Philadelphia, PA—Rogers Mtagwa, of Philadelphia, PA, makes the first defense of his North American Boxing Federation (NABF) featherweight title when he faces Roger Gonzalez, of Fontana, CA, the scheduled 12-round main event Friday evening, March 7, at the New Alhambra, Swanson & Ritner Streets, next to Forman Mills, in South Philadelphia. First of seven fights at 7.30 p.m..
Univision/Telefutura will televise the Mtagwa-Gonzalez match as well as the eight-round featherweight semifinal between Teon Kennedy, of Philadelphia, PA, and Castulo Gonzalez, of Lynn, MA, as part of its popular Solo Boxeo series. The televised show begins at 8 p.m. with the Kennedy-Gonzalez bout.
Mtagwa, 28, won the vacant NABF title July 20 in the same ring when he earned a 12-round split decision over Aldo Valtierra, of Mexico City, Mexico.
Fighting only once since then, Mtagwa moved up in weight but lost on points to Australian Billy Dib in an eight-round contest Nov. 10 in Madison Square Garden.
A pro since 1997, Mtagwa is 22-12-3, 17 K0s.
Gonzalez, 27, has scored 18 knockouts in 28 fights, losing only once. That setback was four years ago when former World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champ Jhonny Gonzalez stopped Roger in six rounds at the famed Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA.
A pro since 1996, Roger Gonzalez has won his last four, including a 10-round decision over Adolfo Landeros, of Hidalgo, Mexico, last Oct. 19 at the Feather Falls Casino in Oroville, CA.
In the co-feature bout, Kennedy, 21, will be going eight scheduled rounds for the first time in his brief career.
The former National Golden Gloves Champion at 112 pounds in 2004, Kennedy turned pro 12 months ago and has won all seven pro fights, four by knockout. However, he has never boxed an opponent with a winning record.
In his last fight Dec. 12, Kennedy scored a four-round decision over Arthur Parker, of Lancaster, PA.
Gonzalez, 30, is originally from Guatemala. His 9-4 record includes four K0s. Three of Gonzalez’ setbacks were to undefeated fighters, including current United States Boxing Association (USBA) super bantamweight champion Mike Oliver, of Hartford, CT. Gonzalez also pinned the first loss on Philadelphia’s Ramaz Gazashvili in 2005 in Manchester, NH.
Five preliminary fights complete the card, which is promoted by Don Chargin Productions, Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., and Joe Hand Promotions, Inc.
Tickets priced at $40, $55 and $65 are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., (215-765-0922) and also can be purchased online at www.peltzboxing.com.