PHILADELPHIA–Jeison Rosario won the IBF/WBA Junior Middleweight titles with a shocking 5th round stoppage over reigning champion and hometowner Julian Williams at The Liacouras Center.

It was an action filled fight that had Williams boxing and countering well early. He was cut over his right eye in round two. Rosario started walking in and getting to Williams in that 2nd round, and that was a foreshadowing of things to come. Rosario started being the bully and hurt Williams in round four. Williams was hurt again in round five from a flurry of punches that had him holding. Rosario capped that off by hurting Williams with a hard uppercut and right that sent him prone into the ropes that forced referee Benjy Esteves to stop the fight at 1:37.

Rosario of the Dominican Republic is 19-1 with 17 knockouts.

“As soon as I stepped into the ring, I knew he could not hurt me,” said Rosario. “I knew that my power was affecting him right away. This is a big victory for me and for the whole Dominican Republic.” “Rosario was the better man tonight,” said Williams. “It was a great homecoming for my fans and I’m sorry I let them down. What went wrong tonight needs to and will be fixed. We’re going to an immediate rematch and we look forward to returning the favor.”

“I’m so emotional in this moment right now,” said Rosario. “When I lost my last fight I said I will never lose again until I become champion of the world and that’s what happened tonight. I came prepared. I knew before the fight that I was going to win it.”

“I have to give a lot of credit to my team,” said Rosario. “I had a 16-week training camp and that prepared me for this. My life is changed forever and I can support my family in a whole new way. I realized that I was going to win, once I was offered the fight. I knew that if I made the sacrifice, that I would do what I did tonight. I knew it 16 weeks ago.”

“I wasn’t surprised he was so good,” said Williams. “I told everybody he’s a real fighter. I have to accept it. The cut blurred my vision a little bit but it wasn’t the reason why I lost. He was the better fighter tonight. We’ve got a rematch clause. I’ll see him again soon. I’ll be back.”

Chris Colbert won the WBA Interim Junior Lightweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over former champion Jezreel Corrales

In round 10, Colbert landed a little left that sent Corrales to the canvas.

Colbert, 129.8 lbs of Brooklyn won by scores of 117-110 twice and 116-111 to stay perfect at 14-0. Corrales, 129.4 lbs of Panama is now 25-4.

CHRIS COLBERT

“He was a great fighter. People don’t realize that, because he had a bad decision against Ladarius Miller. But he’s a great fighter. He’s very awkward. He’s slick and fast. It was hard to catch him because he was running, but he came to fight. I take my hat off to him.

“I had confidence coming into the fight. I knew I was going to dominate the fight and I told you all that before the fight happened. He was running and I was trying to catch him, so I told my corner, let’s have a dog fight. We got 12 rounds. I’m in shape. You see, I didn’t sit down one round. I’m in shape and I came to fight. I wasn’t going to leave without this title.

“I’m not ducking nobody and not dodging nobody. I’m here to fight and I’m here to stay.

“The strategy was to use my jab like I did and try to set up my punches. But he’s very awkward and has good distance. Slowly but surely I decided to stop boxing, close the distance and get on him. I knew he couldn’t out throw me, I’m from Brooklyn.”

JEZREEL CORRALES

“I did my job in there. My strategy was to hit and not get hit. I felt like I made him struggle for a lot of the fight.

“The knockdown wasnt from being hurt, it was my balance. Our feet got tangled and I lost my balance.

“I came in here to win. We both did our jobs, but the judges scored his pushing more than his punching.

Joey Spencer remained undefeated with an easy six-round unanimous decision over Erik Spring in a super welterweight bout.

Spencer, 153.9 lbs of Linden, MI won by shutout margins of 60-54 on all cards, and is now 10-0. Spring, 155 lbs of Reading, PA is 13-4-2.

JOEY SPENCER

“SI was in there with a cagey, long southpaw. And to be honest, when a guy is fighting as cagey as he was, it’s really hard for a guy with my style to just pull something out of nothing. He was a real defensive guy.

“At the end I really just pressed him, said I’m going to finish strong, and hit him with some good shots and if I had done that in the first or second round, I would have ended it early.

“I’m glad to get the six rounds in. Experience is everything. You’re only as good as your next fight. I’m happy to get in there and get some good experience and I did my thing and got the shutout.

“I’m going to stay busy this year. I’m going to have a four-fight year. This is one of four. We’re looking to bring some excitement and have some fun.

