Kurt Scoby and Jesus Vasquez Jr. step in last minute in Main Event of Rising Star Promotions April 27th Card at Carteret Performing Arts Center, Live on DAZN

CARTERET, NJ – April 17, 2025 – Rising Star Promotions, in assocation with OTX and DiBella Entertainment, is proud to announce a thrilling new main event for its April 27th boxing showcase at the Carteret Performing Arts Center. Following an unfortunate training injury suffered by Jonathan Montrel, who fractured his hand just weeks ahead of his scheduled bout with Mack Allison IV, Duarte, California’s Kurt Scoby (16-1 14KOs) will step in on short notice to face Jesus Vasquez Jr. (11-3 3KOs) of Englewood, Colorado  streaming live and exclusively on DAZN.

The revised main event underscores the resilience and agility of the sport, and the unshakable commitment of all parties involved to deliver quality action for fight fans.

The new main event came together thanks to behind-the-scenes effort between Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna’s Rising Star Promotions, OTX, and Lou DiBella’s DiBella Entertainment. The cross-promotional collaboration was crucial in securing a replacement bout of such high caliber on such short notice.

“This is what boxing is all about, staying ready, stepping up, and putting on a show,” said Thomas LaManna, President of Rising Star Promotions. “We didn’t want to let the fans and our partners at DAZN down, and thanks to the willingness of Kurt Scoby and Jesus Vasquez Jr., as well as the strong working relationships we have with DiBella Entertainment and OTX, we were able to pivot and upgrade and save this card in a matter of days.”

The April 27th event, originally anchored by the now-canceled Montrel vs. Allison IV bout, remains a highly anticipated fight night. With Scoby vs. Vasquez Jr. headlining, fans can expect fireworks from the opening bell in a matchup that now carries even more intrigue and narrative depth.

“I’m beyond grateful to my team and everyone behind the scenes for getting me back in the ring so quickly,” said Scoby. “I’ve got big goals this year, and this fight is perfect as we prepare for the matchup everyone’s talking about with Giovanni Marquez. But first things first, Jesus Vasquez Jr. is tough and talented, and I’m coming to make a statement on April 27.”

The Co-Main event is a high-stakes clash of unbeatens, as former Canadian amateur standout Thomas Blumenfeld (8-0, 7 KOs) puts his perfect record on the line against Miami’s hard-hitting Christopher Rodriguez (13-0-1, 11 KOs) in an eight-round junior welterweight showdown. 

Complete Undercard

6 ROUNDS

Newly crowned WBA, IBF and Ring Magazine Welterweight Champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis proteges Ismail Muhammad (7-0 4KOs) vs Jose Edgardo Perdomo (6-5 3KOs) of Uruguay and Dennis Thompson (5-0 3KOs) vs Rafael Castillo (2-5 1KO) of The Bronx, New York. 
 

Rising Star Promotions own Gabriel Gerena (7-1 6KOs) of Piscataway, New Jersey continues his comeback in a Jr. Welterweight bout against an opponent to be announced.
 

4 ROUNDS

DKO Boxing’s Jr. Welterweight Julio Sanchez III (1-0) takes on Andrew Toppin (0-3) of Gretna, Louisiana and Heavyweight Bruce Seldon Jr. (5-0 4KOs) takes on Erick Prieto (3-4 2KOs) of San Antonio, Texas.

Bloomingdale, New Jersey’s Kirc Bargamento will make his Professional Debut in a Lightweight bout against Arkansas’ Freddie Adams (0-2).

Cruiserweight Jersey City’s Bernard Gardner aka “Rex Presidental” makes his long anticipated Professional Debut taking on DeJon Farrell-Francis (1-3) of nearby Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Yonkers, New York Michael Boyle (1-0 1KO) takes on Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s Jarell Sanders (1-3 1KO) in Cruiserweight Bout. 

Elvina White (5-1 2KOs) of Los Angeles, California kicks off the night in a Lightweight bout with Brittany Ordonez (5-5-3 1KOs) of San Antonio, Texas.