HOLLYWOOD, FL, March 30 – In recent years, boxing fans have become used to a certain pattern when it comes to fight cards – one quality bout, maybe even two, with the rest of the show consisting of mismatches or showcases. In 2003, Warrior’s Boxing Promotions, Inc. decided that way of doing business wasn’t fair to fight fans, and since then, the Florida-based promoter has operated on one premise when it comes to their shows – all killer, no filler..
In keeping with this philosophy, Warrior’s Boxing Promotions, Inc. in association with The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is pleased to present the latest installment of the “Hard Knocks at The Hard Rock” series on Friday, April 22 in the Grand Ballroom of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
In the main event, hard-hitting rising star Juan Urango defends his WBC Latin American championship and looks to add the vacant IBF Latin American title to his trophy case when he battles rugged veteran Francisco Campos in a 12 round junior welterweight clash.
And if that’s not enough world-class action, Warrior’s Boxing is pleased to present the return of top contender Syd Vanderpool, who will look to stay on the road to a title shot when he squares off against Columbian KO king Alejandro Berrio in a light heavyweight ten rounder.
Also featured on April 22 will be a stellar mix of highly regarded contenders, dangerous veterans, and rising stars, making this another night to remember for boxing fans.
Doors open at 6:30pm, and the first bell rings at 7.30pm.
Born in Monteria, Colombia, where he later served in the Armed Forces, Juan Urango (14-0-1, 11 KOs) has always been a winner. A dominant amateur with five national championships to his credit, as well as a win over current WBO champion Miguel Cotto, “El Mello” is always one step ahead of his foes with his relentless pressure and knockout power in either hand. As a professional, Urango has not skipped a beat, and he has quickly gained a reputation among fans and boxing insiders as a future champion. In his last bout, on December 16, 2004, Urango won the vacant WBC Latin American junior welterweight championship with a devastating two round stoppage of normally durable Ubaldo Hernandez, who had been the distance with world champions Vivian Harris and Juan Diaz and who had stopped current title challenger Ebo Elder in a single round. Urango’s victory was a message to the boxing world – ‘look out for me in 2005.’
Francisco Campos (21-2-1, 13 KOs) is the type of opponent no one wants to fight because he always brings his ‘A’ game to the ring on fight night. A former Costa Rican lightweight champion, Campos has only lost to the best in the world – world champions Cesar Bazan and Paul Spadafora – and even in those defeats, the winners knew they had been in their toughest fights to date by the time the final bell rang. On April 22, Campos knows that a victory over the highly touted Urango will put him firmly on track to a world title shot.
Truly world-class, in and out of the ring, Syd “The Jewel” Vanderpool (35-3, 23 KOs) returns to a Florida boxing ring for the first time since his stirring win over Tito Mendoza last April, and he hopes a win on April 22 will lead him to a world title rematch with Jeff Lacy, who he waged an unforgettable war with last October before just falling short in his title bid. The pride of Kitchener, Ontario, the 32-year-old southpaw feels that he is just hitting his prime as a boxer, and his 7-1 record with 5 knockouts in the last eight fights proves that notion to be true.
Vanderpool’s opponent, Alejandro Berrio, is the prototypical knockout artist. 23-3 in his seven-year career, Berrio has gone home early in 21 of those 23 victories, and he would like nothing better than to send a world-rated opponent down that same road. A native of Cartagena, Berrio started fighting in Florida in 2004 and quickly gained a following with two knockout performances, including an eighth round stoppage of prospect Carl Handy in a bout last November that earned him the IBO Intercontinental light heavyweight crown. Now all Berrio wants to do is add a “Jewel” to that crown.
On the April 22 undercard, local favorite Elieser Castillo (26-5-2, 14 KOs) will look to put a disappointing 2004 campaign behind him when he faces crafty veteran Otis Tisdale (21-17-1, 13 KOs) in an intriguing heavyweight ten rounder. Havana’s Castillo was riding a red-hot winning streak over quality opponents before dropping two upset decisions to DaVarryl Williamson and Kendrick Releford in 2004. Disappointed but not discouraged, Castillo went back to the gym, rededicated himself to the sweet science, and he’s looking forward to getting back in the title picture this year. Castillo has to first get by Charlotte’s Tisdale, a nine-year veteran of the fight game who has hung in tough with a Who’s Who of heavyweight boxing, including Michael Moorer, Lance Whitaker, Dominick Guinn, Nicolay Valuev, and Lawrence Clay-Bey.
Also featured will be Hawaii’s tattooed welterweight warrior Kili Scott Madrid (6-0-1, 4 KOs), who will put his unbeaten record on the line against New York City’s Maximo Cuevas (3-1-1, 1 KO) in a rare six round contest that pits two prospects against each other.
Opening up the card will be Hollywood’s own Ed Paredes (2-0, 1 KO), who will compete in a four round junior middleweight bout against an opponent to be announced shortly. The exciting 20-year-old is coming off a four round victory over Roberto Irrizarry on February 4.
For tickets to “Hard Knocks at The Hard Rock”, priced at $100, $50 and $30, please call 954.327.7625 (ROCK) or visit www.ticketmaster.com.