Boxing’s hottest young star, 2007 amateur world champion, and 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade improved his record to a perfect 5-0, 4KO with an impressive four round decision win over Tony Hirsch (8-2-1, 4KO) on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights”. It was Andrade’s third showing on FNF this year, and just as in the previous two he looked spectacular..
The 21-year-old Providence, RI native Andrade, who is co-promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Banner Promotions, used his speed and height advantage to out work and out box Hirsch.
Hirsch was game but was simply not on the same level of the highly touted Andrade.
Look for Andrade to be back in action very soon.
Fernando Beltran Jr. (33-3-1, 18 KOs) won a twelve round unanimous decision over IBF #5 rated Monty Meza-Clay.
Cestus Fighters Gomez and Luna Jr. Put On Sizzling Wins On ESPN FNF Undercard
This past Friday June 19th 2009, the Laredo Entertainment Center in Laredo,Texas, was electric as ESPN Friday Night Fights invaded the border city with an action packed six fight card promoted by Banner Promotions. The non televised portion of the undercard saw Cestus Management’s two up-and-coming prospects Robert “NIGHTHAWK” Luna Jr. and Rodolfo “BABY COBRA” Gomez in action in their respective fights.
Things got going quickly with the “BABY COBRA” who was the second fight of the night. The local fan favorite brought the crowd to its feet as the six-foot three-inch punching dynamo faced off against the tough gritty and exciting bruiser Richard Best. Best was a solid step-up fight for the young “Baby Cobra” as he (Best) had been in with fighters of the likes of Ramiro Cano, Oscar Diaz, Ray Sanchez III, Americo Santos and current world champion Kendall Holt.
Gomez came out of the gate utilizing beautiful boxing pumping Best with sharp crisp jabs followed by straight right-hands. Best tried to use his twenty fight experience to get inside which was the strategy that Best would use to try slow Gomez down throughout the fight; in conjunction with using low blows and head butts. The “BABY COBRA” took everything in his stride in the second and third rounds and continued to box effectively from the outside painting Best with jabs, hooks, uppercuts, and straight punches that consistently found their mark. In the last round Best, sensing that he was in a fight that he could not win; went on an all out offensive attack trying to knockout Gomez. Gomez responded back by using his outstanding boxing skills, hitting Best with heavy shots to the head and body and out-gunning Best in the close quarter exchanges. By the end of the last round Gomez had completely busted Best up and it looked like he was glad to hear the final bell ring. Gomez’ record improved to 5-0 (4 Kos) This was a respectable win for Gomez against a very tough and experienced fighter.
The only knockout of the night. was in the final bout of the night which featured Cestus’ “battering ram” Robert “NIGHTHAWK” Luna Jr. who locked horns with the rugged Robert Torres from McAllen, Texas. The fight lasted less than two rounds and ended in a brutal crushing knockout.
Luna Jr. was as exciting as ever as he rushed the game Torres from the opening bell landing vicious shots to the head and body working behind a left jab that was like a piece of wood hitting Torres in the face.The NIGHTHAWK’s non stop buzz saw attack throughout the round and caused the McAllen fighter to buckle on several occasions after Luna Jr’s shots connected; but to Torres’s credit, after getting hit like that, he was still trying to fight back. Torres barely survived the first round onslaught and by the end of the round looked like he had been put through a meat grinder and walked backed to his corner on shaky legs.
As soon as the bell rang for the second round Luna Jr. tore into Torres and the opening minute was explosive. Luna Jr. got straight down to business and went straight into a body attack sinking thudding body shots into Torres’ mid-section followed with a booming left hook to the head that connected flush on Torres’ chin. Luna Jr. was breaking Torres down and mid-way through the round Luna Jr. landed two devastating body shots connecting with a left hook to the liver that sent Torres to the canvas moaning and grimacing in pain. The referee called a holt to the proceedings counting Torres out in one minute fifty three seconds of the second round. With this win, Robert “NIGHTHAWK” Luna Jr. improved to 4-0 (2 Kos).
Gina Iacovou, the company’s CEO, said, “We are so proud of both Robert Luna Jr. and Rudy (Gomez) as they both put on another great performance and really excited the live crowd. The kind of boxing ability and power displayed by both our fighters showed exactly the type of quality that our company produces.”
Mike Michael, the company’s exclusive adviser said, “Robert Luna Jr. and Rudy Gomez put on great performances tonight, both fighters showed their pedigree and great potential as they took care of business in the ring exactly down to the last letter.” We would like to thank Art Pelulo (Banner Promotions), Antony Velasquez (Gente Entertainment), the City of Laredo and the great fans for their continued support.
The televised portion of ESPN FNF’s featured Fernando Beltran Jr. in the main event; also featured were former United States Olympian Demetrius Andrade and “Mean” Joe Green, all three fighters winning their respective fights.