PUERTO RICO (Feb. 19, 2014) – Gary Shaw Productions, in association with Javier Bustillo, have recently signed two of Puerto Rico’s top amateur boxers, Luis Paredes and Jean Rivera. Both fighters are scheduled to make their pro debuts on March 22 in Ponce, Puerto Rico, on the undercard of Jose Pedraza (15-0, 10 KOs) vs. Alberto Garza (26-6-1, 21 KOs).
The 20-year old Luis Paredes hails from San Juan, Puerto Rico, stands 5-feet-7, fights out of the southpaw stance and campaigns in the junior featherweight division. With multiple amateur championships to his credit, Paredes is known as a boxer with heavy hands and feels his fighting style is ideal for the pros.
“My mindset has always been to turn pro,” he said. “From the beginning, our trainer groomed us in a pro style of fighting. He didn’t want us to establish bad habits that can sometimes come with an amateur style. I feel extremely confident I’ll be ready for the pros. I’m going to be a force in the 122-pound division and make everyone proud, especially my promoter Gary Shaw.”
Jean Rivera, by way of Bayamon, P.R., is 5-feet-7 and is right-handed. At 18-years old, Rivera’s considered to be a blue chip prospect, having won numerous tournaments at such a young age. Fighting in the bantamweight division, the sky is the limit for Jean Rivera.
“I know that with the guidance of my team, Gary Shaw Promotions and Javier Bustillo, who has guided the careers of many World Champions, I will accomplish great things in boxing,” Rivera said. “I will put Puerto Rico back on the map and make my countrymen proud.”
Gary Shaw continues to seek top talent from Puerto Rico, and with the signing of Rivera and Peredes, he feels is stable of fighters is stronger than ever.
“Bustillo and I continue to work together with the best of the best when it comes to fighters coming from the island,” Shaw said. “We have a great working relationship as we’ve had with fighters in the past like Pedraza and Dulorme. Paredes and Rivera have bright futures and I see them having an immediate impact in the pros.”
