Sanchez shocks Marrero to win WBC FECARBOX title;Lee outpoints Sosa for the NABF Championship

HARTFORD, CT – In front of a sold-out crowd at the Connecticut Convention CenterCES Boxing delivered one of its most memorable nights in recent history with The Riverside Rumble, a 10-bout card that featured two championship fights, the return of a hometown hero, a Connecticut light heavyweight showdown, and the kind of unpredictable drama that defines the sport.

Sanchez shocks Marrero in Dramatic Main Event

The main event between Bridgeport’s Jacob “Lefty” Marrero (11-1, 8 KOs) and Venezuela’s Rowin Sanchez (7-2-3, 5 KOs) had all the makings of a classic — two young, hungry southpaws fighting for their first professional title.

Bridgeport’s Marrero, 26, made his pro debut in 2018 and won his first four bouts before legal troubles in 2019 sidelined him for almost five years.  Returning in 2024, ‘Lefty’ has been on a mission to redeem himself and fulfill the potential so many see in him. 

Sanchez’s story is just as compelling. The 29-year-old also turned pro in 2018 and had nine fights in two years. However, due to the political climate in Venezuela, he had an almost six-year gap in his career.  Looking to escape the turmoil surrounding his country, Sanchez traveled through six countries to settle in the United States so that he could continue his career. 

The bout was fought at a fast pace from the opening bell, as Marrero mixed offense with defense and Sanchez looked to match his tempo.  It looked like the bout might end early when Sanchez missed a right hook and Marrero countered with a left hand to the head that dropped the Venezuelan.  Referee Johnny Callas ruled that the shot was behind the head, and the fight resumed.

Marrero continued to be successful in round two, mixing quick shots with responsible defense to the crowd’s delight.   

But everything changed at the end of round three.

During a furious exchange, a sudden right hook from Sanchez landed flush, dropping Marrero hard to the canvas. Referee Johnny Callas stopped counting as it was clear that Lefty would not beat the count.  Time was 2:54 of the round.

In a tense and emotional scene, medical personnel entered the ring and transported Marrero out on a stretcher. Encouragingly, he was responsive and moving as he was taken for further evaluation.

With the win, Sanchez captured the WBC FECARBOX Lightweight Championship, but the result was secondary in a moment that brought the entire arena to a standstill.

Iman Lee Claims First Pro Title in Co-Main Event

In the co-main event, Yonkers’ Iman Lee (15-0-1, 8 KOs) delivered the most complete performance of his career, capturing the vacant NABF Super Featherweight Championship with a hard-earned decision over Jose Nunez Sosa (8-3, 6 KOs).

Lee, 26, was fresh off a successful run in the WBC Grand Prix Featherweight Tournament, where he went 2-0-1 against top prospects from all over the world in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

That experience served Lee well against Sosa, a tough-as-nails boxer from the Dominican Republic who gave Kevin Walsh all he could handle in November.

Lee came out aggressively in round one, looking to back Sosa up with his sharp jab and long right hand.  Undeterred, Sosa was happy to meet Lee in the center of the ring and go blow for blow. 

The fight continued at a frenetic pace throughout, with the taller, rangier Lee applying steady pressure behind solid jabs, vicious left hooks and right hands, and the equally fast but shorter Sosa responding with explosive left hooks and right hands. 

What began as a high-speed chess match evolved into a test of will. The fighters weren’t taking turns as much as they were firing feverish combinations at the same time. Lee’s superior conditioning and composure gradually took control beginning in round six as Sosa’s output slowed.

By the championship rounds, Lee was pressing forward with authority, closing the show strong to secure scores of 78-74, 78-74, and 77-75. 

Rivera stuns Bohdziewicz in Light Heavyweight Showdown

In a Connecticut light heavyweight showdown, Manchester’s Jose Carlos “Rated R” Rivera (10-4-1, 5 KOs) handed Stamford’s Slawomir “Heavy Hitter” Bohdziewicz (7-1, 6 KOs) the first loss of his career in a back-and-forth war.

Bohdziewicz looked to take control of the fight early on, plodding forward behind a stiff jab, while smaller but faster Rivera circled the ring and looked for opportunities to counter. 

