The signature series in New York boxing, DiBella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing, returns to its signature venue, the BB King Blues Club in Times Square, for a night of action featuring undefeated prospects Gabriel “Tito” Bracero and Mark “TNT” Tucker in separate bouts.
The undercard will feature the return of junior lightweight Ryan Kielczewski, along with bouts featuring popular undefeated prospects: Steven Martinez, Deano Burrell, and Seanie Monaghan. The card will also introduce Allan Benitez in his pro debut as well as present special attractions Keisher McLeod-Wells and Capt. Boyd Melson.
Tickets for the Feb.9 Broadway Boxing event are completely sold out.
Bracero (13-0, 1 KO) is coming off an impressive eight-round unanimous decision victory over Hector Alatorre on Broadway Boxing in December. The 29-year-old junior welterweight from Brooklyn is known for his all-action style, only matched in intensity by the spirit that his rabid fan base brings to each of his fights.
Tucker (14-0, 7 KOs) is a local hero in his home state, Maryland, where he has regularly fought in front of sellout crowds at the Shipley Arena in Westminster. In his last action, he traveled across the country to Oakland, CA where he decisioned Billy Bailey to capture the NABO Youth title on Oct. 6, his 23rd birthday. Currently, Tucker sits at #7 in the WBO light heavyweight rankings. Feb. 9 will be Tucker’s Broadway Boxing debut.
Kielczewski (8-0, 2 KOs), of Quincy, MA, was an amateur standout who placed second in the 2008 National Golden Gloves at 125 pounds. Known as “The Polish Prince,” he will be returning to BB Kings for the first time since his pro debut.
Martinez (7-0, 6 KOs), 20, of Bronx, NY, is one of the latest additions to the DiBella Entertainment stable. Managed by New York Giants running back, Brandon Jacobs, the young junior middleweight is surrounding himself with people who know what it takes to be a champion. In his last bout on Dec. 1, Martinez went the distance for the first time, winning a six-round unanimous decision over David Lopez.
McLeod-Wells (3-1, 1 KO), of Brooklyn, NY, is a slick boxer who knows how to use the ring to her advantage. In her last bout, she won a four-round decision over the previously unbeaten Laura Gomez in a December flyweight bout.
Monaghan (4-0, 3 KOs), 29, of Long Beach, NY, has quickly gained popularity having scored three explosive early knockouts. He will be looking to redeem himself on Feb. 9, as he struggled to win a majority decision in his last appearance on Broadway Boxing in October.
Melson (1-0), of White Plains, NY, a West Point graduate and an accomplished amateur boxer, is an easy guy to root for. He demonstrated his altruistic side when he donated his entire purse from his pro debut in November to stem cell research.
Burrell (1-0, 1 KO), of Brooklyn, NY, by way of South London, England, burst onto the professional scene with a second-round TKO in November and will look to build on that momentum.
Benitez, of El Paso, TX, will debut as a featherweight.
Full Weigh-in Results
8 ROUNDS – JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS
Gabriel Bracero vs. Chris Fernandez
Brooklyn, NY Salt Lake City, UT
13-0, 1 KO, 142 lbs. 19-11-1, 11 KO’s, 140.6 lbs.
6 ROUNDS – LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Mark Tucker vs. Ray Smith
Eldersburg, MD Little Rock, AR
14-0, 7 KO’s, 174 lbs. 9-4, 3 KO’s, 176 lbs.
4 ROUNDS – LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Seanie Monaghan vs. Angel Gonzalez
Long Beach, NY Yonkers, NY
4-0, 3 KO’s, 176 lbs. 2-3, 2 KO’s¸ 176.25 lbs.
4 ROUNDS –JUNIOR MIDDLWEIGHTS
Boyd Melson vs. Marquise Bruce
White Plains, NY Los Angeles, CA
1-0, 153.5 lbs. 0-0-1, 153.5 lbs.
6 ROUNDS – FLYWEIGHTS
Keisher McLeod-Wells vs. Melissa McMorrow
Brooklyn, NY San Carlos, CA
3-1, 1 KO, 107.5 lbs. 4-1-3, 108 lbs.
6 ROUNDS – JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS
Ryan Kielczewski vs. Wilshaun Boxley
Quincy, MA Coon Rapids, MN
8-0, 2 KO’s, 129.5 lbs. 6-7-1, 132 lbs.
4 ROUNDS –LIGHTWEIGHTS
Deano Burrell vs. Sidell Blocker
Brooklyn, NY/South London, England Pleasentville, NJ
1-0, 1 KO, 131.25 lbs. 0-3-1, 133 lbs.
6 ROUNDS – JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Steven Martinez vs. Ishwar Amador
Bronx, NY Mira Loma, CA
7-0, 6 KO’s, 153.25 lbs. 11-8, 7 KO’s¸153.5 lbs.
4 ROUNDS – FEATHERWEIGHTS
Allan Benitez vs. Joseliz Cepeda
El Paso, TX, 126.25 lbs. Newark, NJ, 127 lbs.
Pro Debut 2-1
