El ex-campeón mundial Angel ‘Tito’ Acosta (20-2, 20KOs) está de regreso el jueves 24 de octubre y se medirá al filipino Raymond Tabugón (22-10-1, 11KOs) en un combate a 10 asaltos en su primera pelea en la división mosca por el campeonato vacante Internacional OMB. El orgullo del Barrio Obrero en San Juan Puerto Rico mostró hoy en un aparte para los medios de comunicación parte de su arsenal junto a su nuevo equipo de trabajo compuesto por el veterano entrenador mexicano Juan Muciño.

Angel ‘Tito’ Acosta:
“Me siento muy bien he trabajado bien fuerte en este campamento para obtener una gran victoria, con mi entrenador Juan Muciño ha traído otras enseñanzas”.

“Estoy a 2 libras del peso y me siento muy bien, nunca habia estado tan cerca del peso en esta estapa, me siento fuerte”.

“Aprendí mucho de mi pelea con Elwin Soto, nunca subestimo a nadie pero llegó una mano buena para Soto y ya saben el resultado y creeme que he aprendido mucho”.

Juan Muciño – Entrenador
“Tito es un gran peleador el cuál hemos desarrollado una buena química y se verá la noche de la pelea. Entiendo que esta nueva división le va venir bien a Tito. Hemos trabajado en varios detalles nuestra meta es obtener una victoria sólida”.

Tito vs.Tabugón será parte del respaldo de Elwin Soto vs. Edward Heno es un duelo a 12 episodios por el cinturón mundial minimosca de la OMB presentado por Golden Boy en asociación con Promociones Zanfer. El evento es patrocinado por Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING.” La función se efectuará el jueves 24 de octubre de 2019 en el Fantasy Springs Resort Casino de Indio, California. Los combates serán transmitidos en vivo en RingTV.com y en Facebook Watch a través de la Pagina de Golden Boy Fight Night iniciando a las 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

Elwin “Pulga” Soto (15-1, 10 KOs) of Mexicali, Mexico captured the WBO Jr. Flyweight World Title against Angel ‘Tito’ Acosta (20-2, 20 KOs) of San Juan, Puerto Rico via twelfth-round TKO in an action-packed fight at the Fantasy Springs Resort & Casino in Indio, California. Soto won with time 0:23 of the just-mentioned round.

“The truth is I feel nice,” said Elwin Soto. “It feels great to accomplish this. I worked very hard and put a lot of effort into this. To be honest I thought I was going to lose and thank god I landed that punch and won the fight. When I first dropped him, I felt I could have stopped him, but I knew it was going 12 rounds. This is victory means a lot and dedicate this belt to my family.”

“I’m a little disappointed,” said Angel Acosta. “Sure, he hurt me but not enough for the stoppage. If I had the chance to do it again, I would have used my jab more and used my distance more just like I did in the gym. I told the referee he shouldn’t have stopped the fight. I was coming back to get him, but he shouldn’t have stopped the fight. Look it was the last round, there was not much more in the round. I would like to fight the same opponent or the other champions in the division.”

Another night, another entry into the Puerto Rico vs. Mexico rivalry for Angel Acosta.

The reigning junior flyweight titlist from Puerto Rico will next defend his strap versus Mexico’s Elwin Soto. Their fight will stream live in DAZN in chief support to a similarly themed main event, as his Boricua stablemate Alberto Machado attempts to avenge his lone career loss versus Calfornia’s Andrew Cancio in their 130-pound title fight rematch June 21 at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, Calif.

Bryan Perez, vice president of operations for Promociones Miguel Cotto—who co-promotes Acosta along with Golden Boy Promotions—informed BoxingScene.com on Tuesday.

Acosta (20-1, 20KOs) is less than three months removed from his most recent win, an 8th round knockout of former titlist Ganigan Lopez in this very venue this past March. The only change presented to the lean knockout artist was making weight, initially struggling to squeeze into a 108-pound frame but eventually coming correct and tearing through Lopez to register his third successful title defense.

