(New York, NY – March 24, 2010) When Joelo Torres steps in the ring on March 31, as part of DiBella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing, he will be following the lead of the some of the greatest Puerto Rican pugilists to come before him. He will be performing in New York City, home to one of the nation’s largest Puerto Rican populations..
Torres (11-0-1, 7 KOs) headlines Broadway Boxing from the BB King Blues Club & Grill in the heart of Times Square, battling Leo Martinez (14-12, 6 KOs) of Chicago. Also featured on the show are fellow unbeaten prospects: heavyweight Tor Hamer (10-0, 8 KOs), light welterweight Gabriel Bracero (8-0), middleweight Denis Douglin (7-0, 3 KOs), and middleweight Aleem Whitfield (2-0, 2 KOs). Less than 50 tickets remain for what promises to be a memorable night of action.
From Wilfredo Benitez to Wilfredo Gomez, Jose Torres to Felix Trinidad, the greatest Puerto Rican boxers have all plied their trade in New York City, fighting in front of raucous crowds that rival any on their home island. It’s not a fact lost on Joelo Torres, who hopes to build a similar fan base fighting regularly in the city that never sleeps.
“I’m very happy, excited, and motivated to be on this stage,” said Torres. “I am ready to give a great spectacle in my second home, where millions of my fellow countrymen live. New York City is the capitol of the world!”
Across the ring from Torres will be Martinez, who lacks a gaudy record, but has plenty of fighting spirit. Martinez holds a win over former world champion Eric Aiken, and was impressive in his last fight: a four round decision win over Oscar De La Cruz in April, 2009.
Torres, however, has been on a roll since suffering the lone setback of his career, when he fought to a draw with veteran contender Chris Fernandez in 2008. In his two bouts since, Torres has fought a total of two rounds, including a first round stoppage over the typically durable Washington Hago in front of a vocal BB King crowd in his last outing.
Against Martinez he plans to ride the hot streak, even if the knockout doesn’t come as quickly as his fans have been getting accustomed to.
“I’ve worked very hard to make sure we are prepared for anything that [Martinez] brings,” said Torres. “I will be looking for the KO but I am prepared to go 8 solid rounds.”
Promoter Lou DiBella is confident in his charge, and confident that if Torres continues to impress in front of the New York City fight fans, it won’t be long until he becomes the next Puerto Rican superstar to firmly establish himself in the Big Apple.
“Joelo has not only the look, but the skills and pedigree to back it up,” said DiBella. “Each time he fights, more and more fans show up to cheer him on. It seems like only a matter of time before he becomes the next great attraction of Puerto Rican descent in our sport.”
Torres understands the heavy expectations, but embraces them with open arms. While he remains focused on his fight next Wednesday, he also keeps an eye toward the future, and what lies ahead as he continues to pile up the wins.
“I will show my fans,” said Torres. “That the Island of Puerto Rico will soon have another world champion and his name is Joelo Torres!”
Tickets to Broadway Boxing are available by calling DiBella Entertainment at 212-947-2577. Tickets are $55 for General Admission, $75 for Floor Seats, and $125 for VIP Ringside tickets. However, only floor seats remain for this nearly sold out event. Additional information can be found by visiting DiBella Entertainment on the web at www.dbe1.com
Jones vs. Munoz for two titles April 17
Atlantic City, NJ—Unbeaten Mike Jones, of Philadelphia, PA, and Hector Munoz, of Albuquerque, NM, will be fighting for two championship belts when they collide in a scheduled 10-round welterweight contest on Saturday evening, April 17, at in the 10,000-seat Boardwalk Hall.
Not only will Jones’ North American Boxing Association (NABA) title be at stake, but the North American Boxing Organization (NABO) also will recognize the winner as its champion. The NABO championship currently is vacant.
In the scheduled 12-round main event, to be televised by HBO, Kelly Pavlik, of Youngstown, OH, defends his WBC/WBO middleweight titles against Sergio Martinez, of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Jones, 26, scored the biggest win of his career Feb. 27 when he earned a unanimous 10-round decision over former world-title challenger Henry Bruseles, of Gurabo, Puerto Rico, in front of a standing-room-only crowd in the Grand Ballroom of Bally’s Atlantic City.
A pro since 2005, Jones is 20-0, 16 K0s. He is ranked No. 8 by the World Boxing Association (WBA), No. 10 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF), No. 16 by the World Boxing Organization (No. 11) and No. 17 by the World Boxing Council (WBC).
Munoz, 31, has a record of 18-2-1, 11 K0s. In his last fight Oct. 4, 2008, Munoz was stopped in the 12th round by undefeated top contender (No. 3 WBA, No. 2 WBO) Antonin Decarie, of Montreal, Canada. The loss to Decarie was for the NABO 147-pound title, then held by Decarie.
Tickets for this blockbuster card are priced at $50, $100, $200 and $350. They are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions (215-765-0922) and all Ticketmaster outlets (1-800-745-3000). Tickets also can be purchased online at www.peltzboxing.com and www.Ticketmaster.com.
Huck to defend WBO Cruiserweight Title against Minto on May 1
Marco “Captain” Huck (28-1, 21 KOs) will return to the ring on May 1 when he defends his WBO Cruiserweight Title against Brian “The Beast” Minto (34-3, 21 KOs) in Oldenburg. Huck comes off a spectacular third-round TKO victory over Adam Richards in Berlin. He is currently in the Unites States and will attend King Arthur Abraham´s Super Six World Boxing Classic clash with Andre Dirrell in Detroit this Saturday. “After taking care of business against Richards, I am not looking to put aside Minto,” Huck said. “He is a strong guy but there is no way he will defeat me.”
Huck boasts a fearsome KO ratio of 75 percent. “Minto is tough, so I will be prepared for 12 hard rounds, but everybody knows that I love to please my fans and give them a knock-out win,” he added. “It is my goal to beat him clearly.”
Minto came to fame in Germany when he spoiled former heavyweight contender Axel Schulz´ hyped comeback with a sixth-round TKO victory in October 2006.