2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade continued his march towards a world title shot, knocking out Rudy Cisneros at the end of the first round in tonight’s “ESPN Boxing: FNF Special Edition,” presented by Corona Extra, at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Andrade (17-0, 11 KOs), a fast-rising junior middleweight from Providence, is rated No. 6 in the World Boxing Organization (“WBO”) and No. 7 in the International Boxing Federation (“IBF”). The gifted, young southpaw established his lightning-quick jab early, followed with some solid body punching, and closed the show with a perfect right, left combination that dropped Cisneros (12-4, 11 KOs) with three seconds left in the opening round. Chisneros, a Contender, Season Two participant, was taken out of the ring on a stretcher because he was dizzy. He reportedly was healthy in the locker room and taken to Backus Hospital for precautionary reasons only.
Andrade, who is co-promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Banner Promotions, explained that he simply followed the game plan. “The game plan was to use my jab to set-up opportunities,” he said. “I kept throwing punches early and saw that he dropped his right….and there it goes! I knew he’d walk into it.
“I work hard to make my fights easier. Tonight I threw combinations and established my jab. I’m sitting down on my punches and that comes from ring generalship. I’m putting it together – a little of this, a little of that. If the knockout comes, it comes, but when the shot is there, I take it. I’m not hitting him with a pillow; I’m hitting him with a brick.
DeGuardia predicted super star status for his ace. “We’ll keep him busy, like we said,” DeGuardia commented after the fight. “He fought here February 10th and his next fight is June 29. We’ll make an announcement next week about who he’ll be fighting. It’ll be on a national network. We’re looking at top opponents to fight him but it isn’t easy.
“I think Demetrius can be my best fighter ever. He can eclipse what Antonio Tarver did. He’s ready right now for a world title fight. These two fights tonight (PPV) – Canelo and Mosley and Mayweather and Cotto — I’m confident about Demetrius fighting anyone of them, or anybody in the world. I tried to get him (Andrade) for Canelo’s fight tonight and he (Alvarez) turned him down. Mayweather is the superstar today. I’m confident that this (Andrade) is the next superstar, as long as all of the stars stay align
In the co-feature, Hartford favorite Addy Irizarrry (8-5, 2 KOs) returned to ring for the first time in 1 ½ years, since she suffered a severely fractured ankle, against light welterweight Victoria Cisneros. The fight ended after two rounds in a no contest due to a cut over Cisneros right eye from an accidental head-butt.
Hartford super featherweight Joseph “Chip” Perez (8-1, 2 KOs) and Juan “El Patron” Jaramillo (8-10-2, 3 KOs) had a give-and-take battle with Perez winning a unanimous six-round fight.
Vermont light middleweight Chris Gilbert (4-0, 3 KOs) kept his perfect record intact, stopping Keuntray Henson (4-5, 1 KO) in the third round. Springfield light heavyweight Reinaldo Graceski (1-0) dominated a game Borngod Washington en route to a four-round decision.
The opening bout was entertaining until Hartford light heavyweight Tylon Burris (2-0, 2 KOs) caught pro-debuting Robert Jackson with a couple of right-handed bombs in the second round. Jackson survived being decked the first time but referee Danny Schiavone halted the action at 1:53 of the second round when Burris dropped Jackson again.
Complete Results
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Reinaldo Graceski (2-0, 0 KOs), Springfield, MA WDEC4 (40-35 X2, 39-36) Borngod Washington (3-11, 1 KO), Queens, NY
Tylon Burris (2-0, 2 KOs), Hartford, CT KO2 (1:53) Robert Jackson (0-1), Hampton, VA
LIGHT MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Demetrius Andrade (17-0, 12 KOs), Providence, RI WKO1 (3:00)
Rudy Cisneros (12-4, 11 KOs), Chicago, IL
Chris Gilbert (4-0, 2 KOs), Windsor, VT WKO3 (1:16) Keuntray Henson (4-6, 1 KO), Memphis, TN
FEMALE LIGHT WELTERWEIGHTS
Addy Irizarry (8-5, 2 KOs), Hartford, CT No Contest (2) Victoria Cisneros (5-13-2, 1 KO), Albuquerque, NM
SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS
Joseph Perez (8-1, 2 KOs), E. Hartford, CT WDEC6 (55-55 X 3) Juan Jaramillo (8-10-2, 3 KOs), Kizer, OR
