SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 24, 2025) – Unbeaten Springfield (MA) junior middleweight prospect Anthony “ATV” Velazquez (16-0-1, 14 KOs) has been training hard for this Saturday night’s (Apr. 26) main event as he continues to build his brand as he promotes the Reyes Boxing event.

The 29-year-old Velasquez, fighting out of Springfield, Massachusetts, faces Yusuph “Mr. Mwanza” Metu (11-1, 8 KOs), of Tanzania, in the 10-round headliner at home in the MassMutual Center.

Velasquez recently took short breaks from his rigorous training regimen to drop the ceremonial puck, also in MassMutual, at his hometown hockey team’s minor league game for the Springfield Thunderbirds, and he also threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a nearby Hartford Yard Goats minor league baseball game.

Pictures below:

Go here to watch him throw out the first pitch: (1) Facebook

INFORMATION:

Facebook: /AnthonyVelazquez

Instagram: @anthonyvelazquez_

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 22, 2025) – It’s always been a dream of unbeaten Springfield (MA) junior middleweight prospect Anthony “ATV” Velazquez (16-0-1, 14 KOs) and this Saturday night (Apr. 26) he will headline a card presented by Reyes Boxing for the second time in his last three fights.

Last September, Velasquez won a 10-round unanimous decision over Florent Dervis (10-1) for the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Junior 147-pound title.

Velasquez, 29, takes on Yusuph “Mr. Mwanza” Metu (11-1, 8 KOs), of Tanzania, at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. The 32-year-old Metu will be fighting in the United States for the first time, as well as only his second outside of his native Tanzania, in which he suffered his lone loss, by way of a 10-round unanimous decision, last September in Moscow to Albert Khamkhoev (10-0, 4 KOs) for the Eurasian Super Welterweight Championship.

“It feels great to be headlining again at home in Springfield,” Velasquez said. “It had always been a dream of mine since I was 11. A have a lot of people supporting me here and a lot of kids look up to me. I didn’t have someone growing up here. People here expect big things from me. There are negative environments everywhere; sports are positive for kids, and I use that for motivation.

“I know my opponent is 11-1, my size, and fighters from Africa are tough and always in shape with a lot of pride. Training camp has been great. It’s been long, 14 weeks, and I’m ready to fight right now. I’ve had a lot of 10-round sparring sessions with a lot of good (his head coach” Hector Bermudez’ fighters, depending on who was in camp. All of them are undefeated.”

Under the guidance of his adviser, Gunther Feingold, Velasquez is happy with the way he is being moved, in addition to understanding he’s outgrown the New England boxing scene and likely will soon be fighting on larger platforms.

“His (Gunther) plan is to get me in bigger fights to move me into the ratings.”

promotional free agent Velasquez explained. “This is my second scheduled 10-rounder, the more the better, and I hope to stay busy through the end of the year. I’m in the groove and we’ll see who is next after this fight. Promoters are watching now. I believe in my adviser, and this is my time to make a move in my weight class.”

Anthony “ATV” Velasquez is living the dream in terms of headlining at home; however, his ultimate boxing dreams include title belts, major fights with name boxers, promotional contract, and a memorable career. 

INFORMATION:

Facebook: /AnthonyVelazquez

Instagram: @anthonyvelazquez_