Dating back to his title-winning effort over Juan ‘Pinky’ Alejo in Dec. 2017, Acosta will now enter a title fight versus a Mexican opponent for the fourth time in his last five starts. The lone exception came in his first title defense, scoring a 12th round knockout of Nicaragua’s Carlos Buitrago last June.

The lone loss of Acosta’s career came in what was also the only time he’s been extended to the final bell, dropping a 12-round decision to the excellent Kosei Tanaka in May 2017. The win for Japan’s unbeaten Tanaka was his last at junior flyweight, moving up to flyweight where more than a year later he’d win a flyweight title to become a three-division titlist after just 12 pro fights, matching Vasilily Lomachenko as the quickest to do so.

It was thought after his last fight that Acosta would eventually follow Tanaka up the scales, but insists that making weight won’t be an issue this time around.

“Keeping him as active as possible helps tremendously,” Perez notes, with the bout being Acosta’s fourth in a span of 53 weeks.

Awaiting him on June 21 is Soto (14-1, 10KOs), a 22-year old slugger from Mexico who fights in the United States for just the second time in his career. His only other trip north of the border also resulted in his lone career loss, which came in Palm Springs, Calif. in just his third pro fight.

Soto’s first title fight represents a massive leap in competition, although it comes on the undercard of a rematch to a fight that produced one of the year’s biggest upsets. Cancio arose from the canvas to thrice drop and eventually stop Machado to win a 130-pound title this past February, in just his third fight back after having retired more than two years ago.

“Our team never takes a fight lightly, but if we needed any reminder of anything happening on any night, it came (in Machado’s loss),” points out Perez.

By Jake Donovan / Senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox

Angel Tito Acosta

Puerto Rico’s Angel Acosta defends tonight his WBO Jr. Flyweight belt for the third time when he meets Ganigan Lopez of Mexico at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California on Saturday night. Streaming live in DAZN

The 28-year-old Acosta, 19-1; 19, won the vacant WBO belt with a tenth round stoppage win over Juan Alejo (24-4-1) in December 2017 and made two successful defences in 2018, against Carlos Buitrago (tko 12) and Abraham Rodriguez (ko 2).

Acosta made his pro debut in November 2012, winning all his fights inside the distance and his only loss came against Kosei Tanaka on May 20, 2017 in a challenge for the WBO belt, losing on a unanimous point’s decision with scores of 116-111 and 117-110 twice.

In a 16-year pro career Lopez has compiled a record of 35-8; 19 and won the World Boxing Federation light-flyweight belt in November 2012 with a unanimous 12-rounds points decision over Mateo Handig. In July 2015 he lost on points to Pedro Guevara in a challenge for the WBC Jr. Flyweight belt.

In March 2016 he captured the WBC Jr. flyweight belt with a majority points decision win over Yu Kimura.

After a successful defence against Johnathon Tacoma he lost the belt to Ken Shiro in May 2017.

Since the setback against Shiro he has won two fights and lost on a second-round knockout to Shiro in a return match.

By Ron Jackson / www.supersport.com

Angel Acosta Training Hard With Roach, Focused on Lopez

WBO Jr. Flyweight World Champion Angel “Tito” Acosta (19-1, 19 KOs) of San Juan, Puerto Rico hosted a media workout today at Legendz Boxing in Norwalk, Calif. ahead of his battle against Ganigan Lopez (35-8, 19 KOs) of Mexico City, Mexico in the co-main event of Garcia vs. Lopez on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. and which will be streamed live on DAZN.

ANGEL ACOSTA, WBO Jr. Flyweight World Champion:

“I feel very happy because of the support from Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions. I’m delighted for the opportunity to fight on DAZN. I’ve been working hard for this fight. I’ve been in camp since January 27 because I thought I was going to fight on March 16. But then I got the call to fight on March 30. Either way, I’m excited to defend my title for a third time.”

