Tag Archives: Joseph Adorno

boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime

SUBRIEL MATIAS CAPTURES VACANT IBF 140-POUND WORLD TITLE WITH FIFTH-ROUND TKO OF JEREMIAS PONCE IN HIGH-OCTANE SHOWTIME® MAIN EVENT SATURDAY NIGHT FROM THE ARMORY IN MINNEAPOLIS

February 28, 2023 FNU47 Leave a comment

Minneapolis-Native Jamal James and Super Lightweight Contender Elvis Rodriguez Score Victories in Televised Undercard of Premier Boxing Champions Event

Click HERE for Photos from Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

MINNEAPOLIS – February 26, 2023 – Power-punching Subriel Matias showed why he’s become one of boxing’s most vaunted knockout artists as he stopped the previously unbeaten Jeremias Ponce after five rounds to win the vacant IBF 140-pound World Championship Saturday night live on SHOWTIME from The Armory in Minneapolis headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event.

Puerto Rico’s Matias (19-1, 19 KOs) captured the title in an electric firefight that saw the two top-ranked 140-pounders throw over 800 combined punches in five rounds according to CompuBox. For Matias, the victory culminated a long journey that had him away from his family for nearly a year as he trained in Mexico for his first title opportunity.

“I’m on cloud nine right now,” said Matias. “I don’t think I’ve woken up from this dream. Maybe I can tell you how it feels tomorrow, but right now, it’s a dream come true. I wanted to work him from the first round on, because I knew he wouldn’t have the same power as me as the fight went on.”

Ponce (30-1, 20 KOs) came out extremely aggressive and looked to swarm Matias early as he threw 96 punches in round one, out landing Matias 28 to 11. Matias adjusted in round two, closing the distance and smothering Ponce to dull some of his attack while also finding spots for his own short power punches.

“I thought it was an even fight, but one punch can change everything and that’s what happened,” said Ponce. “Subriel is a tough, strong fighter and I knew what he was capable of.”

After landing a powerful left hand that hurt Ponce late in round four, Matias returned determined and sharp in round five, landing 47% of his power punches over the three minutes. In the waning moments of the round, Matias landed the decisive blows, a series of head and body shots that badly hurt Matias and put him on the mat.

Ponce was able to make it to his stool, but his corner had seen enough and suggested that the fight be stopped, with the official result coming as a TKO at the end of round five.

“I’m fine now,” said Ponce. “My team knows me, and they made the decision that they had to make. It hurts, but the most important thing is that I’m healthy.”

“I wasn’t really surprised,” said Matias. “Once I saw how his corner reacted. I saw that [Ponce] was hurt. I thought that I was patient in the first four rounds, so I came out with a different approach and mindset in the fifth.”

After the fight, with his IBF belt in tow, Matias set his sights on a unification showdown against WBC 140-pound World Champion Regis Prograis.

“Regis Prograis, I’m coming for you,” said Matias. “I’m the world champion now. I promise that I’m coming to hurt you. Prograis likes to talk the talk, but I have that same mentality. Let’s see who prevails. I want him to see that there are people crazier than him in this sport.”

In the co-main event, Minneapolis-native and welterweight contender Jamal “Shango” James (28-2, 12 KOs) returned from a 16-month layoff to thrill a sold-out hometown crowd and earn a unanimous decision victory after 10-rounds against Argentine Olympian Alberto Palmetta (18-2, 13 KOs).

“I’m pretty sure everybody can see that layoff affected me,” said James. “I had a lot of rust in me. My legs weren’t sharp, my punches weren’t sharp, but I’m glad I was able to get in there. I liked that because it’s pushing me mentally and it made me step up to the occasion.”

“I thought it was an even fight,” said Palmetta. “I was the aggressor throughout against a former world champion, a taller opponent with longer reach than me.”

In his first action since losing his WBA Welterweight Title to Radzhab Butaev in October 2021, James picked up his fifth career victory at the friendly confines of The Armory. Using his considerable height and reach advantage, James was able to control much of the action and contest the bout on his terms.