ERIK SPRING

“I was waiting too much. I thought he would come in and engage more and I was looking counter him but he stayed on the outside.

“I was more impressed by his speed then his power. He’s a talented fighter but I could have been more effective.”

Jorge Cota stopped Thomas LaManna in round five of their scheduled 10-round super welterweight bout.

Cota was active with his hands, and was able to get inside and land some crisp shots on LaManna. LaManna would get home with a right from distance, but it was few and far between the hard shots that Cota was landing that eventually bloodied the nose of LaManna.

The bout was stopped at 1:22 of round five after another hard flurry forced the corner of LaManna to call a halt to the fight.

Cota, 153.2 lbs of Sinaloa, MX is 30-4 with 27 knockouts. LaManna, 153.3 lbs of Milville, NJ is 28-3-1.

Vito Mielnicki Jr. remained undefeated by winning a four round unanimous decision over Preston Wilson in a welterweight bout.

Mielnicki, 146 lbs of Roseland, NJ won by scores of 40-36 on all cards, and is now 4-0. Wilson, 146.1 lbs of Parkersburg, WV is 6-4-1.

Romuel Cruz remained undefeated with a 1st round stoppage over Julio Garcia in a super bantamweight bout.

Cruz dropped Garcia twice, and the fight was stopped after the 2nd knockdown, and the time was 2:56.

Cruz, 122.2 lbs of Arecibo, PR is 4-0-1 with two knockouts. Garcia, 122.3 lbs of Madison, WI is 3-4.

Kyrone Davis stopped Antonio Todd in round four of a scheduled eight-round middleweight bout.

Davis landed some hard shots that had Todd reeling back. A big follow up flurry forced the stoppage.

Davis, 159.3 lbs of Monmouth, DE is 15-2 with six knockouts. Todd, 157.3 lbs of Atlanta is 7-3.

2016 U.S. Olympic Team Member, Paul Kroll took out Marcel Rivers in round four of their scheduled eight-round welterweight bout featuring Philadelphia natives.

In round three, Kroll dropped Rivers with a hard left hook. In round four, Kroll dropped Rivers twice with perfect right hands. The fight ended with Kroll battering Rivers on the ropes. The time was 49 seconds.

Kroll, 148.8 lbs is 7-0 with six knockouts. Rivers, 147.2 lbs is 7-3.

Norman Neely remained perfect by stopping ivermatched Larry Knight in the opening frame of their scheduled four-round heavyweight bout.

Neely landed about 10 unanswered punches that sent Knight to the canvas, and the fight was stopped at 1:21.

Neely, 241.8 lbs of Paterson, NJ is 5-0 with five knockouts. Knight, 250.1 lbs of Birmingham, GA is 4-23-1.

Miguel Angel Roman Jr. made a successful pro debut with a four-round unanimous decision over Antonio Lucanne in a bantamweight bout.

Roman dropped Lucanne in round three from a combination that was finished with a right hand.

Roman, 118.6 lbs of Philadelphia won by scores of 40-35 and 39-36 twice to go to 1-0. Lucanne, 119.7 lbs of Mount Vernon, NY is 0-3.

Jesus Soler gained the biggest win of his career by winning an eight-round unanimous decision over Miguel Cartagena in a flyweight bout that headlined an entertaining eight-bout card at Parx Casino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.

It was a terrific action fight that saw Soler out work and out punch the native of Philadelphia. Soler consistently backed up Cartagena and ripped off some furious multi-punch combinations.

Soler of Philadelphia via of Puerto Rico won by scores of 80-72, 79-73 ans 78-74 to raise his mark to 11-1-1, Cartagena of Philadelphia is 15-6-1.

Frank Trader won a eight-round unanimous decision over Jerome Conquest in a lightweight bout.

In round three, Trader was cut over his right eye from an accidental headbutt. Trader constantly landed lead right hands into an oncomimg Conquest. Trader built up a nice lead, when Conquest tried to, and was successful at times making it an ugly dogfight on the inside.

It wasn’t enough as Trader, 133.5 lbs of Philadelphia won by scores of 79-73 twice and 78-74 to improve to 13-2-1. Conquest, 134.3 lbs of Philadelphia falls to 10-4.

In a stunning upset, Evinci Dixon stopped previously undefeated Marcel Rivers in a scheduled six-round welterweight bout.