“Training with Freddie Roach has been something else. We’ve had two fights with him, and it’s been really great. My goal right now is to keep defending my title, but if the opportunity to unify presents itself, we will take it. But right now, I’m not thinking about any other opponent. I’m focused on Ganigan Lopez. After that, we can talk about other opponents.”

 

Puerto Rico’s Angel “Tito” Acosta retained his Jr. Flyweight crown (108 pounds) of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) by defeating Nicaraguan mandatory challenger Carlos Buitrago by technical knockout in the main event bout of the “La Batalla” card, which was staged at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Now, the Puerto Rican puncher increases his record to 18-1 and 18 KO’s. Meanwhile, Buitrago drops to 30-4-1 and 17 KO’s

.

At the end of the fight, Acosta said he was happy to have prevailed and acknowledged that Chocorroncito was a strong rival.

This was the first defense of Acosta, who won the title in December of last year when he knocked out Mexican Juan Alejo in New York.

“We were working. The corner told me to walk to the right side, and he took the right. He is a super experienced boxer. He knew how to move and fight well,” said Acosta, who dedicated his victory to the parents.

The final came at 1:43 of the last round with a combination of punches that Acosta landed on Buitrago, and that caused referee Luis Pabon to stop the fight.

Acosta managed to corner and shake the Nicaraguan challenger in most of the rounds. However, Buitrago managed to exhaust the Puerto Rican slugger, who from the sixth round forward had a much lower rate of attacks.

In fact, in rounds seven, eight, nine and 10, Buitrago seemed to revive himself and sought to box in the center of the round. In the eleventh round, Acosta began to rally hard and press with his harder punches.

https://www.boxingscene.com/angel-acosta-stops-carlos-buitrago-final-round-retains-title–129198

 

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (June 12, 2018) – The official weigh in was held today for tomorrow night’s “La Batalla” pay-per-view event, headlined by the 12-round main event between World Boxing Organization Jr. Flyweight World Champion Tito Acosta (17-1, 17 KOs) and challenger Carlos “Chocorroncito” Buitrago (30-3-1, 17 KOs), airing live on PPV from the Coliseo de Puerto Rico Center in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico,

La Batalla: Acosta vs. Buitrago is presented by Miguel Cotto Promotions, and H2 Entertainment, in association with DIRECTV Puerto Rico.

Integrated Sports Media is distributing the La Batalla: Acosta vs. Buitrago card in the United States on cable, satellite and digital pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV, DISH and live-streamed worldwide (excluding Puerto Rico.on the FITE.TV app and website (www.fite.tv), starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, for a suggested retail price of only $34.95.

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PPV BOUT SHEET

MAIN EVENT – WBO JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (12)
Tito Acosta (17-1, 17 KOs), Champion, San Juan, Puerto Rico 108 lbs.
vs.
Carlos Buitrago (30-3-1, 17 KOs), Challenger, Managua, Nicaragua 107.2 lbs.

CO-FEATURE – JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS (8)
Kevin Nieves (12-1-1, 5 KOs), Comerio, Puerto Rico 140 lbs.
vs.
Jean C. Torres (10-0, 7 KOs), Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico 139 lbs.

FEATHERWEIGHTS (8)
Bryan Chevalier (9-1-1, 8 KOs), Bayamon, Puerto Rico 126 lbs.
vs.
Ricardo Rodriguez (10-2-1, 6 KOs), Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 125 lbs.

SUPER FEATHERIGHTS (6)
Edwin Valentin (4-0, 4 KOs), Salinas, Puerto Rico 130 lbs.
vs.
Pedro Vincente (5-1, 2 KOs), Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 130 lbs.

(all fights & fighters subject to change).

