organization’s fastest-rising stars.
Iman Lee (15-0-1, 8 KOs) has quickly become one of the most accomplished young fighters on the CES roster.
The undefeated super featherweight gained national attention through his performances in the WBC Grand Prix Tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia before capturing the NABF Super Featherweight Championship in April. Combining speed, athleticism and composure, the 26-year-old from Yonkers has demonstrated the qualities of a fighter capable of competing on much bigger stages in the near future.
The Future of New England Boxing
What makes this generation unique is not simply its talent, but its depth.
Not long ago, New England boxing often revolved around a handful of recognizable names. Today, CES Boxing boasts a roster of rising fighters spread across five states, each progressing along a path toward championship contention.
Some, like Francis Hogan and Iman Lee, have already captured regional titles. Others are building momentum with every appearance, developing the skills and experience necessary to breakthrough when the opportunities arise.
Collectively, they form a pipeline unlike any in recent memory.
Whether it is the young prospects including Reynoso, Guilmette, Macari and Mojica carrying Rhode Island’s tradition forward, Hogan leading Massachusetts, Marrero and Marroquin representing Connecticut, or Lee emerging from New York, one thing is clear:
The future of New England boxing has already arrived.
And CES Boxing is helping lead the way.
This release first ran in the official CES Boxing program book for Autumn Classic 2026: Pink Out (October 3, 2026, Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT).