Dixon dropped Rivers three times in the 2nd frame, as it was rights to the head that stunned and eventually put Rivers down each time. Referee Benjy Esteves stopped the bout on the 3rd knockdown at 2:11

Dixon, 147.5 lbs of Lancaster, PA is now 8-23-2 with three knockouts. Rivers, 145.1 lbs of Philadelphia is 7-1.

Thyler Williams won a four-round unanimous decision over Tyree Arnold in a bout featuring Philadelphia based junior welterweights.

Williams, 141.9 lbs won by scores of 40-36 on all cards, and is now 3-0. Arnold, 143.1 lbs of 0-2.

Daiyaan Butt remained undefeated by stopping Tivan Young in round three of their scheduled four-round junior welterweight bout.

In round two, Butt scored a knockdown from a flurry of punches that was capped off by a left to the body. In round three, Butt ended thing when he landed several hard left’s to the body that sent Young down in the corner. Young got to his feet at 9 and a half, but referee Benjy Esteves waived the fight off at 1:25

Butt, 141. 7 lbs of Philadelphia is 4-0 with two knockouts. Young, 142.5 lbs of Charlotte, NC is 1-3-1.

Shinard Bunch scored an explosive 2nd round stoppage over Tyrone Lewis in a scheduled four-round welterweight contest.

At the end of the opening frame, Bunch decked Lewis with a perfect left hook. Seconds into round two, Bunch drilled Lewis with a perfect counter right that had Lewis falling to the canvas with his legs tangled, and the bout was immediately called off at 30 seconds.

Bunch, 147.4 lbs of Trenton, NJ is 2-0 with two knockouts. Lewis, 149.6 lbs of Philadelphia was making his pro debut.

Osnel Charles defeated Laquan Lewis for the 3rd time as he pounded out a four-round unanimous decision in a junior welterweight bout.

Charles., 139 lbs of Atlantic City won by scores of 40-36 and 39-37 twice to go to 13-19-1. Lewism 140.5 lbs of Brooklyn is 2-11.

In a four-round heavyweight battle of pro debuting light heavyweights, Jan Czerklewicz pounded out a unanimous decision over Angel Vazquez.

Both landed heavy shots throughout, but Czerklewicz landed more flush and had a greater volume of connects.

Scores were 40-36 twice and 39-37 for Czerklewicz, 174.9 lbs of Houston, Texas. Vazquez, 175.3 lbs of Springfield, MA is 0-1.

PHILADELPHIA, PA — A rare six-round contest between a pair of unbeaten welterweight prospects–Marcel Rivers, of North Philadelphia, and Derrick Whitley, Jr., of Springfield, MA–highlights the preliminary card of Raging Babe’s ‘Philly Special’ on Friday evening, Feb. 8, at the 2300 Arena.

Headlining the eight-fight program is an eight-round bantamweight match-up between undefeated Christian Carto, of South Philadelphia, and Victor Ruiz, of San Diego, CA. First bout is at 7.30 p.m.

Rivers, 31, has won all six of his pro fights, four by knockout. A single father, he balances boxing with a full-time, physically taxing job at Philadelphia Gas Works. Rivers, the sole caregiver for his 6-year-old son, Cameron, recently added another “why” to his quest to become a world champion. His new baby daughter, 4-month-old Jennah, provides him with new inspiration.

“I definitely have an incentive to work even harder now,” said Rivers. “It’s an honor to be on this card, with all the talent. A lot of these guys have backing, but I have come out of nowhere and found my way, so I appreciate the opportunity to fight on this card.”

Whitley, Jr, 27, a southpaw, is unbeaten in five pro fights with one draw. He comes from a fighting family–his dad and uncle were veteran pros.

Derrick Whitley, Sr., had 52 pro fights from 1995 to 2007. Uncle Darren–twin brother of Whitley, Sr.–had 44 pro fights from 1995 to 2003. Both fought as super middleweights and light-heavyweights.

The younger Whitley trains at the family gym. He works with adults who have had brain injuries, a career he has pursued for many years. He also plays semi-pro football.

“Rivers vs. Whitley was not the easiest fight to make,” said matchmaker J Russell Peltz, “given the culture of boxing today where few fighters want to risk their spotless records at such an early stage. These two guys are different and I applaud them for it.”