 

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The final “La Batalla” press conference was held today in advance of this Saturday’s pay-per-view card, headlined by the 12-round main event between World Boxing Organization (WBO) Jr. Flyweight World Champion Tito Acosta (17-1, 17 KOs) and challenger Carlos “Chocorroncito” Buitrago (30-3-1, 17 KOs), airing live on PPV from the Coliseo de Puerto Rico Center in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico,

La Batalla: Acosta vs. Buitrago is presented by Miguel Cotto Promotions, and H2 Entertainment, in association with DIRECTV Puerto Rico.

Integrated Sports Media is distributing the La Batalla: Acosta vs. Buitrago card in the United States on cable, satellite and digital pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV, DISH and live-streamed worldwide (excluding Puerto Rico.on the FITE.TV app and website (www.fite.tv), starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, for a suggested retail price of only $34.95.

PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

Tito Acosta: “I am very excited about this Saturday night’s fight. I’ve been training really hard to get a big win over Buitrago. I only have one thing to tell him about Saturday: he will fail to capture the title and I will remain as a world champion in front of all my fans in Puerto Rico.”

Carlos Buitrago: “I feel healthy and strong. I had a very intense camp I came here with my mind clear and focus with my dream of becoming a world champion this victory is for my country of Nicaragua”

PPV BOUT SHEET

MAIN EVENT – WBO JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (12)
Tito Acosta (17-1, 17 KOs), Champion, San Juan, Puerto Rico
vs.
Carlos “Chocorroncito” Buitrago (30-3-1, 17 KOs), Challenger, Managua, Nicaragua

CO-FEATURE – JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS (8)
Kevin Nieves (12-1-1, 5 KOs), Comerio, Puerto Tico
vs.
Jean C. “Lobo” Torres (10-0, 7 KOs), Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico

FEATHERWEIGHTS (8)
Bryan Chevalier (9-1-1, 8 KOs), Bayamon, Puerto Rico
vs.
Ricardo Rodriguez (10-2-1, 6 KOs), Mayaguez, Puerto Rico

SUPER FEATHERIGHTS (6)
Edwin “Chin” Valentin (4-0, 4 KOs), Salinas, Puerto Rico
vs.
Pedro Vincente (5-1, 2 KOs), Mayaguez, Puerto Rico

(all fights & fighters subject to change).

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) announced the officials for this Saturday, June 16, clash between WBO Jr. Flyweight Champion, Angel ‘Tito’ Acosta, from Puerto Rico, and ranked No. 10 by this sanctioning body Carlos ‘Chocorroncito’ Buitrago, from Nicaragua, in a scheduled 12 rounds bout.

The world title match will take place at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan as the main event of a boxing evening presented by the Cotto Promotions. The Puerto Rican Luis Pabón will be the referee of the clash. Pabón is a veteran of over 400 professional boxing fights, including 168 world titles bouts.

The Coliseo de Puerto Rico, was the scene of Miguel Cotto’s first world championship, when the today’s promoter was crowned WBO Jr. Welterwweight Champion on September 11, 2004 after defeating Kelson Pinto, of Brazil, by technical knockout in the sixth round.

Puerto Rican Jerry Martinez of Guaynabo and from the United States, Rocky Young, of Florida, and William Lerch, of Illinois, were appointed judges for the bout.The WBO Supervisor will be WBO President of the Classifications Committee Edgardo López Sasso, Esq.

For Acosta (17-1-1, 17 KOs), it will be his first world title defense of the title he won last December by knocking out Mexican Juan ‘Pinky’ Alejo in the tenth round. On his part, Buitrago (30-3-1, 17 KOs) has held the WBO Youth and Latino Mini Flyweight titles.

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) will oversee four major fights this week around the world, including a world championship bout.

Starting on Thursday, June 14 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan, seventh ranked Hiroaki Teshigawara (16-2-2, 9 KOs), of Tokyo, will defend his WBO Asia-Pacific Bantamweight title against the two-time world title challenger Teiru Kinoshita (26-2-1, 9 KOs), of Kobe.