Rivera didn’t have to wait long.  Just as Bohdziewicz threw a right hand, Rivera launched a looping left counter in round one that dropped Slaw on the seat of his pants for a flash knockdown. 

Bohdziewicz looked to even the score in round two, applying non-stop pressure to trap Rivera in the corner where he could land his vaunted body assault.  However, once in the corner, the experienced Rivera used his superior speed to land an overhand left, right and looping left that dropped Bohdziewicz hard and nearly sent the Polish fighter out of the ring. 

Bohdziewicz again beat the count and came out in round three determined to turn the tide.  With Rivera tiring in round four and the Polish fans roaring him on, the fight began to take the pattern of Slaw pressuring with activity and Rivera circling and looking to land something big. 

At the end of eight rounds, Rivera won a majority decision by scores of 59-53, 57-55 and 56-56.
It was a gritty, high-level fight that showcased both fighters’ toughness and likely set the stage for a rematch.

Williams Delivers Explosive Homecoming

Hartford’s own Mykquan Williams (24-1-2, 12 KOs) made his long-awaited return home count in emphatic fashion.

Fighting in front of his hometown crowd for the first time in four years, the super lightweight contender needed less than two minutes to remind everyone exactly who he is — detonating a thunderous overhand right that flattened Argentina’s Guillermo Crocco (20-7-1, 6 KOs) for a first-round knockout.

It was the kind of performance that brings a crowd to its feet and puts a division on notice.

Other Action

Fighting for the second time in as many month’s Stamford’s Douglas “El Uno” Marroquin (10-0, 6 KOs) continued his impressive rise, breaking down New York’s Victor Vasquez (11-6, 5 KOs) with relentless pressure before the fight was stopped after three rounds of a middleweight bout.

In front of a raucous crowd, Meriden’s Carlos Perez (5-0, 1 KO) scored his first knockout with a crushing body shot that ended his bout against Deonta Williamson (3-8, 3 KOs) in the opening round of a super lightweight match.

Blue-chip super bantamweight prospect Joseph “J-Elite” Chisholm improved to 7-1 (6 KOs) and showed a different facet of his game. Known for a string of first-round knockouts, Chisholm used superior hand speed, movement and defense to earn a unanimous decision over Bosnia’s Anel Dudo (4-8-1, 1 KO).  Scores were 58-56 (2x) and 59-55 for the Stratford native. 

Ireland’s Conor O’Donovan (2-0, 2 KOs) wasted little time in his second pro bout, stopping Michael Douglas (0-2) with a perfectly timed check right hand just 31 seconds into the first round of a lightweight contest.

New Haven welterweight Kevante “The Key” Wineglass (4-0, 3 KOs) kept his perfect record intact, overwhelming St. Louis’ Anthony Jones (0-2) with a sharp combination en route to a first-round stoppage.  Time was 1:13 of the round. 

Kicking off the card, super welterweight Victor Guerra Vargas (2-0, 2 KOs) made it two straight stoppages to begin his career, overwhelming debuting Jean Estiverne (0-1) with sustained pressure before a crushing right hand forced a fourth-round stoppage.  It was a tough but game debut for Estiverne, who showed heart under heavy fire, but Vargas’ power ultimately proved too much.

For more information on The Riverside Rumble and all CES events, visit cesfights.com.

INFORMATION

ABOUT CES BOXING

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III” and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”.




Yonkers’ Iman Lee Fights for First Pro Title April 18 in Hartford

HARTFORD, CT – Unbeaten Yonkers native Iman Lee (14-0-1, 8 KOs) takes a major step toward contender status on Saturday, April 18, when he faces Dominican Jose Nunez Sosa (8-2, 6 KOs) for the vacant NABF Super Featherweight Championship at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.

The 10-round bout serves as the co-main event of CES Boxing’sThe Riverside Rumble, a stacked card featuring two championship fights and many of the top prospects in the country.

Tickets for The Riverside Rumble are on sale now at CESFights.com. Doors open at 4pm, with the Jimmy Burchfield Classic Invitational amateur showcase beginning at 5pm.

At just 26 years old, Lee enters the biggest fight of his professional career following a breakout year in 2025. The Yonkers product gained valuable international experience as part of the WBC Grand Prix featherweight tournament, where he went 2-0-1 against top competition and a variety of styles from around the world.

