Earlier today at the beautiful Marco Polo Ristorante in downtown Brooklyn, DiBella Entertainment hosted the initial press conference to announce the highly anticipated 10-round welterweight showdown between fellow Brooklynites Gabriel “Tito” Bracero (22-1, 4KO’s) and Dmitriy “Star of David” Salita (35-1-1, 18KO’s).
The bout, which has been talked about for years and represents the biggest Broadway Boxing main event in its 10-plus-year existence and arguably the most significant fight to be made for New York boxing fans, will be staged Saturday, November 9, at the Aviator Sports and Events Center in Brooklyn.
Below are quotes and photos from the presser, which, in addition to Bracero and Salita and their camps, included fellow Brooklyn-natives and DBE-promoted prospects Shemuel “The Chosen One” Pagan (3-0, 1KO), Heather “The Heat” Hardy (6-0, 1KO) and Junior “Sugar Boy” Younan (pro debut), all of whom will be on the card November 9th.
KEVIN ROONEY JR. – DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT:
I want to thank everyone for coming out today for the announcement of this special edition Broadway Boxing card that will take place on November 9th. This is a tremendous card from top to bottom, culminating with this excellent main event between Gabe and Dmitriy. This is by far the biggest fight in the history of Broadway Boxing and a very significant fight for NY boxing fans. This fight has been in the works for a very long time and has been talked about throughout the NY boxing scene for many years. Before I introduce the main event participants, I would like to introduce some of the undercard fighters who are here on the dais with me, who, like Gabe and Dmitriy, are fellow Brooklynites.
We have Shemuel Pagan, who we just recently signed to an exclusive co-promotional agreement with 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions. We are very excited to be working with Shemuel and seeing his career develop in the pro ranks. He was a terrific amateur, having won the NY Golden Gloves an astonishing five times and is an incredible young talent.
We also have with us today a girl that Lou (DiBella) has claimed to be NYC’s breakthrough female boxer and who continues to impress, with her army of adoring fans growing each and every outing. She is currently 6-0, 1KO, as a professional and we are honored to have her as part of the DBE roster, Heather “The Heat” Hardy.
Last, I would like to introduce to everyone the newest member to the DBE roster and someone who we envision very, very big things for in the future. He won every title and tournament imaginable as an amateur and is being guided by the same management team as pound-for-pounder Andre Ward. He turns 18 years old next week and we are looking forward to celebrating a special birthday with an impressive victory on November 9th. Please welcome blue-chip prospect Junior “Sugar Boy” Younan.
GABRIEL BRACERO:
I am very exited sitting here today. I literally have the chills, I am that excited. This has been a fight that has been talked about for a very long time. I have known Dmitriy for many years. Outside of the ring, we are friends, but come November 9th, that all goes out the window. It’s business time. November 9is an opportunity for both of us. We are both in our thirties and we both have one loss on our records. This is an important fight not only for me and Dmitriy, but also for the fans. This is an opportunity for me not to only make a statement but to move on to the next level. I have been waiting for this opportunity for a very long time. I am very confident, and I am not here to be disrespectful, but there is no doubt in my mind that I will be handling my business come November 9th.
DMITRIY SALITA:
It is a great honor to be here today and to be able to participate in this fight on November 9
th. This is a true crossroads, NYC neighborhood battle. There hasn’t been a fight this big here in a very long time. I have been seeking a fight like this for a while now. No one has stepped up to the plate, but Gabe did. I have a lot of respect for Gabe, I know what type of fighter he is, I know he is a warrior, but I am very focused and there is no doubt in my mind that I will come out victorious come November 9th.
JUNIOR YOUNAN:
I am honored to be able to make my pro debut on this card. I grew up watching these guys fight, so to be able to fight underneath them is truly something special for me. No offense to anyone up here, but I am stealing the show come November 9th. I have been waiting for this day for my entire life. I have been working really hard and I just can’t wait to get in that ring on November 9th and shine.
JOSH DUBIN – YOUNAN’S ADVISOR:
I told James Prince about this young man when he was 13 years old. I was watching him spar Paulie Malignaggi who was a world champion at the time and Junior was more than holding his own. I made a promise to his father years ago that when he was ready to turn pro, I would be there to guide him in that path. He has big expectations that he knows he has to live up to. I don’t think we could have picked a different promoter or promotional company to work with that knows the New York fight scene better, or that knows how to build young stars in the New York area better and we couldn’t be any happier to be associated with DiBella Entertainment. This is a longtime coming and we are very excited that this day is finally here.
HEATHER HARDY:
I feel blessed to be able to be up here with all of these great fighters and to be able to represent females in this sport. Lou has always been a very big supporter of female boxing, so it is an honor that I can call him my promoter. I grew up not too far from the Aviator, so trust me the Hardy Army is going to be even bigger and louder for this show and I can’t wait to get in there and perform in my hometown on November 9th.
SHEMUEL PAGAN:
I am truly honored and want to thank God for giving me this opportunity. I am Puerto Rican, but I practice Jewish faith, so if I had to pick a winner between Gabe (Puerto-Rican) and Dmitriy (Jewish), I would have to call it a draw. But seriously, I am just looking to put on a great performance and show everyone the talent that I have.