In the same card, 12th ranked Ryuichi Funai (29-7, 20 KOs), from Tokyo, will face former world champion Warlito Parrenas (26-7-1, 23 KOs), from Philippines, for the vacant WBO Asia-Pacific Jr. Bantamweight belt. Both fights are scheduled for 12 round as part of a event promoted by Dangan Boxing.

Also on Thursday, but in Indio, California, Filipino Mercedito Gesta (31-2-2, 17 KOs) will battle Robert Manzanarez (36-1, 29 KOs), of Arizona, for the vacant WBO NABO Lightweight title, in a 10 round clash.

The event, which will take place at Fantasy Springs Casino, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, and will feature a live broadcast on ESPN, starting at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time (5:30 p.m. Pacific time).

Meanwhile, on Saturday, June 16 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, WBO Jr. Flyweight Champion, Ángel ‘Tito’ Acosta (17-1, 17 KOs), from Puerto Rico, will be making his first title defense, against 10th ranked, and former WBO Youth and Latino champion, Carlos Buitrago (30-3-1, 17 KOs), of Nicaragua, in a schedule 12 round fight. Nitro Casino https://kasynopl.com/nitrocasino/

In Puerto Rico, DIRECTV subscribers will be able to see the event through channel 161, OnDIRECTV, starting at 9 p.m, Eastern time (6:00 p.m. Pacific time). Integrated Sports Media is distributing the card in the United States on cable, satellite and digital pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV, DISH and live-streamed worldwide (excluding Puerto Rico) on the FITE.TV app and website (www.fite.tv), for a suggested retail price of $34.95.

The event is promoted by Cotto Promotions, in association with H2 Entertainment.

Cotto Promotions hosted open workouts today in Puerto Rico to promote this Saturday’s “La Batalla” pay-per-view card, headlined by the 12-round main event between World Boxing Organization Jr. Flyweight World Champion Tito Acosta (17-1, 17 KOs) and challenger Carlos “Chocorroncito” Buitrago (30-3-1, 17 KOs), airing live on PPV from the Coliseo de Puerto Rico Center in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico,

La Batalla: Acosta vs. Buitrago is presented by Miguel Cotto Promotions, and H2 Entertainment, in association with DIRECTV Puerto Rico.

“I’m very happy to be here in this great land of champions. I came with a dream and is to take that Championship to my family and my country. I’m in one of the best conditions of my career and I come to give everything to take the title” said ‘Chorroconcito’ Buitrago. The young fighter from the city of Managua, Nicaragua will let his experience be the key to the fight “I feel good because I have the experience. I’m not afraid to come to the home of the champion and win against his people. I trust my preparation and I’m ready to go face to face with Tito Acosta, I’ll leave everything on Saturday night, “said Carlos Buitrago.

‘Tito’ Acosta downplayed the comments of his opponent: “I’m ready. The knockout comes alone. I will go up to fight, and defend my title in front of my people” commented Tito Acosta.

Integrated Sports Media is distributing the La Batalla: Acosta vs. Buitrago card in the United States on cable, satellite and digital pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV, DISH and live-streamed worldwide (excluding Puerto Rico.on the FITE.TV app and website (www.fite.tv), starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, for a suggested retail price of only $34.95.

Nicaraguan challenger Carlos “Chocorroncito” Buitrago hopes his fifth world title shot, June 16 against World Boxing Organization Jr. Flyweight World Champion Tito Acosta, headlining “La Batalla” to air on pay-per-view, live from the Coliseo de Puerto Rico Center in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.

La Batalla: Acosta vs. Buitrago is presented by Miguel Cotto Promotions, which is owned and operated by the first Puerto Rican boxer to capture world titles in four different weight classes, future Hall of Famer Miguel Cotto, and H2 Entertainment, in association with DIRECTV Puerto Rico.

