CHERRY HILL, NJ – When Gabriel Gerena steps into the ring again on June 8, it will be his first fight in seven months. The break – the longest of his career since turning professional in 2022 – is not due to injury or managerial issues. The 22-year-old has been busy in his final semester of college, walking the stage at Rutgers Business School in Modern Brunswick, Modern Jersey on May 9 with his finance degree.
It was a much more rewarding graduation experience than his high school final in June 2020, when he had to receive his diploma on the bus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The lightweight/junior welterweight prospect from Piscataway, Modern Jersey, says he was inspired to study finance after seeing so many other boxers and family members go bankrupt after their incomes dropped. He hopes to pursue a career as a financial analyst or retirement planner.
“Since I was a child, I have been able to combine school and boxing, which makes me more disciplined and good at time management. I have just learned to understand my mind and my body. That’s why I wanted to finish the last semester well, but now I’m back in boxing and I feel even better,” said Gerena (5-0, 4 knockouts).
After graduating, Gerena is once again focusing on boxing, with his next fight scheduled for six rounds against Lyle McFarlane (2-5, 1 KO) in Bally’s Atlantic City. Gerena says he doesn’t know much about the 27-year-old from Tulsa, Oklahoma, but he says McFarlane will definitely be familiar with his own style.
“I’m full of action. I’ll study you at first, but eventually I’ll kick your ass. If you’re not in shape or I’m smarter than you, you’ll be out of here before the last bell,” Gerena said.
Gerena’s ability to adapt stems from a 130-fight amateur career that began at the age of nine. He has won multiple Modern Jersey State Gold Gloves and Diamond Gloves titles and competed in every major national tournament, earning a silver medal at the 2016 Junior National Championships in Kansas City, Missouri.
The boxers he faced during his amateur career included professionals Jalil Hackett, Deric Davis and Travon Marshall.
(SEE: Thomas LaManna on the showdown with Juan Carlos Abreu, returning after the defeat against Lara)
Trained and managed by his father Edgar Gerena and Ahman Elliot, he says his long amateur career and experience fighting in unique circumstances, such as this weekend’s tournament in Puerto Rico, prepared him for the pros.
“I think that’s what played a role in me being a professional. A lot of people don’t get the opportunity to fight people from all over the country, fighting in international events, so I feel ready,” said Gerena, who is of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent.
When asked what advice he would give to boxers who are trying to balance boxing and school life, he says planning and communication are key.
“Definitely talk to someone. It can be hard, boxing is a lonely sport, you have to deal with a lot of things. A lot of times you just step onto a field you don’t know, especially going from amateur to professional, it’s a completely different ball game,” Gerena said.
“Writing down things like your schedule and what you want to do prepares you for everyday life. Okay, I’ll wake up at this time, I’ll exercise at this time, I’ll work at this time, I’ll go to school at this time. Whatever your situation, just having a plan makes a huge difference.
Devin Haney’s plan to sue Ryan Garcia for millions of dollars has a fatal flaw as the boxer’s reputation takes another beating on social media.
“The Dream” initiated legal action against Garcia, even though his only loss was ruled a no-contest. The WBC super lightweight champion wants monetary compensation for being beaten by the Golden Boy star.
Haney’s father, Bill, told the world that “Suits are part of business. Welcome to boxing and the Devin Haney era. Many fans responded that the action was extreme, even though Garcia failed drug tests.
Many believe that a year’s punishment and stripping of the victory is enough, but the Haneys do not. However, there is a consensus that the pursuit of extra cash is “deadly flawed.”
The main weakness of this case is the fact that Bill told Garcia that they were coming to “kill” him, which is a clear sign that “Kingry” may start his own legal process.
In response to the video reminding Bill of his words, Garcia replied, “I have no choice but to sue him.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn, who once represented Haney until the falling out, says Garcia’s actions could have huge consequences.
“This could be a really pivotal moment for boxing because in the past people have asked when a fighter fails a drug test and there’s a fight, ‘Should there be legal or police action against this fighter?’
“If Haney wins this case, I think it will really start to discourage players from using PEDs. When Ryan Garcia gets a one-year ban, it’s not a problem. A few months break and you’re back in camp. But if you lose tens of millions of dollars, it takes on a different meaning,” Hearn told Charlie Parsons.
In reference to Haney’s attempt to profit from the loss, Garcia responded to Hearn’s comments by saying, “Any expert understands that I have never knowingly taken PEDs. It seems you and the Haneys have underestimated me so much that you can’t recover from a fight, and neither can the Haneys. And now, looking at what happened, it seems like both of you can’t win [after Anthony Joshua lost].
Garcia added: “If Devin needs money that badly, I have a sponsor for him. This is a fresh type of tampon created especially for men.”
