Eager to fight again in front of his fans

Gymnasium Félix Pagán Pintor, from Guaynabo, gathered this Monday a prominent group of Puerto Rican boxers who will see action on April 24 in the city of Kissimmee, Florida, in what represents the first billboard that the company Top Rank organizes with audience present since the pandemic began.

The group was led by Christopher ‘Smurf’ Diaz, who will challenge Mexican Emmanuel ‘Vaquero’ Navarrete for the featherweight title (126 pounds) of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) in the stellar fight of the sporting event to be held at the Silver Spurs Arena.

He also came Edgar ‘The Chosen One’ Berlanga, Who will clash in the co-star fight against American Demond Nicholson in a fight scheduled for eight rounds in the super-middle division (168 pounds). If he won in the first round, Berlanga would extend his unbeaten streak of victories in this first round to 17.

Also came the youthful sensation of Top Rank, Xander Zayas. The 18-year-old athlete will be measured to DeMarcus Layton. These were accompanied by the boxers Orlando González, Henry Lebrón and Josué Vargas.

The sextet was pleased with this billboard, with the opportunity to show up in front of the national media and fight in front of boxing fans.

“I’m happy with this training. The Puerto Rican media needed this. It’s been a long time since a ‘half day’ was done.”, Expressed Diaz (26-2, 16 KO’s) in a separate with this medium.

“I’m going to do my first billboard with fans. I think it was something we needed after a year and a half with this pandemic (from COVID-19). I think it was time for us to enjoy and have a good boxing atmosphere. “, added the athlete, who would like to fight again in Puerto Rico.

For his part, Berlanga (16-0, 16 KO’s) has pointed out that he was very excited to fight in front of fans and expressed his desire to participate in a billboard in Puerto Rico this year. The boxer, whose main language is English, insisted on doing his interview in Spanish to practice the latter language.

“I am very happy to fight on a billboard where there will be fans. Kissimmee is another Puerto Rico. When Hurricane Maria passed, many people moved there. The fight is ‘sold out’ (sold in its entirety). I’m very happy about that, “he said.

Zayas (7-0, 5 KO’s) also celebrated the public’s return to the fights.

“More than a year without an audience. The last fight with the public was here in Puerto Rico (February 28, 2020 in Trujillo Alto). Now back with the public, like who says in Puerto Rico, in Kissimmee. With all these boricuas prospects and contenders. I am excited and happy and ready to win“, He said.

Speaking about the group training session, Gardy López, director of Hispanic media at Top Rank, explained that the reason for it is to introduce this group of fighters, some of whom are not as well known in the world. ‘island.

“This media day is intended to continue to build on the images of these young fighters, which is the new blood of Puerto Rican boxing. Everyone is starting to make noise. We want to introduce them to the fan base in Puerto Rico, because maybe not everyone is known“, Declared the professional.

“This is the first billboard we do (in 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 distancing between attendees,” Lopez added.