30.10.06 – MIAMI–Undefeated WBO junior lightweight boxing champ Joan Guzman was a featured guest Sunday morning on Univision’s extremely popular sports summary show, “Republica Deportiva.” Guzman, who has a 26-0 record with 17 knockouts, discussed a variety of subjects with co-hosts Fernando Fiore and Rosano Franco..
The charismatic Guzman, who did a bit of salsa dancing with Franco on the program, talked about how he is trying to put Dominican boxing “on the map.” Guzman noted that because of his friend, David “Big Papi” Ortiz and the other numerous Dominican baseball superstars, his country is primarily known for its success on the diamond rather than in the ring.
Guzman said “it is very difficult” for him to pick a winner in November 4 welterweight title bout between Carlos Baldomir and Floyd Mayweather and he noted that he and Baldomir, the brawler from Argentina, are both promoted by Sycuan Ringside Promotions.
Among his possible future foes, Guzman was asked about the great Mexican warrior, Marco Antonio Barrera.
“He is a great champion, a great fighter,” Guzman said. “And I am co-promoted by his promoter, Oscar de la Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions. “
Guzman said that since he and his Sycuan team joined forces with Golden Boy, he has been on two big HBO boxing cards and thrust onto the world boxing stage.
“I credit Oscar de la Hoya,” Guzman said. “I thank him for these opportunities he has given to me. Oscar is a great fighter so he knows what boxers need. That is making him a great promoter.”
Guzman gave a special shoutout to his family and friends in the Guachapita barrio of Santo Domingo; the Boston area; Paterson, N.J. and Brooklyn, where he now resides. And the champ blew a special kiss to his deaf daughter, Maria, who is seven years old.
Guzman is in training to make his first defense of the WBO 130-pound title on Dec. 16 in Santo Domingo on a spectacular card which has the backing of Dominican President, Hon. Leonel Fernandez and Sports Minister Felipe Payano. Guzman and his manager, Jose Nunez, recently met at the National Palace to discuss the fight card with the president and the head of the sports ministry.
The Dec. 16 title bout will be co-promoted by JG (Joan Guzman) Promotions and Jay Boxing (Nunez) in association with Sycuan and Golden Boy.
Manager Nunez said he was gratified by the international exposure his world champ received from ‘Republica Deportiva.’
“You feel like you are a friend of the family at Univision,” Nunez said. “The hosts and the whole staff are very warm people. I think this kind of exposure shows that Guzman is really blowing up as a worldwide figure in boxing. This year has been a huge one and Joan wants to give something back to his homeland, to his people and to the great President Fernandez with the Dec. 16 show. It is the champ’s Christmas gift to his beloved country.”
Univision Communications Inc. (“Univision”) is the leading Spanish-language media company in the United States. The powerhouse portfolio includes Television, Radio, Music and Internet offerings that entertain and inform more Hispanics each day than any other media company in the country. The television operations include the Univision Network, TeleFutura Network, Galavisión and Univision and TeleFutura Television Groups.