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Guaynabo-based gym Félix Pagán Pintor gathered an excellent group of Puerto Rican boxers this Monday who will see action in the city of Kissimmee, Florida on April 24, representing the first card the Top Rank company is organizing with an audience present. since the pandemic started.
The group was led by Christopher ‘Pitufo’ Díaz, who will challenge Mexican Emmanuel ‘Vaquero’ Navarrete for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight title (126 pounds) in the main fight of the sporting event held at the Silver Spurs Arena.
The same, Edgar ‘The Chosen One’ Berlanga, who will clash in the co-feature match against American Demond Nicholson in a bout scheduled for eight rounds in the super middleweight division (168 pounds). If he won in the first round, Berlanga would expand his unbeaten streak of wins in that first round to 17.
Also came the youthful Top Rank sensation, Xander ZayasThe 18-year-old athlete takes on Demarcus Layton. These were guided by the hunters Orlando González, Henry Lebrón and Josué Vargas
The sextet welcomed this card, with the opportunity to appear in front of the national media and fight for boxing fans.
“I am happy with this training. The Puerto Rican media needed this. It had been a long time since there had been a ‘media day’ “, Díaz (26-2, 16 KOs) said aside with this medium.
“I’m going to do my first card with fans. I think it was something we need after a year and a half with this (COVID-19) pandemic. I think it was time to enjoy and have a good boxing environment, ”added the athlete, who would like to fight again in Puerto Rico.
Berlanga (16-0, 16 KO’s) for his part, pointed out that he was very excited to be fighting for fans and expressed his desire to participate in a map in Puerto Rico this year. The boxer, whose main language is English, insisted on taking his interview in Spanish to practice the final language.
I am very happy to be fighting on a map where fans will be. Kissimmee is another Puerto Rico. When Hurricane Maria passed, many people moved there. The fight is ‘sold out’ (sold in its entirety). I am very happy with that, ”he stated.
Zayas (7-0, 5 KO’s) also celebrated the crowd’s return to the fray.
“More than a year without an audience. The last fight with the public was here in Puerto Rico (on February 28, 2020 in Trujillo Alto). Now I return with the public, as they say in Puerto Rico, in Kissimmee. With all these Puerto Rican prospects and contenders. I am excited and happy and ready to win.“, He said.
Regarding the group training, Gardy López, Top Rank’s director of Spanish media, said the reason for this is to raise awareness of this group of hunters, some of whom are less known on the island.
“This media day aims to build on the images of these young fighters, who are the new blood of Puerto Rican boxing. Everyone is starting to make noise. We want to present them to the fans in Puerto Rico because maybe not all of them are knownStated the professional.
“This is the first card we do (on Top Rank) with an audience. Tickets were sold in record time. It will be with a limited audience (3,500 people) and there will be some distance between those present, ”López added.