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Rivalta Inks Puerto Rican Amateur Standout Luis Melendez to Managerial Contract

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Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based boxing manager Henry Rivalta proudly announces the signing of 19-year-old featherweight prospect Luis “El Chucho” Melendez to a promotional contract.
A stand-out amateur in Florida and his native Puerto Rico, Melendez will be making his professional debut under the guidance of Rivalta in July.
Born and raised in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Melendez started boxing at age 11. He went on to have 124 amateur fights, winning a number of Puerto Rican and international titles including the Junior Olympics, Olympic Cup, and the Puerto Rican Nationals from 101 lbs. to 132 lbs.
Melendez says the managerial deal is the culmination of a long association the pair have held. “When I was about 15, I went to spar at the Mike Tyson Gym in West Palm Beach and I was sparring a pro and Henry saw me. He told me he likes what he sees and since then he’s had his eye on me. Now that I’m reaching my dream of going pro, Henry is the right person to help guide my career.”
A throwback fighter with a style more suited for the professional ranks, Melendez calls his style ‘smart aggressive.’
I have a very pro style. I sit down on my punches. I like to throw combinations a lot. I like to break my opponents down. I like to go to the body. Or, depending on the opponent, I can box you. I can also hit and not get hit when I need to.”
Melendez says training at KO Fitness in Hialeah, Florida, with trainer Michael Robles is going well and he’s excited to get started on his professional career. “I feel great. This is my dream. I have always loved the pros. I used to watch and say ‘man I will be there one day.’ I’ve always had that style. I want to win titles in six divisions. I want to be the best pound for pound. I want to be the next face of Puerto Rico.”
“Luis has all the talent to become a world champion,” said Henry Rivalta. “He’s been a stand-out since he was a kid and he’s developed into a very good fighter. I’m happy to finally be working with him in the professionals. I look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with this next great fighter from Puerto Rico.”
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Del Valle to battle Snow May 13 in Washington, DC!

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For Immediate Release

Bayamon, PR (April 29, 2016) – 122 pound powerhouse Luis “Orlandito” Del Valle looks to continue his march towards the top of his division when he faces hard hitting Thomas “KO” Snow in an eight round bout Friday, May 13 at the D.C. Armory.

The fight will air live on BET at 10 PM ET.

Living and fighting out of Bayamon, PR, Del Valle’s professional record is 21-2 with 16 wins coming by way of knockout. A former NABA featherweight titlist, Del Valle destroyed Josh Crespo inside of two rounds April 9 in New Hampshire. Against Snow, Del Valle will look for his fourth straight win by stoppage.

Hailing from Capitol Heights, MD, which is 30 minutes from the nation’s capital, Snow enters the ring with an impressive 18-2 ledger and 12 victories via knockout. A winner in eight of his last nine, Snow looks to put the boxing world on notice with a victory in front of his friends and family on the 13th.

“This is my second straight fight against a confident opponent close to their hometown,” Del Valle said from his training camp in Puerto Rico. “Fights like these add fuel to my fire because knocking out Thomas Snow in DC makes a bigger statement than doing it anywhere else.”

Del Valle also thinks a victory over Snow in front of a worldwide audience on BET will play a big role in moving him up the rankings.

“I really believe this fight is going to get me back where I need to be. Fighting on TV is very important at this stage of my career and I’d like to thank Roc Nation for this great opportunity. I also want to thank Thomas Snow for stepping up to the plate, even though he’s going to regret it afterwards!”

Promoted by Roc Nation as part of their “Throne Boxing” series, the card is headlined by a ten round bout featuring rising star Dusty Harrison against contender Mike Dallas.

Tickets are on sale now by going to Ticketmaster.com/event/15005069CFC435E1.

Fans can interact with Del Valle on Twitter @Orlanditoboxing or Facebook.com/Orlandito-Del-Valle-111406195543360.

