15.10.03 – Halloween may be just around the corner, but when Final Forum Inc. heads into Jimmy’s Bronx Cafe for the October installment of “Boxing in The Bronx”, there will be no tricks, only treats, as four of the area’s top prospects display their wares for the most enthusiastic fans in the area.
“The fighters we’re featuring on October 24 are the future of the sport,” said Sal Musumeci, President of Final Forum Inc. “It’s like watching some of today’s Yankee stars when they were coming up. In a couple of years, you won’t be able to see these fighters together on one card; they’ll be champions in their own right.”
Headlining this nine bout card is junior welterweight sensation Paulie Malignaggi (14-0, 5 KOs), who will face an opponent to be announced shortly in an eight round contest. A native of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, the flashy “Magic Man” will undoubtedly be a hit with Bronx fans, considering that he went into hostile New England territory in his last bout with a Yankee emblem on his trunks when he stopped Kevin Watts in six rounds.
Another young prospect who has amassed a sizeable following in the last year is junior middleweight Yuri Foreman. Unbeaten in 11 bouts with six wins coming by knockout, the Tommy Brooks-trained native of Belarus (who now lives in Brooklyn) will battle Mexico City’s Israel Garcia (5-7, 4 KOs) in an eight rounder.
Hard-hitting Rohnique Posey has gained many positive notices from boxing insiders in his short career, but hand injuries have kept him from being as active as he would have liked. Now 5-0-1 with 4 KOs and healthy, the 25-year-old welterweight out of Far Rockaway will look to keep his record clean when he squares off with Norberto Frias (7-5-1, 3 KOs) in a six round bout.
The fourth member of this high profile quartet is unbeaten light heavyweight Daniel Judah, who comes to the Bronx representing Brooklyn. 17-0-2 with 7 KOs, Judah, who faces veteran Shannon “Trouble” Miller (18-25-7, 14 KOs) in a six rounder, is coming off a draw with top light heavyweight contender Glencoffe Johnson in April.
And while these four prospects are mere steps away from title contention, there are plenty of hungry youngsters on this “Boxing in The Bronx” undercard who may be occupying those same spots in a few years.
New York City’s Edgar Santana (8-2, 5 KOs), fresh off a hard fought decision win over Ben Wagaba in August’s “Boxing in The Bronx” show, will be tested once again by Canton, Ohio’s Jeff Coyle (4-1) in a six round junior welterweight matchup. And if you thought Wagaba (3-7-1) was discouraged by his loss to Santana, think again, as the always ready to fight Ugandan prepares to do battle on October 24 with the Bronx’ own Francisco Figueroa (4-1, 2 KOs).
In other undercard action…
Featherweight Pasqual Rouse (14-8-2, 9 KOs), who is quickly becoming a fan favorite at Jimmy’s Bronx Cafe, puts his two-fight “Boxing in The Bronx” winning streak on the line against an opponent to be determined.
Hometown favorite Alan Conyers (2-0) faces Philadelphia’s Anthony Abrams in a four round welterweight contest. And opening the show in a four rounder will be junior lightweights Johnny Santiago (1-0) of Philly and debuting Brooklynite Jason Rivera.
Tickets for this exciting night of boxing, priced at $35, $50 and $100, may be purchased by calling 516-343- 0053, or at the following locations:
Jimmy’s Bronx Cafe
281 W. Fordham Road
Bronx, NY
718-329-2000
Gleason’s Gym – Brooklyn
83 Front St.
718-797-2872
There are also a limited amount of VIP tables available for $1,500 (each table seats ten), which includes dinner and cocktail service.