In a six-round heavyweight bout on the Feb. 8 card, North Philadelphia’s Darmani Rock (13-0, 8 KOs) will look to secure his 14th win. Rock was a highly touted amateur with multiple national and international titles. He signed with Jay Z’s Roc Nation in 2016 before turning pro. Rock is trained by his father, Wayne, AKA Whiz.

The Feb. card also includes the highly anticipated professional debuts of two of Pennsylvania’s most promising amateurs in four-round fights. Heavyweight Sonny Conto, of South Philly, and bantamweight Jeremy Adorno, of Allentown, PA, announced last week that they had signed with Top Rank Boxing.

Conto, 22, was a standout baseball player at Rowan College at Gloucester County before turning his attention to boxing. He takes on Jimmy Levins, of Buffalo, NY. Jeremy Adorno, younger brother of fellow Top Rank signee Joseph Adorno, was born in Puerto Rico. He boasts an amateur record of 106-17 with multiple Silver Gloves National titles and two Ringside World titles under his belt.

Coatesville, PA, junior welterweight Gerardo Martinez (3-1, 1 KO) faces Haitian-born Osnel Charles (12-18-1, 2 KOs), of Atlantic City NJ, who has appeared at the 2300 Arena in four of his last seven fights. This also is scheduled for four rounds.

Rounding out the card: New Hope, PA, bantamweight Alejandro Jimenez (4-0, 1 KO) vs. Edgar Cortes (6-4), of Vineland, NJ, in a six-round, bantamweight contest; Puerto Rican-born Jonathan Torres (1-0), of Bethlehem, PA, vs. Atlantic City bantamweight Dallas Holden (1-3) over four rounds.

“You have Gerardo Martinez with a 3-1 record going up against a 31-fight veteran in Osnel Charles,” said Peltz. “Or Alejandro Jimenez, at 4-0, fighting a capable 10-fight lefty in Edgar Cortes. There are times when four- and six-round fights are more appetizing than some of the so-called big fights you see on television.”

Tickets to “Philly Special” are priced $50, $75 and $125. They can be purchased online at www.2300arena.com or by calling 215-765-0922. Doors open at 6:30 pm and first bout is at 7:30 pm.

Philadelphia, PA (October 2, 2018) – This Saturday night, undefeated lightweight prospect Jeremy Cuevas is looking to make a statement by knocking out veteran Jerome Rodriguez in the six-round co-feature bout at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

The eight-bout card is promoted by Hard Hitting Promotions.

In the eight-round main event, undefeated heavyweight Darmani Rock (12-0, 7 KOs) of Philadelphia takes Pedro Julio Rodriguez of Miami, Florida, via Cuba in an eight-round bout.

Cuevas of Philadelphia is on the cusp of higher profile fights, but he 1st must get by the tough southpaw, Rodriguez from Allentown, PA.

“My training was great. My weight is great. I got awesome sparring with (IBF Junior Lightweight World champion) Tevin Farmer, (Undefeated prospect) Joseph Adorno, and some other good southpaws,” said Cuevas.

In Rodriguez he is facing a 19-fight veteran, who has faced 10 undefeated opponents, which includes wins over world-ranked Avery Sparrow and then-undefeated puncher Tre’shawn Wiggins.

“Rodriguez is a tough fighter. He has been in there, and has defeated good fighters. The challenge for me is not to beat him, but stopping him. My objective is to knock him out cold.”

Cuevas is now starting to get recognized on some prospect lists, and those acclaims are very motivating to the 22 year-old.

“This is a dream come true. I have been blessed to be with the right team of people. That has helped me to start to get noticed. People fear me because I am a slick southpaw that can punch.”

With bigger fights and names on the horizon, Cuevas is just taking one fight at a time, as he knows his time will be coming in the near future.

“I want the top guys, but my coach tells me that there is no rush. I am just 22 years-old, and, I am going to take my time. This should be my last six-round fight, and my next fight should be an eight-rounder.”

Cuevas wants to follow in the footsteps of Farmer and Danny Garcia to become the next world champion from the historic fight town of Philadelphia.

“I look up to those guys, and being from Philadelphia, you have a standard. This city has such a rich history of boxing, that is has given me a pathway to become a world champion.”

Cuevas has fought all but one of his fights in Philadelphia, and this has given him the opportunity to start and grow a sizable fan-base that will root for their hometown fighter.

