TACOMA, Wash. (April 8, 2023) – Colombian Brandon Valdes captured the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) Fedebol featherweight title and fan favorite super welterweight Neeco “Rooster” Macias had a masterful win in his comeback fight last night  at the famed Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington.

Toro Promotions Inc., in association with Whitfield Haydon, promoted its first event at Emerald Queen Casino’s state-of-the-art EQC Event Center.

Valdes (15-3, 7 KOs) defeated his Mexican opponent, Angel Antonio “Cochorro” Contreras (15-6-2, 7 KOs), in the main event by way of 10-round unanimous decision that was much more competitive than the final scoring (99-94, 98-92, 98-92) may indicate.

Valdes vs. Contreras was a spirited, back-and-forth match in which Valdes connected on more effective punches, although both fighters enjoyed moments of dominance. Valdes took early control, but Contreras picked up the pace and had Valdes on his bike in the third and fourth rounds. Valdes regained control in the fifth, surviving Contreras’ onslaughts to earn his WBA Fedebol title belt.

Macias (18-2, 11 KOs), fighting out Tehachapi, California, owned the co-featured event and showed no rust after his four-year retirement from the ring versus dangerous Ramon “Nino de Oro” Ayala (25-8-1, 13 KOs).

Rooster” was crowing early because of his patented non-stop action, slamming an overmatched Ayala, a former World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth super lightweight champion, from pillar to post. Like the “Energizer Bunny,” Macias threw nearly 150 punches per round, and Ayala was unable to answer the bell for the sixth round.

A new and improved Macias was on full display again, only the wear and tear his body had suffered in the past due to his aggressive attack mode was absent this fight. Four-years off has revitalized “Rooster,” who simply broke down his Mexican opponent to the point that he could no longer continue fighting after five rounds against the energized Macias.

Washington’s sharp-shooting super welterweight Jon Bryant (7-0, 2 KOs) kept his undefeated record intact with a near shutout of a game Timothy Parks (5-4-1, 4 KOs), taking a one-sided, six-round unanimous decision in convincing style. Bryant landed so many more crisp, counter punches from a wide variety of angles than Parks, who did have his moments during the entertaining bout.

Arizona heavyweight Dante Stone (12-1, 9 KOs) pitched a six-round shutout, winning every round on each of the three judges’ scorecards against previously undefeated Detrailous Webster (5-1, 2 KOs). Stone closed the show strong with a flurry of punches in an unsuccessful attempt to stop Webster.

California super lightweight Josue Cadena had an auspicious professional debut, physically punished Jayden Salway (0-2-1) early and often. Cadena dropped Salway twice in the second round and when a vicious body shot sent Salway to the canvas, referee Louis Jackvony halted the fight at the 30-second mark of the third round.

In an all-out war, Michael Portales (3-1-1, 1 KO) withstood a furious  late rally for a hard earned four-round unanimous decision victory over Magarito Hernandez (3-6-1).

Mexican super middleweight Dario Guerrero-Meneses (2-5-1) won a four-round unanimous decisión over Alejandro Avalos (0-2).

Complete results below:

____________________________________________________

OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAIN EVENT – VACANT WBA FEDEBOL FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Brandon Valdes (15-3, 7 KOs), Barranquilla, Colombia

WDEC10 (99-91, 98-92, 98-92)

Angel Antonio Contreras (15-6-2, 7 KOs), Monterrey Nueva León, México

(Valdes won WBA Fedebol featherweight title)

CO-FEATURE — SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS

Neeco Macias (18-2, 11 KOs), Tehachapi, CA

WTKO4 (3:00)

Ramon Ayala (25-8-1, 13 KOs), San Francisco, Actualita, México

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Dante Stone (12-1, 9 KOs), Chandler, AZ

WDEC4 (40-46, 40-36, 40-36)

Detrailous Webster (5-1, 2 KOs), Courtland, MS

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Dario Guerrero-Meneses (2-5-1, 0 KOs), Long Beach, CA by way of Mexico

WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 39-37)

