During a press conference at Embassy Suites, San Juan Hotel & Casino, Universal Promotions announced the upcoming pro boxing event “Night of Champions”, to be held on Friday, August 31st, 2012, at the Guillermo Angulo Coliseum in Carolina, Puerto Rico.
“We feel very proud about holding this great event in Carolina, and that we will have the opportunity to see these new and developing prospects in action. On August 31st, we will see 12 very exciting fights”, said Javier Bustillo, President of Universal Promotions.
Hometown favorite Thomas Dulorme (15-0, 12 KOs), will be headlining the event against Colombian Iván Hernández (29-3, 23 KOs), in a bout set for 10 rounds at 147 lbs.
“I’ve always wanted to fight in my hometown of Carolina and it’s an honor to be able to accomplish that dream. On that day, expect a great show, I will be doing what i do best, what I love, what runs through my veins, and I know the other boxers will do the same”, said the 22 year old Dulorme.
He is currently ranked #3 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and the World Boxing Association (WBA), and #13 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO). His already accomplished boxing career includes victories over former world champion DeMarcus Corley, former world championship contender Charlie Navarro, and recently (June) over the experienced Alberto Herrera in New York.
Co-featuring the event will be Cidra native José ‘Sniper’ Pedraza (9-0, 6 KO), who will be facing José Valderrama (4-1, 2 KO) from Arecibo, in a 130 lbs. fight set for 8 rounds.
Valderrama’s only defeat was against Kelvin Galarza in an exciting and close match.
“I already want the 31st of August to arrive. I’m still a bit used to amateur boxing, where one would fight more frequently. I’m exited that we’re fighting in Carolina. Our preparation has gone very well, and we’re glad to be advancing in the sport of boxing”, said Pedraza.
Pedraza’s amateur career is considered one of the greatest in Puerto Rico’s history. He had 160 wins and 16 defeats. He won gold medals in the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, in the Copa Romana Tournament in Dominican Republic, and in the qualification tournaments held in Guatemala for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He also won a silver medal in Italy’s “World Championship” in 2010.
Dulorme and Pedraza are part of “Team Puerto Rico”, a collaboration between Gary Shaw Productions, DiBella Entertainment and Universal Promotions with the purpose of gathering the best talent in Puerto Rico.
Also very anticipated is the fight between Fernando Torres (17-3, 10 KOs) and Samuel ‘Sammito’ Santana (5-6-2), which is set 6 rounds at 140 lbs.
“This fight is set for 6 rounds, but for Fernando it will seem like 12. It’s gonna be a long night. I already defeated one of Universal’s prospects, and I’m looking for the second one. And this one, I don’t like very much” said Santana, who is just coming off a win over Joshua ‘El Macho’ Santiago (7-1, 6 KOs) by split decision. Torres, on the other hand, is coming off a defeat against Abner Cotto in a very exciting fight in October 2011.
“I’m not here to be liked by anyone. I know Santana is a touch fighter, but I know I have the potentiol to win this fight. I’m giving it 100%, and we’re definitely going to light up that ring”, said Torres.
Other boxers participating will be Miguel “El Gallo” Marrero (5-0, 2 KOs), a young 130 lbs. prospect that has been part of Puerto Rico’s nation team; Carlos ‘Kid’ Nárvaez (4-0, 4 KOs – 115lbs), who was 118-18 during his amateur career at the 106, 112 and 119 lbs. divisions; Héctor Omar Cervantes (10-0, 7 KO – 168lbs); Emanuel ‘Manny’ Rodríguez (2-0, 2 KOs); Luis ‘Yeyé’ Rodríguez (1-0, 1 KO – 140lbs); debuting will be Emmanuel ‘Pirata’ De Jesús (154lbs) Víctor ‘Picu’ Pérez (140 lbs); also, Dibella Entertainment’s Steven Martinez (12-1, 10 KOs), among others.
First fight is set to start at 7:00pm. Tickets priced $20, $38, $53 are available through Ticket Center (www.tcpr.com), or by calling 787.792.5000.
