Bridgeport, Connecticut's Jacob "Lefty" Marrero (11-0, 8 KOs) will see ring action on Saturday, April 18th when he takes on Venezuela’s Rowin Sanchez (6-2-3, 4 KOs) in a light weight contest on CES Boxing’s ‘The Riverside Rumble’ card at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. Tickets are on sale now at CESFights.com. Doors open at 4pm, with the Jimmy Burchfield Classic Invitational amateur showcase beginning at 5pm. At age 26, Marrero enters the biggest moment of his career, just one hour from his hometown. A strong Bridgeport contingent is expected to make the short trip to Hartford, turning the main event into a hometown atmosphere for Marrero. "It means everything," said Marrero of the opportunity to fight for his first pro title. "I’ve always dreamed about fighting for a [regional] belt. Doing it this close to home makes it even more special."

 

A slick, sharp-shooting southpaw with power, Marrero is coming off a dominant second-round knockout of veteran Emiliano Garcia at Foxwoods – an emphatic performance that established Marrero as one of the country’s top prospects. "I knew he was a veteran," said Marrero when asked about Garcia. "We stuck to the game plan, stayed patient, boxed smart, and eventually got him out of there in the second round. Everything went according to plan."

 

Enter Rowin Sanchez.  The 29 year-old Venezuelan, now based in Alabama, has just as many fights as Lefty and is also coming off the biggest win of his career. "He comes to fight," assessed Marrero. "He has a lot of heart and he drew with an undefeated fighter recently, so much respect to him."

 

The bout is a classic clash of styles, pitting Marrero’s precision and timing against Sanchez’s pressure and toughness – an explosive combination for a high-stakes main event. "We don’t underestimate anybody," agreed Marrero.  "I’m expecting a great fight.  I’m just going to go out there, adapt, and do whatever I have to do to come out victorious."

 

 Fans who would like to meet Lefty and hear from him a week before the fight can join CES Boxing this Saturday, April 11th at Steelpointe Harbor in Bridgeport.  The press conference begins at 1pm EST.