PHILADELPHIA–Heavyweight Darmani Rock remained undefeated after Maurenzo Smith retired on his stool after round two of their scheduled eight-round heavyweight bout at The Met Philadelphia.

The bout headlined an eight-bout card that was promoted by Hard Hitting Promotions and Live Nation.

Rock dominated the abbreviated bout by using his quick jab, and in round two started mixing in some hard right hands. Smith never seemed to be in serious trouble but for some reason pulled the plug on the bout following the 2nd frame.

Rock of Philadelphia is now 17-0 with 12 knockouts. Smith of Houston is 21-12-4.

Jeremy Cuevas stopped Rondale Hubbert in round four of their scheduled six-round super lightweight bout.

In round three, Cuevas whacked Hubbert with a huge left that sent him to the canvas. Seconds later, it was a booming left that sent Hubbert down a second time. Hubbert was sent to the deck again in the round with a left to the body.

Cuevas ended thing with another body shot in the 4th frame that put Hubbert down again, and referee Benjy Esteves stopped the bout at 1:46.

Cuevas of Philadelphia is now 12-1 with nine knockouts. Hubbert of Minneapolis, MN is 13-10,

Gadwin Rosa stopped Danny Flores in round two of their scheduled six-round super featherweight bout.

Rosa landed hard head and body shots until referee Eric Dali stopped the fight at 1:10.

Rosa of Ocala, FL is 11-1 with nine knockouts. Flores of Mexico City is 15-18.

Christian Tapia remained perfect by stopping Jorge Santos in round two of a six-round super featherweight contest.

Tapia dropped Santos with a thudding left hook to the body for which Santos could not beat the 10-count at 1:56.

Tapia of Coamo, PR is 10-o with nine knockouts. Santos of Monterrey, MEX is 7-9.

Benjamin Sinakin stopped Ferris Golden in round three of a scheduled four-round light heavyweight bout.

Sinakin battered Golden in the 3rd frame until the fight was stopped at 1:43.

Sinakin of Philadelphia is 5-0 with three knockouts. Golden of Findley, Ohio is 1-1.

In an action filled round, Jan Carlos Rivera stopped Ricardo Escaeda in their four-round welterweight bout.

After a furious exchange to begin the bout, Rivera floored Escaeda with a thunderous left hand.. Moments later, it was a crushing left to the head that sent Escaeda down on his back, and the fight was stopped at 1:43.

Rivera of Philadelphia is 4-0 with four knockouts. Escaeda of Monterrey, Mexico 4-17-1.

Alejandro Jimenez remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Jerrod Minor in a bantamweight fight.

Jimenez of New Hope, PA won by scores of 40-36 and 39-37 twice, and is now 5-0-1. Minor of Philadelphia is 1-8-2.

Saleem Kelly remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Jordan Rosario in a welterweight contest.

Kelly, 148 3/4 lbs of Cliffwood, NJ won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is now 2-0. Rosario, 146 3/4 lbs of Jersey City, NJ is 3-10.

PHILADELPHIA–Victor Ruiz stunned a sold out 2300 Arena crowd with one perfect left hand as he stopped hometown favorite Christian Carto in round two of their scheduled eight-round bantamweight fight.

Ruiz landed a perfect left hand that sent the back of Carto’s head thumping off the canvas. Carto’s leg momentarily quivered and the bout was immediately halted at 1:56.

Carto was removed from the arena on a stretcher.

Ruiz, 115.5 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 23-10-1 with 16 knockouts. Carto, 118.6 lbs of Philadelphia is 17-1.

Marcel Rivers won a six-round unanimous decision over Derrick Whitley in a battle of undefeated welterweights.

Rivers, 144.7 lbs of Philadelphia won by scores of 58-56 on all cards and is now 7-0. Whitley, 148.3 lbs of Springfield, MA is 4-1-1.

Alejandro Jimenez and Edgar Cortes battled to a six-round split draw in a bantamweight contest.