“I was trying to adapt,” said James. “I definitely felt like I won the fight but I believe I could’ve done much better. I know that I’m a lot sharper. I know that my endurance is a lot stronger. I just had a lot of time off and my body is still getting back in shape. I’ll be back for sure.”

“I also like to counter, but I ratcheted up the pressure in the second half of the fight,” said Palmetta. “Maybe it looked like Jamal James was superior in the first half because he kept being conservative and countering.”

Palmetta had success countering James but was unable to put together enough combinations or hurt James during the action. James’ edge was reflected on the scorecards, as he out landed Palmetta 193 to 111, including a 153 to 102 edge in power punches.

James was also able to use a sharp body attack to keep Palmetta at bay, landing 68 throughout the fight, compared to just 20 from Palmetta. In round nine, a sharp right uppercut caused Palmetta to stumble and let to a raucous exchange that stirred James’ hometown fans.

The crowd again rose to their feet as James and Palmetta whipped power punches throughout the final moments of round 10. James kept his perfect record at The Armory intact by wide scores of 99-91 and 98-92 twice.

“I know I can be a champion again because I was a champion before,” said James. “I have to stay focused. Stay in the gym and back and study this fight – actually, my last two fights – and step it up. Thanks to everybody in Minneapolis for coming and showing me love.”

In the telecast opener, super lightweight contender Elvis Rodriguez (14-1-1,12 KOs) overcame a slow start to earn a hard-fought majority decision over the hard-hitting Joseph Adorno (17-2-2, 14 KOs) after 10 rounds.

“Ring rust was definitely a factor,” said Rodriguez. “Maybe the struggle was more mental than physical in a way, but the important thing is that I overcame it.”

After a couple of rounds feeling each other out, Adorno was the first to have success, showing a varied attack with hooks to the body and head. He punctuated a strong fourth round with several counter hooks right before the closing bell.

In round five the action began to heat up, with Rodriguez starting to find a home for his offense as well, while still taking consistent return fire from Adorno. Rodriguez would eventually take control of the fight in the seventh round, landing a perfect right hook that badly hurt Adorno. Rodriguez followed up quickly and forced Adorno to the canvas to score the knockdown, although Adorno was able to stay in the fight and make it through the round.

“I thought I had him once I landed that right hook, but he got up,” said Rodriguez. “He’s a warrior and a good fighter… The seventh round was huge, that’s when I truly started to win this fight. I have to give credit to Adorno for being savvy and knowing how to keep his distance before then.”

Rodriguez rode that momentum through the rest of the fight, out landing Adorno 52 to 33 across rounds seven through 10. The Freddie Roach-trained contender punctuated his victory in the final frame, landing a left that referee Jon Schorle ruled a knockdown, despite the objection from Adorno, who felt he was tripped during the exchange.

After the 10rounds Rodriguez emerged victorious on the judges’ cards, as one score of 94-94 was overruled by tallies of 95-93 and 97-91. Post-fight, Adorno expressed his belief that his early success was enough for him to earn a better result, while Rodriguez set his sights on the new 140-pound champion Matias.

“I thought the judges were blind,” said Adorno. “I can’t get a win with these judges. I don’t know how you see the fight 97-91. I thought I won every round except the ones he dropped me. He never out worked me at all. I had the jab in his face and was snapping him to the body. He couldn’t do anything. No way he won seven rounds. I thought 94-94 was okay because of the two knockdowns.”

“Like I said yesterday at the weigh-in, bring on the winner of the main event,” said Rodriguez. “And to my people in the Dominican Republic, just know that I’ll be back even bolder and even better next time.”

Prior to the telecast, the SHOWTIME BOXING COUNTDOWN show streamed live on the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page and was topped by a welterweight matchup that saw Minneapolis-native Ve’Shawn Owens (14-3, 12 KOs) score a unanimous decision over Kudratillo Abdukakhorov (18-2, 10 KOs) after 10-rounds. The judges’ scores were 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93.

