Tag Archives: Plant City

boxing

Falcao tops Espadas in Vegas; ready to face anybody at 160

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Team Falcao.jpg

Plant City, FL (July 23, 2018) – Highly rated middleweight and 2012 Olympic medalist Yamaguchi Falcao, 16-0 (7 KO’s), moved further up the rankings by outpointing WBO #14 Elias Espadas, 17-4 (12 KO’s), over ten rounds.

 

 

 

The bout took place Saturday, July 21 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas just prior to an HBO world title doubleheader.

 

 

 

Representing his native Brazil but living and fighting out of Plant City, FL, Falcao got off to a quick start by dropping his Yucatan, Mexico based foe in the second round with a crisp two punch combo. Falcao, a skilled boxer-puncher, battled through a rough and often dirty fight featuring headbutts, low blows and excessive holding. Falcao and Espadas did have some solid exchanges with both men landing nice shots, though Falcao was the more consistent fighter.

 

 

 

In the 10th round, Falcao hurt his foe with a right hook and backed him up against the ropes but the game Espadas weathered the storm until the final bell.

 

 

 

Scores were 96-92 twice and 95-93 for Falcao.

 

 

 

“I’m happy to get the victory even though it was a complicated and frustrating fight,” said Falcao, who ended Espadas’ 8 fight win streak. “It felt like I had to fight the referee and the crowd too but getting the win is what matters most.”

 

Ready, willing and able to face any middleweight on the planet, Falcao’s hoping his next fight comes against one of the division’s best.

 

 

 

“We want a title fight and it doesn’t matter which champion. I know this wasn’t the prettiest fight but I’m 100 percent confident I’ve got the skills to challenge anybody willing to give me the opportunity.”

 

 

 

Jody Caliguire of Team Falcao was equally frustrated with the bout but is ready to put his fighter against anybody in the world.

 

 

 

“That was a frustrating bout with a lot of dirty tactics. With Espadas out of the way, we’ve got our sights set on the best opponents we can face. Yamaguchi was prepared to face Demetrius Andrade before his situation and nobody else wanted to fight him so that should tell you how serious Team Falcao is. I’ve heard David Lemieux, a fighter we were in camp with last year, is going to be on the Canelo-Golovkin undercard in September and we’d gladly face him.”

 

 

 

Falcao is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and fans can follow him on Instagram @YamaguchiFalcao.

boxing

Silva ready to shine against Lopez

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Silva Lopez.jpg

Plant City, FL (June 26, 2018) – Lightweight William “Baby Face” Silva has an outstanding professional record of 25-1 with 14 wins by knockout. The Plant City, FL based Brazilian won most of his bouts comfortably and has been top 15 rated.

 

 

 

Teofimo Lopez is considered a blue chip prospect though he’s yet to face a stiff challenge as a professional.

 

 

 

The talented 20-year-old represented Honduras at the 2016 Olympics and is 9-0 with 7 wins by knockout. Following a recent ESPN televised first round KO, Lopez received much attention for a victory dance he did honoring the popular game Fortnite.

 

 

 

On July 14, Silva and Lopez square off over ten rounds for the WBC Continental Americas lightweight title. The bout will air live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 7 p.m. ET from the Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, LA. A large crowd is expected.

 

 

 

With just over two weeks until the opening bell sounds, Silva’s sharpening his tools in an intense camp with head trainer Jose Rodriguez at Plant City Boxing Gym. Between extra time in the gym, world class sparring and an added motivation from the public viewing him as an underdog, Silva is confident July 14 will elevate his career, not Lopez’.

 

 

 

“I feel great and our preparations have gone exactly as planned so far,” Silva said following a training session at Plant City Boxing Gym. “Lopez is a good fighter but this is a great opportunity to show that I’m also a top talent. My team and I will be prepared for victory July 14.”

 

 

 

Silva’s promoter, Jody Caliguire of Fire Fist Boxing, has seen a significant improvement in his fighter in the last six months and believes that Lopez is in for a surprise.

 

 

 

“I believe some people are probably expecting to see the William Silva they did against Felix Verdejo but they’re in for a major surprise. He’s a totally different fighter now and improvements have been made across the board that I’ve seen firsthand in the gym. If Lopez and his supporters are viewing Silva as a stepping stone with a good record it’s not only motivation for our side but a major mistake on theirs.”

 

 

 

The card is headlined by a battle of unbeatens between New Orleans’ very own Regis Prograis and Argentina’s Juan Jose Velasco for the World Boxing Council (WBC) interim super lightweight title.

 

 

 

Promoted by Top Rank in Association with DiBella Entertainment, tickets from $40 are on sale now at the Lakefront Arena box office, Ticketmaster.com and by calling 1-800-745-8000. Military, student and New Orleans Police Department members can receive discounted seats with a valid ID at the box office.