NEW YORK (June 12, 2011) – On a second consecutive night of fights on ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME®, featherweight Luis Orlando “Orlandito” Del Valle’s rising star shined in a 10-round unanimous decision over Dat “Be Dat’’ Nguyen with scores of 99-91 three times. In the co-feature, Jonathan Gonzalez scored a convincing 10-round unanimous decision by the scores of 99-91 and 98-92 twice in a junior middleweight matchup over Richard Gutierrez from Roseland Ballroom in New York City on the eve of the Puerto Rican Day Parade.
Del Valle (13-0,10 KOs), of Bayamon, P.R., impressed the boisterous Boricua-based crowd and SHOWTIME announcers alike with his sharp shots and well-timed counter punches. Known for throwing a high volume of shots, Nguyen (17-2, 6 KOs), a resident of Vero Beach, Fla., came out swinging but Del Valle anticipated Nguyen’s wide punches with crisp counters.
The two exchanged many times throughout the early rounds with Del Valle winning the upper hand nearly every time. As Del Valle’s face bore only a small cut under his right eye, Nguyen’s slug-marked mug swelled more and more with each passing round.
Though Del Valle, who was taking a big step up in level of opposition, proved that his name belonged higher on the prospects to watch list, Nguyen showed a tremendous amount of bravado – and a granite chin – as he refused to give up or even hit the canvas.
“[Nguyen] is very strong and determined,” said Del Valle after the fight. “He has a good chin and more power than his record shows.”
Beginning in the sixth round, Del Valle dominated the fight by teeing off on Nguyen against the ropes where Nguyen couldn’t counter with more than a few unwise “bring it on” taunts at the surging Puerto Rican. The crowd got behind the 24-year-old Del Valle as he closed out the best performance of his young career.
“For my money, Del Valle stole the show,” said SHOWTIME analyst Steve Farhood. “Just an outstanding performance.”
The night’s opening bout began before the bell as both contestants shouted insults to one another from across the ring. The fight started with two action rounds to the crowd’s delight that saw Gonzalez unload countless power shots and Gutierrez returning with hard counters.
As the scrap settled into the third round and beyond, the fighters were warned about multiple fouls by referee Gary Rosato from low blows to hitting behind the head and the clashing of heads.
In the 6th round, Gonzalez began to pick the action back up and unload heavy shots to the head and body of Guttierez but ended his barrage with a low blow that gave Gutierrez some much needed time to recover. Gonzalez stayed active through his first career distance fight winning a satisfying unanimous decision.
As for what’s next for the 126-pound Del Valle: “He’s going to go down to 122, whether he wants to or not,” said co-promoter Lou DiBella. “He’s already got power now. At 122, forget it.”
The card was co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Gary Shaw Productions.
The telecast will replay this Thursday, June 16 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME® and be available On Demand beginning June 14 through June 27.
Curt Menefee called the action from ringside with Farhood handling the expert analysis. Gordon Hall is the Executive Producer with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.
Three More Team Puerto Rico Fighters Score Big Wins on Saturday
Team Puerto Rico made the second half of their United States introduction a memorable one at Roseland Ballroom in NYC on Saturday night.
Three team members, Luis “Orlandito” Del Valle, Jonathan “Mantequilla” Gonzalez and Jorge “Machito” Maysonet, were in action at Boricua Invasion II, and all three scored impressive victories.
In the main event, televised live on ShoBox: The New Generation, featherweight Luis “Orlandito” Del Valle (13-0, 10 KOs) thrilled the crowd and picked up the NABA Featherweight championship by winning an exciting 10-round decision over Dat Nguyen (17-2, 6 KOs).
All three judges had it 99-91.
Del Valle staggered Nguyen badly with a hook in round six and had things mostly his way, but the brave Vietnamese Nguyen fought back bravely in the face of superior firepower.