Streaming action also featured the Ronnie Shields-trained Willie Jones (9-2, 6 KOs) delivering a vicious first-round knockout over the previously unbeaten Derrick Jackson (10-1, 5 KOs) just 1:22 into their welterweight clash, plus sensational super lightweight prospect Mickel Spencer (3-0, 2 KOs), with his older brother and unbeaten contender Joey Spencer watching ringside, dismantled Margarito Hernandez (3-5-1) to earn a first-round TKO 2:18 into the fight.

Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXINGtelecast will replay Sunday, February 26 at 9 a.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME and Monday, February 27 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME^®.

Veteran sportscaster Brian Custer hosted the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast while versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo handled blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and three-division world champion Abner Mares. Three Hall of Famers rounded out the telecast team – Emmy^® award winning reporter Jim Gray, world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. and boxing historian Steve Farhood as unofficial scorer. The executive producer was four-time Emmy Award winner David Dinkins, Jr., with Ray Smaltz III producing and Chuck McKean directing. Former junior middleweight world champion and SHOBOX: The New Generation^® commentator Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez and sportscaster Alejandro Luna served as expert analysts in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP).

The SHOWTIME BOXING COUNTDOWN show was hosted by award-winning MORNING KOMBAT live digital talk-show hosts Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell, who also serves as an expert analyst on the popular SHOBOX^® series.

# # #

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #MatiasPonce follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.

boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

Rising Star Tim Tszyu Makes Much Anticipated U.S. Debut Facing U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha Saturday, March 26 Live on SHOWTIME

March 10, 2022 FNU47 Leave a comment

**Rising Undefeated Lightweight Contender Michel Rivera Duels Fellow Unbeaten Joseph Adorno in Co-Main Event**

**Super Lightweight Contender Elvis Rodríguez Takes on**
**Juan José Velasco in Telecast Opener at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT**

**Tickets on Sale Now!**

**MINNEAPOLIS – March 9, 2022 –** Top super welterweight contender and rising star **Tim Tszyu** will make his long-awaited U.S. debut when he takes on U.S. Olympian **Terrell Gausha** in a 12-round showdown that headlines action live on SHOWTIME Saturday, March 26 from The Armory in Minneapolis in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will feature rising undefeated lightweight contender **Michel Rivera** dueling fellow unbeaten **Joseph “Blessed Hands” Adorno** in the 10-round co-main event, plus hard-hitting super lightweight contender **Elvis Rodríguez** faces **Juan José Velasco** in the 10-round telecast opener.

“Tim Tszyu has risen up the rankings and established himself as a serious contender at the top of the loaded 154-pound division, and he’ll look to make a splash stateside when he faces the highly-skilled and experienced Terrell Gausha,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “The action will be coming throughout this lineup, as lightweight phenom Michel Rivera takes on the undefeated Joseph Adorno, while Elvis Rodríguez looks to continue his ascent in the super lightweight division against the always tough Juan José Velasco.”

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, No Limit Boxing and Warriors Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Armory at http://ArmoryMN.com/ and through Ticketmaster.

The son of former unified champion Kostya, Tim Tszyu (20-0, 15 KOs) has quickly made a name for himself as one of the most promising contenders at 154-pounds. Tszyu headlines on SHOWTIME following in his father’s footsteps after Kostya competed 10 times on the network, including memorable knockouts of Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. and Zab Judah. Fighting out of his native Sydney, Australia, Tszyu will make his U.S. debut on March 26 after earning his first 20 pro wins in his home country. The 27-year-old went the 12-round distance for the first time in his last fight, dominating Takeshi Inoue on his way to a unanimous decision in November 2021. The decision victory came after Tszyu had put together stoppage wins in eight of his previous ten outings.

“I’m very excited to be fighting in the U.S., especially on SHOWTIME, where my dad was featured for most of his career,” said Tszyu. “I’m proud and excited to continue on the Tszyu name with SHOWTIME. Once I take care of Gausha, I will be coming for the title.”

