JARON “Boots” Ennis and Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez will perform November 9 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, and the energetic duo will have a steadily growing roster of supporting acts around them.

The two main attractions, colloquially known by their nicknames, have relatively basic tasks as each of them is heading towards a grand unification, differing in many weight classes.

While Bam Rodriguez was initially expected to turn his attention to Juan Francisco Estrada and secure a rematch of their classic fight from June, which saw Rodriguez stop the star in a non-divisional tie in the eighth round, he now has a different challenge in the form of Pedro Guevara. The Mexican was last seen defeating Andrew Moloney for the WBC Interim Super Flyweight Title and giving Carlos Cuadras a tough outing in tardy 2023.

For Boots, meanwhile, rematches remain a bit of a curse as he embarks on a comeback that no one wants to see except Karen Chukhadzhian and his team. The Ukrainian lost every round on every card to Ennis in a lackluster 2023 fight. After rebuilding himself through the IBF system, he’s in for a chance at redemption as Karen hopes to improve on her last performance by winning rounds – or at least a round.

Raymond Ford advances to fight Orlando Gonzalez at super featherweight. After dramatically defeating Otabek Kholmatov to win the WBA featherweight title, Ford lost the belt in a tight fight with Nick Ball.

Now, Gonzalez’s Puerto Rican opponent is looking to compound his misery. “Capu” has 23 wins and a handful of losses, but has never been stopped. He is riding a five-fight winning streak and previously fought Robeisy Ramirez for 10 rounds. Ford should be too forceful and sharp in a fight above 10. “All the 130-pound champions watch out, because I’m coming for all those belts,” Ford said.

Ford is joined by lightweight heavyweight prospect Khalil Coe, who will face Manuel Gallegos in a 10-round decider. “Substantial Steppa” Coe is a forceful, heavyweight prospect from Up-to-date Jersey who should have a lot going for him as a man moving up in weight. Gallegos was stopped by Diego Pacheco at 168 in his last outing. “I believe there is no better candidate in boxing than me and on November 9, Manuel Gallegos will find out for himself,” Coe slammed.

The preliminary card will also feature Ernesto Mercado, Austin “Ammo” Williams and Ismail Muhammad.

By: Sean Crose

No one thought IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois was a second-rate opponent for Anthony Joshua. They simply didn’t think the man would literally beat up the popular former champion. Yet that’s exactly what Dubois did from the first round on Saturday night in London. Joshua, one of the most popular fighters in the sport – if not the most popular – never showed up for a fight after his fellow Englishman tagged him early in the first round. In four rounds and a few seconds, Dubois went from being a respected fighter to one of the most highly regarded heavyweights in the world.

Now that the 27-year-old is a star in the sport, he has a number of lucrative and prestigious opportunities ahead of him. First, there’s a potential rematch with Joshua. Of course, Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has stated that there’s a rematch clause between the two fighters. If so, Dubois would likely enter the ring as the clear favorite. It may sound like it’s been said before, but Dubois-Joshua 2 would be a stern fight regardless. Plus, Joshua still has significant knockout power, meaning anything is possible.

Then, of course, there’s the highly anticipated rematch between WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and former WBC world champion Tyson Fury, which is set to take place in Saudi Arabia in December. Holding the IBF title means the winner will have to beat Dubois if they want to become undisputed champion. And Dubois has already proven he’s no basic opponent. You could say he floored Usyk when they first met a while back, although it was controversially ruled a knockdown. Usyk won that fight, but it wasn’t an basic night for the undefeated Ukrainian.

As for Fury, the fighter known as “The Gypsy King” would have a huge height advantage over Dubois – but then again, so did Joshua. If Dubois could get Fury with his jab, he could finish the punches that broke Joshua last weekend. But that sort of thing is easier said than done. That said, few things are basic in the sport of boxing. On top of that, Dubois exudes confidence, which he has every right to at this point in his career. The question is, how far will that take him? Combined with the skill set the man has shown recently, it will be intriguing to find out.

Q: Where does your boxing story begin?

DeLuca: It started when I was a kid. I started boxing in a program in downtown Boston. It was more like Dorchester self-defense. It was a miniature neighborhood group that you went to every Saturday, sparring or hitting the bag. But it didn’t last long; I was 10 when they shut it down. Then I moved on.

Q: What initially got you into boxing? It’s always compelling to hear how people got into boxing, considering how hazardous it can be.

DeLuca: My dad boxed on the same show when he was adolescent. He won the Golden Gloves and had a few pro fights. So I guess it was a case of “monkey see, monkey do.” I just followed in his footsteps.

Q: When did you start taking boxing seriously?

DeLuca: When I joined a modern gym, I started competing in Junior Olympics and local tournaments like Silver Gloves. When I was 12, I took it seriously and stayed competitive until I joined the Marines. From age 12 to 19, I was in the amateur circuit.

Q: What made you join the Marines with such a passion for boxing? Was there a turning point?

DeLuca: I think I was at a crossroads. My dad was into boxing, but he wasn’t really interested. I didn’t know if boxing was a real career for me, and I needed to make money. I was always interested in the military, but I also wanted to keep boxing, so I joined the Marine Corps Reserve. After boot camp, I came back and resumed my boxing career.

Q: How demanding is the physical aspect of being a Marine? Does that have anything to do with boxing?

DeLuca: Absolutely. There’s a fitness standard, and there’s a weight standard. In the Marines, you can’t be out of shape, so boxing and military life were pretty similar for me, both mentally and physically.

Q: Are you still committed to your professional career?

DeLuca: No, I retired last year. Now I just train guys.

Q: What are some memorable moments from your career? Any shows that stand out?

DeLuca: Yeah, I remember fighting a guy named Anthony Osbourne from Jamaica. His record was 7-28-1, but just before our fight, he went 10 rounds and beat an older, but still tough, former contender from Jamaica. I hit Osbourne challenging in the first round, but he was a tough, crafty veteran who never let me finish him. That fight really stands out.

Q: Who is the best fighter you have ever fought in the ring, both in sparring and in professional fighting?

DeLuca: Erislandy Lara, Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade and Carlos Gongora. The level of relaxation they have in the ring is impressive. It’s like they’re walking in the park, even if you land a good punch. They don’t get nervous. They’re just so mellow and relaxed.

Q: How do you translate your experiences as a player into your role as a coach?

DeLuca: I always had a knack for training, even as a adolescent fighter. The first pro I trained was a friend of mine when I was 16. He was getting back into shape and I helped him win before he retired. That’s when I realized I had a passion for it. After I retired, I started training guys full time and it was a natural progression for me.

Q: What sets you apart as a coach?

DeLuca: I have always been comfortable leading and motivating guys. Even when I was younger, I would lend a hand others in the gym. Now I employ that experience to motivate my fighters. I believe in keeping them motivated through a combination of mental and physical toughness. Being a coach has made the transition from fighting much smoother for me.