“I learned to be calmer and take my time,” said Lee of his key takeaways from the experience. “Those were six-round fights where you had to showcase everything quickly, but I learned to slow down, pick my shots better, and listen to my coaches. It really opened my eyes.”

Lee faced a wide range of styles during the tournament, defeating slick Argentine Juan Manuel Albornoz in round one and Mexican pressure fighter Hector Calderon in round two before drawing with South Africa’s Bekzizwe Maitse in the quarterfinals. 

“The experience showed me that I have to adapt no matter the style, height, or type of opponent,” said Lee. “It also proved that I can adjust on the fly in the ring if I need to.”

Learning to adjust mid-fight to be successful is a trait that will serve Iman well as he transitions from prospect to contender.  

That adaptability will be tested again on April 18, when Lee faces Jose Nunez Sosa, a hard-hitting 26-year-old from the Dominican Republic known for his aggressive style and knockout power, with six of his eight wins coming inside the distance. 

“I’ve sparred with him a couple of times in the past, so I’m familiar with him,” said Lee. “He likes to fight, so for me, it’s about staying calm and sharp, using my reach, and relying on my stamina.” 

The bout also marks Lee’s debut at 130 pounds after competing primarily at featherweight.

“I didn’t have to move up – I did it for the opportunity to fight for the NABF title,” explains the 5-foot-10 Lee.  “It means a lot for me to fight for that belt.”

In addition to capturing the NABF title, a win on April 18 would position Lee firmly within the WBC rankings and move him one step closer to a world title opportunity.

“There’s no rush,” said Lee when considering how soon he’d like to fight for a world title. “I just want to keep gaining experience so that when the time comes, I’m ready.”

Fighting less than two hours from his hometown, Lee is expected to draw strong support from the New York area and is eager to deliver a statement performance.

“I’m very thankful for everyone who is coming out to support,” Lee said. “I’m looking forward to putting on a great performance on a stacked card.”

For more information on The Riverside Rumble and all CES events, visit cesfights.com.

INFORMATION

ABOUT CES BOXING

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III” and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”.




Undefeated Featherweight Prospect Iman Lee Continues WBC Grand Prix Run Tomorrow in Riyadh and Live on DAZN

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Unbeaten featherweight contender Iman Lee (14-0, 8 KOs) takes another step toward international glory tomorrow when he faces South African Bekizizwe “Dr. Sleep” Maitse (8-1, 3 KOs) in the Third Stage of the WBC Grand Prix in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, live worldwide on DAZN.

The 25-year-old — promoted by CES Boxing — has shown his versatility in the tournament, adapting to a variety of styles en route to this pivotal moment.

In the opening stage, the Yonkers native outboxed fleet-footed Argentine Juan Albornoz, earning a majority decision. In stage two, he adjusted his strategy to neutralize relentless pressure from Mexico’s Hector Calderon, winning a clear 6 round decision.

Now, Lee faces perhaps his toughest test yet in ‘Dr. Sleep’, a dangerous and composed prospect who has made his own statement in the tournament by also defeating two previously unbeaten opponents — Colombia’s Rodolfo Puentes and Tanzania’s Juma Choki — both by unanimous decision.

A win tomorrow will propel Lee to the fourth and final stage of the WBC Grand Prix in December, putting him one step closer to international recognition and a lofty world ranking.

“I’ve been ready for every style this tournament has thrown at me,” said a confident Lee after the weigh-in. “I’m feeling more comfortable every time out.  Maitse is a talented fighter, but I’m here to prove I’m the best in this field.  Riyadh is going to see the best version of Iman Lee yet.”

Fans around the globe can tune in live on DAZN. Check local listings for broadcast times.

For more information on CES Boxing events, visit cesfights.com.

INFORMATION
About CES Boxing

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III”and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”.




Iman Lee returns to Riyadh for Phase Two of the WBC Grand Prix Tournament this Saturday live on DAZN!

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Undefeated CES Boxing prospect Iman Lee (13-0, 8 KOs) takes the next major step in the WBC Grand Prix on Saturday, June 21, facing unbeaten Mexican puncher Hector Calderon (15-0-1, 9 KOs) in Phase Two of the single-elimination tournament spotlighting the next generation of world champions.  