A member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team, Gausha (22-2-1, 11 KOs) was born in Cleveland, Ohio but now fights out of Encino, Calif., where he is trained by Manny Robles and Prenice Brewer. The 34-year-old has faced tough competition throughout his career, having fought former champion Austin Trout to a draw in 2019 in addition to decision losses against former champion Erislandy Lara and top contender Erickson Lubin. Gausha showed improved power in his most recent bout, stopping rising contender Jamontay Clark in two rounds in March 2021.

“I’ve been ready for this fight for a long time,” said Gausha. “I came into this game to be a world champion and fight the best. I expect Tim to come in great shape and I’ll also come in my best shape to put on a great fight for the fans. My coaches are getting me prepared perfectly for the kind of fight I need to put on so that I can leave the ring victorious.”

Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and now fighting out of Miami, Fla. Rivera (22-0, 14 KOs) burst onto the scene in 2019, making his U.S. debut with a victory over Rene Tellez Giron on *SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION*^®. The 23-year-old continued his ascent in 2020, adding a stoppage win against Fidel Maldonado Jr. and a unanimous decision triumph against lightweight contender LaDarius Miller. Rivera carried his dominance into 2021 with three more victories, including a stoppage of Anthony Mercado in February before delivering a highlight-reel knockout of Jon Fernandez in July on SHOWTIME. He most recently scored a shutout unanimous decision over Matias Romero in October.

“This is a great opportunity for me to display my talents once again against a high-quality opponent in Joseph Adorno,” said Rivera. “I’m ready to take on anyone willing to challenge me until my time comes to fight for the world title. My goal is to be victorious on March 26 and then face Gervonta Davis for his title. With each fight I’m getting closer to reaching that goal. I can’t wait to show off all the hard work that I’ve put into this camp on fight night.”

Adorno (14-0-2, 12 KOs) has fought to a draw in each of his last two fights, dropping fellow unbeaten Jamaine Ortiz twice in April 2021 after dueling Héctor “Guadaña” García in January 2020. The 22-year-old was born in Union City, New Jersey and now resides in Allentown, Pa., having fought in nearby Philadelphia five times throughout his career. Adorno turned pro in 2016 at the age of 17 after a standout amateur career where he amassed a 178-22 record and beat Shakur Stevenson’s twice. He has scored knockout victories in nine of his first 10 pro fights.

“This fight is a chance for me to show my true talents,” said Adorno. “Not taking anything away from Rivera, but I know I’m going to be the better fighter on March 26. I’m working with a new trainer, Raúl ‘Chino’ Rivas, who has trained many talented fighters, and I’m ready to showcase myself at my very best. I’m more focused than ever and I’m not going to let this opportunity pass me by. Everybody better be ready for a show on March 26.”

Rodríguez (12-1-1, 11 KOs) bounced back from his first career defeat, a majority decision loss to Kenneth Sims Jr., to knockout the previously unbeaten Juan Pablo Romero on the Canelo vs. Plant SHOWTIME PPV^® undercard in November. The 26-year-old burst onto the scene with knockout victories in 10 of his first 11 fights and put together an impressive five wins in 2020. Originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Rodríguez now lives in Los Angeles

“March 26 is another step toward my world championship goal,” said Rodríguez. “I am fighting a tough veteran fighter who has faced top-level competition. I’ve stayed in camp through Christmas so that I can be 100% ready for this fight. Winning on March 26 means a lot for my career and I hope that a win will put me in contention for a title shot this year. I want to show the world that I’m ready for the big names in the division.”

The 34-year-old Velasco (23-2, 14 KOs) enters this fight on a three-bout winning streak, having most recently earned a split decision victory over Zachary Ochoa in February 2021. A native of Jujuy, Argentina, Velasco has tangled with some of the toughest fighters in the 140-pound division, including former champions Mario Barrios and Regis Prograis. Velasco will fight in the U.S. for the fifth time on March 26.