Contact: Matt Yanofsky (Team Del Valle) – 551-206-0578 or @kopublicity

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Del Valle Demolishes Crespo in Two

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Del Valle straight right.jpg
For Immediate Release
Salem, NH (April 10, 2016) – Super bantamweight contender Luis “Orlandito” Del Valle of Bayamon, PR scored a dominant second round stoppage over local favorite Josh Crespo Saturday, April 9 at Rockingham Park in Salem, NH.
With a standing room only crowd on hand, Del Valle pressured Crespo early in the opening round and found a home for right hands. In the second, Del Valle continued to connect with clean shots including a perfectly placed hard overhand right to Crespo’s temple that sent him crashing to the canvas. The game Crespo got up and immediately stumbled back to the canvas but incredibly made it back to his feet before the count of 10. Seconds later, Del Valle swarmed his badly hurt foe and landed a number of punches until Crespo’s corner threw in the towel at 2:17.
“I knew early in the first round that I was the stronger fighter and would be able to hurt him with my punches,” Del Valle said after improving his record to 21-2 with 16 KO’s. “I give him all the credit in the world for stepping up to fight me and having tremendous heart. I thought the referee was going to stop it because I’ve never seen a fighter get knocked down, stand up, fall again then get back up in less than ten seconds.”
Del Valle who scored his third consecutive stoppage since losing a controversial decision to Luis Rosa, is confident that he’ll land another bout against a top fighter in the very near future.
“I did what I had to do last night and it’s onto bigger and better things. In my mind, Darchinyan is the only fighter to defeat me and I’ve grown a lot since then. There are many great fighters at 122 pounds that I’d love to get in the ring with and I’m confident it will happen soon.”
Del Valle’s next bout is scheduled to be televised and formal details will follow shortly.
Fans can interact with Del Valle on Twitter @Orlanditoboxing or Facebook.com/Orlandito-Del-Valle-111406195543360.
boxing

Del Valle Inspired by Countrymen Oquendo and Martinez

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Del Valle wins.jpg
Bayamon, Puerto Rico (September 15, 2015) – Last Saturday, featherweight contender Luis “Orlandito” Del Valle saw fellow Puerto Ricans Jonathan Oquendo and Ramon “Rocky” Martinez in exciting fights as part of the Floyd Mayweather-Andre Berto undercard.
Having lost three prior bouts against championship level fighters, Oquendo was out to prove that his fourth time would be a charm against two-division titlist Jhonny Gonzalez of Mexico. A considerable underdog, Oquendo overcame a first round knockdown to drop Gonzalez the very next round en route to an entertaining majority decision victory. The win was the biggest of his career and puts him in position for a world title shot.
Later that evening, Martinez defended his WBO Super Featherweight championship against Orlando Salido. Known among Puerto Rican fans for twice knocking out highly touted Juan Manuel Lopez, Salido won titles at 126 and 130 pounds and looked to avenge a prior loss against Martinez. In the third round, Salido scored a controversial knockdown but himself ended up on the canvas later in that stanza courtesy of a Martinez right hand. From there, Martinez and Salido showed why Puerto Rico vs Mexico is regarded as boxing’s best rivalry, going to war until the final bell. The fight was ruled a split draw and a third match will likely take place.
Like his countrymen Del Valle, 19-2, has had ups and downs in his career. In 2011, he scored a career best win against highly regarded Dat Nguyen to capture the NABA featherweight crown in New York City less than 24 hours before the Puerto Rican Day Parade. Unfortunately, his two defeats came on big stages against former two-division world champion Vic Darchinyan and more controversially to unbeaten contender Luis Rosa. Following the March 2014 setback against Rosa, Del Valle took time away from the ring and was granted a release from his promotional and managerial contracts. Understanding that he was in a tougher spot than a few years prior, he carefully evaluated his options.
This past March, Del Valle resurfaced by scoring an 8thround stoppage over gatekeeper Roberto Castaneda and signing with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports. After the win, he entertained a few fight offers and is expecting to fight a few more times in 2015. The performance by his countrymen last Saturday night however put him in a whole different mindset when he went to the gym the next morning.
“I was extremely impressed by Rocky and Oquendo,” said Del Valle. “Both suffered multiple defeats but overcame them by performing on a huge stage last week. After watching the fights, I sat back and realized that could be me if given a similar opportunity. It truly inspired me to train harder because I want to make Puerto Rico proud!”
Without an official date set for his next match, Del Valle is hoping he receives a spot on Miguel Cotto-Saul “Canelo” Alvarez undercard and promises to excite if given the opportunity.
“Real boxing fans are more excited for Cotto-Canelo than any other fight this year including Mayweather-Pacquiao. That is going to be another great chapter in the Puerto Rico-Mexico rivalry. It’d be a dream come true to fight on that card against a top Mexican boxer. I’m eager to show the world that Orlandito is back and motivated!”
Fans can follow Del Valle on Twitter @Orlanditoboxing.