The action takes place at the BLVD City Global Theater in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and will be televised live worldwide on DAZN.

“This is the kind of stage Iman was made for,” said Jimmy Burchfield Sr., Founder and President of CES Boxing.  “He’s not just fighting for himself — he’s representing CES, the United States, and a new generation of champions. I’ve promoted fighters all over the world, and I can tell you: Iman Lee is special. The WBC recognizes it, and soon the whole world will too.”

Each bout in Phase Two will be contested over six rounds, with scores announced after the second and fourth rounds.  As in Phase One, there is no possibility of a draw, instant replay will be in place to clarify close calls, and there will be 30 and 10-second alerts to signal the end of each round. 

“This is an amazing opportunity on a huge platform for me to show my talent to the world,” said Lee, one of only 16 fighters remaining in the featherweight bracket.  “I want to prove that I’m on a different level amongst the guys in the featherweight division.” 

After outclassing a slick Argentine boxer in Phase One, the 25-year-old from Yonkers, NY, now faces a more aggressive opponent — a style that figures to play into his sharp counterpunching skills.

“I’m not expecting much from my opponent other than the normal come forward, tough Mexican style of fighting,” agrees Lee.  “I just need to be smart, stay calm and pick my shots.” 

While easier said than done, Lee is confident that the work he put in at Champs Boxing Club in New Rochelle, NY and Danbury, CT, with his father and head trainer, Joshua Lee, his grandfather, assistant coach Dave McDonagh, and strength and conditioning coach Gareth McCloskey of Farmer Strength will see him through to the next phase. 

“The keys for me to be successful in this phase are to listen to my coaches and be smart,” said a relaxed Lee.  “We’re well prepared for this fight, so it’s time to have fun and handle my business.”

That business entails defeating an equally confident Calderon, a 22-year-old from Mexico City who knocked out previously unbeaten Idris Gbadamosi in the final seconds of their April bout.

Much is at stake for the winner, who will advance to Phase Three in October and stays in the running for the December Grand Finale.  In addition to a lofty WBC ranking, the winners of each bracket will receive $200,000 and a clear path toward world title contention.

“It’s a fight you won’t want to miss,” says Lee.  “I want to thank all my fans for their love and support.  We’re going to steal the show on Saturday night and make you proud.” 

For more information on CES Boxing events, visit cesfights.com.

INFORMATION

About CES Boxing

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III”and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”.




Iman Lee moves to Phase 2 of the WBC Grand Prix Tourney with Impressive Win

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Unbeaten featherweight prospect Iman Lee (13-0, 8 KOs) won his first fight of the WBC Grand Prix of Boxing tournament on Thursday, impressively outboxing Argentina’s Juan Manuel Albornoz (4-1) over 6 rounds.  Scores were 58-56 (2x) and 57-57. 

The bout took place at the BLVD City Global Theater in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where 32 featherweights competed in phase 1 of the tournament live on DAZN.

The tourney, a brainchild of the late Jose Sulaiman, kicked off on Thursday with the featherweight division and continues through the weekend with super lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight brackets.  The winners in each division will earn the Flame of Hope trophy and significantly raise their profile. 

The tournament featured innovative changes, including open scoring after rounds 2 and 4, instant replay, and a new way of scoring that eliminated the possibility of a draw.

While Lee dominated the bout with sharp jabs and tight defense, many were surprised to hear that the judges seemed to favor the more aggressive but less effective Argentine after 2 rounds.

“Honestly, I wasn’t too focused on the open scorecards,” said Lee immediately after the bout.  “I primarily focused on improving each round, one at a time until the fight was over.”

Indeed, the 25-year-old Yonkers, NY native and his corner kept cool throughout the contest, despite having a last-minute opponent named when original foe Eduardo Santiago encountered difficulties getting to Riyadh.

“I didn’t really pay too much attention to the opponent change,” said Lee. “I knew at the end of the day we still had to take care of business regardless of who’s in front of us, and that’s why we trained for any style.”

However, the 4-0 Albornoz, who fought his last 2 bouts in South Africa after beginning his career in Argentina, did surprise Lee with his pressure.

“I was a bit surprised because from film and from what we were told, he supposedly tends to move around the ring more,” admitted Lee.  “But we made the necessary adjustments and got the win.”