Integrated Sports Media will distribute the La Batalla: Acosta vs. Buitrago card in the United States on cable, satellite and digital pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV, DISH and live-streamed worldwide (excluding Puerto Rico) on the FITE.TV app and website (www.fite.tv), starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, for a suggested retail price of only $34.95.

WBO #12-rated Buitrago (30-3-1, 17 KOs) has had four unsuccessful title challenges, losing three times, along with one draw. He was stopped for the first time in his last fight this past December, by undefeated International Boxing Federation (IBF) Minimumweight World Champion Hiroto Kyoguchi (8-0), in the eighth round of their title fight in Japan.

All three of Buitrago’s career losses have been to world champions, including a pair to Thammanooon Niyomtrong (11-0) in 2014 and 2016, both by way of 12-round unanimous decisions in Thailand. Buitrago also fought a 12-round split draw in 2013 to then-WBO Minimum World Champion Merlito Sabillo (12-0) in Manila, Philippines.

Acosta (17-1, 17 KOs), who will be making his first world title defense against Buitrago, at home in Puerto Rico, captured the vacant WBO title last December at famed Madison Square Garden, when he knocked out Juan Alejo (24-4-1), of Mexico, in the 10th round.

“I’m not at all concerned about fighting Tito Acosta in his country, basically his ‘hood,” Buitrago said. “I’m used to fighting for the world championship in my opponents’ country, just as I did with Merlito Sabillo, but they robbed me of that victory. I’m working consciously and think I’m in great shape to challenge Tito Acosta and seize the championship.

“Truth be told, I’m in perfect shape, I will fight a smart fight; if Acosta wants to battle, so be it, I’m used to battling hard hitters. If he comes into the ring with the intention to battle, I will fight intelligently.”

Naturally, the 26-year-old Buitrago believes his experience advantage will be the difference versus Acosta, allowing him to bring the world title back to Nicaragua, like Puerto Rico, a hotbed for boxing.

“I think that this being my fifth world title fight, I have experience on my side,” Buitrago added. “I’m relaxed and ready thanks to the training I’ve had in Nicaragua. I’m not sure what Tito Acosta will bring into the ring June 16. I don’t think Tito Acosta is going to learn the necessary moves and techniques in a month. He is a raw boxer who relies only on the strength of his blows. I don’t believe that he will bring anything new into the ring and if they change him, the only thing that will accomplish is confuse him. I’m always emphasising my preparation. I’m coming in smart because I’m bringing the ability to work round for round. My only objective is to bring the world championship to Nicaragua.

“I think’s it’s great initiative on Miguel Cotto’s part to promote new boxing talents. I’m grateful to Miguel Cotto and his team for giving me the opportunity to be the one to challenge Tito Acosta in his first world title defense.

“I’m a likeable boxer, people like to watch me fight. I’m known for being a smart fighter that, when fighting is needed, I fight, and when boxing is needed, I box. We work on half and short distance, which is why I believe people like to see me fight. All those who attend or watch on pay per view will enjoy a great fight.”

http://ringsidereport.com/?p=72442

CAGUAS, PUERTO RICO – All help is good in the face of a first world title defense of the world championship, especially if it comes from the hands of someone with the wealth of experience from former four divisions world champion, Miguel Cotto.

And that is the case of the WBO Jr. flyweight champion, Ángel ‘Tito’ Acosta, who has several sessions of individual work with Cotto to complement that with his coaches in the face of his championship fight on June 16 in the Coliseo de Puerto Rico against the dangerous Nicaraguan Carlos Buitrago as part of a card presented by Miguel Cotto Promotions and H2 Entertainment and which will be televised by DIRECTV Puerto Rico as part of his series ‘Night of Champions’.

Acosta had his most recent encounter with Cotto on Wednesday afternoon in Caguas, where he was seen working certain combinations and displacements that Cotto used to use effectively.

One of them included the use of two consecutive jabs to open the guard, a small displacement to then connect a straight shot and then enter with two powerful hooks before moving again outside the area of exchanges.

