Bethlehem, PA-When Gabriel Rosado learned he was fighting Sechew Powell instead of Joel Julio on June 1, he and trainer Billy Briscoe booked themselves a trip to California for three weeks of training at Freddie Roach’s famed Wild Card gym in Hollywood. “It’s just what I needed,” said Rosado, who meets Powell for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Junior Middleweight Title at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem over 12 rounds, or less..
“At first I wasn’t crazy about fighting a lefty, but the junior middleweight division is full of them so it all turned out for the better. I’m talking about Paul Williams, James Kirkland, Erislandy Lara. These are guys I need to get in there with so fighting Sechew Powell is another step down that road. I’m getting plenty of good work at the Wild Card and I feel good and I’m looking forward to proving myself again. I know a lot of people are skeptical, saying that the last guy I beat (Jesus Soto-Karass) was made to order for me. We’ll see if they right or wrong after June 1.”
The 26-year-old Philadelphian made a career statement Jan. 21 when he tore though Soto-Karass en route to a fifth-round knockout victory at the Asylum Arena in Philadelphia.
Rosado, who turned pro in 2006 after only 17 amateur fights, has a 19-5 record as a pro with 11 knockouts. He has won his last five fights and he is ranked No. 5 in the world by the IBF, No. 9 by the WBC.
The 32-year-old Powell (right), of Brooklyn, NY, turned pro in 2002 and is 26-4, 15 K0s. He is ranked No. 9 by the IBF, and comes into this fight off a 12-round points defeat Jan. 28 to former world champion Cory Spinks in a elimination bout in Springfield, MO, for the No. 1 slot in the IBF world rankings.
Prior that that, Powell had challenged one-time knockout victim Cornelius Bundrage, of Detroit, MI, for the IBF world title, losing that one also by 12-round decision June 25, 2010, in St. Charles, MO.
Powell has beaten Ishe Smith, of Las Vegas, NV, and Terrance Cauthen, of Trenton, NJ, and he split in two fights with Deandre Latimore, of St. Louis, MO. Latimore is the only man to have stopped Powell, but Powell avenged himself in the rematch, winning on points.
The co-feature, also scheduled for 12 rounds, features Ronald Cruz, of Bethlehem, against Prenice Brewer, of Cleveland, OH, for the vacant WBC Continental Americas welterweight title. Cruz is 16-0, 12 K0s; Brewer is 16-1-1, 6 K0s.
Five additional bouts complete the card.
FLORIANO PAGLIARA CONTINUES HIS AMERICAN DREAM ON JUNE 14TH IN NEW YORK CITY
NEW YORK (May 23, 2012)-On Thursday night June 14th at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City, Floriano “L’Italiano” Pagliara will return to the squared circle when he takes part on the Lou DiBella’s Popular Broadway Boxing Television Series
Pagliara who has a record of 12-4-1 with seven knockouts will be continuing on his quest to live the American dream as the import from Cecine, Italy will be making his second New York City appearance over the past three months
For this bout, the popular IBF Mediterranean Super Featherweight Champion has set up training in the Aqua Villiage Water Park in his hometown of Cecine Italy near the Livornese coast.
Pagliara has become a major draw in the New York area as he quickly made an impression on the many Italian fans in the “Little Italy” sections of the city including the Williamsburgh Brooklyn neighborhood and on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx
L”Italiano as he is referred to in America could have stayed in Italy and been very successful as he is a very popular attraction in the Tuscan resort coastal town where he routinely draws 3,000 plus fans for his bouts.
“People are just drawn to Floriano, he is very approachable and a pleasure to work with said Rich Komissar, Pagliara’s American sponsor and matchmaker at RKO Boxing. “He works hard and promotes himself well. We had an overflow of people outside BB Kings looking for tickets to his fight on March 7th. The place was sold out more than a week in advance. Even Floriano was surprised” added Komissar. We are getting hit every day by more and more people looking to know when his next fight is”
Another reason for Floriano’s popularity is that he gets involved in community issues. He is a member of the Ring 8 NY Veteran Boxers Association which provides help to retired boxers. Floriano is hoping to become the official liaison to the retired Italian American fighters in the New York area. “Floriano cares as much as he works” said Tommy Gallagher, the veteran boxing trainer from New York who also is one of the directors on the board for Ring8 NY
Additionally Pagliara has recently become involved with the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation. Cooley’s Anemia is a blood disorder that mostly affects children with Mediterranean heritage. Children afflicted with Cooley’s Anemia or Thalassemia are not expected to live much past their teen years. The mission of the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation is to help in advancing the treatment and cure for this fatal blood disease. Floriano, with the help of local businessman and organization member Paul Tucci is hoping to become more involved with the Long Island Fund Raising Chapter. (www.thalassemia.com)
“The DiBella goup has seen the potential and the fan base that Floriano brings and as he continues to appear on Broadway Boxing, there are discussions for Floriano’s fights to be syndicated back in Italy.”