Having won the first round of the tournament, Team Lee now has several weeks to prepare for the next phase, a showdown with Mexico’s Angel Sauceda Hinojosa in June.  The 22-year-old Hinojosa improved to 12-0 (5) in phase 1 with a unanimous decision win over Maikel Ordosgoitti of Venezuela.

“I know my potential is way higher than what I showed tonight, so I’m going back to drawing board to put on a great performance in June,” stated Lee. “Overall, it was a great experience, and I’ll feel a lot better come June now that I got my feet wet.”

For more information on CES Boxing events, visit cesfights.com.

INFORMATION

About CES Boxing

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III” and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”.




Unbeaten Featherweight Prospect Iman Lee Selected to participate in WBC Grand Prix Tournament in Riyadh

YONKERS, NY – Undefeated CES Boxing prospect Iman Lee (12-0, 8 KOs) has been officially selected to compete in the WBC Grand Prix, a groundbreaking single-elimination tournament set to begin this week at the BLVD City Global Theater in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and televised live worldwide on DAZN.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Iman,” said CES Boxing Founder Jimmy Burchfield, Sr.  “This young man has the talent, the character and the skills to go all the way in this tournament.  The sky’s the limit if he can bring home the trophy.” 

The 25-year-old boxer from Yonkers, NY is among just 32 featherweights, mostly under 26, chosen to compete in the global boxing showcase.

“We knew just before my last fight, so I had about 2 to 3 months’ notice,” said an ecstatic Lee, who stopped Bernardo Uribe in 4 rounds on February 22.  “I don’t know who we’re fighting yet.  I believe we’ll find out when we get there, so we’re just preparing for any style.”

The world cup style tournament features 128 boxers from 41 countries competing across 4 divisions: heavyweight, middleweight, super lightweight and featherweight.  It’s a massive opportunity for a young fighter to instantly make a mark in the sport.

“To be chosen as one of the 32 fighters in my division out of the entire world is an honor,” states Lee from his training camp at Champs Gym in New Rochelle, NY.  “But I’m not just here to participate.  I’m coming to win.”

The tournament will unfold in 4 segments throughout the year, with the first phase taking place this week from April 17-20.  64 6-round fights will take place over 4 days, with the winners moving on to fight again in June, August and October, culminating in a Grand Finale in December.  

“We are bringing to life a tournament that will revolutionize the sport and unearth incredible new talent,” said WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, who added that the rules include open scoring and instant replay to ensure transparency and fairness. “This is the first ever event in which the young talents are going to have the opportunity to come out from unknown parts of the world to shine through the Grand Prix.”

New York, which used to be a hotbed of boxing, is having a resurgence with Teofimo Lopez and Richardson Hitchens claiming belts in the jr. welterweight division, Bruce ‘Shu Shu’ Carrington inching up the featherweight rankings and Edgar Berlanga establishing himself as a contender at Super Middleweight.  While those New Yorkers have been in the spotlight for a few years, the Grand Prix figures to be the perfect conduit for Iman Lee to crash onto the world stage.

“Definitely,” says Lee when asked whether he would be ready to face the division’s best after the tourney. “If all goes well, we’re ready to compete for a world title.”

With 6-rounds to make a statement and no margin for error, every bout in Riyadh could be career defining. For Iman Lee, the path to championship greatness begins on April 17.

For more information on CES Boxing events, visit cesfights.com.

INFORMATION
About CES Boxing

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III” and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”.




CES Boxing signs 9-0 prospect Iman LeeNew Yorker makes his CES Boxing debut on May 11

YONKERS, NY – CES Boxing is proud to announce a multi-fight promotional agreement with amateur sensation and blue-chip prospect Iman Lee.

Lee, a 24-year-old Super Featherweight fighting out of Yonkers, New York, is 9-0 with 6 knockouts.

“I am thrilled to welcome Iman to the CES Boxing family,” said CES founder Jimmy Burchfield, Sr. of his latest signing.  “Iman is an exceptional talent with the size, skills and pedigree to become a champion in several weight classes.”

Promoter Jimmy Burchfield wasted no time in securing a fight date for Lee, as the young fighter will be in action this Saturday, May 11 at Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino against hard-nosed veteran Luis Porozo (17-9, 6 KOs). 