Each fighter took a card a card 58-56 while a 3rd card read even at 57-57.

Jimenez, 119.2 lbs of New Hope, PA is 4-0-1. Cortes, 119.5 lbs of Vineland, NJ is 6-4-1.

Darmani Rock stopped Steven Lyons in round four of their scheduled six-round heavyweight bout.

In round four, Rock opened up with a hard combination to the body that sent Lyons to the canvas in the corner. Lyons sat in the corner until referee Benjy Esteves reached the ten-count at 1:20.

Rock, 273.3 lbs of Philadelphia is 14-0 with nine knockouts. Lyons, 209.7 lbs of Houma, LA is 5-4.

Sonny Conto made a successful pro debut by stopping Jimmie Levins in the 1st round of their scheduled four round haveyweight bout.

Conto seemed to drop Levins four-times in thr opening frame, but for some reason they were all ruled slips. Levins was limping around the ring and upon the 4th time on the canvas, the fight was stopped due to injury at 2:19.

Conto, 215.4 lbs of Philadelphia is 1-0 with one knockout. Levins, 219.2 lbs of Buffalo, NY is 0-5.

Gerardo Martinez won a four-round majority decision over Osnel Charles in a junior welterweight bout.

In round two, Martinez began to bleed from his nose.

Martinez, 136.7 lbs of Coatsviille, PA won by scores of 40-36, 39-37 and 38-38 and is now 4-1. Charles, 140.3 lbof Atlantic City is 12-19-1.

Jonathan Torres won a four-round unanimous decision over Dallas Holden in a bantamweight bout.

Torres, 118.5 lbs of Bethlehem, PA won by shutout scores of 40-36 on all cards, and is now 2-0. Holden, 119.6 lbs of Atlantic City 1-4.

NEW HOPE, PA – Professional boxer Alejandro Jimenez wants to show President Trump just how wrong he is when he says Mexico “is not sending its best” to the United States.

A resident of New Hope for the last 11 years, Jimenez has shown himself to be not only one of Mexico’s best, but also one of America’s best. He came to the USA at the age of 15 and is happy about his decision as he prepares for his next fight, scheduled for six rounds against Edgar Joe Cortes, of Vineland, NJ, on Feb. 8 at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia.

When he steps into the ring that night, Jimenez will be wearing trunks bearing the words of Founding Father Patrick Henry: “Give me liberty, or give me death.” For Jimenez, they are more than just words. He is an inspiration to immigrants throughout Pennsylvania.

While his American counterparts were learning to drive, playing Xbox and studying for exams, 15-year-old Jimenez was standing on the border between Mexico and Arizona, looking out at the expanse of desert ahead. His chest tight, he was frightened and thirsty. He knew the long walk ahead, through the unforgiving terrain of the summer desert might be his demise, as it had been for so many of his countrymen who made the trek. It’s a fear that still feels fresh for Jimenez, 11 years after he began his fateful journey.

“We walked for two days and one night,” Jimenez said. “We had no water, and at one point we had to cross a river. I couldn’t see how deep it was, because the water was brown. I was afraid of being attacked by an animal, and dying in the desert.”

His brothers had sent for him, paying a smuggler, or “coyote,” as they’re called within the Mexican community, to bring him across the border. The future fighter joined seven other migrants and, after several legs–some by foot, some by car, the last by air–joined his brother in New Hope, leaving his hometown of Oaxaca, his parents, and his four sisters in his rear-view, possibly forever.

Jimenez began working and immediately enrolled in South Hunterton High School in Lamberton, NJ. At 16, he walked into the boxing gym adjacent to the restaurant where he was a cook, next door to the historic Bucks County Playhouse. He approached coach Mark Roxey, and asked him to be his full-time coach.

Roxey said no.

“It’s a lifetime investment, financially, physically, and emotionally,” said Roxey. “People ask me all the time and I say no.”

It took Jimenez one month to convince Roxey he was worth the investment. At the time, the duo had no idea how intertwined their lives would become, and that the pair, once strangers, would one day be almost like father and son.

