Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing has put together the card to accompany the Mohegan Sun Arena main event featuring the return of Delvin Rodriguez (28-8-4 16KO Danbury, CT) against Iraqi war veteran Shawn Cameron (10-1 5 KOs) of the Brooklyn, NY in a 10-round Junior Middleweight contest on Saturday night, July 23.
The action packed evening begins at 7:30 pm with three exciting bouts featuring some of Connecticut’s best up-and-coming fighters to open the show.
Matchmaker Ron Katz has finalized Boston’s Michael McLaughlin (11-1-1, 5 KOs) to do battle with Shaka Moore (12-21-3, 2 KOs) of Norwalk, CT. in an eight-round affair for the vacant New England Welterweight title and home turf bragging rights as the Slugfest at The Sun co-feature.
New Jersey meets New York in a six-round battle of light heavyweights when Atlantic City’s Joel De La Paz (7-0, 4 KOs) puts his unblemished record on the line against Naim Terbunja (8-1) of Medford.
Super Lightweights clash in a six-round contest when Scott Burrell (11-2, 8 KO’s) of Brooklyn squares off against Hartford’s Chip Perez (12-3-2, 4 KOs).
In a four-round battle, Hartford’s Jose Rivera makes his professional debut against Saul Almeida of Boston in a Super Welterweight bout.
Back to Rodriguez, who last fought in June 2015 when he challenged Erislandy Lara for the WBA World Jr. Middleweight title, dropping a 12-round decision to the champion, has refused to call it quits.
“At this point in my career I want to prove to myself and the world that I can still compete with the best,” said the Danbury native. “I stayed in training because it’s great exercise and part of my life. I want to try to get a couple of wins and get back into the ratings.
“I’m back with my original trainer, Lou Fusco, who gave me a great foundation to start me off, with an aggressive style and strong foundation.”
Rodriguez has fought a who’s who over the course of his long career including such elite boxers as Miguel Cotto, the aforementioned Lara, and Austin Trout, but may be best remembered for his scintillating battle with Pawel Wolak on July 15, 2011, which garnered “Fight of the Year” award.
Rodriguez has challenged for the world championship on three different occasions and feels he still has something left to prove taking on the hungry and tough, Shawn Cameron.
Cameron, who has just 11 fights under his belt, sees this as the opportunity he has been waiting for. Cameron served two tours of duty in Iraq and knows a win over a well-known contender like Delvin Rodriguez will do wonders for his career.
“Once again Delvin Rodriguez returns to familiar settings, The Mohegan Sun, where he has fought many times,” says DeGuardia. “Delvin knows at this point of his career he cannot afford any slip ups and is taking on a dangerous, younger opponent in Shawn Cameron who knows a win over a name like Delvin will land him bigger fights. I expect another exciting fight which is the norm for Delvin and I’m very happy to be back at The Sun.”
