Star Boxing Presents Punchin’ at the Paradise #12 on July 7

Bronx, NY—The latest installment of the popular boxing series Punchin’ at the Paradise 12 will be presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing at the Paradise Theater on the Grand Concourse in the Bronx on Thursday evening, July 7. Unlike the previous events in the boxing series, talented, local amateurs will be given the opportunity to appear in several of the preliminary bouts.

In the headline encounter, Bryant Pappas, a popular law enforcement officer in Yonkers, will be attempting to retain his undefeated record. The Yonkers Housing Police Sergeant has fought professionally since 2005. During that time, the 38 year old has stopped his opponent in each 12 of his bouts. Pappas has not been the only winner in each of his bouts as he donates his entire purse to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan

His opponent in the six round super middleweight encounter will be Allen Medina (8-19, 1 KO) of Colorado. The 33 year old has not had much luck in the ring as of late as he has lost six of his last seven bouts.

Pappas is not the only undefeated boxer on the card hopeful of continuing his winning streak. Danny Valle (4-0, 3 KO’s), a third generation participant in the ring sport, is prepared to entertain his local fans in a 6 round lightweight contest in a. The 25 year old son of the Bronx has been surrounded by boxing since his birth as his father and grandfather, both named Victor Valle, were illustrious trainers.

Valle fill face a long-time foe, Angel Torres in the encounter. The two former NY Golden Gloves champions were rivals in the amateur ranks and will finally get an opportunity to meet as professionals.

Two boxers in the early stage of their pugilistic careers will meet in a bout scheduled for four rounds. Michael Ocasio (1-0, 1 K0) of the Bronx will face Juan Perez (0-1), a neighbor from the north, Mt. Vernon. Ocassio trains at the popular Morris Park Boxing Club that has produced several former world champs. Perez made his pro debut at the Paradise on May 5.

Stephen “The Mandingo Warrior” Owusu (7-6, 4 KO’s) won his most recent fight in DeGuardia’s last Bronx show on May 5. That successful bout came after an absence of 11 years in the ring for Owusu. The 33 year old will be facing Angel “White Tiger” Rios (9-4, 6 KO’s). Rios, like his opponent on Thursday, was away from the sport for many years because of legal problems. The most recent bout for Rios was in 2003. Bronx bragging rights will be on the line for the two Bronx residents who also train in the borough. Owusu prepares for his bouts at the Bronxchester Boxing Club and Rios at John’s Gym.

DeGuardia, the founder and CEO of the Bronx based promotion, Star Boxing, spoke enthusiastically of the upcoming show, “Our return to the Theater in May was everything we expected it to be. We were able to put together an exciting night of boxing, before a packed house of raucous fans who turned out for the show. Now, we are looking to feed and build on the success of that show and carry it over for the rest of the events we have scheduled at the Theater for this year.”

The experienced and respected promoter is a Bronx native and resident who understands the fight fans in his borough and the history of the sport of pugilism in New York, “Our goal is to build up boxing here in the Bronx. We have a tremendous venue with the Paradise Theater, and now by pulling together exciting fights that match Bronx fighters vs. Bronx fighters, we are confident we are well on our way to achieve that goal. Back in the glory days of boxing these were the types of fights and cards you saw all the time…Not only does it make exciting fights, but also for a great atmosphere and in my eyes that’s what boxing is about.”

Tickets and information about the show can be obtained at the Paradise theater on 2403 Grand Concourse or from Star Boxing, 718-823-2000.

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