Top Rank Signs Zappavigna; Diego Magdaleno To Fight Gonzalez

WORLD-RATED LENNY ZAPPAVIGNA SIGNS WITH TOP RANK

Las Vegas – World-ranked junior welterweight Leonard ‘Lenny’ Zappavigna of New South Wales, Australia, has signed with Top Rank. Lenny has a record of 33-2, 23 KOs and is ranked IBF 6, WBO 8. Lenny has trained the last few weeks in Southern California gyms including the world famous Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California.

It is a major signing and Lenny said he thrilled to be with Top Rank.

“I am ready for the big fights against the top fighters,” said Lenny. “While growing up in Australia I played some soccer and did karate. Then, as a teenager I got into boxing and have been devoted to the sport since then. Training at Wild Card is incredible. I have had a lot of sparring with some ofthe best fighters in the world.”

Lenny is managed by Michael Altamura and Cameron Dunkin. Cameron has a number of world champions and top contenders with Top Rank.

“I really believe in Zappa,” Dunkin said. “He has grown as a fighter and in my opinion he will be a world champion in the near future.”

Altamura said “this is a very exciting opportunity for Lenny and the one I believe he has earned over the last few years. He’s matured a lot and I’m confident he has the tools to shock the top 140 pounders in the world.

“Expect to see an all-action, a real throwback fighter when Lenny Zappa is inside the ropes,” Altamura said.

At 27, Lenny is a former Australian lightweight champion with three title defenses. He has a high-pressure style and has won eight fights in a row, six by knockout.”

DIEGO MAGDALENO VS. JOSE “CHELO” GONZALEZ

12-ROUND LIGHTWEIGHT RUMBLE

ADDED AS CO-MAIN EVENT ON

“THE METROPCS FRIDAY NIGHT KNOCKOUT ON truTV®“

Friday, June 26, at 10 P.M. ET

Live From State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas

HIDALGO, TX (May 29, 2015) — One-time world title challengers DIEGO MAGDALENO and JOSE “Chelo” GONZALEZ will battle each other in a 12-round lightweight bout in the co-main event of an all-action card headlined by the GILBERTO “Zurdo” RAMIREZ – DERECK “The Black Lion” EDWARDS 12-round World Boxing Organization (WBO) International super middleweight title fight on Friday, June 26, at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, TX. Both fights will be televised live on The MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout on truTV® at 10:00 p.m. ET. The live boxing series is presented by truTV and Top Rank®, and produced in association with HBO Sports®. Find truTV on YOUR TV: http://trutvishere.com/

The four warriors boast a combined record of 109-6-1 (68 KOs), a winning ratio of 94% with nearly two-thirds of those victories coming by way of knockout.

“Diego and Chelo have had chances at the brass ring before — each getting world title shots — and both came up a little short. This is their best chance to return for a second title shot. They know what’s at stake and they will make the most of this opportunity,” said Carl Moretti, vice president of Top Rank. ”

Promoted by Top Rank and Zapari Boxing Promotions, in association with Nord Boxing Promotions, Zanfer Promotions and PR Best Boxing, remaining tickets to the Ramirez-Edwards/Magdaleno-Gonzalez boxing event, priced at $35, $25, $15, plus VIP tables of ten (10) at $800, $650 and $550, can be purchased at the State Farm Arena box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (956) 843-6688.

Magdaleno (27-1, 11 KOs), from Las Vegas, NV, won his first 23 bouts as a professional to become the WBO’s No. 1 junior lightweight contender and earning a world title shot against defending WBO world lightweight champion Rocky Martinez in 2013. Unfortunately Magdaleno ended up on the wrong side of a split decision loss but that decision only made him hungrier for another shot at the title. Trained by Joel Diaz in Palm Springs, Calif., where he works with former two-division world champion Timothy Bradley, the former NABF super featherweight champion returns to the ring riding a four-bout winning streak as a lightweight and world-rated No. 6 by the World Boxing Association (WBA) and the WBO

Gonzalez (24-1, 19 KOs), from Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, won his first 22 bouts as a professional with 17 of those victories coming by way of knockout, en route to becoming the WBO’s No. 1 lightweight contender and earning his world title shot against defending WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns in 2013. Leading on all three scorecards, Gonzalez was forced to retire after the ninth round due to a wrist injury. He returns to the ring having won his last two bouts — both for the WBO Latino lightweight title — by knockout and world-rated No. 3 by the WBO.

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