LOS ANGELES (September 29, 2024) – Last night, Toro Promotions, Inc. successfully launched its new pro boxing series, “The Heartbeat of LA Boxing”, as undefeated Tsotne “Mr. T” Rogova (10-0, 7 KOs) captured the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) U.S. heavyweight title and six boxers made their pro debuts, including celebrated Walnut (CA) High School senior Paolo “Pow” Barredo, at Pacific Palms Resort in City of Industry, California.

“This was surely Southern California boxing at its finest,” Toro promoter Azat Torosyan said after the fights. “You have to go see a lot of shows to find one as good as tonight’s.”

In an action-packed co-main event, Rogova passed the toughest test of his young pro boxing career against the always dangerous Alexander “The Great” Flores (19-5-1, 17 KOs), winning a unanimous 10-round decision in what was an all-out war.

Rogava, a 2020 Ukraine Olympian, dominated early by trapping Flores on the ropes and dropping the more experienced Flores, who has fought three world champions, with a vicious body attack in the second round. Flores, however, started turning the tide in the fifth, but Tsotne regained control in the sixth. Flores displayed tremendous heart, battling right to the end, albeit in a loss.

Barredo, who celebrated his 18th birthday last week, took his time figuring out his opponent, featherweight Mychaquell “Myche” Shields (2-6), who was decked in round three. Barredo, a 2021 Junior Olympics Champion, closed the show with a fourth-round stoppage.

Paolo “Pow” Barredo (L)

(photo by Lyle Ibarra)

Another celebrated amateur making his pro debut, La Puente’s (CA) Alexandro “El Capitan” Alvarado (1-0, 1 KO), defeated fellow pro-debuting lightweight Eduardo Mondragon “El Azteca” Lopez in spectacular fashion, beating down and ultimately stopping Lopez in round three. Alvarado was silver medalist in the 2021 California State Silver Gloves.

Mission Hills (CA) junior welterweight Sonny “The Bear” Robledo (10-0, 3 KOs) kept his undefeated record intact, pitching a near shutout versus Matt Gaver (3-10-2, 1 KO) to win a six-round unanimous decision by scores of 60-54 (twice) and 59-55.

Riverside (CA) junior bantamweight Hector Oros (1-0) overcame a first-round knockdown to take a close four-round unanimous decision (38-37 X 3) over another pro debuting fighter, Alexander Robles (0-1).

In a sensational battle between a pair of pro-debuting California fighters, Riverside welterweight Oscar Trujillo Enriquez (1-0, 1 KO) put Jesse “Suavecito” Zuniga (0-1) to sleep in the second round, unable to recover in time from a wicked body shot.

In a junior lightweight match that could have gone either way, Santa Ana’s (CA) Michael “Chamuco” Bracamontes (10-2-1, 5 KOs) played the matador role, moving around the ring, against hard-charging Armenian (3-3-1, 2 KOs). Bracamontes won a six-round majority decision (58-56 twice and 57-57).

In the opening bout of a memorable evening of boxing, Mongolian flyweight (LA resident) Enkhmandakh “Machine Gun Magi” Khurkuu (4-0, 1 KO) outclassed Richard Morales (1-8. 0 KO) for a first-round knockout victory.

Official Results below:

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OFFICIAL RESULTS

CO-MAIN EVENT – VACANT WBC. U.S. HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Tsotne Rogava (10-0, 7 KOs), Marina del Rey, CA

WDEC10 (99-90, 97-92, 96-93)

Alexander Flores (19-5-1, 17 KOs), Rowland Heights, CA

(Tsotne won the WBC U.S. heavyweight title)

CO-MAIN EVENT – FEATHERWEIGHTS

Paolo Barredo (1-0, 1 KO), Walnut, CA

WTKO4

Mychaquell Shields (2-6, 0 KOs), Alpine, CA

WELTERWEIGHTS

Oscar Trujillo Enriquez (1-0, 1 KO), Riverside, CA

WKO2

Jesse Zuniga (0-1), Fontana, CA

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS

Sonny Robledo (10-0, 3 KOs), Mission Hills, CA

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

Matt Gaver (3-10-2, 1 KO), Bakersfield, CA

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Alejandro Alvarado (1-0, 1 KO), La Puente, CA

WKO3

Eduardo Mondragon Lopez (0-1), Escondido, CA

JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS

Michael Bracamontes (10-2-1, 5 KOs), Santa Ana, CA

WDEC6 (58-56, 58-56, 57-57)

Arsen Poghosyan (3-3-1, 2 KOs), Los Angeles, CA by way of Armenia

JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHTS

Hector Oros (1-0, 0 KOs), Riverside, CA

WDEC4 (38-37, 38-37, 38-37)

Alexander Robles (0-1), Modesto, CA

FLYWEIGHTS (4)

Enkhmandakh Kharkuu (4-0, 1 KO), Los Angeles, CA by way of Mongolia

WKO1

Richard Morales (1-8, 0 KOs), Westminster, CO

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LOS ANGELES (September 3, 2024) – Two days after his 18^th birthday, Walnut High senior Paolo “Pow” Barredo will make his long-awaited pro debut in a four-round featherweight bout on the inaugural event of “Heartbeat of LA Boxing” series, presented by Toro Promotions, on September 28^th at Pacific Palms Resort in City of Industry, California.

