December 12 Show Features Top Talents!
Arizona boxing fans will get to witness fireworks in the ring THIS Saturday, December 12, at the Tucson Arena.
“The Homecoming” card featuring Oscar Valdez and Jose Benavidez Jr. (in separate bouts) has nine fights on tap in this “Solo Boxeo” show presented by Top Rank and Iron Boy Promotions.
I recently caught up with one of the promoters of the show, Roberto Vargas from Iron Boy Promotions. The Iron Boy team has had a busy year with a young stable of warriors all ready to make a name for themselves. I met Roberto earlier this year at a Gennady Golovkin fight. He and the whole Iron Boy crew (with the PR Team headed by Phoenix’s Emily Pandelakis) are hard working, dedicated, and energetic–and looking to bring exciting matches to the desert region and beyond. Local ring announcer Sonny Franco often works their shows and I’ve also met many of the young Iron Boy sluggers at various events.
Due to my holiday schedule, I won’t be able to attend their upcoming fight in person so I wanted to catch up with Roberto and hear what’s in store for this Saturday night at the Tucson Convention Center. His Iron Boy roster of prizefighters includes brand new talents, undefeated prospects, contenders and rising stars in the game. Roberto shared some of the exciting plans he and his team have for the upcoming months. Iron Boy has been a force in the boxing landscape and 2016 looks to be full steam ahead as well!
Michele Chong: Hi Roberto. Congrats on a successful year with Iron Boy. How long have you been promoting?
Roberto Vargas: Iron Boy Promotions was established in 2011 by me (the promoter of the company) and initial partner Jorge Vaca. And now the company has grown and, currently, we have a great team.
MC: And how did you first get into boxing?
RV: I got into boxing by supporting a kid–an amateur boxer–when he was 14 years old. He is now a professional fighter with 13-0 record. His name is Francisco C De Vaca and he currently trains with Roberto Alcazar in Baldwin Park, Calif.
MC: What can you tell us about your current stable of fighters?
RV: The Iron Boy fighters are close to 30 fighters from all levels. Here are a few names: Francisco C De Vaca (13-0), Victor Castro (16-0), Carlos Castro (13-0), Miguel Beltran (29-4), Juan Garcia (19-3), Paul Romero (5-0) and Bernardo Marquez (4-0).
MC: What makes Arizona boxing stand out? And what does the year ahead look like for your team?
RV: We are going on 31 events and looking to have 15-20 shows in 2016! We’ve done events in Arizona, Texas and currently in Jalisco, Mexico too. We are also involved with USA Boxing in Arizona to contribute to the amateur program and will be hosting six amateur shows in 2016. We are currently pursuing to close some TV deals for 2016; we currently have a good relationship with Top Rank, Golden Boy, Roy Jones Jr Promotions, Greg Cohen Promotions and Zanfer Promotions.
MC: Sounds like a packed schedule. Congrats again and have a great show!
RV: Thanks, I appreciate it!
“The Homecoming” is just days away. The fists will fly on Saturday. Besides the full card on tap, Iron Boy’s fights also feature celebrity guests and familiar faces ringside. Plus you will get to see Olympian Oscar Valdez continue his rise to the top as he looks for his 18th victory as a pro and also watch unbeaten Jose Benavidez Jr. go after his 24th “W” to keep his record perfect.
So boxing fans, if you’re in the Tucson area THIS weekend, don’t miss out on the action. It promises to be a real shootout in the ring!
“The Homecoming”
December 12 at the Tucson Arena/Tucson Convention Center
Tickets: 800-745-3000
Photos courtesy of Roberto Vargas/Iron Boy Promotions