Alejandro Avalos (0-2), San Antonio, TX

SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS

Jon Bryant (7-0, 2 KOs), Bremerton, WA

WDEC6 (60-54, 60-54, 59-55)

Timothy Parks (5-4-1, 4 KOs), Loganville, GA

SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS

Josue Cadena (1-0, 1 KO), Auburn, CA

WTKO3 (0:30)

Jayden Salway (0-2-1), Browning, MT

Michael Portales (3-1-1, 1 KO), Haywood, CA

WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 40-25)

Magarito Hernandez (3-6-1, 0 KOs), Wapato, WA

LOS ANGELES (April 4, 2023) – One of boxing’s most entertaining fighters, Neeco “Rooster” Macias (17-2, 10 KOs), returns to the ring this Friday night (Apr. 7) after his four-year retirement against Ramon “Nino de Oro” Ayala (25-7-1, 13 KOs) in the eight-round co-featured event at the famed Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington.

Presented by Toro Promotions Inc. in association with Whitfield Haydon, the card’s 10-round main event in the state-of-the-art EQC Event Center, starting at 8 p.m. PT, is a compelling showdown for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) Fedebol Featherweight Championship between Mexican fan friendly, upset specialist Angel Antonio “Cachorro” Contreras (15-5-2, 7KOs) and dangerous Brandon Valdes (14-3, 7 KOs), of Colombia.

Macias rapidly became a boxing cult hero from Tehachapi, California, winning his first 15 fights between 2013 and 2018, displaying a non-stop, attack-mode from the opening bell to the end of his fight. He lost his last two fights and decided to retire as a boxer, but Macais found a new calling as the operator of MBT Gym in Tehachapi, where he trains people and spars.

“I retired four years ago,’ he explained. “Why? It’s complicated. I had a tough fight with Jesus Soto Karass (28-13-4), which wasn’t the problem. I lasted 10 rounds (lost a 10-round decision by scores of 96-94, 97-93, 95-95) against a top fighter. (The two fighters completely shattered CompuBox punch records.) Then, I fought a good fighter who is now my buddy, Jeremy Ramos (10-6). Golden Boy had me on a special contract. Before the fight, the rounds were changed from 10 to 8, I got paid $15,000 less, and they took the decision (lost an 8-round split decision: 77-75, 75-77, 74-78) away from me. Jeremy is a super cool guy. We had an eight-round war. When the scores were announced, his face was lumped up and I didn’t have a scratch, just a smile. I think Golden Boy wanted to get rid of me. I accepted it as part of my boxing destiny.”

“Rooster” started sparring and fell in love with boxing and the gym again. He had agreed to fight on a show in Bakersfield (CA) on April 29th, convinced that this fight was part of his destiny. Every weekend he takes care of his niece, Mia May Macias, and he decided to make a comeback so she could see him fight. She would turn seven and be Neeco’s No. 1 fan. A perfect birthday present except that the Bakersfield show wasn’t on solid ground and then Macias’ promoter, Whit Haydon, called saying he had an opportunity of a lifetime for “Rooster,” a fight April 7th against a 25-7 opponent.

“Rooster” Macias (3rd in from left) is shown here with his sparring partners

“I had been sparring (WBC Interim Super Welterweight World Champion) Sebastian Fundoro (20-0-1, 13 KOs) for his title fight April 8 against (Brian) Mendoza on Showtime (in Carson, CA),” Macias explained. “The stars were aligned; God spoke to me. I took the fight and I’m ready. I’m fighting for my niece’s 7th birthday, but she can’t see the fight because it’s a 21-and-older show. I’m in it to win it. I’ll make here a YouTube video of my victory this weekend.

“My (32nd) birthday is April 22nd and I’m inviting everybody to my house to watch Tank-Garcia. No presents, I just want everybody to checkout this fight and enjoy a barbecue.”

Friday night, “Rooster” is matched against Ayala, a typically tough Mexican fighter who is a former World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth World super middleweight titleholder.

