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 proficient prospects graduating to regional boxing, finally 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 abilities on a lot bigger platforms in opposition to 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 in opposition to 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 canine,” the 28-year-old Velasquez stated. “I now have the expertise to battle outdoors of my consolation zone (New England). I’m a fighter and that’s my mindset. There’s all the time room to enhance. I wish to be taught on daily basis and my coaches are all the time engaged on a number of new issues.
“I would like individuals outdoors of New England to know what I can do. I received’t be overwhelmed as a result of I prepare with proficient, skilled fighters within the fitness center. I wish to be world champion Although I’m 5-10 ½, sometime I’d like to battle Sebastian Fundora.”
Velasquez is coached by skilled cornerman Hector Bermudez, who has guided 5 world champions and at the moment trains world-rated welterweight Rohan Polanco (15-0, 10 KOs).
“Anthony is on the verge of transferring into the nationwide scene,” Velasquez’ advisor Gunther Feingold commented. “He has improved dramatically over the previous yr and can be a troublesome problem for any of the opposite sizzling prospects at 154.”
Happy with his Boricua heritage – his father and mom have been each born in Puerto Rico – Anthony is impressed by Miguel Cotto and Tito Trinidad. In truth, his father Carlos was a younger fighter who educated on the identical fitness center as Cotto in Caguas the place his household is from.
“My dad was an novice fighter, however he didn’t go professional as a result of he had 24 brothers and sisters,” Velasquez famous. “I compelled him to deliver me to the fitness center after I was within the sixth grade. My dad taught me find out how to field and after the primary time I went to a fitness center, I haven’t left it. I discovered that there are not any good excuses for not going to the fitness center on daily basis. I used to be baseball participant, a shortstop, however I all the time wished to field, and I finished enjoying baseball in highschool. All I wish to do is field. I adore it!”
A self-described counter puncher with good energy, velocity and timing, Anthony is a great fighter who adapts to any type his opponent brings into the ring.
The one blemish on Velasquez’ report is a disputed 8-round cut up draw with Rashid Stevens practically two years in the past, wherein the scores have been 80-72, 74-78, 76-76.
Identified for being the house of the Basketball Corridor of Fame, Springfield is a metropolis positioned in Western Massachusetts with a inhabitants of greater than 150,000, a lot of whom are Latinos. Whereas it hasn’t produced any bigtime professional boxers, hometown favourite Anthony Velasquez is able to break that mildew, 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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