“He’s taught me the technique, how to put solid punches. Anyone who stands in front of me, hit him hard. “(Also a) be more aggressive, use the skill, push the boxer, do many things.”, said Acosta (17-1 with 17 knockouts), who is already putting into practice what was taught by Cotto during his preparation.

“Now (Cotto) is well stuck (helping me). He has time to attend me and his boxers. It has helped me a lot. Yesterday I learned a lot from him. On Monday I also did couple of techniques and (later) I was able to do them in sparring. We already have the fight strategy”.

Acosta has aspirations to convert Buitrago (30-3-1 with 17 knockouts) in his eighteenth victim by way of the knockout but he knows that the Nicaraguan will be elusive, so he intends to make the most of the occasions in which the Central American fighter decide to ‘raffle’ in the ‘give and take’.

“He has good boxing, he’s coming to box me, to keep me from hitting him. That’s why I’m smart. The knockout comes alone. But if I see that I can knock him out quickly, I knock him out, ” Acosta said, adding that Buitrago will leave Puerto Rico without achieving his dream of being a world champion.

“He says he’s not going to touch the canvas. But on June 16 he will touch his dream. He will achieve his dream by touching the canvas. ”

For his part, Cotto expressed satisfaction to work with Acosta, although he ruled out dedicating himself fully to the facet of being a boxing trainer.

“Tito is a hard-working, humble, neighborhood boy. The only thing that is done is to help in the best possible way. He has confidence in me and I know he will do the best he can in the fight. In the way that he can trust me, we will continue working in the same way, “said Cotto, adding that whenever he has time, he will do everything possible to share his vast knowledge in pugilism with the boxers he represents and who are coming up .

“This is something spontaneous, (which is given) every time there is an opportunity. It’s not in my north to train (full-time fighters). ”

Integrated Sports Media will distribute La Batalla: Acosta vs. Buitrago in the United States by cable, satellite under the Pay Per View system in digital through iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV, DISH and live broadcast worldwide (excluding Puerto Rico) in the FITE Application and website. TV (www.fite.tv), from 9 p. M. ET / 6 p.m. PT, for a price of only $ 34.95.

World Boxing Organization Light Flyweight World Champion Tito Acosta will showcase his vast skills June 16 in his first title defense against Nicaraguan challenger Carlos “Chocorroncito” Buitrago in the “La Batalla” 12-round main event, airing on pay-per-view, live from the Coliseo de Puerto Rico Center in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.

La Batalla: Acosta vs. Buitrago is presented by Miguel Cotto Promotions, which is owned and operated by the first Puerto Rican boxer to capture world titles in four different weight classes, future Hall of Famer Miguel Cotto, and H2 Entertainment, in association with DIRECTV Puerto Rico.

Integrated Sports Media will distribute the La Batalla: Acosta vs. Buitrago card in the United States on cable, satellite and digital pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV, DISH and live-streamed worldwide (excluding Puerto Rico) on the FITE.TV app and website (www.fite.tv), starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, for a suggested retail price of only $34.95.

Building his own legacy in a traditionally rich, hot-bed for boxing like Puerto Rico, Acosta (17-1, 17 KOs) captured the vacant WBO title last December at famed Madison Square Garden, when he knocked out Juan Alejo (24-4-1), of Mexico, in the 10th round.

An outstanding amateur boxer with more than 180 matches, highlighted by his gold-medal performance at the Central American Games,), the San Juan-based fighter has defeated 22-5 Juan Guzman (KO1), 12-1 Japhet Uutoni (TKO12), and 28-5-3 Luis Ceja (KO2).

“My goal is to be the best,” Acosta said. “I grew-up watching Tito Trinidad and Miguel Cotto, who are my favorite fighters. I will work as hard as I can to give the best to my family, as well as make my island proud. I will win on June 16th and let the world know that I am the best 108-pound boxer in the world.”