Macias isn’t concerned with his inactivity, to the contrary: “I’m stronger than ever. I learned to rest to perform better. I gave my whole body a rest. I’m taking this as one fight. After April 7th, questions about my fighting future will be answered. Training camp is over and I’m on weight.

“Fans are still going to see the same ‘Rooster.’ I started boxing at 20 and fell in love with the amateur style for three rounds. This is eight rounds, but I fight the same way for 10. I’m excited. There are going to be fireworks. We are going to steal the show!”

Macias comes out as the “Rooster,” crowing ‘cock-a-doodle-doo’ and captivating the hearts and minds of boxing fans again.

The undercard showcases regional and local boxers in competitive matches. Phoenix heavyweight prospects Dante Stone(11-1, 9 KO) takes on undefeated Detrailous Webster (5-0, 2 KO), of Courtland, Mississippi, in a six-rounder, while undefeated Washington super welterweight Jon Bryant (6-0, 2 KO) faces Timothy Parks (5-3-1, 4 KO), of San Diego.

Three four-round bouts open the evening as Rounding out the card will be a trio of four-round bouts including pro-debuting super lightweight Josue Cadena from nearby Auburn vs. Montana’s Jayden Salway (0-1-1), Wapato (WA) super lightweight Margarito Hernandez (3-5-1. 0 KOs) vs. Michael Portales (2-1-1, 1 KO), of Hayward, CA, and Mexico-native Dario Guerrero-Meneses (1-5-1, 0 KOs), fighting out of Long Beach (CA), vs. Alejandro Avalos (0-1), of San Antonio.

Card subject to change.

Tickets for the event are priced at $100.00, $60.00, and $40.00, and may be purchased by calling (253) 594-7777 or at www.Emeraldqueen.com.

They threw a CompuBox record 3353 punches. they landed over 1100, but it was Jesus Soto Karass closed out his career with a 10-round majority decision over previously undefeated Neeco Macias in a junior middleweight bout at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.

In round two, Macias was cu over his right eye. the two fighters threw non-stop punches with Soto Karass landing the more meaningful blows.

Soto Karass, 152.4 lbs of Los Angeles, CA won by scores of 97-93, 96-94 and 95-95 and he finishes his career out at 29-13-4. Macias, 153.4 lbs of Palm Desert, CA is 17-1.

“I feel happy. I fought against a great warrior,” said Jesus Soto Karass. “I always say that whether it’s a win, a loss or a draw, the fans always win when they see one of my fights. I will speak with my team to see if this will be my last bout.”

“I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to be in the ring with this great warrior,” said Neeco Macias. “I want to thank all of the fans for coming out tonight. We do this for you!”

Manny Robles III won a 10-round split decision over Jose Gonzalez in a featherweight fight.

Robles, 125.4 lbs of Paramount, CA won two cards 97-93 and 96-94. Gonzalez took a card 96-94.

Robles is 17-0. Gonzalez, 125.4 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 23-7.

“I could have done better tonight,” said Manny Robles III. “He was very awkward and hard to hit. I don’t agree with the decision. I felt I won by unanimous decision, but I’m happy we got the win.”

Emilio Sanchez won a 10-round technical unanimous decision over Enrique Bernache in a super featherweight bout.

Bernache was cut over his left eye and the bout was stopped in the final frame.

Sanchez, 127.2 lbs of Pacoima, CA won by scores of 100-91, 99-92 and 97-94, and is now 17-1. Bernanche, 127.8 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 24-12.

“It was tough fight and I could have done better,” said Emilio Sanchez. “When he came at me at the beginning of the fight, I decided to keep my composure and stick to the game plan.

D’Mitrius Ballard won an eight-round unanimous decision over Alan Campa in a super middleweight bout.

Ballard, 166.8 lbs of Temple Hills, MD won by scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74 to remain perfect at 19-0. Campa, 166.8 lbs of Guaymas, MEX is 17-4.

“This was my first fight in 15 months,” said D’Mitrius Ballard. “I was off due to some outside issues, but I’m back. I was shaking off some ring rust, and after a layoff like that, I want to come back as soon as possible.”