Eager to fight in front of their fans again

The Félix Pagán Pintor Gym in Guaynabo on Monday brought together a remarkable group of Puerto Rican boxers who will see action on April 24 in Kissimmee, Florida, as the first book that Top Rank organizes with an audience present since the pandemic began.

The group was led by Christopher ‘Pitufo’ Díaz, who will challenge Mexican Emmanuel ‘Vaquero’ Navarrete for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight title (£ 126) in the main fight of the sporting event that will take place at the Silver Spurs Arena.

Also, Edgar “The Chosen One” Berlanga, who will clash in the co-feature match against American Demond Nicholson in a fight scheduled for eight rounds in the super middleweight division (168 pounds). If they win in the first round, Berlanga would extend its unbeaten run in that first round to 17.

The young feeling of Top Rank also came, Xander Zayas. The 18-year-old athlete will face Demarcus Layton. They were accompanied by fighters Orlando González, Henry Lebrón and Josué Vargas.

The sextet was satisfied with this book, with the possibility to appear in front of the national press and to fight in front of the boxing fans.

“I am happy with this training. The Puerto Rican media needed that. It had been a long time since a “press day” had taken place. “, said Díaz (26-2, 16 KOs) in part with this environment.

“I will make my first book with the fans. I think it was something we needed after a year and a half with this pandemic (COVID-19). I think it’s time to enjoy and have a good boxing environment “, added the athlete, who would like to fight again in Puerto Rico.

For his part, Berlanga (16-0, 16 KO’s) stressed that he is very excited to fight in front of the fans and expressed his desire to participate in a card in Puerto Rico this year. The boxer, whose main language is English, insisted on interviewing in Spanish to practice the last language.

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

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

“More than a year without an audience. The last fight with the public was here in Puerto Rico (on February 28, 2020 in Trujillo Alto). Now I’m back with the audience, as they say in Puerto Rico, in Kissimmee. With all these prospects and competitors in Puerto Rico. I’m excited and happy and ready to win.“, He said.

Speaking about the group training session, Gardy López, the Hispanic media director of Top Rank, explained that the reason is to raise awareness of this group of fighters, some of whom are not as well known on the island.

“This media day aims to continue to be based on the images of these young fighters, who are the new blood of Puerto Rican boxing. Everyone starts making noise. We want to introduce them to Puerto Rican fans, because maybe not everyone is known“The professional said.

“This is the first book we do (at Top Rank) with an audience. Tickets were sold in record time. It will have a limited audience (3,500 people) and there will be a distance between the participants “, added López.