“He’s the strongest fighter I have ever faced,” said Del Valle of Nguyen. “His record doesn’t indicate he’s a hard puncher, but he does punch hard and he throws a lot of punches. I had him in trouble two or three times, but I was very careful with him because he was very strong, so I put pressure intelligently and didn’t run in for the kill.”
In the televised co-feature, power-punching sensation Jonathan “Mantequilla Gonzalez (14-0, 13 KOs) had to go the distance for the first time in his young career, but scored a dominant 10-round decision over tough veteran Richard Gutierrez (26-7-1, 16 KOs).
Fighting in front of a heavily partisan crowd in his favor, the popular Gonzalez picked up the NABA and World Boxing Organization (WBO) Latino Youth Middleweight Championships with the solid victory.
The former Olympian Gonzalez outworked Gutierrez in nearly every round, landing heavy shots to the head and body. To his credit, Gutierrez kept it entertaining, landing occasional power punches of his own.
The scores were 99-91, 98-82 and 98-92.
“I felt I was hurting him with my punches, so that’s why I put so much pressure on him constantly. Gutierrez is a great fight and I give him credit, but the difference was I can box and brawl and give angles to place my punches better.”
Team Puerto Rico’s youngest member Jorge “Machito” Maysonet, ran his undefeated record to 4-0, 3 KOs with a lightning-quick demolition of Detroit’s Adam Alvarez.
San Juan’s Maysonet needed just 21 seconds of his scheduled four-round junior welterweight contest to drop Alavarez twice and earn the stoppage.
“I feinted and landed the left hook on him twice and both times he went down,” explained Maysonet, post-fight. “The victory came fast tonight, but that’s a result of being in the gym every day and training to be the best.”
Maysonet is next scheduled to appear at a Universal Promotions card in Puerto Rico on July 15.
Other Results
Junior Welterweights: Gabriel Bracero KO 1 (:40) Guillermo Valdes
Bantamweights: Raul Lopez WUD 6 (60-54, 59-55, 59-55) Victor Valenzuela
NABF Super Female Featherweight Championship:
Amanda Serrano TKO 1 (1:40) Jennifer Scott
For more information, visit www.teampuertoricoboxing.com.
Undefeated Prospect Glen Tapia Returns To Action 6/25 in Philadelphia
Passaic, NJ (June 12, 2011) – Unbeaten prospect Glen Tapia will face his most experienced opponent to date on June 25 when he meets Taronze Washington at the South Philly Arena in Philadelphia, PA in a six-round junior middleweight bout.
Tapia, 21 of Passaic, NJ, will risk his 9-0 (5 KO) record against the 31-year-old Dallas, TX native Washington, who has a record of 14-15 (7 KO). The show will be promoted by Top Rank Inc. and Peltz Boxing Promotions.
Tapia’s most recent fight came three months ago when he outboxed fellow New Jersey resident Eberto Medina to a six round decision on the undercard of the Yuriorkis Gamboa vs. Jorge Solis featherweight championship match.
“I just feel like I’m getting better, and I want to improve from my last performance,” said the Dominican-American Tapia, who is promoted by Pound for Pound Promotions and Top Rank. “I want to show the people that I’m not just a prospect that will become a champ and fall off, I want to become one of the best. That’s my goal.”
Tapia made headlines throughout the world last year when he traveled to the Philippines to serve as pound-for-pound champion Manny Pacquiao’s chief sparring partner for his junior middleweight title match against Antonio Margarito, where Pacquiao broke the record for most weight classes conquered.
Washington will serve as a measuring stick of where Tapia is at this early stage of his career, as he has gone the distance with current WBA junior middleweight champion Austin Trout, as well as former champion Yori Boy Campas.
Washington has also shared the ring with former welterweight titlist Andre Berto, as well as top-rated junior middleweight contenders Vanes Martirosyan and Alfredo Angulo.
Tickets priced at $75 and $50 are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions (215-765-0922). They also can be purchased online at www.peltzboxing.com. First fights begin at 7:30 PM.
The South Philly Arena is located at 7 West Ritner Street in Philadelphia, PA.