Miguel Cotto began a tradition of boxing being part of the Puerto Rican Day weekend. That tradition continues this year when area promoters Lou DiBella and Gary Shaw stage two nights of boxing featuring some of Puerto Rico’s top prospects.
Fighting under the moniker “Team Puerto Rico,” the touted prospects will be spread over two nights at the Roseland Ballroom. Seven bouts are scheduled for Friday night. Among those scheduled to appear are Kenny Galarza (14-1, 14 KOs) of Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico; Thomas Dulorme (13-0, 11 Kos) of Carolina, Puerto Rico; and Jose Pedraza (2-0, 2 Kos) of Cidra, Puerto Rico. Area boxers on the card, include Steven Martinez (9-0, 7 KOs) from the Bronx; Alex Perez (13-0, 7 KOs) from Newark and Boyd Melson (3-0, 1 KOs) from White Plains.
Saturday’s card features Luis Del Valle (12-0, 10 KOs) of Bayamon, Puerto Rico; Jonathan Gonzalez (12-0, 12 KOs) of San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Gabriel Bracero (15-0, 1 KOs) of Brooklyn.
“If you look at the top four or five championship prospects from Puerto Rico, they’re all on these cards,” DiBella said. “Puerto Rico is a tremendous hot bed of talent right now. You go into the gyms in Puerto Rico and the level of sparring in a Puerto Rican gym is mind boggling because they’re such a talent pool there.”
Added Shaw, “You’re going to see the next huge Puerto Rican star come out of this group. I really believe that.”
Friday night’s card will be televised on ESPN2, while Saturday’s bouts will be part of the Shobox: New Generation broadcast. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster or by calling DiBella Entertainment at 212-947-2577.