Roxey coached Jimenez through more than 60 amateur fights across Pennsylvania. Because of his immigration status, Jimenez was unable to travel and advance in the tournaments that led to national titles. Lucrative professional contracts were not an option. Instead, he worked as a sparring partner for several state amateur champions, handling himself well. Outside of the gym, they became like family with Jimenez spending holidays with Roxey and Roxey’s wife and three kids.

One year after Jimenez’ arrival in New Hope, the Obama Administration launched the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy, allowing those young adults who had migrated to the United States as children–as Jimenez had–to “come out of the shadows” and apply to stay in the country. It’s an expensive, bureaucratic endeavor. In 2016, Roxey helped the young fighter complete the application and come out of the shadows in the country he’d grown to love as his own.

Jimenez was granted DACA status in November, 2016, but the volatility of the country’s immigration policy remained in the back of the minds of both boxer and trainer. “It’s scary to me,” said Jimenez. “I don’t know what I’ll do if the Trump Administration ends DACA.”

Roxey sees a role for Americans in making sure that doesn’t happen: “As an American and an advocate for “Dreamers” and human rights overall, I feel we have to stand up. We have to stand up for the young people who came here as kids, without necessarily having a say in that decision. They have a chance to become mayors, senators. Alex volunteers and helps out in his community. If the Dreamers can make positive contributions in their communities, if they can add value, they should be able to do so.”

More than just a boxer, Jimenez volunteers at Roxey’s non-profit professional ballet company, is active in his church, and serves as a big brother and mentor in the gym.

Jimenez made his professional boxing debut in March, 2018, winning by knockout in two rounds, and becoming the first professional boxer ever to fight out of New Hope. As was the case in his amateur career, Jimenez has not had it easy as a pro. He won his next three fights by decision, but always in the other guy’s hometown.

His toughest fight is Feb. 8 against Cortes who is 6-4 and has won his last three fights.

“He’s (Cortes) a southpaw and he’s strong,” Jimenez said, “but we’ll be prepared for whatever he brings. We are going to prove that we belong where we’re going. I want to win a world title. To show other Dreamers, other immigrants, what they can achieve if they keep dreaming, and keep working hard.”

Jimenez says his ultimate goal is to be free; free to live in his adopted home, the United States, and free to visit his family in Oaxaca. A dream he has emblazoned on his fight trunks: “Let freedom ring.”

Bethlehem, PA (November 13, 2018) –A stacked ten- bout card has been finalized for this Friday night at The Sands Bethlehem Event Center.

The show is promoted by King’s Promotions.

In the main event, three-time Olympian Anvar Yunusov takes on Jose Salinas in a scheduled eight-round super featherweight bout.

Yunusov, who competed in the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics for his native Tajikistan, is now 5-0 with two knockouts as a professional.

The 31 year-old fights out of Philadelphia, and turned professional in 2017. He has registered his two knockouts in his last two outings with a 4th round stoppage over former contender Mike Oliver, and in his lat bout when he destroyed Angel Monreal in one-round on September 14th in Philadelphia.

Salinas of Las Cruces, New Mexico, has a record of 10-3-1 with five knockouts.

The 28 year-old Salinas is a six-year professional who has wins over undefeated Rafael Casas (2-0), and the highly regarded Dardan Zenunaj (12-1).

Salinas is coming off a loss to undefeated Erick De Leon (14-0) on January 27, 2017 in Studio City, California.

In six-round bouts:

Christian Montano (7-0, 6 KOs) of Houston, Texas takes on Paul Holley (6-1-1, 5 KOs) of Sarasota, FL in a light heavyweight bout.

Michael Coffie (4-0, 3 KOs) of Brooklyn, NY takes on 68-fight Veteran Jamaal Woods of Forest City, AL in a heavyweight contest.

Joseph George (7-0, 6 KOs) takes on Josue Obando (16-24-1, 12 KOs) of Jalisco, MX in a light heavyweight bout.