The fan also reminded the Haneys of their promise to murder in the lead-up. He asked, “Didn’t Bill Haney say they were sending Devin Haney to kill Ryan Garcia? Did he really want Ryan to die in the ring? Now Haney’s team says they could have died. Wanting to file a lawsuit is absolute bullshit.
Part of the lawsuit says Haney accuses Garcia of battery. However, the fact that Bill could stop the “battery at any time” could have backfired on him.
Garcia concluded: “I asked you, Bill, to stop the fight, but you allowed the battery to continue. You wanted this beating to match,” said the suspended super lightweight.
ONE of the biggest British fights of the year is a stern step up for a potential lightweight contender on the card.
Cameron Vuong (6-0 (3 KO)) will fight former British and European lightweight champion Gavin Gwynne over 10 rounds on November 30 as part of the Clear Edwards-Galal Yafai main event at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham.
Vuong, trained by Jamie Moore, entered action on September 18, defeating Joe Underwood Hughes. However, the 22-year-old asked to be moved to tougher fights and is now getting his wish against Welshman Gwynne.
Just 10 months ago, Gwynne won the EBU belt by defeating veteran Emiliano Marsili, who retired in the eighth round with a shoulder injury. Gwynne vacated the belt and moved on to fight in Riyad, Saudi Arabia against the highly touted Mark Chamberlain. The less experienced Chamberlain proved too powerful for Gwynne and stopped his fighter in the fourth round. Vuong vs. Gwynne could be intelligent matchmaking or a step too early for Vuong.
Walker looks set to get back to winning ways against Lewis Ritson (Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Elsewhere on the November 30 event, Conah Walker will face welterweight Lewis Ritson over 10 rounds. Walker felt tired after a points defeat to Lewis Crocker in June and will look to regain the momentum he gained after back-to-back wins over Cyrus Pattinson and Lloyd Germain.
For Ritson, once nicknamed “Geordie Golovkin,” winning is crucial. Although Ritson was only 31, he had lost his last two fights to Ohara Davies and Paddy Donovan, and a fifth career defeat could spell the end of the road for the former British lightweight champion.
Super flyweight prospect Hamza Uddin makes his third appearance in the professional rankings against former Midlands Area flyweight champion Benn Norman. Coventry’s Aaron Bowen will be looking to move to 4-0 against his yet-to-be-announced opponent.
Toro Promotions, Inc. launched its up-to-date boxing competition series, “The Heartbeat of LA Boxing,” last night at Pacific Palms Resort, which has been a huge success. The undefeated Tsotne “Mr. T” Rogova (10-0, 7 KO) won the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) United States heavyweight title, headlining an event that featured six professional debutants, including the renowned Walnut (California) High School student. Paolo “Pow” Barredo.
“This was definitely Southern California boxing at its best,” Toro promoter Azat Torosyan said after the fights. “You have to see a lot of shows to find a good one like tonight.”
In the co-main event, Rogova faced a tough challenge from Alexander “The Great” Flores (19-5-1, 17 KOs) before winning a 10-round unanimous decision in an action-packed bout. Rogova, a 2020 Ukrainian Olympian, dominated early after a second-round knockdown of Flores, who rebounded in the middle round before Rogova regained control.
Barredo, who celebrated his 18th birthday last week, faced featherweight Mychaquell “Myche” Shields (2-6), defeating him in the third round and earning a fourth-round stoppage. Barredo, the 2021 Junior Olympic champion, impressed in his professional debut.
Another great debut was made by Alexandro “El Capitan” Alvarado (1-0, 1 KO) of La Puente, who defeated Eduardo Mondragon “El Azteca” Lopez in the lightweight category. Alvarado, the 2021 California State Silver Gloves silver medalist, showed his potential after a third-round stoppage.
Other results included junior welterweight Sonny “The Bear” Robledo (10-0, 3 KO) maintaining his undefeated record with a six-round unanimous decision victory over Matt Gaver (3-10-2, 1 KO) and Hector Oros ( 1-0) rebounded from an early knockdown to defeat Alexander Robles (0-1) in a nearly four-round unanimous decision in the junior bantamweight division.
Riverside’s Oscar Trujillo Enriquez (1-0, 1 KO) made a memorable professional debut, defeating Jesse “Suavecito” Zuniga (0-1) in the second round with a devastating body shot. The action-packed evening ended with Santa Ana’s Michael “Chamuco” Bracamontes (10-2-1, 5 KO) narrowly defeating Los Angeles’ Arsen Poghosyan (3-3-1, 2 KO) by majority decision in a competitive junior weight bout featherlight .
The gala began with Mongolian flyweight champion Enkhmandakh “Machine Gun Magi” Khurkuu (4-0, 1 KO) defeating Richard Morales (1-8, 0 KO) from Westminster, Colorado, in the first round.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok
Boxing2 months ago
Interviews5 months ago
MMA5 months ago
MMA5 months ago
UK Boxing5 months ago
Video5 months ago
MMA4 months ago
Video5 months ago