Having a future Hall of Famer such as Cotto as his promoter is a tremendous advantage, in and out of the ring, for Acosta. “It means a lot and is an honor for me to have a living legend like Miguel Cotto as my promoter,” Acosta explained. “He has guided my career the best way. He also gets involved in my camp and wants me to get better and better every fight.”

“Tito Acosta is a really good fighter,” Cotto commented about his protégé. “He is World Champion for a reason. We will work to give him the best opportunities. Tito has an opportunity to show the world on June 16th what he is made of and who he is. As World Champion, he needs to be at the highest level to have a brilliant performance each fight, because the better performances and victories, the bigger name he will build.”

“It is important for a fighter to do his job in the ring because every performance is a unique opportunity to show the world who you are and at what level you belong. People in Puerto Rico love boxing, and its fighters.”

WBA #2-rated Buitrago (30-3-1, 17 KOs) will be fighting in his fifth world title fight, after losing three times with one draw. He was stopped for the first time in his last fight this past December, by undefeated International Boxing Federation (IBF) Minimumweight World Champion Hiroto Kyoguchi (8-0), in the eighth round of their title fight in Japan.

All three of Buitrago’s career losses have been to world champions, including a pair to Thammanooon Niyomtrong (11-0) in 2016 and 2014, both by way of 12-round unanimous decisions in Thailand for the Interim WBA title. Buitrago also fought a 12-round split draw in 2013 to then-WBO Minimum World Champion Merlito Sabillo (12-0) in Manila, Philippines.

“Chris Buitrago is a great fighter and tough challenger, who has the highest level of experience, and that motivates me,” Acosta spoke about his Nicaraguan opponent. “People want to watch a toe-to-toe brawl and he brings that style. I think he will brawl with me, but I’ll be ready for any style he brings June 16th.

“I work for the KO (he has 17 knockouts in his 17 wins) because that’s what fans like. I work for that every fight and I will win June 16th by knockout!”

Additional June 16th PPV fights will soon be announced. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Press Release by Full Court Press

tanaka-acosta-sumio

By Joe Koizumi
Photos: Sumio Yamada

Unbeaten WBO junior flyweight champ Kosei Tanaka (9-0, 5 KOs), 107.75, Japan, impressively kept his belt as he dropped previously unblemished KO artist, mandatory challenger Angel Acosta (16-1, 16 KOs), 108, Puerto Rico, in the fifth session, controlled the action with better precision and pounded out a unanimous decision (117-110 twice, 116-111) over twelve hard-fought rounds on Saturday in Nagoya, Japan.

It’s a very hot non-stop punching fight by the hard-hitting youngsters. (More to come)

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www.fightnews.com/Boxing/tanaka-defeats-acosta-retains-wbo-108lb-belt-404455

 

Date:  Saturday, May 20, 2017

WBO Junior Flyweight  Title Bout

Location: Takeda Teva Ocean Arena, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan

Promoter:   Hatanaka Promotions / Kiyoshi Hatanaka

Supervisor:   Leon Panoncillo

Referee:   Manuel Oliver Palomo

Judges:   Jerry Jakubco (117-110); Javier Alvarez (117-110); Giustino Di Giovanni (116-111)   

Results:    The WBO Junior Flyweight Title was retained by the Champion Kosei Tanaka against Angel Acosta by Unanimous Decision.

TV: 

Date:  Friday, February 17, 2017

WBO Junior Flyweight Elimination Bout

Location: Colisseum Roger Mendoza in Caguas

Promoter: Cotto Promotions

Supervisor:  Francisco Valcarcel, Esq.

Referee:  Roberto Ramirez Jr.

Judges:  Cesar Ramos, Nelson Vazquez, Luis Ruiz

Results:  The WBO Junior Flyweight Elimination Bout was won by Angel Acosta.  Jafet Uutoni lost his world title eliminator against Angel Acosta on  a tenth round technical knockout after the referee stopped the fight 1:01 into the round.

TV: