McWilliams Arroyo is “proud” of his conquest

McWilliams Arroyo was given. On Saturday night he won his first world title belt. And he won it big, making two historical facts that make him proud.

Arroyo won the World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight title on Saturday night by stopping in five rounds in Mexico Abraham Rodriguez in a titular fight in Miami that was celebrated within the billboard in which Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez he retained his super-media titles.

“Little by little his hands kept coming and when we hurt him he didn’t even stop to take a break. He felt the pressure and put on his skates until the coach ordered the fight to stop,” he said. detail Arroyo.

The title won is temporary. Arroyo I must have faced in the evening the champion of the weight, Julio César MartínezBut days before the fight he had to abort the fight because he suffered a cut on one hand. It was the second time that Martinez left for own reasons of the fight against Arroyo. Faced with the situation, the CMB ordered a fight by Rierol against Rodríguez.

The title came to Arroyo exactly 11 years after his professional debut. The fajardeño, who was a prominent amateur boxer, debuted in boxing rented on February 27, 2010 in Bayamón, with a knockout.

In the course of these 11 years, Arroyo suffered long periods of inactivity. Between 2015 and 2018 he fought three times. He did not fight in 2020.

And when he had the opportunity to fight for a title in 2016, he was challenged to face who was then considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, the Nicaraguan Román ‘Chocolatito’ González. Arroyo fell bravely defeated, by decision, before González.

He also had another painful defeat on the road, this one in a second titular opportunity in 2018. He lost it before the Japanese Kazuto Ioka.

On Saturday, at the age of 35, in his professional fight number 25, Arroyo finally lifted his belt over his shoulders.

“I’m very happy and content. What happened to me along the way are things that happen in this sport. It’s hard. I love boxing and it will stay strong,” he said. “God allowed me and I’m grateful because it was achieved little by little and the fruits began to come.”

Now, Arroyo can celebrate with her twin McJoe Arroyo as a pair of brothers who have been amateur Olympic boxers and professional world champions.

McJoe was an Olympian in Beijing 2008 and became a professional world champion in 2015. He was also a bronze medalist at the 2007 World Championships.

McWilliams also joins the living legend, Wilfredo Gómez, As the only boricuas in the rich history of local boxing with world titles as professionals and amateurs. Gómez was an amateur champion in 1974 and went on to become one of the best champions in the world on a professional level.

“I join Wilfredo Gómez, who was also a CMB champion. I join my twin brother. This is a beautiful thing, which makes me proud,” he said.

McWilliams won his 2009 World Amateur Championship.

McWilliams was back in Puerto Rico this Sunday afternoon to reach Fajardo, where he resides. He said he did not sleep after winning the title on Saturday and making preparations to travel from Miami to San Juan.

The protected by Promotions Miguel Cotto he hopes to return to the ring soon to unify his interim crown against the reigning champion Martinez.

“I got out of the fight well, no injuries. I’m already crazy to fight again. The idea is to fight early because I had 14 months without a fight,” he said.