Jose Celaya

A 2000 graduate of Alisal High School, Jose Celaya fought his way up through east Salinas and into the national boxing spotlight starting in 1997 by becoming a three-time USA National champion at 139 pounds. He won the gold medal in 1998 at the USA under-19 tournament, and was a bronze medal winner at the US Golden Gloves and PAL champion in 1999. Celaya was an alternate on the US 2000 Olympic boxing team. As a pro, he won the NABO welterweight title belt in 2002 and at the same time was ranked No. 1 in the world by the WBO at 147 pounds. His pro record was 31-7 with 16 knockouts and his amateur mark was 75-17.