New York, NY–Madison Square Garden’s own Hulu Theater was so entrenched with the love of “La Isla” Saturday night, you could feel it pulsating through your veins. Top Rank’s Puerto Rican Day Eve extravaganza was a no holds barred fight fest.
Julio Rosa vs Omar Rosario
Jr Welterweights Julio Rosa (4-0, 1KO) and Omar Rosario (6-0, 2KO’s) represented heavy on the Boricua front both paying tribute to their beautiful native island getting a feel for one another the first two rounds upping the ante in the third.
Sporting a cut under his right eye from a possible head butt, Rosario got his groove with a right hand and several left hooks but Rosa came back with body shots attempting to slow down the six time national amateur champ. Looking unfazed Rosario continued absorbing Pantera’s jabs ultimately taking the win after the six round brawl.
Orlando Gonzalez vs Pablo Cruz
In the featherweight division, Orlando Gonzalez (17-1, 10KO’s) snatched a TKO win from Pablo Cruz (22-4-1, 6KO’s) in the 5th round and in the lightweight, Armani Almestica (5-0, 5KO’s) dominated Eliseo Villalobos (2-2, 1KO) with 1:46 seconds in round six after a knockdown in the 1st.
Dakota Linger vs Josue Vargas
The Jr. Welterweight Orthodox Dakota Linger (12-5-3) vs Southpaw Josue Vargas (20-2, 9KO’s) served as a brutal punishment with the Lone Wolf hammering The Prodigy early in the 2nd round with a right cross knocking him on the apron with Vargas not be able to recover and Linger finishing him forcing Vargas’ corner to throw in the towel with 2:06 in round two.
After the upset, the venue paid tribute to multiple-time World Champion former Welterweight Miguel Cotto presenting him the key to Madison Square Garden for his outstanding achievements and legacy to the art of boxing within his Puerto Rican culture.
Santillan vs Caraballo/Lebron vs Lebron
Jr. Featherweights Victor Santillan (11-0, 4KO’s) and Carlos Caraballo (15-1, 14KO’s) tackled a full eight rounds of blow for blow boxing with the Southpaw winning by unanimous decision and Henry “Moncho” Lebron took the Vacant WBO Latino Jr. Lightweight Title against Luis “Popeye” Lebron in the undisputed eight round bout.