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Joan Guzman is a pugilist not a politician. In fact, he is among the world’s best in the prize ring, having rolled up two WBO titles and a 26-0 record to date. But, as his Monday, December 18, WBO 130-pound title defense against 22-2 American Antonio “TRex” Davis fast approaches, Guzman said he is feeling “presidential.”
Let the Dominican boxing dandy explain that.
“My manager, Jose Nunez, just informed me that my co-promoter (along with Sycuan Ringside Promotions) Oscar de la Hoya, the Golden Boy himself, has confirmed that he is coming to the Dominican Republic for my title bout and the great supporting bouts. I understand that Oscar is the president of Golden Boy Promotions but I consider him, as a world champion fighter who looks out for other boxers, to be the unofficial president of boxing.
“I credit Oscar de la Hoya,” Guzman said. “Oscar is a great fighter so he knows what boxers need. That is making him a great promoter. I find it really exciting that he is coming to the Dominican Republic. We are trying to let the world know that not every athlete from our country is a shortstop or a pitcher. We have great boxing talent also.
“Also Nunez received confirmation that Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, president of the WBO, will also come over from Puerto Rico for the biggest boxing show ever held in my country,” Guzman said. “And Jay Boxing is co-promoting this card in association with SEDEFIR, the Dominican government agency. The two biggest boosters of this boxing show from the very beginning have been Hon. Leonel Fernandez, our great Dominican president, and Felipe “Jay” Payano, who is head of the sports ministry.
“So here I am, the prizefighter who came from a humble bed in the Guachapita barrio, surrounded by three presidents. It is incredible to me, the president of my beloved country, the president of the WBO and a true boxing legend in Oscar. It is kind of overwhelming in a way but I must keep my focus on Davis because he is coming with intentions to spoil my party. Davis would like nothing better than to be a real grinch and to ruin my holiday homecoming. I cannot let him win this’ Fight Before Christmas.'”
Nunez said that he has confirmations from many baseball superstars and some big-named entertainers who will be crowding into the nearly sold-out Palacio De Los Deportes Virgilio Travieso Soto.
“So many of the great ballplayers are turning out and we are hearing from some of the real superstars of meregue, bachata and reggaeton music,” Nunez said. “This is going to be a very important and festive night with some great bouts. We have eight other bouts besides the world title bout and matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz has really made some hot matches for us.”
Rugged veteran Hector Julio Avila, who has a 13-bout winning streak since he lost to Guzman in 2001,, is in a co-featured WBC Carribean super bantamweight title bout. Avila will put his 40-2, 37 KOs record on the line against tough Nicaraguan Santos Martinez (12-4-3). The two went the 10-round limit two years ago in Costa Rica with Avila getting the decision.
. “This may be the greatest boxing promotion ever staged in our country,” Genero Fanjul, head of the Dominican boxing commission, said. “We have two great prospects Algenis Mendez and Guzman’s younger brother, Jose Amaro Guzman, making their professional debuts. Look for great things from these two kids.”
Young Guzman and Mendez will make their first pro starts in four-rounders. Mendez is a featherweight while Guzman is a super featherweight. The two tyros have been in Joan Guzman’s training camp in Las Vegas learning how a world champion conducts his business.
Three other homegrown boxing stars make up the middle of the card.
Undefeated welterweight Euri Gonzales (12-0, 9 KOs) is in an eight-round bout. Unbeaten middleweight Juan Ubaldo Cabrera (6-0) is an another bout scheduled for eight rounds.
In a second middleweight eight-rounder, Giovanni Lorenzo (21-0 with 13 knockouts) will take on Jordan Sanchez (13-6) of Costa Rica.
“The show really is packed with good fighters,” Nunez said. “Lorenzo, Gonzalez and Cabrera could each be a main event fighter on any other show. There will be fireworks inside and outside the ring. This will be a show that will long be remembered in this country. It will be awesome.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION, Michael Marley, mlcmarley@aol.com or 917 853 4484 Or Gladys Rosa, rprlatin@aol.com
