The first blizzard of 2015, forecast by some as the worst ever to hit the Northeast, is over and turned out to be not nearly as disastrous as predicted for New York. To those of you who remained inside all day watching incessant weather reports and are suffering from bouts of claustrophobia and cabin fever, come on out and escape into a night of heated action at the famed BB King Blues Club and Grill, in Times Square, New York City, on Thursday, January 29, for the latest installment of DiBella Entertainment’s longstanding Broadway Boxing series. Headlining a thrilling 10-bout card will be the popular and exciting unbeaten super bantamweight contender, Luis Rosa Jr. (17-0, 7 KOs).
The 23-year-old Puerto Rican-native Rosa, now living and training in New Haven, Conn., under the tutelage of his father, Luis Rosa Sr., turned pro in 2010 at 18 years old, after a very successful amateur career. Over the next few years, Rosa became one of the most touted prospects throughout the entire New England area due to his relentless, come-forward aggressive style of fighting.
Rosa had a breakout year in 2014, securing his two most impressive victories to date. On January 31, he dominated an eight-round slugfest over the highly regarded contender Jorge Diaz on ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights” at the Richard J. Codey Arena, in West Orange, NJ. Dropping Diaz with powerful hooks in rounds three and four, Rosa earned a unanimous eight-round decision.
Exactly four months later, Rosa cemented himself as one of the best up-and-coming 122lb. Fighters in boxing when he took on top-rated and once-beaten 18-1 Luis Del Valle, on May 31, at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino, in Las Vegas. Televised by HBO Latino, Rosa engaged Del Valle in another exhilarating war, breaking his foe down round by round with pressure and a brutal body attack. Each frame featured plenty of toe-to-toe action, which not only is Rosa accustomed to, he thrives on it, seeking out his opponent’s weaknesses with precise counter punches. After 10 rounds, Rosa was awarded a unanimous decision.
Now the world-rated Rosa will be returning to Broadway Boxing for the first time since December 2013, when he faces the tough and always-game Noel Echevarria (11-4, 6 KOs) in the evening’s eight-round super bantamweight main event. In his last few bouts, Echevarria has fought top-notch opposition in Patrick Hyland and Tevin Farmer and always gives his full effort, making for action-packed affairs. Despite the amount of snowfall his area of Connecticut may have received, Rosa is undeterred and eager to give the fans in attendance on Thursday a night to remember.
