This Thursday night, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, brings live professional boxing back to the Bronx, when it presents an exciting six bout card; the first of the 2011 “Punchin at the Paradise” fight series; at the historic Paradise Theater on Grand Concourse in the Bronx. The show is headlined by The Bronx’s Edgar Santana (24-3, 15KO’s) making his much anticipated return to the ring when he takes on Robert Jones in an eight round welterweight match-up.
Make his Star Boxing debut, and also fighting for the first time in front of his home fans since turning pro, will be the Bronx’s highly touted Puerto Rican, Emmanuel Gonzalez (7-0, 6KO’s). Gonzalez, who is a former NY Golden Gloves Champion, recently signed an exclusive promotional contract with Star Boxing after meeting with a number of other promoters looking to sign the unbeaten prospect. Gonzalez is set to square off against Jacob Thorton (2-3, 1KO) in a six round super featherweight showdown.
Another recent addition to the Star Boxing stable will make his debut under the promotional banner when super middleweight knockout artist, Jason “Monstruo” Escalera (10-0, 9KO’s) takes on Mustafah Johnson. The Puerto Rican Escalera, also a Golden Gloves Champion as an amateur, has been dismantling his opponents since entering the pro ranks in 2008. Escalera-Johnson is scheduled for six rounds.
The Bronx’s popular Albanian cruiserweight, Stivens “Superman” Bujaj (3-0, 2KO’s) will also see action on the card when he takes on Chuck Dillard over four rounds. The 20-year-old Bujaj turned pro in 2010 shortly after winning the NY Golden Gloves Championship. Like Gonzalez, it will be the first time Bujaj has the opportunity to fight in front of his hometown Bronx fans since turning pro.
Another undefeated up and coming prospect, Long Island’s, Issouf Kinda (9-0, 4KO’s) will also look to continue his winning ways when he takes on Jorge Ruiz in a six round jr. welterweight match-up.
Rounding out the card will be a neighborhood battle when the Bronx’s Stephen Owusu (6-6, 2KO’s) returns to the ring for the first time since 2000 when he takes on nearby Mount Vernon’s pro-debuting, Juan Perez. Owusu-Perez is scheduled for four rounds in the welterweight division.
Tickets are priced at $30, $50 and $100 and can be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office at 718 823-2000, visiting www.starboxing.com or simply by CLICKING HERE: Tickets can also be purchased by visiting the Paradise Theater box office, located at 2417 Grand Concourse in the Bronx, NY.
