“Sweet 16” Philly Boxing Prospects on the Rise!
By Ken Hissner, DoghouseBoxing (Dec 11, 2008) Photo © German Villasenor, DHB  
There are 16 Philly prospects starting to make some noise worth talking about from super bantamweight to cruiserweight.

They are fighting throughout the country for such promoter’s as Top Rank, Golden Boy, Star Boxing, Peltz Boxing, Power Productions, TKO Boxing, Prize Fight Boxing, Rising Star Boxing and King Promotions of Reading.

Let’s take a look so you can get to know these Philly fighters.

TEON “TECHNICIAN” KENNEDY: He was a National GG champion in 2004 at #112. He spent time boxing for NMU under Al Mitchell. Upon deciding to turn pro in January of 2007 he was at 127. He has been fighting at 122 in his last 3 fights. His KO in 1 over Thomas Snow, then 10-0, was a main event at the New Alhambra in South Philly in his 9th fight. The current goal per his co-manager Doc Nowick is to fight for the USBA title in a couple more fights. Jimmy Williams and Joe Hand are also part of the management team. Wade and Randy Hinnant are the trainers while Peltz Boxing is the promoter. Kennedy is all business in the gym and ring. He was 22 in June. His record is 11-0 (5). He tentatively has a fight scheduled in Chicago on December 12th. He trains at the Joe Hand Gym, which is managed by Pete Papaleo

ERIC “OUTLAW” HUNTER: There has been talk of Hunter fighting Kennedy down the line. He was 123 in his last fight defeating Robert DaLuz in the main event at Oaks, PA. Prior to that, he stopped Jules Blackwell, who at the time was 7-0-2, in the main event at the Blue Horizon and defeated Tyrell Samuel, then 9-1, in Doraville, GA. He was a 2003 Junior Olympic champion, Pennsylvania GG champ and a 2004 Olympic team alternate. He is managed by Cameron Dunkin and Sloan Harrison, who does the training. His promoter is TKO Boxing. He was 22 in September. His record is 10-1 (4) and has fought in 5 states. He trains at the Kingsessing Rec Center.

ANTHONY “FLAWLESS” FLORES: He was a two-time Pennsylvania GG champ at #119 in 2005 and #132 in 2007. Turning pro just after his 20th birthday in March of this year, Flores at 5:11, #135, has shown good boxing ability, and is a finisher. He is trained by Vaughn Jackson at the 9th and Masters gym. Nowicki and Williams are co-managers and Peltz Boxing his promoter. His record is 6-0 (4) with all but 1 fight being in Philly. “Meldrick Taylor and Ray Leonard were my favorite fighters,” said Flores.

“HAMMERIN” HANK LUNDY: He was a Pennsylvania GG champ at #141 in 2005. He had a 65-5 amateur record. Having fought in 5 states, with the most recent in North Dakota, he can box from either side, a Henry Armstrong style. Only 5:06, he makes up for it with his aggressiveness. In March of 2008 he thrilled the fans on the tube, drawing with Darnell Jiles, Jr., then 8-0. With his promoter CES (Jimmy Burchfield) in New England, 6 of his fights have been in 3 states in that region. His trainers are Charles Ramey and Charles Mack at the Marion Anderson Gym, in South Philly. His record is 12-0-1 (6). “Hammerin Hank is an unsolved problem with no solution,” said Lundy.

RAY SERRANO: In 2005 he won Gold in the International and National Junior Olympic championships along with a bronze in the Junior World championships in 2005. He won over 100 fights including the state GG title at #141in 2006. He turned pro in October of 2007, at 18 (May) as a welterweight. Having but 2 of his fights in Philly, his record is 8-0 (5), with his most recent win over veteran of 25 fights, Shakha Moore, in Atlantic City. Managed and trained by his father, Ramon, with assistance coming from Danny Davis. He is promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, with Kevin Rooney, Jr., handling the public relations. He is a cousin of former IBF welterweight champion Kermit and brother, Jason Cintron, an unbeaten 8-0 (2), junior welterweight, from Reading. “Favorite fighter was Naseem Hamed. Joey (DeGuardia) and I get along well, and he is very fair. I plan on going down to 140.”

DANNY “SWIFT” GARCIA: An under 19, 2005 National champion, 2006 US National champion, Pennsylvania #132 GG champion and a 2008 Olympic alternate. Turning pro in November of 2007, this 20 year old welterweight is promoted by Golden Boy. All his fights have been away from Philly, with 5 being in Nevada and 2 in nearby Atlantic City. His record is 10-0 (7) in 12 months as a pro. Known for his combinations of punches, he won an 8 round decision on the DeLaHoya-Pacquiao card, December 6th.

“NEW” RAY ROBINSON: Told he would never fight again at 14, due to a major neck operation taking a bone from his hip attaching it to his vertebrate. This 5:10 southpaw is a slick boxer who won over 50 fights and was #3 in the world before turning pro in December of 2006. Having fought in 5 states for his promoter, Star Boxing, he has only fought in Philly one time, defeating Jason Jordan, a veteran of 27 fights. Prior to that, he stopped Shakha Moore in the 1st round. “I started working with my trainer Howard “Moses” Mosley and consider him like a father to me,” said Robinson. As an amateur on the National team he has fought in Russia, Italy and Turkey. He moved to Marquette, Michigan to attend NMU, while continuing his boxing career. As a pro he is 9-0 (3).

