Boxing News: Golden Boy Promotes in Puerto Rico

LOS ANGELES (September 26, 2005) – The island of Puerto Rico is rich in boxing history, with the names Trinidad, Gomez, Benitez, Ortiz and Torres recognizable to many fight fans.

With such a storied legacy in mind, on Friday, October 21st, Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions proudly presents its first show at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, eager to do its part to add to the island’s boxing history.

“When you mention Puerto Rico to a boxing fan, visions of great fights and fighters immediately appear,” said Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya, who now makes his home in Puerto Rico. “On October 21st, we hope to live up to the high standards of boxing on the island by bringing eight competitive and action-packed fights to these great fans.”

“BATALLA EN EL COLISEO” or “Battle at The Coliseum” will be televised live on Telefutura’s Solo Boxeo at 9pm ET/PT.

In the “BATALLA EN EL COLISEO” main event, hard-hitting Wilfredo “Papin” Negron (25-8, 19 KOs) of Toa Alta, Puerto Rico, will face Guadalajara, Mexico’s Juan Carlos “El Camello” Rodriguez (50-20-2, 34 KOs) in a 12-round bout for the WBA Fedecentro junior welterweight championship.

The co-feature on October 21st will pit Los Mochis, Mexico’s Jose Luis “Mapachito” Soto-Karass (19-9, 17 KOs) against Vega Baja, Puerto Rico’s unbeaten Roman “Rocky” Martinez (11-0-1, 7 KOs) in a super featherweight matchup scheduled for 10 rounds.

Also featured on the card will be rising Puerto Rican star Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo (6-0, 3 KOs), who faces a to be announced opponent in a six round junior featherweight bout.

Wilfredo Negron is one of Puerto Rico’s most popular fighters due to his tendency to think knockout from bell to bell. An 11-year veteran of the ring, “Papin” is currently riding a three fight winning streak that includes wins over quality opposition like Arturo Morua, Marteze Logan, and Arturo Urena. His opponent on October 21st, Juan Carlos Rodriguez, is the current Mexican National Champion and is also in his 17th year as a professional. In his last bout, on July 29, he outpointed Saul Duran over 10 rounds.

Hard-hitting Jose Luis Soto-Karass is an entertaining fighter willing to battle anyone at anytime. A 26-year-old who has been in the ring with world-class standouts Kid Diamond, Mike Anchondo and Urbano Antillon, Soto-Karass wants to give his opponent a rude welcome to the big time on October 21st. Unbeaten Roman Martinez, the 2004 Puerto Rico Boxing Commission Prospect of The Year, should be up to the challenge however, as he is a two-fisted puncher with a champion’s heart, who has shown rapid improvement since his pro debut in 2001.

Vega Alta’s Jonathan Oquendo, Golden Boy’s first Puerto Rican signee, has impressed boxing insiders with his fast hands and veteran’s instincts in the ring. Since signing with Golden Boy, Oquendo has dazzled audiences with wins over Tim Carrizales and Elvis Martinez.

An exciting undercard will be announced shortly.

The first bout of the eight bout card begins at 7:30pm.

Tickets for “BATALLA EN EL COLISEO”, priced from $20 to $75, are on sale now, and can be purchased by calling 1-877-COLISEO or by visiting www.coliseodepuertorico.comor www.ticketpop.com.