When Bryant Jennings, of Philadelphia, defends his USBA heavyweight title in a scheduled 12-round bout against Bowie Tupou, of Tonga, on Dec. 8 at Temple University’s Pearson/McGonigle Halls, he will be topping a 10-bout card filled with some of the best young prospects in the area.
The 10-round junior lightweight semifinal features one of them, 26-year-old Eric Hunter, who puts his 16-2, 9 K0s record on the line against Jerry Belmontes, of Corpus Christi, TX, who is 17-0, 5 K0s.
In addition, there are six undefeated fighters on the undercard as well as three more with only one defeat apiece.
Best-known of the group is former national amateur champion Jesse Hart, son of legendary 1970s Philadelphia middleweight Eugene “Cyclone” Hart. The younger Hart has knocked out all four of his opponents since turning pro in June.
In a pair of six-round fights, unbeaten lightweight Angel Luis Ocasio (6-0-2, 1 K0), of Philadelphia, takes on Esteban Rodriguez (6-3-1, 1 K0), of Lebanon, PA, while junior lightweight Jason Sosa (6-1-3, 2 K0s), of Camden, NJ, goes against Isaac Suarez (7-1, 3 K0s), of Lancaster, PA.
Undefeated light-heavyweight Todd Unthank-may (5-0, 2 K0s), of West Philadelphia, looks for his sixth win in as many pro fights in a four-round rematch with Taneal Goyco (4-4-1, 2 K0s), of Upper Darby, PA. Unthank-may out-pointed Goyco over four rounds Sept. 14 at Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino.
Junior lightweight prospect Anthony Burgin (1-0, 1 K0) faces Kenneth Brown, who is making his pro debut, in an all-North Philadelphia matchup.
Temple grad Alex Barbosa (4-0, 1 K0) meets Joshua Arocho (2-6-2, 2 K0s), of Vineland, NJ, in a four-round super bantamweight fight, while Hasan Young (1-1-1) boxes Josue Rivera (0-1), in another all-North Philadelphia contest.
Fred Jenkins, Jr. (5-1, 2 K0s), who could walk to Pearson/McGongile Halls from his home in North Philadelphia, faces John Bowman (4-0-1), of Dover, DE. In a junior middleweight bout.