GABRIEL “KING” ROSADO: Posting a 14-4 amatuer record, winning the Philly Diamond Tournament at #165, he is a solid light middleweight as a pro. He is trained by Billy Briscoe, and recently served as Bernard Hopkins sparring partner for the Kelly Pavlik fight. He impressed Hopkins enough to be considered joining Golden Boy Promotions possibly in January. “Bernard said I was the best guy in camp,” said Rosado. I witnessed that being said after Pavlik fight.Managed by his father, Encarnacion, he turned pro in January of 2006. After being inactive for 8 months, he reversed an earlier loss to Joshua Onyango, in April stopping him in the 3rd round. In his most recent fight in June on ESPN, he upset Ireland’s James Moore, who was 15-0 at the time, in New York. “I watched Moore fight on GoFightLive and knew I could beat him,” said Rosado. His record is 10-2 (6) and will be 23 in January. His gym is at 5th and Allegheny in North Philly. “I would love to fight James Kirkland,” added Rosado.

LATIF “MEAN STREAK” MUNDY: This Pennsylvania 2004 #165 champ finished 4th in the Nationals in 2005. He turned pro in April of 2006, winning 8 straight, 3 by knockout. In his 9th fight he fought a war losing to Rudy Cisneros, over 8 rounds. It was changed to a No Contest due to Cisneros failed state administered drug test. His record is 8-0-1nc. He is trained by Wade and Randy Hinnant, while managed by Doc Nowicki, Jimmy Williams and Joe Hand. Peltz Boxing is his promoter. He trains at the Joe Hand Gym. He turned 26 December 3rd.

DENNIS HASSON: He left the Kensington section, of Philly to eventually attend NMU while continuing his boxing. He was a Ringside Tournament winner, who posted an 85-15 record before turning pro in March of 2008. He is manged by Buddy Osborn (Rock Ministry Gym) and Joe Hand, while being trained by Wade and Randy Hinnant at the Joe Hand gym. He comes from the blood line of a great uncle, the former light heavyweight Hall of Fame champion, Tommy Loughran. He has a 5-0 (2) record fighting at #165. His next scheduled fight is January 16th at the New Alhambra.

FARAH ENNIS: He comes from a fighting family. His father, “Bozy”, a former fighter, is his trainer. His brother “Pooh” is a 16-2-1, light middleweight, Moz Gonzalez and Eddie Woods are his co-managers. His promoter is Brian Young, of Prize Fight Promotions, out of the Mississippi area, where they have a working relationship with one of the casinos. He will be 26 in January and turned pro in February 2006. He was inactive for 15 months. His record is 8-0 (4), but a better puncher than that shows.

PEDRO MARTINEZ: A former 2007 Super GG Heavyweight champ, now a cruiserweight, Martinez is 3-1 (2) as a pro since March of 2008. Doc Nowicki and Joe Hand are co-managers while Tommy Barnes, for boxer, is head trainer with June Small as the assistant. He trains at the Joe Hand gym and is promoted by Peltz Boxing. He will turn 24 in January.

KAREEM WILSON: He is a Pennsylvania GG champion at #152, turning pro in December of 2005 until August of 2007. He is trained by Vaughn Jackson and managed by Doc Nowicki and Jimmy Williams. Peltz Boxing is his promoter. This southpaw has a 10-1-1 (3) record as a light middleweight. He returned to action December 5th after a 15 month lay-off, posting a win. “I have had over 200 amatuer fights, starting when I was 7 years old,” said Wilson. He trains at Mike Malters gym in Philly.

VICTOR VASQUEZ: Though only having a 3-1 amateur history, Vasquez is one of the big ticket sellers in Philly. He comes to fight and has compiled an 8-2 (5) record since turning pro in September of 2006. Working his corner is Kevin Yeiser, Stanley Dawson and Dave S. Willoughby, Jr. His favorite fighters are Willie Pep and Wilfredo Benitez. He will be 26 end of January. He is promoted by Peltz Boxing.

KARL “DYNAMITE” DARGAN: He is a 2007 Pan Am Games gold medalist. He was a Pennsylvania GG champ in 2003 at 132. He turned pro in December of 2007. He was inactive until September when he posted his second win. He is trained by Nazeem Richardson at Shuler’s Gym. He is 2-0 as a pro. He is a cousin to Rock Allen. He was 23 in June.

ROCK ALLEN: He was a member of the 2004 Olympic team. He won the Pennsylvania 2002-03 GG at 141. He turned professional in august of 2005 winning his first 5 fights by knockout. He is trained by Nazeem Richardson at Shuler’s Gym. On December 5th he posted his 14th straight win. He is 14-0 (7). He is a cousin to Karl Dargan and has a twin brother, Tiger Allen 3-0 (2) and brother Bear Richardson, a 2006 Pennsylvania GG champion at 189. Rock turned 27 in September. He is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions.

I have compiled 16 prospects with 14 fights or less, all with the potential to fill the seats not only in Philly, but across the country. Besides Philly, Reading, Allentown, Scranton, Pittsburgh, Atlantic City and Delaware, have shows covering the tri-state area. Every 4 years when the Olympics are over, there are boxers who won’t wait another 4 years, and will turn pro. Philly is a hot bed for amateur boxing that included a USA vs Puerto Rico Olympic match-up. Remember the names Kennedy, Hunter, Flores, Lundy, Serrano, Garcia, Robinson, Rosado, Mundy, Hasson, Ennis, Martinez,Wilson, Vasquez, Dargan and Allen!

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Ken at: kenhissner@yahoo.com




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