Barredo was a celebrated U.S. amateur boxer who won 90 of 106 matches, highlighted by his 2021 Junior Olympics title-winning performance. He has been matched in the four-round, co-main event for his pro debut versus Mychaquell Shields (2-5, 0 KOs), of Alpine (CA).

“Pow” started boxing at the tender age of five because his father wanted him to stay in shape, away from gangs, and prevent him from being bullied.

“I probably would have been bullied because I was easy to push around back then,” Barredo remembered. “He really got me in boxing for self-defense, but I got really good at it fast. I thought about turning pro two years ago, at 16, but I wanted to continue developing. Now, I’m ready and I think competing as an amateur in California against some of the best competition in the country has prepared me.”

Waiting four years to turn pro in hopes of making the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team was never a consideration for Barredo, who did think about turning pro two years in Mexico at the age of 16, like Devin Haney did. One of the contemporary boxers he studies, two-division world champion Haney’s first four pro fights were in Mexico until he was old enough to be licensed in Nevada.

“I was never really interested in being an Olympian,” Barredo remarked. “My dream has always been to turn pro when I turn 18.”

Because he’s still In high school Barredo has an incredibly busy daily schedule, especially now when he’s training hard for his first professional fight.

On an average weekday, Barredo wakes up at 6 a.m. and has his first class at 7:15. He brings healthy snacks to maintain his weight and then runs between 3 and 4 ½ miles. Then he goes to Riverside Gym to train for three hours, starting at 3 or 4, routinely shadow boxing in the ring, jumping rope, hitting the speed bag, followed by pounding the heavy bag for 15 rounds, unless, of course, he’s sparring six rounds. “Pow” arrives home between 8 and 8:30 to eat dinner and complete his homework. By 10, he goes to sleep, and starts all over again the next morning.

“I never have free time,” he noted.

Barreda said that after he graduates from high school, he will likely take off at least a year to fully focus on being a prizefighter, although he indicated he may eventually work in real estate or the trades. For now, though, he’s all in on boxing.

“He’s (Barredo) a good kid,” Barredo’s trainer/manager Henry Ramirez commented. “I can’t say enough good things about him. He’s a hard worker who has been with me since he was nine. He’s a great student of the game; he is a natural learner with a great ring IQ.

“’Pow’ has a real shot at not only being a world champion, but developing into a super star, and I’ve never put a label on a fighter like that before.”

The other co-main event is between powerhouse heavyweights Tsotne Rogava (9-0, 7 KOs) and Alexander “The Great” Flores (19-4-1, 17 KOs), who clash in a much anticipated 10-round fight for the vacant WBC U.S. heavyweight crown.

2020 Ukraine Olympian Rogava, who is trained by Hall of Famer Joe Goossen,  was born in Georgia and he now lives in Marina del Rey (CA). The 6’ 5”, 270-pound Rogava will take on the 6’ 4”, 260-pound Flores, fighting out of Rowland Heights (CA). Three of Michael Love-trained Flores’ career losses have been to world champions Charles Martin, Joseph Parker and Luis Ortiz. 

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TORO PROMOTIONS TO HOST PRESS CONFERENCE THIS THURSDAY

Toro Promotions is hosting its “Heartbeat of LA Boxing” series press conference this Thursday (Sept. 5), starting at 5 p.m. PT, at Walnut City Hall (Senior Community Center) in Walnut, California. Special guests will include Paolo “Pow” Barredo, Tsotne Rogava, Alexander Flores, Henry Ramirez (Barredo’s trainer/manager), Hall of Famer Joe Goossen (Rogava’s trainer), Michael Love (Flores’ trainer), Dorian Mendez, Alejandro Alvarado, promoter Azat Torosyan (Toro Promotions) and matchmaker Whit Haydon.      

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World Boxing Association (WBA) No. 14-rated cruiserweight Craig “Pressure” Parker (16-0, 16 KOs) – 16-0 with 16 knockouts – faces veteran Nick “Slick” Kisner (23-7-1, 7 KOs), the former Maryland State and NABA USA cruiserweight champion out of Baltimore, in an eight-round bout.

Santa Ana (CA) junior lightweight meets Bakersfield’s (CA), Matt Gaver (3-9-2, 1 KO), and Santa Ana (CA) junior lightweight Michael “El Chamuco” Bracamontes (9-2-1, 5 KOs) fights  Arsen Poghosyan (3-2-1, 2 KOs), who fights out of Los Angeles, in a pair of six-round matches.

A four-round fight between Dorian Mendez (4-0, 2 KOs) and crosstown Los Angeles rival David Romero (5-0-2, 1 KO) embodies the spirit of the “Heartbeat of LA Boxing” series in a very rare match-up showcasing a pair of unbeaten junior middleweight prospects.

