Christy Martin Promotions has announced the signing of undefeated super bantamweight Sheldon Vallotton to a promotional contract. The 20 year-old Vallotton (3-0, 2 KOs) hails from New Orleans, Louisiana. He turned professional in September of last year after becoming a three-time Louisiana Golden Gloves Champ and regularly competing nationally in his amateur career. A slick southpaw who trains daily with father/coach and former fighter Damien Duquestrada at their family-run Duquestrada’s Boxing Academy, the pair also regularly travel to other gyms to spar and work out with fellow up-and-coming prospects, including featherweight Victor Hernandez (12-0), lightweight Devin Cushing (16-0), and Nicaragua's Winston Guerrero (22-1), among others.  It was while working with Hernandez for his upcoming fight at the time that Vallotton caught the eye of Ms. Martin’s wife, fellow former fighter Lisa Holewyne, who recommended him to Martin. 

 

Vallotton says signing this promotional agreement is a critical next step for his ring aspirations. “I’m very blessed,” he said. “I really appreciate this exciting opportunity. Lisa and Christy have given me a chance to face a much higher level of competition, climb the rankings and get a lot closer to my dream of becoming world champion.”

 

Originally from Cienfuegos, Cuba, Duquestrada, who retired from his own fighting career in 1999, says his background in the Cuban amateur system is evident in his son’s crafty Cuban/American hybrid style in the ring. “I gave him that Cuban style of using angles with lots of fast punches and a lot of smart movement, and paying attention to banging the body.”

 

Duquestrada says he’s also happy with his son’s new promotional agreement. “I think it’s a blessing. It’s a great opportunity,” he said. “I knew of Christy from my era, when she was fighting on Mike Tyson undercards. I feel like we’re unstoppable together. We plan to work hard toward bigger and better things in boxing.” 

 

“I’m excited about signing Sheldon,” added Martin. “He is a strong, elusive southpaw with a lot of charisma that fans love. He’s got a good family behind him and a big fanbase in Louisiana. The sky is truly the limit for this young man.”