SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – New England has all the time been a stepping-stone in boxing. Native fighters within the six N.E. states earn their bones, the extra gifted prospects graduating to regional boxing, ultimately nationally, and infrequently internationally.
Unbeaten junior middleweight Anthony “ATV” Velazquez (16-0-1, 14 KOs), a promotional free agent combating out of his native Springfield, Massachusetts, firmly believes he’s able to bust out of New England boxing scene and showcase his huge expertise on a lot bigger platforms towards main 154-pounders at well-known venues like Madison Sq. Backyard.
First, although, he’s scheduled to headline a Reyes Boxing card at house in Springfield on April twenty sixth towards Yusuph “Mr. Mwanza” Metu (11-1, 8 KOs), of Tanzania, on the MassMutual Heart.
“I’m not calling out locals, I would like the massive canines,” the 28-year-old Velasquez stated. “I now have the expertise to combat exterior of my consolation zone (New England). I’m a fighter and that’s my mindset. There’s all the time room to enhance. I need to be taught daily and my coaches are all the time engaged on a couple of new issues.
“I would like folks exterior of New England to know what I can do. I received’t be overwhelmed as a result of I prepare with gifted, skilled fighters within the gymnasium. I need to be world champion Despite the fact that I’m 5-10 ½, sometime I’d like to combat Sebastian Fundora.”
Velasquez is coached by skilled cornerman Hector Bermudez, who has guided 5 world champions and presently trains world-rated welterweight Rohan Polanco (15-0, 10 KOs).
“Anthony is on the verge of shifting into the nationwide scene,” Velasquez’ advisor Gunther Feingold commented. “He has improved dramatically over the previous yr and can be a tough problem for any of the opposite sizzling prospects at 154.”
Pleased with his Boricua heritage – his father and mom had been each born in Puerto Rico – Anthony is impressed by Miguel Cotto and Tito Trinidad. The truth is, his father Carlos was a younger fighter who educated on the similar gymnasium as Cotto in Caguas the place his household is from.
“My dad was an newbie fighter, however he didn’t go professional as a result of he had 24 brothers and sisters,” Velasquez famous. “I compelled him to carry me to the gymnasium after I was within the sixth grade. My dad taught me easy methods to field and after the primary time I went to a gymnasium, I haven’t left it. I realized that there aren’t any good excuses for not going to the gymnasium daily. I used to be an excellent baseball participant, a shortstop, however I all the time wished to field, and I finished enjoying baseball in highschool. All I need to do is field. I find it irresistible!”
A self-described counter puncher with good energy, velocity and timing, Anthony is a great fighter who adapts to any model his opponent brings into the ring.
The one blemish on Velasquez’ report is a disputed 8-round cut up draw with Rashid Stevens almost two years in the past, by which the scores had been 80-72, 74-78, 76-76.
Identified for being the house of the Basketball Corridor of Fame, Springfield is a metropolis situated in Western Massachusetts with a inhabitants of greater than 150,000, lots of whom are Latinos. Whereas it hasn’t produced any bigtime professional boxers, hometown favourite Anthony Velasquez is able to break that mould, beginning when he busts out of the New England boxing scene.
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Govt Author, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a ardour for Fight Sports activities and in addition a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s additionally a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.
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