“I’m very honored to be on a great card like this,” said Velasco. “This is actually the second time that I’ve been preparing to face Rodríguez, so I know what I’m up against. He’s going to come into the right at 100%, just like I will. May the best man win on March 26.”

# # #

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #TszyuGausha, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.

boxing, ESPN Boxing

Team Ortiz moves on from disputed draw Feeling Confident Undefeated Lightweight Jamaine Ortiz Made Loud Statement

May 5, 2021 FNU47 Leave a comment

WORCESTER, Mass. (April 29, 2021) – Despite a disputed draw with unbeaten Joseph “Blessed Hands” Adorno (14-0-2, 12 KOs) last Saturday night in Kissimmee, Florida, lightweight prospect Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz (14-0-1, 8 KOs) displayed his vast skills and courage on ESPN+.

Recovering from two knockdowns (the first from an illegal punch behind the head) and still taking the fight to the promoter’s fighter, Ortiz won six of the eight rounds but, unfortunately, he had to settled for an 8-round majority draw with (76-74, 75-75-75) Adorno.

Ortiz, fighting out of Worcester, Massachusetts, is the reigning WBC USNBC (U.S.) Silver lightweight champion, as well as a former WBC World Youth lightweight titlist.

“I didn’t fight my fight,” Ortiz evaluated his performance. “I fought too much instead of being ‘The Technician.’ Before the fight, I thought I was the B-side fighter and wanted to please the crowd. I didn’t realize that I was on the A-side (thanks to his promoter, Jimmy Burchfield) and the betting favorite. I was fighting a Top Rank guy and felt that I had to bring the fight to him. Muscle memory, I guess, from back in the amateurs. I was fighting on his stage, so I put pressure on him. If the fight went the distance, I wanted to make sure the scoring was clear and obvious. I knew I’d break him down because I had better stamina and skills.

“I fought him too much, but I still thought I won the fight. The 76-74 score made sense. I won every round but the second and seventh (rounds of knockdowns). I didn’t agree with the one judge who had him (Adorno) winning the sixth. He hit me behind the head in the third round and I was off balance. But the referee does his job and mine is to fight. Nothing I could do about it. The plan was to box him, going to the body, but not switch stances because it would expose me. I had to go to the body, always part of my plan, but I wasn’t ‘The Technician.’ Sometimes I switch stances without realizing it. I got clipped in the seventh round (uppercut that resulted in a standing 8 count) when I was switching for first time. I handled it like a pro. I got up and felt good. I survived the round by holding a few times and then I came back again.”

Burchfield, head of Classic Sports and Entertainment (CEO), knows Ortiz showed that he’s somebody lightweights will have to reckon with in the immediate future.

“Jamaine’s stock went up for the second fight in a row (last November he registered a sensational stoppage of Sulaiman Segawa (13-3-1, 4 KOs), who had never been previously stopped, in seventh-round on the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones, Jr. pay-per-event),” Burchfield added. “Adorno is an animal when he’s in control of a fight. Jamaine had to take control of the fight by being the aggressor but, as ‘The Technician, knowing when to fight and when to box. The punch in the second round was, definitely, behind the head, clearly a foul, and it was more of a slip than a knockdown because he was off balance. If that punch was disallowed, Jamaine wins the fight, even if he had lost the round. He (Emil Lombardi) is a quality ref who made a mistake. Maybe he didn’t catch it because of the angle he had, which is why I’m a firm believer in instant replay, and It would have been ruled a non-knockdown.

“Going into the seventh, I thought Jamaine led by 2-3 points having taken five of the previous six rounds. Jamaine showed the world his endurance when he came back so strong in the eighth round. If the fight had been 10-round, or even 30-sconds longer, no disrespect to Adorno, Jamaine would have knocked him out. Jamaine is the real deal. He certainly proved he’s TV friendly after his last two fights and he deserves to be mentioned among the top 135-pounders in the world. Any takers?”

Ortiz’ manager, Dick Shappy, had mixed emotions after the fight, understanding that Ortiz raised the bar, even though he fought to a draw.

