Golden Boy Promotions will waste no time in returning to the boxing-rich island of Puerto Rico after this weekend’s world title fight between Danny “Swift” Garcia and Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera when FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes’ Golden Boy Live! series presents another event to remember on April 28 which will feature a 10-round fight between Michael “The Artist” Perez and Jorge “Koky” Romero.
The bout, which will be held at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, will be Perez’ sixth in Puerto Rico and he will attempt to extend his five-fight unbeaten streak against Mexican warrior Romero, reigniting the storied Puerto Rico vs. Mexico boxing rivalry.
In the co-main event, two of the top junior bantamweights in the world battle for a world title shot, as Puerto Rico’s own McJoe Arroyo faces off against fellow unbeaten Ezequiel Aquino of the Dominican Republic in an IBF Junior Bantamweight title elimination bout.
A fighter of Puerto Rican descent who makes his home in Newark, New Jersey, Michael “The Artist” Perez (19-1-2, 10 KOs) has roared back from the lone loss of his career to current World Champion Omar “Panterita” Figueroa Jr. in 2012, going unbeaten in five fights. Included in his streak is a win over Fidel “Atrisco Kid” Maldonado Jr. and a victory over Miguel Zuniga last September, the latter fight earning him the WBA Fedelatin title that he will defend on April 28 as he seeks to go 6-0 in Puerto Rico.
Twenty-three-year-old, Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico native Jorge “Koky” Romero (24-8, 21 KOs) has a style that fans can’t forget, as he is always seeking the knockout. Twenty-one of his 24 victories have been by way of knockout, with his last six wins ending in five rounds or less. Romero is a fearless battler who has been in the ring with some of boxing’s top talent including Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Danny “Swift” Garcia, Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano and Fidel Maldonado Jr. He’s gunning for big things in 2014, beginning with his bout against Perez.
A proud member of Team Puerto Rico during an amateur career that saw him win a Bronze medal in the 2007 World Championships and compete in the 2008 Olympics, Fajardo’s McJoe Arroyo (13-0, 7 KOs) has put together an impressive pro record thus far, winning the WBO Latino title in 2013 with a fourth round stoppage of Felipe Rivas. Now closing in on a world title fight, the 28-year-old Arroyo just has to win one more fight against Aquino to get his shot.
Fighting out of Higuey in the Dominican Republic, Ezequiel Aquino (15-0-1, 10 KOs) has been equally impressive as a professional, going unbeaten in his first 16 fights while showing the ability to either box or brawl with opponents. Winner of the interim WBC FECARBOX title in 2013, Aquino is coming off of a fourth round knockout over Geyci Lorenzo on March 10.
Perez vs. Romero is a 10-round bout for Perez’ WBA Fedelatin Super Lightweight Title, presented by Golden Boy Promotions and PR Best Boxing and sponsored by Corona and O’Reilly Auto Parts. The Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez doors open at 6:00 p.m. ET and the first fight begins at 7:00 p.m. ET. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. A stacked undercard will be announced shortly. Tickets priced at $12 and $40 plus applicable taxes and service charges are on sale now at www.tcpr.com or by calling (787) 792-5000.
