Miami Gallos drop first home match of season against Guerreros

MIAMI – The Miami Gallos were back at home this evening against the Mexico City Guerreros looking for their fourth win of the season in the World Series of Boxing. However, it would not be the Gallos night, as the Guerreros proved to be too strong.

Miami Gallo Paulo Carvalho (Gandu Bahia, Brazil) and Guerrero Oscar Negrete (Barranquilla, Colombia) opened the evening with the Bantamweight (54 kg/119 lbs) match. Carvalho came into the bout looking to avenge his loss to Memphis Force Ernesto Garza on January 5th. However, Carvalho would be unable to find the win, losing a close split decision to Negrete (48-47, 47-48, 47-48).

Lightweights (61 kg/134 lbs) Adrian Martinez (Milwaukee, Wisc.) of the Miami Gallos and Jordan Gutierrez (Queretaro, Mexico) of the Mexico City Guerreros continued the action that saw Gutierrez get the better of Martinez (46-49, 46-49, 45-50). Martinez has yet to record a win in the inaugural season of the WSB and is now 0-3, while Gutierrez improves to 2-1.

Middleweight (73 kg/160 lbs) Gallo William Williams (Conyers, Ga.) and Guerrero Josip Duric (Zagreb, Croatia) began the third match with both fighters coming out strong. It was Williams, however, who figured out Duric’s game plan, wearing him down with head and body punches. After opening a cut over Duric’s right eye, Williams pulled ahead of the Croatian and finished the bout strong for the win (49-46, 49-46, 50-45).

“I felt pretty good going into the fight, but I knew I had to pace myself,” said Gallo William Williams. “My dad said that I had to be patient, so that was my focus. Once I opened the cut over his eye I wanted to hit that cut on every shot, I tried to stay calm and focus on that.”

The fourth bout of the evening saw two light heavyweights (85 kg/187 lbs) both making their WSB debut when Gallo Ahmed Elbiali (Sunny Isles, FL) took on Guerrero Jeysson Monroy (Medellin, Colombia). While Elbiali kept the pressure on Monroy throughout, Monroy proved to have the greater experience of the two and secured the team win for the Guerreros (46-49, 46-49, 46-49).

Heavyweights (91+ kg/201+ lbs) Craig Lewis (Detroit, Mich.) and Jose Payares (Caracas, Venezuela) closed out the evening in what would be a very close match. Lewis was the aggressor throughout, though Payares was able to elude enough punches to secure the win (47-48, 47-48, 47-48).

The next match for the Miami Gallos will be held on Sunday, March 13th, when the Gallos take on the Memphis Force. The match will take place at the Solare Coliseum (3635 NW 78th Avenue, Doral, FL 33166) and begin at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets for the remaining matches are priced at $5, $15, and $25. Please call (305) 818-6880 for advance ticket purchase and VIP seating. Valet parking will be available for $7.

ABOUT THE MIAMI GALLOS:

The Miami Gallos are one of four teams competing in the World Series of Boxing’s (WSB) Americas Conference. Along with teams from Los Angeles, Memphis, and Mexico City, the Gallos compete in a five-month, 12-fight regular season (six home matches and six away matches) that runs from November through March. Each match consists of five, three-minute bouts, in an exciting pro-style team format. The team is made up of elite boxers, including Olympic and World Championship medalists in five weight divisions: Bantamweight (54 kg/119 lbs), Lightweight (61 kg/134 lbs), Middleweight (73 kg/160 lbs), Light Heavyweight (85 kg/187 lbs) and Heavyweight (91+ kg/201+ lbs). The Gallos are vying for a coveted spot in the WSB Playoffs against teams from Europe and Asia, as well as individual championships in each weight class that includes an automatic berth into the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Complete information on the Gallos, including fight schedule, fighter bios, ticket information and more can be found at the team’s official website: www.miamigallos.com.

For more information on the World Series of Boxing, please visit: www.worldseriesboxing.com.