“I wish he had won,” Shappy remarked, “but a draw wasn’t too bad under the circumstances. I though Jamaine won the fight outright. If not for that illegal punch in the second, he won the fight on their scorecards. It still shouldn’t have been ruled a knockdown, more of a slip, because he was going forward and lost balance. It never should have been 10-8. Adorno would have lost if they had to go into the championship rounds. Jamaine was more skilled, he did a good job.”

Count no less than former Olympic gold medalist and 2-division World Champion Andre Ward, who served as color commentator for Ortiz-Adorno, among those impressed by Ortiz.

“Ortiz outworked Adorno, no doubt, and he never backed down,” Ward commented on air. “I want to see more of Ortiz!’

As entertaining as Ortiz-Adorno was – it may have stolen the entire show – it’s unlikely that there will be a rematch.

“I don’t think he wants to fight me again,” Ortiz reported. “He said something about maybe when we both have world title belts.”

Ortiz has taken advantage of the tremendous opportunities for worldwide exposure in his last two fights. His reward will certainly come, in time, moving up the ratings as people continue jumping on “The Technician” bandwagon.

boxing, ESPN Boxing

Undefeated lightweight Jamaine Ortiz Takes on Unbeaten joseph adorno

April 21, 2021 FNU47 Leave a comment

“The Technician” vs. “Blessed Hands”

This Saturday in Florida on ESPN+

WORCESTER, Mass. (April 19, 2021) – Rarely do undefeated prospects with double-digit victories fight each other because of the perceived risk like lightweights Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz (14-0, 8 KOs) and Joseph “Blessed Hands” Adorno (14-0-1, 12 KOs) will do this Saturday night, April 24^th, at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida.

The 8-round Adorno vs. Ortiz fight, streaming live on ESPN+, will be on the Top Rank card headlined (on ESPN) by WBO World featherweight champion Emanuel Navarette (32-1, 24 KOs) defending his title against challenger Christopher Diaz (26-2, 16 KOs).

Both young lightweights were decorated USA amateur boxers who are rising stars in arguably boxing’s most loaded division.

“I’m counting the days,” Ortiz said about his fight with Adorno. “I’ve trained hard my whole life. When an opportunity like this comes, I’m ready to prove myself. I think I’ll have a spectacular performance and impress the crowd like I usually do. I’m fighting on another big card; I’m going up not down.”

The reigning WBC USNBC (U.S.) Silver lightweight champion, in addition to being a former WBC World Youth lightweight titlist, the 24-year-old Ortiz recently cracked the top 40 in the WBC ratings at 31, and he’s also ranked No. 5 by the NABF.

Ortiz is coming off a sensational, high-profile knockout of Sulaiman Segawa (13-3-1, 4 KOs), who had never been stopped, in the seventh round last November on the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones, Jr. pay-per-view event.

The lone blemish on the 21-year-old Adorno’s pro record came in his last fight, back on January 11, 2020, when he fought an 8-round split draw with Hector Garcia (14-7-3). Born in New Jersey and raised in Puerto Rico, Adorno lives and trains in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Ortiz surprisingly may have what amounts to a “hometown” advantage, at least in terms of vocal support, largely because many of his New England friends and family are flying down to Florida to attend the fight, along with his Florida fans.

“My father lived in Florida and I visited him during summers, and I went to second grade there,” Ortiz explained. “I have a big family-base in Orlando. A lot of family and friends from Worcester are going to the fight. I’m surprised by how many people will be there for me.”

Ortiz is promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports (CES), which will co-promote Adorno vs. Ortiz with Top Rank, and managed by Dick Shappy.

“Both teams need to be complimented for taking a fight like this.” Burchfield commented. “Two undefeated, young boxers like this fighting each other is what real boxing is all about. Bob Arum, Carl Moretti Team Top Rank have been friends of mine for so many years.

