Filipino boxer Harmonito Dela Torre makes US debut January 22

Ryan Songalia

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Filipino boxer Harmonito Dela Torre makes US debut January 22
Unbeaten junior lightweight Harmonito Dela Torre will face Mexican Rafael Guzman in Tucson, Arizona on a card televised by Showtime

MANILA, Philippines – Unbeaten Filipino prospect Harmonito Dela Torre will make his American debut on January 22 when he faces Mexican Rafael Guzman in an 8-round junior lightweight fight at Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Arizona.

The news was announced in a press release from American television network Showtime, which will broadcast the fight as part of a ShoBox: The New Generation card featuring 4 bouts. The card will be promoted by Greg Cohen Promotions.

The 21-year-old Dela Torre (17-0, 12 knockouts) of General Santos City, Philippines will have less than a month to adjust to new trainer Osmiri “Moro” Fernandez, who will work with Dela Torre in Miami, Fla., Dela Torre’s Philippine promoter Jim Claude Manangquil told Rappler prior to the fight’s announcement. Dela Torre arrived in the United States on Monday, December 28.

Fernandez, a native of Cuba, also trains interim WBA lightweight titleholder Ismael Barroso and former WBA lightweight titleholder Richar Abril, and has worked with former champions Victor Ortiz, Tomoki Kameda and Yuriorkis Gamboa. 

Guzman (16-1-1, 10 KOs) of Ensenada, Mexico is just 20 years old but has been a pro since 2011. His lone defeat came in August of this year, when he lost an 8-round split decision to Abraham Cordero. 

Dela Torre, an awkward fighter whose long arms enable him to throw punches from unexpected angles, has had some international experience, fighting twice in Macau on cards promoted by Top Rank, including once on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s decision win over Brandon Rios in 2013.

(READ: Filipino boxer Dela Torre ‘hungry’ for victory in Macau)

“It’s every boxer’s dream to fight on big cards in United States. This is the next step in my pathway to becoming world champion,” Dela Torre was quoted in the press release. 

“I hear my opponent is a good fighter, but I am ready for anything he can throw. Everybody is going to be talking about me after this fight,” Guzman is quoted.

The show will be headlined by a 10-round middleweight fight between Rob “Bravo” Brant (18-0, 11 KOs) and Decarlo Perez (15-3-1, 5 KOs).

ShoBox has been a staple of boxing programming in America since 2001, giving exposure to many young fighters early in their careers, including current WBO junior featherweight titleholder Nonito Donaire Jr. The commentators for the show are Barry Tompkins, Steve Farhood and former junior middleweight champion Raul Marquez. – Rappler.com

Ryan Songalia is the sports editor of Rappler, a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) and a contributor to The Ring magazine. He can be reached at ryan.songalia@rappler.com. Follow him on Twitter at @RyanSongalia.

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!