HARTFORD (May 11, 2015) – Rising junior featherweight star Luis “KO King” Rosa (19-0, 9 KOs) plans to graduate from top prospect to legitimate contender Friday this (May 15) on ESPN FridayDagaaladu waxa Night, presented by 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions iyo DiBella Entertainment, oo ay weheliyaan Universal Promotions, close to his New Haven home at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.

 

A native of Puerto Rico, the 24-year-old Rosa takes on Colombian veteran Jonathan “Popeye” Perez (33-10, 17 KOs) in the 8-round ESPN2 co-feature.

 

Headlining the card will be undefeated Puerto Rican lightweight Reynaldo Ojeda (16-0, 9 KOs) against longtime contender Monty Meza Clay (36-4, 22 KOs) haddii ay dhacdo weyn ee 10-wareega.

 

Live coverage will begin at 9 p.m. IYO on ESPN2 and will also be available through WatchESPN on computers, casriga ah, kiniiniyada, Amazon Fire TV iyo Naarta TV Adkayso, TV Apple, Chromecast, Sanadka, Madaxweyne Siilaanyo Oo 360 iyo Madaxweyne Siilaanyo Mid ka mid ah via Taabacsan video bixiyaha. Waxaa intaa dheer, ESPN’ Dagaaladu waxa Night will carry the fights live on broadband Spanish-language ESPN Deportes+.

 

The popular Rosa, who is world rated at No. 15 by Boxing Adduunka Association (WBA) iyo No. 16 by Boxing Adduunka Council (WBC), has prepared for a breakout performance in front of a large ESPN Friday Dagaaladu Night viewing audience.

 

“Kani waa dagaal weyn ii,” Rosa said. “It’s great fighting on ESPN and I’m going to show the nation what I’m all about. I’m prepared to put on an explosive show. I feel that I’m close to getting a title shot. I want to fight world-class opponents and I plan to prove I’m ready on Friday habeen.

 

“It’s always great fighting in my home state and I’m sure I’ll have a lot of fans there. Dhammaadka maalinta, inkasta oo, I’m going to get the job done and it doesn’t matter where the fight would be held.”

 

Perez, 28, a professional fighter since 2005, ayaa ku guuleystay 14 ee ugu dambeysay ee uu 15 shishaysa. The battle-tested Colombian has fought the likes of world champions Cristian Mijares, Abneer qarow, Jose Lopez, Martin Castillo, Eric Ortiz iyo Raul Martinez, as well a world title challenger Jesus Jimenez.

 

“Perez is a veteran with 44 dagaal pro,” said Rosa about Perez. “He’s fought a lot of world-class guys and champions. I know he’s coming to fight. He’s going to come forward and he wants to bang. He’s strong, I’m stronger. I’m faster, aad, and the better all-around fighter. I’ll be ready for whatever he brings.”

Live coverage will begin at 9 p.m. IYO on ESPN2 and will also be available through WatchESPN on computers, casriga ah, kiniiniyada, Amazon Fire TV iyo Naarta TV Adkayso, TV Apple, Chromecast, Sanadka, Madaxweyne Siilaanyo Oo 360 iyo Madaxweyne Siilaanyo Mid ka mid ah via Taabacsan video bixiyaha. Waxaa intaa dheer, ESPN’ Dagaaladu waxa Night will carry the fights live on broadband Spanish-language ESPN Deportes+.

 

Fighting on the undercard are a pair of promising foreign boxers who are now living in the United States, as well as several New England and New York City favorites.

 

Undefeated Ukrainian middleweight Ivan Golub (7-0, 5 KOs), dagaal ka mid ah Brooklyn, meets fellow Ukrainian Kostyantyn Rovenskyy (18-1-2, 5 KOs) in xumad lix-wareega ah. Kazakh super middleweightDauren Yeleussinov (1-0), also living in Brooklyn, kulmay Jay “JD” Williams (3-6), of Louisiana, in a scheduled six-rounder.

 

Also slated to fight in six-round bouts on the undercard are unbeaten New Haven light heavyweightCharles Foster (7-0, 3 KOs) facing Woonsocket, RI, horjeeda Joe Gardner (11-7-1, 1 KO) and undefeated Bronx middleweight Chris Galeano (7-0) taking on Las Vegas’ upset-minded Yosmani Abreu (4-8-2).

 

Three four-round matches are also on tap with Waterbury, CT, welterweight yar Jair Ramos (3-2-1, 2 KOs) vs. Harlem ee Curtis Morton (3-4-2), Miami lightweight Alberto Candeleria (4-2-1, 3 KOs) vs. Brooklyn ee Ian James (3-11-1, 1 KO), and New Haven junior lightweight William Foster III (1-0) vs. TBA.

Tickets are currently on sale and are priced at $100, $65 iyo $35 (oo lagu daray canshuurta lagu dabaqi). Tickets can be purchased by calling 1 (860) 728-2624 ama 1 (203) 627-7472. Albaabada furan 6:30 p.m. ET with the first bout scheduled for 7:30 p.m. IYO.