Five additional local fighters will make their pro debuts: La Puente (CA) lightweight Alejandro Alvarado, a 2021 California State Silver Mittens Champion, vs. San Diego’s Eduardo Mondragon, Fontana welterweight Jesse Zuniga vs. Riverside’s Oscar Trujillo, and Riverside (CA) bantamweight Hector Oros vs. TBA.

Card Subject to change.

Tickets prices range between $500.00 and $100.00 and are available to purchase by going on Instagram @ToroPromotionsInc and follow the link in its bio, or go directly to www.EventBrite.com.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. PT, first bout at 6:30 p.m. PT.

INFORMATION:

Instagram: @ToroPromotionsInc, @PacificPalmsResort, @PowBarredo

Facebook: /ToroPromotionsInc, /PacificPalmsResort, /PowPowBarredo

You Tube: @ToroPromotionsINC,

X (formerly Twitter): @ToroPromotions, @PacificPalms, @PowBarredo

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LOS ANGELES (August 29, 2024) – Toro Promotions, Inc. launches its “Heartbeat of LA Boxing” series on September 28th, headlined by the pro debut of high school senior Paolo “Pow” Barrera along with a heavyweight showdown for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) U.S. Heavyweight Championship, at Pacific Palms Resort in City of Industry, California.

Paolo “Pow” Barredo, a celebrated amateur boxer highlighted by his 2023 Junior Olympics championship performance, makes his anticipated pro debut in the four-round, co-main event  versus featherweight Mychaquell Shields (2-5, 0 KOs). A senior student at Walnut High School in Walnut, California, Barredo is trained by highly respected Henry Ramirez.

Undefeated Tsotne Rogava (9-0, 7 KOs) will take on always dangerous Alexander “The Great” Flores (19-4-1, 17 KOs) in the 10-round, co-main event for the vacant WBC U.S. heavyweight crown.

A 2020 Ukraine Olympian, Rogava is on a mission to crack the world heavyweight ratings and an impressive victory over Flores would better position the Georgia-born Rogava. The 6’ 5”, 270-pound Rogava will battle the 6’ 4”, 260-pound Flores. Rogava was a champion kickboxer who successfully transitioned to boxing. The heavy-handed Rogava lives in Marina del Rey (CA), and he is trained by Hall of Famer Joe Goossen.

Flores, fighting out of Rowland Heights (CA), clearly represents the toughest challenge of Rogava’s young pro boxing career. Three of the 34-year-old Flores have been to world champions Charles Martin, Joseph Parker and Luis Ortiz. Flores is handled by Michael Love.

Rogava and Flores are both members of Toro Promotions’ powerhouse stable of talented heavyweights that also includes Dante stone (16-1, 11 KOs) and Kinsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh (12-2-1, 10 KOs).

Las Vegas-based World Boxing Association (WBA) No. 14-rated cruiserweight Craig “Pressure” Parker (16-0, 16 KOs) will put his prefect pro record on the line – 16-0 with 16 knockouts — in an eight-round match versus veteran Nick “Slick” Kisner (23-7-1, 7 KOs), the former Maryland State and NABA USA cruiserweight champion out of Baltimore.

“This is a special night of boxing in the Los Angeles area,” International matchmaker Whit Haydon said, “which I consider the boxing capital of the world, and the heartbeat of boxing. We are fired up to see how well this entertaining, competitive event showcasing so many local boxers will be received by local boxing fans.” 

Providing chief support on the undercard are a pair of six-round bouts as Santa Ana (CA) junior lightweight faces his opponent from Bakersfield (CA), Matt Gaver (3-9-2, 1 KO), while Santa Ana (CA) junior lightweight Michael “El Chamuco” Bracamontes (9-2-1, 5 KOs) throws-down with his Armenian opponent, Arsen Poghosyan (3-2-1, 2 KOs), who fights out of Los Angeles.

A four-round fight between Dorian Mendez (4-0, 2 KOs) and crosstown Los Angeles rival David Romero (5-0-2, 1 KO) embodies the spirit of the “Heartbeat of LA Boxing” series in a very rare match-up showcasing a pair of unbeaten junior middleweight prospects from the “City of Angeles”.

Five local fighters will make their pro debuts: La Puente (CA) lightweight Alejandro Alvarado, a 2021 California State Silver Mittens Champion, vs. San Diego’s Eduardo Mondragon, Fontana welterweight Jesse Zuniga vs. Riverside’s Oscar Trujillo, and Riverside (CA) bantamweight Hector Oros vs. TBA.

Card Subject to change.

Tickets prices range between $500.00 and $100.00 and are available to purchase by going on Instagram @ToroPromotionsInc and follow the link in its bio, or go directly to www.EventBrite.com.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. PT, first bout at 6:30 p.m. PT.

INFORMATION:

Instagram: @ToroPromotionsInc, @PacificPalmsResort

Facebook: /ToroPromotionsInc, /PacificPalmsResort

You Tube: @ToroPromotionsINC,

X (formerly Twitter): @ToroPromotions, @PacificPalms

TikTok: @ToroPromo