“We turned Jamaine pro and through all these years as a promoter (32^nd), maybe, every decade or so you have a special one like Jamaine, who can become the future of boxing. When you find a fighter who can box, punch and set-up his punches very well, he’s special and I feel Jamaine is special like that, not only in the ring but outside as well. I don’t worry about getting a late-night call about him. He is a total professional, no distractions with him. Jamaine works as a carpenter, he’s learning the real estate business, and he’s also looking into the medical field in the future. He reminds me of Sugar Ray Leonard and Oscar De Lay Hoya. He has that charisma and is a technician in the ring. A very smart kid in the ring. He has a spectacular team of managers and trainer to work with, too.”

“For many years,” Shappy added, “our management team (including Eddie Imondi) had been searching for the right boxer to come along that had the potential to be a world champ. We are very confident that we have found that person, Jamaine ‘The Technician’ Ortiz.”

Rare as it may be in boxing, the reward is ultimately worth the risk for these legitimate fighters, Ortiz and Adormo.

boxing

Frank De Alba ready for showdown with Ivan Najera this Tuesday night at Sands Bethlehem Event Center

November 18, 2017 FNU47 Leave a comment

De Alba takes on Ivan Najera in main event

Undefeated Mykal Fox takes on Manuel Reyes

Ricardo Garcia fights Victor Vazquez

Plus undefeated Marcus Bates, Joseph Adorno, Juan Sanchez, Hector Bayanilla, Harold Lopez & Martino Jules in action

Also the pro debut of Michael Polite-Coffie

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bethlehem, PA (November 17, 2017) – Frank De Alba is ready to close out 2017 with a bang when he takes on Ivan Najera (17-3, 8 KOs) in the ten-round super featherwight bout Tuesday night. November 21st at The Sands Bethlehem Event Center inBethlehem, PA.

The show is promoted by King’s Promotions.

De Alba of Reading, Pa. has a record of 22-2 with nine knockouts.

The 30 year-old De Alba will be looking for his 6th consecutive victory as he has had a terrific year with wins over German Meraz and Ryan Kielczewski (26-2) in 2017.

“Everything is good. I put in a hard eight-week camp,” Said De Alba.

De Alba and Najera were originally supposed to get together earlier this year, but Najera had to pull out.

“I am excited to be able to finally get in the ring with him. We were supposed to fight in June. He pulled out at the last minute and that made me angry, because I trained hard for a full camp, but now I finally get my opportunity to fight him.”

A win over Najera and a 6th straight win will De Alba should facilitate big opportunities for De Alba in 2018.

“A win over him will have me on top and on my way. It will set me up for a big opportunity in 2018. Hopefully a win will get me a shot at one of those major regional titles and then eventually a world title. I just hope everyone comes out and support this show on Tuesday. Everyone knows when a Puerto Rican fighter and a Mexican fighter get together, the fight usually produces fireworks and Tuesday night should be no different.”

In the eight-round co-feature, undefeated Mykal Fox (14-0, 4 KOs) of Forestville, MD takes on Manuel Reyes (11-3-1, 5 KOs) of Los Angeles in a junior welterweight bout.

Also in an eight-round bout, Victor Vasquez (8-3, 3 KOs) of Yonkers, NY will square off with undefeated Ricardo Garcia (14-0, 9 KO’s) of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in a lightweight fight.

An exciting undercard has been put together that will features some of the best prospects in the Lehigh Valley:

In four-round bouts:

Highly-touted prospect Joseph Adorno (4-0, 4 KOs) of Allentown, PA will take on Jahaziel Vasquez (1-4) of Monterrey, Mexico in a super featherweight bout.

Marcus Bates (7-0-1, 6 KOs) of Washington, DC battles Antonio Rodriguez (11-19-1, 5 KOs) of Durango, MX in a super bantamweight bout.

Juan Sanchez (3-0, 1 KO) of Bethlehem, PA will take on pro debuting James Early (2-1) of Seat Pleasant, MD in a featherweight contest.

Jose Elizondo (2-3-1) of San Antonio, Texas will fight Hector Bayanilla (1-0-1, 1 KO) of Allentown, PA in a super bantamweight affair.

