Star Boxing’s IBF# 2 rated welterweight, Delvin Rodriguez (24-2-2, 14KO) and his team left their camp today in the Catskill Mountains and are headed to the Mohegan Sun, where Rodriguez will take on South Africa’s IBF #3 rated Isaac Hlatshwayo (28-1-1, 10KO) on Saturday night for the vacant IBF Welterweight Championship of the World. The card is being promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing. Below are quotes from Rodriguez and his camp, as well as some photos from his last sparring session with middleweight Ossie Duran.
Delvin Rodriguez: I have had tremendous sparring and a tremendous training camp all together. I am as ready as I will ever be. This is the best work I have had in a long time, if not ever. I am very anxious and very excited..
Lou Fusco (Rodriguez’s Trainer): Things are really good. Delvin is about to be the welterweight champion of the world, and the Yankees are rolling in first place, what could be better? We couldn’t be happier with the sparring Delvin has gotten from Ossie. He is in the best shape of his life and everyone will see that come this Saturday.
Stan Hoffman (Rodriguez’s Manager): This was the best training camp Delvin has ever had. Everything has been perfect, great sparring, great training, and no injuries. The hard part is finished. Now the only thing left to do is go out and get that title.
Message for Isaac from Delvin: Come ready. You disrespected me and my team when we were in your country and I will never forget that. I am not going to disrespect you verbally, but trust me come August 1st you are going to pay for everything you have said. You will be going home empty handed, while I will be going home with the belt as the new IBF welterweight champion of the world.
Tickets are priced at $125, $75, $45 and $30 and are on sale now through Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster customers may log on to ticketmaster.com or purchase tickets by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets may also be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office. Star is currently holding choice seats for prime customers. To find out more information about this terrific offer or to purchase these exclusive tickets please call Star Boxing at (718) 823- 2000.
Bronx Bombers Invade Mohegan
This Saturday, August 1st, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing brings world championship boxing back to the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, CT, when Star Boxing’s IBF #2 rated Delvin Rodriguez (24-2-2, 14KO) takes on the IBF #3 rated Isaac Hlatshwayo (28-1-1, 10KO) for the vacant IBF Welterweight Championship of the World.
Before Rodriguez squares off against Hlatshwayo, two of the Bronx’s biggest boxing prospects will step into the ring against separate foes on the undercard. Star Boxing’s undefeated light heavyweight prospect, Yathomas Riley (6-0, 4KO) takes on Tiwon Taylor (26-15-1, 19KO) in a six round light heavyweight contest, while The Real Million Dollar Baby, Maureen Shea (13-1, 7KO) takes on Lindsay Garbatt (2-2, 2KO) in an eight round super featherweight attraction. For Shea she will be looking to get back into title contention and more importantly get back into the win column after suffering her first defeat as a pro in her bid for the WBA female super featherweight title back in February of this year.
“We are very excited to be featuring these two prospects on our card this Saturday,” stated Joe DeGuardia CEO and founder of Star Boxing. “It’s exciting for me when we get prospects coming out of the Bronx. Not only was I born and raised in the Bronx, but it is where Star Boxing’s main office is based out of. Both Yathomas and Maureen are very exciting fighters that will be looking to put on spectacular performances for those in attendance at the Mohegan Sun.”
Although he is still at the early stages of his career, DeGuardia has very high hopes for his light heavyweight prospect.
“I had said before with Yathomas and I will say it again, the third time is the charm. He is my third southpaw light heavyweight that I have had. The other two were Lou Del Valle and Antonio Tarver, who both became world champions. If Yathomas continues to improve the way he has been, I truly believe he has all the talent and ability to one day reign as light heavyweight champion of the world.”
Riley, who originally hails from Miami Dade County, FL, but now lives and trains out of the Bronx, last saw action just two weeks ago on the Star Boxing promoted card at the Hilton Rye Town Hotel. On this night Riley was matched up against the usually durable Andre Hemphill. In the second round a crisp left uppercut caught Hemphill flush on the jaw and he dropped like a ton of bricks. He eventually beat the count, but was in absolutely no condition to continue. Click here too see highlights from Riley’s last fight.
Riley, who celebrates his 27th birthday Thursday, has been on the fast track since he first turned pro back in February of last year. Coincidently it was on the undercard of a Delvin Rodriguez fight at the Mohegan Sun that Riley made his pro-debut.
The southpaw Riley is a devastating puncher with knockout power in either hand. He will have a tough test in front of him when he takes Taylor. Taylor is an experienced veteran with more then forty fights under his belt as a professional, and has been in with the likes of the aforementioned Lou Del Valle, Elvir Muriqi, Omar Sheika, Adrian Diaconu, and Daniel Judah. In his last fight Taylor lost a close decision to super middleweight contender, Joey Spina.
Although still young in his career, Riley is progressing well. He has gained valuable experience in the gym as he has served as one of the lead sparring partners for former world title holder Glen Johnson on multiple occasions, including his most recent training camp as Johnson prepares for his rematch against Chad Dawson.
Look for Riley to put on another good showing this Saturday at the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino as he continues to climb the ladder in the light heavyweight division.
Tickets are priced at $125, $75, $45 and $30 and are on sale now through Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster customers may log on to ticketmaster.com or purchase tickets by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets may also be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office. Star is currently holding choice seats for prime customers. To find out more information about this terrific offer or to purchase these exclusive tickets please call Star Boxing at (718) 823- 2000.