One of boxing’s newest promoters, Shapiro Sports, had a breakout month in December. On December 11th, Marlon Tapales (35-3, 18 KOs) won an IBF 122-pound eliminator in Carson, California. Tapales, a former WBO 118-pound title holder, scored a second-round stoppage of Japan's Hiroaki Teshigawara (22-2). With the win, Tapales of the Philippines is now in position to become the mandatory challenger for IBF/WBA champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev... This past Saturday night in Hollywood, Florida, two undefeated heavyweights, both promoted by Shapiro Sports, faced off when Lenier Pero and Geovany Bruzon shared the ring. Pero pounded out a competitive eight-round unanimous decision against his countryman. The fight was televised live on the Fox Prelims prior to the Luis Ortiz vs. Charles Martin pay-per-view broadcast.
As previously reported, on Christmas day, Cuban junior middleweight Yoelvis “La Joya” Gomez (5-0, 5 KOs) made his American debut with an emphatic first-round stoppage over the former Top Rank Bubble darling, Clay Collard. Gomez is the son of former Cuban Olympic gold medalist Jose Gomez. He easily destroyed Collard (9-5-3), best known for upsetting three previous undefeated prospects. Gomez landed thudding power shots that hurt Collard repeatedly and forced the stoppage in the opening frame.
“This is by far the best group of fighters that I have worked with in my eight years in boxing. All of these fighters had statement performances that will position themselves to capitalize on great opportunities in 2022 and the future. Marlon Tapales came off of a two-year layoff to make a world class Japanese fighter look very ordinary, and position himself for the world title in early 2022. Yoelvis Gomez stole the Christmas Day show like the Grinch, and he became a name to watch for many boxing fans. Llastly, Lenier Pero and Geovany Bruzon both showed that they will be major players in the heavyweight division for years to come. 2022 will be a great year for all of my fighters,” said Shane Shapiro, CEO of Shapiro Sports.
Shapiro Sports co-promotes Gomez, Pero and Bruzon with Warriors Boxing and Boxing Major League. Tapales is co-promoted with Viva Promotions and MP Promotions.
In addition to Tapales, Gomez, Pero and Bruzon, Shapiro Sports promotes or co-promotes featherweight Jhack Tepora (23-1, 17 KOs), junior welterweight Abram Martinez (9-0-1, 7 KOs), middleweight Landry Kore (11-1-1, 6 KOs), lightweight Fradimil Macayo (15-1, 13 KOs), junior welterweight Joniker Tovar (20-0-1, 15 KOs), and bantamweight Dervin Rodriguez (8-0-1, 8 KOs).