Sebastian Fundora (10-0, 6 KOs) of Cochella, California fights Jonathan Batista (18-15, 11 KOs) of San Pedro, DR in a junior middleweight fight.

In four-round bouts:

Jeffrey Torres of Bethlehem will make his pro debut against Steven Lopez (0-2) of Philadelphia in a bantamweight bout.

Yeuri Andujar (1-0, 1 KO) of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic fights debuting
Haziz Self of Philadelphia in a featherweight bout.

In a battle of undefeated bantamweights, Alejandro Jimenez (3-0, 1 KO) of New Hope, PA fights Desmond Moore (1-0-1, 1KO) of Bethlehem, PA.

Ricky Nuno (2-1, 1 KO) of Bethlehem, PA fights Ashton Sykes (2-2) of Colombia, MD in a middleweight bout.

Undefeated light heavyweights get it on as Kendall Cannida (2-0) of Philadelphia battles Travis Toledo (2-0, 2 KOs) of Baltimore, MD.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $50, $75 and $100, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

Bethlehem, PA (October 16, 2018) –Three-time Olympian and undefeated Anvar Yunusov takes on Joshua Davis in the eight-round super featherweight main event on Friday night, November 16th at The Sands Bethlehem Event Center.

The show is promoted by King’s Promotions.

Yunusov, who competed in the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics for his native Tajikistan, is now 5-0 with two knockouts as a professional.

The 31 year-old fights out of Philadelphia, and turned professional in 2017. He has registered his two knockouts in his last two outings with a 4th round stoppage over former contender Mike Oliver, and in his lat bout when he destroyed Angel Monreal in one-round on September 14th in Philadelphia.

Davis of Washington, DC has a record of 11-3 with five knockouts.

The 27 year-old Davis is a seven-year professional, who has an impressive 7th round stoppage win over Carlos Rosario (7-1). Davis is looking to get back into the wins column as he has dropped his last two outings. In his last bout, Davis was stopped by undefeated Steven Ortiz on January 26th in Philadelphia.

A full undercard of top prospects in action-packed matchups will entertain the fans in attendance in Bethlehem.

In six-round bouts:

Martino Jules

Martino Jules (5-0) of Bethlehem fights Daron Williams (7-0, 4 KOs) of Washington, DC in a featherweight bout.

Joshafat Ortiz

Joshafat Ortiz (5-0, 3 KOs) of Reading, PA fights Joey Arroyo (3-5-1) of Bronx, NY in a lightweight bout.

Michael Coffie

Michael Coffie (4-0, 3 KOs) fights Juan Goode (8-8, 6 KOs) of Taylor, MI in a heavyweight bout.

Joseph George (7-0, 6 KOs) fights Andre Espuet (4-7, 3 KOs) of Cedar Rapids, IA in a super middleweight fight.

Christian Montano

Christian Montano (7-0, 6 KOs) boxes Paul Holley (6-1-1, 5 KOs) of Sarasota, FL in a light heavyweight bout.

In four-round bouts:

Jonathan Torres of Bethlehem, PA will fight Steven Lopez (0-2) of Philadelphia in a bantamweight affair.

Alejandro Jimenez

Alejandro Jimenez (3-0, 1 KO) of New Hope, PA takes on debuting Francisco Santiago of Reading, PA in a bantamweight bout.

Yeuri Andujar (1-0, 1 KO) of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic fights Bryann Perez (2-11-1, 1 KO) of Carolina, Puerto Rico in a featherweight affair.

Kendall Cannida

In a battle of undefeated light heavyweight, Kendall Cannida (2-0) of Philadelphia fights Travis Toledo (2-0, 2 KOs) of Baltimore.

Ricky Nuno (2-1, 1 KO) of Bethlehem, PA boxes Jonathan Burrs (0-1) of Hagerstown, MD in a welterweight bout.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $50, $75 and $100, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.