PAL Boxer of the Year Jayden Maldonado with Nashua PAL Boxing Club head coach Muhammed Brooks.

The nonprofit Nashua PAL (Police Athletic League), announced that its 2021 Boxer of the Year is Jayden Maldonado. Jayden, along with PAL’s athletes of the year in basketball, cheerleading, football and boys and girls cross country – as well as youth and adult awardees in volunteering and coaching – will be honored at the 2021 Night of Champions on September 16th at Nashua’s Holman Stadium.

Formerly known as the “PAL Sports Dinner” at Conway Arena, this year’s event has been relocated to Holman Stadium. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the PAL Night of Champions support PAL’s educational, athletic, and enrichment programs for Nashua’s at-risk youth. They are available at nashuapal.com/events; call 603-594-3733; or email Jen@nashuapal.com. For more information on Nashua PAL, go to www.nashuapal.com.

Maldonado, 16, is a rising junior at Nashua South High School, and competes in the 145-pound Junior Welterweight class for the Nashua PAL Boxing Club team coached by 2019 PAL Coach of the Year Muhammed Brooks. His record stands at 4-1, having recently the won the 145 lb. championship in the New England Silver Mittens tournament.

According to Coach Brooks, Jayden “works hard in the gym and in school, and is a very patient and humble athlete. He’s very coachable and a good listener, constantly displaying determination to master the sport. He has shown quick and steady progress during his two years at the Nashua PAL boxing gym n Ash Street.”

Like many young men his age, Jayden – who was born in New York City but relocated to the Gate City – loves video games. He plans to study and work in the field of architecture, and to compete for a spot on the US Olympic team when he is older after gaining more skills and experience.