First Annual Puerto Rican Boxing Classic

PUERTO RICAN BOXING CLASSIC SET FOR FRIDAY, OCT. 2,

AT 2300 ARENA IN PHILADELPHIA

Philadelphia, PA-The first annual Puerto Rican Boxing Classic, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 2, at the 2300 Arena, will serve not only as a prelude to Philadelphia’s annual Puerto Rican Day Parade on Oct.4, but also as a tribute to all great Puerto Rican fighters, past and present.

It is fitting to do this in Philadelphia since the city boasts the third-largest population of Puerto Ricans in the United States.

The seven-bout fight card figures to attract a sold-out crowd.

From bantamweight Sixto Escobar, who became the first Puerto Rican world champion in 1935, to current title-holder Danny Garcia, of Philadelphia, Puerto Ricans have had a long and storied history in boxing.

Among those area fighters looking to display their talents on the Oct. 2 card are local Puerto Rican fighters from Philadelphia and New Jersey. Many of them bring a loyal following to their fights.

Already committed to the show are lightweight Victor Vasquez (19-9-1, 9 K0s) and junior welterweight David Gonzales (5-0-2, 1K0), both of Philadelphia. Also set is junior middleweight Ismael “Tito” Garcia (8-0-1, 4 K0s), of Vineland, NJ.

In addition, invitations to attend and sign autographs will be sent to outstanding Puerto Rican fighters up and down the East Coast.

First fight is 7 pm.

About Oct. 2

The first annual Puerto Rican Boxing Classic, featuring seven bouts, begins at 7pm at the 2300 Arena at 2300 South Swanson Street in South Philadelphia. Doors open at 6 pm. The Oct. 2 event is being sponsored by, Parx Casino, DonQ Rum and Cricket Wireless. The card will be streamed live by www.gofightlive.tv and on a delayed basis by Comcast SportsNet. Tickets are $50 and $75 and can be purchased by calling Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) and Wanamaker’s Tickets (215-568-2400). Tickets also can be purchased online at www.peltzboxing.com and www.wanatix.com. The Oct. 2 card is promoted by Peltz Boxing, Joe Hand Promotions and BAM Boxing.

About Oct. 4

The Puerto Rican Day Parade is the Crown Jewel of the Puerto Rican Festival every year in Philadelphia. It is a showcase of Puerto Rican and Latin culture. The Parade begins Sunday morning, Oct. 4, at the Eakins Oval in center city and continues throughout the day along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway with music, concerts and vendors selling their wares. City officials expect more than 5,000 people to attend. The Parade, one of the first of its kind to be televised, will be aired on ABC-TV locally and on Univision nationally.

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