Over the past several years, heavyweight Paul Koon (2-0, 1 KO) has been rumored to turn professional on various cards in the Philadelphia area.
Each time he decided to start participating in the World Series of Boxing.
Finally last October 4, Koon turned professional with a one stoppage over Hector Hodge and on November 20, Koon followed that up with a 4-round unanimous decision over Yohan Banks.
Those fights were in Connecticut and California respectively and tonight at the Econo Lodge in Allentown, he takes on Rex Harris(1-0-2) of Wilkes-Barre, PA in Koon’s first area appearance.
That 4-round bout will be part of a nine bout card promoted by King’s Promotions.
In the main event, Frank De Alba (14-1-2, 5 KO’s) of Reading, PA will take on Jose Bustos (7-2-3, 4 KO’s) of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico in a 8-round fight for the UBF All Americas Jr. Lightweight title.
Koon of Philadelphia has been working hard and is looking to put on a good performance.
“Everything is great. I been working in the gym, sparring and running,” said the 28-year-old.
“All I know about my opponent is that he has fought some MMA fights, and he is undefeated (1-0-2) as a boxer.”
Koon is looking for a test as during his 4-year run in the World Series of Boxing, he took on the top fighters from around the world.
“I am used to fighting top level competition. I am not used to fighting the level of guys I have been fighting in my first couple of fights. In the World Series of Boxing, you fight only the elite fighters. There are no journeymen.”
To get to the type of competition that, Koon knows he has to continue to win and make sound decisions with his team.
“It is not one member of my team that decides the pace that I move at. Whatever they think is best. Sometimes you have to take it slow. Me, I like to rush, but I know I am learning everything in the business. This is my first fight in the area in seven years, and I am using it as a steppingstone to a fight in Philadelphia.”
In the co-feature, Juan Dominguez (17-0, 11 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY will fight Carlos Rodriguez (19-16-4, 11 KO’s) of Los Mochis, MX in a Super Bantamweight bout.
In 6-round bouts:
Super Middleweight John Magda (8-0, 6 KO’s) of Rutherford, NJ will take on (3-4) of West Monroe, LA
Ivan Golub (5-0, 4 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY will take on David Lopez (4-11-3, 1 KO) in a Jr. Middleweight bout.
Danny Kelly (6-1-1, 5 KO’s) of Washington, DC will take on Kevin Franklin (6-10, 3 KO’s) of in a Heavyweight bout.
In 4-round bouts:
Christian Molina (3-0, 2 KO’s) of Allentown, PA will fight debuting Stacey Harris of Washington, DC in a Jr. Middleweight bout.
Robert Irizarry (2-0-1) of Cherry Hill, NJ will battle Benjamin Burgos (2-10-1) of Mount Pocono, PA in a Featherweight bout. This bout is a rematch of a bout from May where Irizarry won a unanimous decision.
Christopher Booker of Philadelphia will make his pro debut against Andrew Sosa (0-4-1) of Farmers Branch, TX In a Middleweight bout.
