In only its third year of operations, Boxing 360 experienced a banner 2011, highlighted by Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano capturing the New York City-based promotional company’s first world title.
Boxing 360’s Fighter of the Year clearly was 23-year-old Serrano (12-0-1, 8 KOs), a native of Puerto Rico who lives in Brooklyn, was 6-0 this past year with only one fight going the distance. Amanda twice defeated world title challenger Ela “Bam Bam” Nunez (DEC6) and TKO4) to complete their trilogy, in addition to knocking out Jennifer Scott in the opening round to capture the North American Boxing Federation (“NABF”) featherweight title. In September, Serrano put Kimberly Connor (9-1-2) to sleep in the second round for the International Boxing Federation (“IBF”) Super Featherweight Championship.
“I’m very happy with the progress and accomplishments our promotional company and its stable of fighters made this year,” Boxing 360 founder and CEO Mario Yagobi said. “Amanda is our first world champion but we expect to have many more crowned in the years to come. We have a very good mix of multi-talented contenders and prospects. All of us at Boxing 360 are looking forward to a great 2012.”
Veteran heavyweight Maurice “Sugar Moe” Harris (25-15-2, 11 KOs) split a pair of matches in 2001, however, his last action in a United States Boxing Association (“USBA”) title defense resulted in an impressive victory by 12th round technical knockout of 25-4 Derec Rossy. Harris is rated No. 5 by the IBF and remains a world title contender.
WBC #5 super bantamweight Leon “Hurry Up” Moore (28-2, 22 KOs) moved from Guyana to New York City but, due to his record and experience, fought only once this year, winning a six-round decision versus Felipe Almanza. The reigning WBC CABOFE (Caribbean) and NABA champion, Moore is in position for a world title shot in 2012.
Buffalo light welterweight Nick “Hands of Gold” Casal (22-4-1, 17 KOs) resurrected his career, winning his two 2011 fights by knockouts, including a third-round TKO win of previously undefeated Michael Anderson (11-0-1).
One of the hottest prospects in the country is unbeaten junior featherweight Joel Diaz, Jr. (6-0, 5-0), who won all four of his fights this year by first-round knockout. The exciting 19 year old had three other fights cancelled this year and he is expected to have a breakout 2012.
Former world super middleweight champion Alejandro “Naco” Berrio (32-5, 29 KOs) isn’t high on any top fighter’s list of opponents, which is the primary reason for him fighting only once this year, a third-round TKO win against three-time world title challenger Antwun Echols.
Another Guyana fighter living in New York City, Lennox “2 Sharpe” Allen (15-0-1, 9 KOs), captured the WBC CABOFE super middleweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Kwesi Jones, to go along with his New York State title.
Undefeated middleweight DonYil Livingston (7-0-1, 4 KOs), who was an outstanding amateur who took off several years off before turning pro, was victorious in five of six fights this year with one draw. The 27-year-old boxer bounced back from his draw with a strong six-round decision against previously unbeaten (6-0) Kurtiss Colvin.
Power-punching Eudy “AK 47″Bernardo (11-0, 6 KOs), who moved to New York City, won all of his fights this year, including an eighth-round TKO of John Nolasco for the Dominican Lightweight Championship, and a six-round decision against former U.S. amateur standout Darnell Jiles (8-2-1), Jr. this past weekend in Rochester.
Visa problems prevented undefeated Kazakhstan welterweight Vitaly “Demyan” Demyanenko (19-0, 12 KOs) from fighting in 2011. The former PABA and WBO Asia Pacific champion will make his Boxing 360 debut in 2012.
Boxing 360 recently signed three more fighters from the Tri-State area: super middleweight Aleem “The Hammer” Whitfield (3-0, 3 KOs), super middleweight Travis “The Notorious” Peterkin (3-0, 3 KOs) and lightweight Bryan Acaba (2-0, 1 KO).
If we had to make a wish for 2012, it would be for wins and titles for all our fighters.
