Abogados de Inmigracion

This evening saw the re-opening of an old lady. The Paradise Lowes Theatre, which opened in 1929 but was in hibernation for almost three decades, was restored earlier this year. The powers that be that put this program together included Cedric Kushner Promotions, Robert Paniagua, Inc, and STAR Boxing. Also included in this promotion was the Boxing Legend himself, Roberto Duran. In addition several Reggaeton acts added to the nights festivities providing the music entertainment this evening. Superstars such as N.O.R.E., Alexis and Fido, and Noztra were featured while DJ Kassanova and Valerie La Sexy hosted the night’s action. This concept would not be complete without the ladies known as the Boxeo Caliente dancers, which kept things moving all night long.

Speaking before the event with Duran through his interpreter Arturo Sanchez, I got some of his thoughts on this event and its future The event itself which saw the fusion of a hot movement in music with a legend of Latino Boxing was an appropriate alliance. The man who made his name through skill and Machismo crossed over to a U.S. market devoid of any knowledge about Latinos. He even shared a commercial with Sugar Ray Leonard with a limited English repertoire. Today the Reggaeton artists have crossed over in similar style with as much anger and arrogance, arriving on our shores without speaking English to win over a U.S audience that once again knew little about the movement but appreciated the level of talent presented before them.

The difference now is in the thousands of Latinos in the U.S who now have established themselves here and make it easy and profitable for Latino attractions to come over to perform here. As Mr. Sanchez on behalf of Duran comments, “Reggaeton is hot right now. We recognize that and we feel with Mr. Duran here promoting with Mr. Kushner, Mr. Managua, and Star Boxing and a young stable of attractive, strong, Latino fighters combined with the artists of Reggaeton is a natural.”

The feelings towards this card being held in the Bronx and its possibilities were talked about as well. “The Paradise being reopened after many years and the fact that this is the first major boxing event in the Bronx in many years was a factor in holding it here. Duran has always been popular here and he wanted to give something back. We also look to return here in the future and hold cards every month or month and a half. We are also looking to run similar events in Los Angeles and Miami as well as a couple in Puerto Rico. Latin dollars have a large say in the percentage of income in Boxing so it pays to be creative and we feel we found something that actually works.”, said Mr. Sanchez.

The Theatre where this event is being held once was the location of various vaudeville-style shows, which were very popular, and with the addition of the Reggaeton music stars completed a circle of sorts historically. Duran’s perspective on his past and future is as follows, “ I always respected every opponent whether a champion or contender. Every victory was sweet though my New York victories were always special. Being looked upon as one of the fabulous four in the eighties is a great honor.” “Duran knows what is going and is aware of what works or what doesn’t and that’s why we are here today,” Arturo added. “In addition promoting is more fun than fighting because you don’t have to get hit in the face.”, says Duran.

Which brought us to the action. The fighters were well matched for the most part and the bouts were generally of good quality. In the Main Event Junior Welterweight Victoriano Sosa of the Dominican Republic dominated his Costa Rican opponent, Francisco Campos, breaking his nose and forcing him to retire in the tenth round. Sosa improved to a 42-4-2 mark with 31 KO’s. Campos fell to 20-5-1 with 12 KO’s.

The co-feature saw “Baby Face” Julio Cesar Garcia won a shootout between Junior welterweights putting down Columbian veteran Moises Pedroza in the third for the count. Going for an early knockout he came close but got drawn into a duel of exchanges. His power was greater however as Garcia, only 18, moved to 33-2 with 26 KO’s. Pedroza drops to 24-9-1 with 21 KO’s.

Jorge Teron won his toughest fight at Junior welterweight against Celestino Rodriquez, also of Puerto Rico. He took two snapping rights which threw his head back early, but he maintained his poise his body attack was the investment for victory as the fourth saw Celestino fall for good. Teron is now 9-0 with 7 KO’s and Rodriquez fell to 4-4-1 with 4 KO’s.

Former WBO Super Featherweight champion, Mike Anchondo used this night to rebound from a previous loss as he dueled with Dominican Jorge Barrios. “Powerful Mike” forced the fight but Ramirez left hook would make its points. He even rocked Mike with a right in the fifth that staggered the former champ. The stamina of Ramirez told the end of this tale as Mike continued the hard pace until he scored a couple of knockouts in the ninth, the round where referee Eddie Cotton stopped it. Anchondo moved to 26-1 with 15 KO’s and Ramirez fell to 22-10-6 with 15 KO’s.

Other bouts saw Jose Nieves outpoint Angel Priolo of Columbia in a bantamweight match with Nieves improving to 14-0-2 and 8 KO’s while Priolo went down to 30-4 with 20 KO’s. Roberto Astacio defeated Leobardo Martinez by unanimous decision over six rounds in a junior welter match. Yukon Anion out pointed his taller adversary Juan Carlos Sanchez of Mexico City. Anion is 3-0 with 1 KO and Sanchez is now 2-2-1 with 1 KO. In the opening four rounder Hector Sanchez defeated Duane Hall by decision. Sanchez now stands at 6-0 with 3 KO’s. Hall has lost one and drew one with one no-contest. The much-anticipated women’s match between Maureen Shea was scratched when her opponent pulled out of the fight. The lady, who trained Hilary Swank for her role in “Billion Dollar Baby”, was still a positive presence that night however. The show was a success from the dancers to the fights to the Reggaeton concert that took all into the morning hours, it was an spectacular that will not be forgotten as we look forward to the next big event here at Paradise located at 2403 Grand Concourse.