LOS ANGELES, CA (October 13, 2008) Highly regarded boxing manager Frank Espinoza is preparing to launch his own promotional boxing company, “Espinoza Boxing Promotions” in this first quarter of 2009. “It’s something I’ve thought about for quite a while. The boxing scene in Southern California continues to grow, the fans here are very supportive and I’ve got a growing stable of fighters to keep busy,” said the much acclaimed longtime boxing manager..
Continued Espinoza, “My son Frankie has really been instrumental in this decision. He’s done a great job with the day to day operations of managing my stable and at this point I feel that the next step is for me to start promoting many of my younger fighters.”
I’ve had a few world champions like (current WBC junior featherweight champion) Israel Vazquez and Martin Castillo and I see similar traits in Luis Ramos, Carlos Molina, Abraham Lopez, Jesus Hernandez, Manny Roman and my new signee Ronny Rios. Nothing is ever guaranteed but they all seem to have that special something that gives them a shot at being a future world champion.
They all work hard, they’re all highly skilled and they need to stay busy. So now seems the best time for me to start promoting”, said Espinoza.
Details on the first promotional event will be announced shortly.
The ESPINOZA BOXING CLUB was started in 1991 by Los Angeles area businessman Frank Espinoza. Espinoza has earned numerous accolades for his management skills from many boxing newspaper and internet writers.
In 2006, Espinoza was awarded the Manager of the Year award from the World Boxing Hall of Fame and inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame.
In the September 2008 issue of Ring Magazine, Espinoza was praised for his outstanding handling of the career of junior featherweight world champion and “Pound for Pound” superstar Israel “EL MAGNIFICO” Vazquez.
Vazquez is currently ranked on numerous Pound for Pound lists including # 4 by Yahoo Sports, # 5 by Ring Magazine and # 7 by ESPN.
Espinoza also has managed former world champions Martin “EL GALLITO” Castillo, Enrique “EL Zurdo de Oro” Sanchez and Isidro Garcia. He currently manages world ranked Alex Valdez and Miguel “EL ANESTESISTA” Huerta in addition to undefeated prospects Manuel “SUAVECITO” Roman, Jesus “POLLO” Hernandez, Luis Ramos, Carlos Molina, Abraham Lopez and Ronny Rios.
For more information on The Espinoza Boxing Club, please visit their newly remodeled website at www.espinozaboxingclub.com
ALEX VALDEZ IN JAPAN FOR WORLD TITLE SHOT FACES HOZUMI HASEGAWA THURSDAY NIGHT
LOS ANGELES, CA (October 13, 2008) Sitting at the gate at LAX last week, Alex Valdez went unrecognized for the most part as he waited for the boarding call for his flight to Tokyo, Japan, where he will battle World Boxing Council bantamweight champion Hozumi Hasegawa this Thursday night, October 16th.
“I had a couple of guys come over from the food store who recognized me and then some more people who wanted to know who I was and wanted pictures,” said the 24 year Sonora, Mexico resident.
Before heading to Tokyo , Valdez finished a lengthy training camp in Los Mochis , Mexico , under the tutelage of trainer, Manuel Montiel, father of WBO super flyweight champion Fernando Montiel.
“My training was excellent. I worked with Fernando and Hugo Cazares. It was a terrific camp and I’m in great shape to fight Hasegawa, said Valdez about the seven week camp.”
Elaborating on Hasegawa, Valdez stated, “I’ve watched tapes of his fights and he’s very skilled, he uses his speed well. We’re both southpaws but I’m a little taller and naturally bigger, I hope to use my height and strength to my advantage.”
Said manager Frank Espinoza, “This is a great opportunity for Alex. He’s had a terrific camp, working with Fernando and Hugo really helped him. When I met with him today, he was very confident, Hasegawa is a great fighter, but Alex is coming to win.
I know it’s difficult for many fighters to feel comfortable fighting so far away from home. But Alex does not seem phased by that. Once the bell rings, he said it’s just the same as the other fights.”