Tickets are priced at $125, $85, $65 and $45, with a limited number of VIP tables available for purchase as well. VIP Tickets are priced at $150, and there are four seats to a table. Tickets can be purchased by calling RKO Boxing at 908-240-2097 or DiBella Entertainment at 212-947-2577. Call soon as tickets are already going fast and a third consecutive sellout for the Broadway Boxing series is expected
Summer Super Brawl FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012
Atlantic City, NJ (May 23, 2012)– Dee Lee Promotions, LLC. in association with the Tropicana Casino and Resort presents hard hitting Dennis “The Assassin” Hasson (13-0-0/5 ko’s) vs George “The Rooster” Armenta (14-8-0/11 ko’s) in a 10 round super middleweight “Summer Super Brawl” on Friday, June 1, 2012. This 10 Round main event is part of Atlantic City’s first ever Multi-Cultural Heritage Festival which includes an All Star Boxing Legends Gala the following night. With legendary names like Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and “Joltin” Jeff Chandler floating around town, Mr. Hasson will have the perfect setting to show case his crowd pleasing brawling boxing skills. Mr. Hasson better not underestimate the hard hitting Mr. Armenta or he could find himself on the wrong end of a big right hand. Mr. Armenta has 11 ko’s in his 14 victories so anything can happen!!
The 8 round co-main event on this “Summer Super Brawl” fight card features Philadelphia’s super bantamweight “Pretty Boy” Coy Evans (10-1-1/2 ko’s). Mr. Evans has shown a lot of early promise and his skills have been steadily sharpened but finding quality opponents in that weight class will be a real challenge for matchmaker Nick Tiberi. There will also be an all time show stopping WIBC 3 minute -10 round Title Fight featuring Lisa Noel Garland (9-6-0/5 ko’s) of York, SC vs Kita Watkins (7-8-0/1 ko’s) of Camden, AR . This will surely be an amazing fight, so do not miss it!!
The exciting undercard will be filled with action packed fighters led by heavyweight Joey “The Polish Thunder” Dawejko (6-0-1/2 ko’s) vs. Edwin Ranquillo (2-1/1 ko’s). At 5’10 – 235 pounds, the 21 year old Mr. Dawejko presents big problems for any opponent and any ring looks small when he steps through the ropes, however do not be so quick to judge this fight. Even though it appears Mr. Ranquillo does not have the ring experience, he does have the experience of serving our country. This card also sees the return of light heavyweight Frankie “The Freight Train” Filippone (9-2-0/2 ko’s) vs Keandre Leatherwood (9-1-0/6 ko’s). With such close records, both men are hungry to pick up another “W” at the Trop no matter what it takes!!!
The remainder of this very promising undercard features Isiah Seldon (6-0-0/3 ko’s) vs Lekan Byfield (2-1), with Big Dog Mr. Seldon in town Isiah will be sure to put on a good show! Saud “Kid Grady” Clark vs Flavio Augusto Reyes both making their Pro-Debut’s, Anthony “The Bull” Smith (13-0/10 ko’s), Delaware’s Mike Tiberi (19-1-0/7 ko’s), Two young local fighters, Atlantic City Native super middleweight Antwyan Aikens (4-0-0/1 ko’s) vs Kenneth Schmitz (2-1/1 ko’s) and Millville featherweight Joshua Reyes (1-0-0) vs David Rogriquez (0-1) round out this entertaining fight card.
Doors open at 7:00 p.m., with the first bout slated for 8:00 p.m. Tickets are priced at $40, $55, $65 and $100 and can be purchased at the Tropicana Box Office, by calling Ticketmaster at 1.800.745.3000 or Dee Lee Promotions, LLC. at 856.692.1206.