Michael Polite-Coffie of Brooklyn, NY will make his pro debut against Ralph Alexander(0-1) of Lanham, Maryland in a heavyweight fight.

Harold Lopez (1-0-1, 1 KO) of Allentown, PA will take on Jerrod Miner (1-0) of Philadelphia in a light flyweight fight.

Martino Jules (1-0) of Allentown, PA will take on Weusi Johnson (2-6) of Wilmington, Delaware in a featherweight bout.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $50, $75 and $100, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

About ELEVEN SPORTS:

ELEVEN SPORTS is available in 70 million homes worldwide in Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Singapore, Taiwan and the United States. Launched in the US in March 2017, ELEVEN SPORTS is dedicated to delivering world-class domestic and international sports and lifestyle entertainment ‘For The Fans’. Sports fans will be treated to a unique mix of emerging and established sports combined to provide engaging and compelling LIVE entertainment, placing the viewer at the very heart of the action.

Like us on Facebook: ElevenSportsUSA

boxing

Frank De Alba takes on Ivan Najera on Tuesday, November 21st at The Sands Bethlehem Event Center

October 17, 2017 FNU47 Leave a comment

Undefeated Mykal Fox takes on Marlon Aguas in co-feature bout

Ricardo Garcia fights Victor Vazquez

Plus undefeated Joseph Adorno, Juan Sanchez, Josephat Ortiz, Hector Bayanilla & Harold Lopez in action

Also the pro debut of Michael Polite-Coffie

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bethlehem, PA (October 13, 2017) – Local favorite Frank De Alba will take on battle-tested Ivan Najera in the ten-round super featherweight main event on Tuesday night,November 21st at the Sands Bethlehem Event Center.

The nine-bout card is promoted by King’s Promotions.

De Alba of Reading, Pa. has a record of 22-2 with nine knockouts.

The 30 year-old De Alba has is a six-year professional who has wins over Andrew Bentley (1-0), Jose Bustos (8-2-3), Bernardo Gomez Uribe (16-3), Kiun Evans (12-2-1), and in his last bout where he won a eight-round unanimous decision over Ryan Kielczewski (26-2) onApril 4th at The Sands Bethlehem Event Center. De Alba has won five straight.

Najera of San Antonio, Texas has a record of 17-3 with eight knockouts.

The 24 year-old Najera is also a six year veteran, who has amassed wins over Pedro Martinez (2-0), Jerry Fuentes (2-0), Angel Hernandez (8-1), Stan Martyniouk (13-1), and his last bout when he won an eight-round majority decision over Francisco Valdez on March 25th in Guadalajara, Mexico

In the eight-round co-feature, undefeated Mykal Fox will battle Marlon Aguas in a welterweight bout.

Fox of Forestville, Maryland has a record of 14-0 with four knockouts.

The 21 year-old Fox continues to step up the competition, and he is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision over Damiel Sostre on June 3rd in Fort Washington, Maryland.

Aguas of Ecuador has a record of 9-1 with six knockouts, and is looking to get back in the win column after being stopped by undefeated Ivan Golub on March 25th in Miami, Oklahoma.

Also in an eight-round bout, Victor Vasquez (8-3, 3 KOs) of Yonkers, NY will square off with undefeated Ricardo Garcia (14-0, 9 KO’s) of Santo Domingo, Domincan Republic in a lightweight fight.

An exciting undercard has been put together that will features some of the best prospects in the Lehigh Valley:

In four-round bouts:

Highly-touted prospect Joseph Adorno (4-0, 4 KOs) of Allentown, PA will take on an opponent to be named in a super featherweight bout.

Juan Sanchez (3-0, 1 KO) of Bethlehem, PA will take on pro debuting Derrick Pitts of Cincinnati, OH in a featherweight contest.

Josephat Ortiz (2-0, 1 KO) of Reading, PA will fight Bryan Perez (2-8-1, 1 KO) of Carolina, Puerto Rico in a featherweight bout.