Valdez, currently world ranked #2 by the World Boxing Council, is coming off a ten round unanimous decision over Anyetei Laryea on June 20th. Spanning seventeen bouts, he is undefeated in the last four years.
The 27 year old Hasegawa, 24-2 (8KO’s) is coming off a second round knockout of Cristian Faccio on June 12th in Tokyo . Along with the World Boxing Council title, he is currently ranked the #1 bantamweight in the world by ESPN and Ring Magazine. The Japan based Hasegawa has made six championship defenses since winning the title from Veeraphol Sahaprom in April 2005
The Hasegawa/Valdez fight will take place at the Yoyogi First Gym in Tokyo and is promoted by Akihiko Honda and Teiken Promotions.
The ESPINOZA BOXING CLUB was started in 1991 by Los Angeles area businessman Frank Espinoza. Espinoza has earned numerous accolades for his management skills from many boxing newspaper and internet writers.
In 2006, Espinoza was awarded the Manager of the Year award from the World Boxing Hall of Fame and inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame.
In the September 2008 issue of Ring Magazine, Espinoza was praised for his outstanding handling of the career of junior featherweight world champion and “Pound for Pound” superstar Israel “EL MAGNIFICO” Vazquez.
Vazquez is currently ranked on numerous Pound for Pound lists including # 4 by Yahoo Sports, # 5 by Ring Magazine and # 7 by ESPN.
Espinoza also has managed former world champions Martin “EL GALLITO” Castillo, Enrique “EL Zurdo de Oro” Sanchez and Isidro Garcia. He currently manages world ranked Alex Valdez and Miguel “EL ANESTESISTA” Huerta in addition to undefeated prospects Manuel “SUAVECITO” Roman, Jesus “POLLO” Hernandez, Luis Ramos, Carlos Molina, Abraham Lopez and Ronny Rios.
UNBEATEN FLYWEIGHTS RAUL MARTINEZ, VICTOR PROA TOP NOV. 14 FIGHT CARD AT PHILADELPHIA’S NEW ALHAMBRA
Philadelphia, PA—A pair of undefeated super flyweights, Raul Martinez, of San Antonio, TX, and Victor Proa, of Monterrey, Mexico, meet in the scheduled 10-round main event Friday evening, Nov. 14, at the New Alhambra, Swanson & Ritner Streets, next to Forman Mills, in South Philadelphia. First of eight fights at 7.30 p.m.
The Martinez-Proa contest, as well as the 10-round welterweight semifinal between Alex Camacho, of Austin, TX, and Edvan Barros, of Bahia, Brazil, will be televised live by Telefutura/Univision as part of a two-hour Solo Boxeo broadcast beginning at 8pm EST.
Martinez, 26, is ranked among the best super flyweights (115 pounds) in the world by all major ratings organizations. His 23-0 record includes 13 knockouts.
In his last fight July 25 at the Table Mountain Casino in Friant, CA, Martinez earned a 12-round decision over Isidro Garcia, of Los Angeles, CA.
Proa, 23, is on the verge of a world ranking, boasting a 26-0-2 record with 19 K0s.
In his last fight Sept. 25 in Monterrey, Proa earned a repeat win over Arturo Estrada, of Tampico, Mexico, via=2 010-round decision.
Camacho, 27, is 16-1, 15 K0s, losing only to slick lefty Terrance Cauthen, of Trenton, NJ, in his last fight July 16 in San Antonio. Camacho chased the elusive Cauthen all night, but could not catch him. He won’t have to go looking for Barros, now living in Boca Raton, FL.
Barros, 27, is 9-5-1, 7 K0s, and he dropped a 10-round decision to former WBA welterweight champion Luis Collazo, of Queens, NY, in his last fight Jan. 19 in Madison Square Garden.
The show is being promoted by Top Rank, Inc., in association with Peltz Boxing Promotions and Joe Hand Promotions.
Five preliminary fights, including an eight-rounder featuring unbeaten super bantamweight Teon Kennedy, of Philadelphia, complete the card.
Tickets priced at $65, $55 and $40 are on sale at Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) or by going online at www.peltzboxing.com.