“It means the world to me to fight at home. Every fighter is not lucky enough to build themselves up at home, so it’s great that I have fans, and soon it will be time to expand my following outside of Philadelphia. I am ready to go on Saturday, and I am coming to put a hurting on my opponent.”

Cuevas, who is promoted by Hard Hitting promotions can be followed on Instagram at jeremy_King_Cuevas and on Facebook at Jeremy Cuevas

Branden Pizarro (11-1, 5 KOs) of Philadelphia will take on 30 fight-veteran Justin Johnson of Pittsburgh in a six-round junior welterweight fight.

Gadwin Rosa (7-0, 6 KOs) of Ocala, Florida takes on David Berna (16-5, 15 KOs) of Budapest Hungary in a super featherweight bout.

In four-round bouts:

Christian Tapia (5-0, 4 KOs) of Coamo, Puerto Rico fights Hector Marengo (7-13-4, 4 KOs) of Arecibo, Puerto Rico in a lightweight bout.

Marcos Suarez (5-0-1,1 KO) of Bronx, New York battles Israel Suarez (4-6-2, 1 KO) of Luquillo, Puerto Rico in a lightweight bout.

Benny Sinakin of Philadelphia makes his pro debut against Alexander Lara in a light heavyweight bout.

Marcel Rivers (6-0, 4 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on an opponent to be named in a welterweight bout.

Tickets available now! $50 GA , $70 Premium, $125 VIP +fees

Purchase Tickets online at hardhittingpromotions.com ; 2300arena.com or by calling 267.758.2173 as well as the 2300 Arena Box Office.

Doors 6PM – First bout 7PM

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THE PRESS CONFERENCE AND WEIGH IN WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5TH AT 5 PM AT THE SHERATON SUITES PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT, LOCATED AT 4101 B ISLAND AVENUE, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19153

Philadelphia, PA (October 1, 2018) – A terrific night of action is rounding into place as Hard Hitting Promotions presents an eight-bout card THIS Saturday, October 6th at The 2300 Arena.

In the main event, undefeated heavyweight Darmani Rock (12-0, 7 KOs) of Philadelphia takes Pedro Julio Rodriguez of Miami, Florida, via Cuba in an eight-round bout.

Rock of Philadelphia, who was the number-one amateur heavyweight in the United States and former Youth Amateur champion, has a record of 12-0 with seven knockouts.

The 22 year-old Rock is a two-year professional who has a 1st round stoppage over Carlos Cotto (8-1-1) on his resume. Rock is coming off a six-round unanimous decision win over Marquis Valentine on July 20th in Sloan, Iowa.

This will be Rock’s 3rd appearance in Philadelphia.

Rodriguez has an impressive mark of 23-5 with 19 knockouts.

The 32 year-old Rodriguez is a n eight-year professional, who has defeated four undefeated fighters. Rodriguez holds a win over Andy Perez, who was 19-2 at the time.

Rodriguez is coming off a loss to Andrey Afonin on May 19th.

In the six-round co-feature, Jeremy Cuevas (10-0, 8 KOs) of Philadelphia will fight Jerome Rodriguez (7-9-3, 2 KOs) of Allentown, PA in a lightweight contest.

Branden Pizarro (11-1, 5 KOs) of Philadelphia will take on 24 fight-veteran Justin Johnson of Pittsburgh in a six-round junior welterweight fight.

Gadwin Rosa (7-0, 6 KOs) of Ocala, Florida takes on David Berna (16-5, 15 KOs) of Budapest Hungary in a super featherweight bout.

In four-round bouts:

Christian Tapia (5-0, 4 KOs) of Coamo, Puerto Rico fights Hector Marengo (7-13-4, 4 KOs) of Arecibo, Puerto Rico in a lightweight bout.

Marcos Suarez (5-0-1,1 KO) of Bronx, New York battles Israel Suarez (4-6-2, 1 KO) of Luquillo, Puerto Rico in a lightweight bout.

Benny Sinakin of Philadelphia makes his pro debut against Alexander Lara in a light heavyweight bout.

Marcel Rivers (6-0, 4 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on an opponent to be named in a welterweight bout.

Tickets available now! $50 GA , $70 Premium, $125 VIP +fees

Purchase Tickets online at hardhittingpromotions.com ; 2300arena.com or by calling 267.758.2173 as well as the 2300 Arena Box Office.

Doors 6PM – First bout 7PM

Follow Hard Hitting Promotions at

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