Plenty of local fights cards in the mix for '09

With the arrival of the new year, news of upcoming boxing shows in the Rio Grande Valley is more readily available.

The next show is scheduled for Feb. 6 at the new McAllen Convention Center and will feature Austin featherweight Casey Ramos (7-0, four knockouts) in the eight-round main event against Mission's Guadalupe de Leon (7-5, four KOs). A Texas featherweight title will be on the line.

It will be Ramos' fourth time to fight in the Valley. He's gained popularity with fight fans in South Texas for his intensity in the ring and his lightning-quick punches.

Ramos' last fight was at Harlingen's Casa de Amistad on Oct. 18 when he triumphed over Antonio Reyes (3-2) of Allen on a third-round technical knockout.

"Casey's pretty excited," said John Ramos, Casey's uncle and member of his fight team. "It should be an awesome fight for him."

The Feb. 6 event in McAllen replaces the "Fists of Fury" show that was canceled on Dec. 27 because one of its boxers in the main event pulled out of the card. 

Ramos was brought in by matchmaker Anthony Cavazos to ensure success for the event.

Meanwhile, Anthony Cavazos Boxing Promotions is returning to Casa de Amistad on Feb. 27 for a card that will feature Texas cruiserweight title holder Eric Molina (8-0, seven KOs) in the main event. 

A Julio Marines Promotions card is tentatively in the works for March 6 at Casa de Amistad, likely featuring Edinburg middleweight Raul "El Tigre" Casarez (13-2, six knockouts) in the main event. Brownsville fighters Sergio Perales, Gilbert Guevara and Jerry Guevara also are expected to appear on the show. 

DE LA ROSA UPDATE

By mutual agreement, J.P. "El Gallo Negro" De La Rosa has been released from his contract with Anthony Cavazos and now will be free to pursue more lucrative fight opportunities around the country.

According to Jose Reyes of Fightnews.com, De La Rosa (19-3-1, 15 KOs), a middleweight, may be fighting in Florida on Feb. 13 against Joel Julio (34-2, 31 KOs) of Miami if Julio is willing to drop down to the 154-pound weight limit for the proposed bout.

James "The King" De La Rosa (18-0, 12 KOs), a welterweight and J.P.'s younger brother, is coming off last October's impressive 10-round unanimous decision over Tim Cole on Showtime's ShoBox. According to Reyes, James De La Rosa is tentatively scheduled to fight again on ShoBox against an opponent to be named, possibly in March.

MORE SHOBOX NEWS

Leonilo Miranda (30-0, 28 KOs) of Mexico and Kid Carson Jones (17-6-1, nine KOs) of Oklahoma City, both highly-ranked fighters for Marines Promotions, are scheduled to appear on the Jan. 16 live broadcast of ShoBox from Tulsa, Okla.

A Marines Promotions press conference leading up to the two fighters' ShoBox appearances is scheduled for 3 p.m. Tuesday at Marines Boxing Academy on East Owasa Road in Edinburg. The public is invited to attend. 

Roy Hess writes for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him via e-mail at rhess@brownsvilleherald.com.