Tickets for ‘The Brawl at Bally’s’, a 7-bout card featuring the next generation of CES Boxing stars are quickly selling out.  Purchase yours now at CESFights.com.  Fans who can’t make it to Bally’s can catch the action on Swerve Combat TV on a tape delay basis.

“It feels great to sign with CES Boxing,” said Lee from his training camp in Yonkers, NY.  “We were in talks with many different promoters for a while now, and I’m looking forward to showing what I can do and being as busy as possible with CES.”

Activity will not be a problem for Lee, as he is also penciled in to fight on June 15 at Mohegan Sun Arena if all goes well on Saturday.  But first, the charismatic boxer must get past Porozo, a veteran fighter from Ecuador who has shared the ring with a plethora of top prospects, including Bruce Carrington, Raymond Muratalla and Henry Lebron. 

“I know he fought Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington, who I fought in the amateurs,” says Lee about his opponent. “My dad sent me clips of a few people that he fought, and I watched those. He fought a few top guys in my division.”

Porozo leveraged his experience to go the distance with Lebron and was able to last 8 rounds with Carrington before succumbing to ‘Shu Shu’ in the last minute of their fight. While Porozo should serve as a good gauge of how Lee stacks up against those prospects, the Ecuadorian has 3 times as many fights as Iman.

“I don’t think there is that much of a difference in experience,” says an undaunted Lee.   “Especially being that I’ve sparred with a lot of these guys and fought some of them in the amateurs.  I don’t think experience will be too much of a factor.”

Indeed, Lee has had an extensive amateur career that included over 70 fights against many of the best amateurs in the country, including Carrington.  The New Yorker has also worked alongside many of the best prospects and contenders in the New York area, including Richardson Hitchens, Chris Colbert, Reshat Mati, and Jahi Tucker. 

In fact, boxing has been deeply embedded in the Lee family for generations.  Iman’s grandfather was a fighter, as was his father.  His younger brother Emanuel was 1-0 as a pro before deciding to enlist in the Air Force. 

“I’ve always been around boxing from a young age, but I didn’t start training and competing until around 13,” says Lee.  “It’s a family thing, but I didn’t watch too much boxing growing up.  I only watched certain fighters that kind of matched my style or fighters who I looked up to, like Floyd Mayweather and Andre Ward.”

Lee fought in the amateur circuit for close to 9 years before deciding to turn pro in 2021. Trained by his father, Joshua, Lee fought 9 times in 3 years and has quickly established himself as a prospect to watch.

“I would describe my style as adaptable,” says Lee, who recently added coach David McDonough of Champs Gym in Danbury, CT to the team.  “I can box when I need to, but I can also fight when I need to.  I think I’m a very smart and crafty fighter.”

At 5’10, Lee has a lot of room to grow.  He began his amateur career at 119 lbs, but eventually settled in at super featherweight. Iman eventually sees himself moving up as high as junior welterweight.  In fact, Lee believes that it will be his physical dimensions that will cause Porozo lots of trouble on Saturday.

“The key difference between us is that I’m pretty big for this weight class,” agrees Lee.  “I think my size, my range and my reach will be a lot for him to handle on Saturday.”

Saturday night marks the beginning of a new chapter in Lee’s career as a CES fighter.  With a promotional team behind him, Lee believes that it will culminate in several world titles.

“We’re taking it one step at a time, but the goal is to become world champion, then undisputed, and then maybe multiple weight classes,” says the ambitious Lee.  “It starts on Saturday night.  I’m coming to put on a show.  Stay tuned and watch what we bring.”

Don’t miss “The Brawl at Bally’s” this Saturday featuring Wilson “I’ll Will” Mascarenhas against Patrick “The Mallet” Okine for the WBC US Silver Super Lightweight title and a battle of undefeated prospects as Gary “Batman” Balletto III collides with Laurent Humes for the NABF Jr. Light Heavyweight Championship.  Plus, “King” Kevin Walsh continues his assault on the lightweight division and top prospect Iman Lee makes his CES Boxing debut.  The action takes place at Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino.  Purchase your tickets now at CESFights.com.   

For more information, follow CES Boxing on FacebookInstagram and Twitter at @CESBOXING.
INFORMATIONCES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III” and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”.