LOS ANGELES, December 27 – The Friday, Jan. 6 edition of ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME promises to kickoff 2012 with yet another night of competitive prospect action as Golden Boy Promotions announced today that the co-featured fight will be another intriguing matchup in the 135-pound weight class pitting unbeaten prospects Michael Perez and Omar Figueroa Jr. against each other in a 10 round battle for the WBO Inter-Continental Youth Lightweight Title. The night of boxing is headlined by the NABA USA Lightweight Title fight between Luis Ramos Jr. and Raymundo Beltran at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif.
Ramos vs. Beltran and Perez vs. Figueroa are presented by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T and will be televised live on ShoBox: The New Generation at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) on SHOWTIME.
Tickets, priced at $25, $35 and $45, are on sale now and available for purchase at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com. Doors at Fantasy Springs will open at 6:00pm PT on fight night and the first bell rings at 6:30pm PT.
A native of Newark, New Jersey, 21-year-old phenom Michael “The Artist” Perez (15-0-1, 9 KO’s) went from local hero to one of the brightest prospects in boxing with four statement-making knockout victories in 2011. Included in these four knockouts were wins over then 24-4 Ira Terry and then 24-8 Tyrone Harris, proving that the former National Golden Gloves Champion was ready for primetime as a professional and on Jan. 6, he will get his chance to shine on ShoBox against fellow prospect Figueroa.
22-year-old Omar “Panterita” Figueroa (13-0-1, 10 KO’s) is a ferocious puncher whose ability to take out any opponent in his path at any time has made him a fan favorite in his home state of Texas. In 2011, the Weslaco native took his show on the road, sandwiching a June decision win over Eric Cruz in Hidalgo with out of town knockouts over John Figueroa and Marcos Herrera in Los Angeles and Chicago, respectively. On Jan. 6, he’ll continue his U.S. tour with a bout in Indio against Perez.
Bobby Gunn Jr. Has Eyes Set On 2012 NJ Golden Gloves Title
When referring to 15-year-old amateur boxer Bobby Gunn Jr., saying that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree would be the understatement of the year.
Having the opportunity to follow his father-former IBA cruiserweight champion and current world heavyweight bare knuckle boxing champion Bobby “The Celtic Warrior” Gunn-around the gym since the age of three, Gunn Jr. grew up working with some of the top trainers and fighters in the game.
The undefeated amateur fighter has been competing since the age of nine, and has already caught the attention of renowned fighters and trainers. Most recently he won the North Eastern Regional Title at 134 pounds, and plans to fight around 150 for the tournament.
Lightweight prospect Danny “Little Mac” McDermott has been a sparring partner of Gunn Jr.’s and said the following about the young rising star.
“For such a young kid Bobby Jr. possesses such boxing skill. He comes from a family of fighters; it’s in his blood. He has tremendous natural skill, and he is only going to get better. Bobby Jr. has more power in his right hand than my last opponent. He is going to have a great career.”
Having worked with McDermott and Gunn’s trainer Dominick Scibetta out of Global Boxing in North Bergen, Gunn Jr. eagerly awaits the commencement of New Jersey’s most prestigious amateur boxing tournament.
I recently has the opportunity to watch Bobby Jr. spar with McDermott, and until he takes his head gear off revealing his youthful face, you would think he is a seasoned pro. Fighters that have been around the ring for tens of years don’t show the fluidity and ring presence shown by Bobby Jr.
Former heavyweight knockout artist and Golden Gloves advocate Lou Esa recently had the chance to watch Gunn in action, and immediately recognized the skills displayed by the young fighter.
“Gunn Jr. is one of the most talented and driven fighters,” said Esa. “He’s got the heart and the skills to take after his dad and become a world champion.”
The 2012 New Jersey Golden Gloves tournament begins in January 2012. Don’t miss the chance to watch Bobby Gunn Jr. in action as he works toward bringing the title back home with him.
To watch Bobby Gunn Jr. in action visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRtgevo7Dfc.
MAYOR, SENATOR AND CITY HONOR DELVIN RODRIGUEZ
December 27, 2011….Danbury, CT/Bronx, NY – The City of Danbury (Connecticut) welcomed home its newest champion, Delvin Rodriguez this past Thursday night at Danbury Billiards.
Over 200 proud fans packed into Danbury Billards as Mayor Mark Boughton welcomed Delvin home from his unanimous decision victory over Pawel Wolak on the undercard of Cotto – Margarito at Madison Square Garden on December 3rd. The bout was a rematch of their classic battle earlier in the year.
Mayor Boughton officially declared December 22, 2011 as Delvin Rodriguez Day in Danbury Ct.
State Senator Michael McLachlan was also on hand to present Rodriguez with an award from the Connecticut State Senate as well.
Additionally, last week Rodriguez received other accolades as Sports Illustrated and Ring8 announced that the first epic fight between Rodriguez and Wolak was voted the ‘Fight of the Year’ for 2011.