Springfield, MA – July 16, 2024 – Get ready for an electrifying night of world-class boxing at the MassMutual Center on September 14th as "Down and Dirty XI" takes center stage during Puerto Rican Parade weekend. This highly anticipated event, presented by Reyes Boxing, promises to feature a stellar lineup of Puerto Rican stars and talented fighters.  

Fighters Lineup 

Local Stars from Springfield: 

• Anthony Valazquez 

• Carlos Gonzalez 

• Carlos Castillo 

• Ian Garcia 

• Laurent Humes 

Special Guest Fighters: 

• Richard "Popeye" Rivera from Hartford, CT (co-presented by Joe DeGuardia and Star Boxing) 

• Anuel Rosa (undefeated) New Haven, CT 

• Jeffrey Torres, New Haven, CT 

• Pro-debut: James Johnson, New Haven, CT 

**card subject to change 

Highlights: 

• WBA and WBC title fights 

• Special guest appearances by Puerto Rico's current world champions 

Featured Fights: 

Carlos Gonzalez vs. Duke Micah (24-1, Olympian): Carlos Gonzalez, undefeated and a top super featherweight in New England, seeks to establish himself as Puerto Rico’s next star as he faces Olympian Duke Micah (24-1). This matchup promises to be a barn burner, with Gonzalez aiming to preserve his perfect record against the seasoned Micah. 

Richard "Popeye" Rivera vs. Baris Erdogan: Richie "Popeye" Rivera, the highly ranked light heavyweight from Hartford, CT, squares off against undefeated French challenger Baris Erdogan. Expect a high-stakes battle between these skilled and powerful light heavyweights, each eyeing a future world title opportunity. 

Florent Dervis vs. Anthony Velazquez: Anthony Velazquez, a formidable figure in Springfield’s Puerto Rican community, prepares to unleash his power against hard-hitting puncher Florent Dervis. Dervis aims to hand Velazquez his first loss in what anticipates to be a fiercely contested and intense bout. 

Joseph Flanagan, AGM of MassMutual Center, emphasized the significance of this event for the community, stating, "Hosting 'Down and Dirty XI' at the MassMutual Center is a tremendous honor. This event not only showcases top-tier boxing talent but also brings a sense of pride and excitement to the city of Springfield. We are thrilled to be part of such a vibrant and culturally rich celebration."  

Michael Reyes, the visionary behind Reyes Boxing, shared his enthusiasm, saying, “We are very excited to bring Down & Dirty XI to Springfield during Puerto Rican Parade weekend. The city and its people have deserved top quality shows for a long time, and we are ready to give it to them. This event will display the fighters' handwork and dedication to shine in front of a passionate and supportive crowd.”  

These matchups are set to bring intense action and showcase the skills and determination of each fighter. Don’t miss out on this thrilling night of boxing at the MassMutual Center! 

Tickets for "Down and Dirty XI" are available at the MassMutual Center box office or online at massmutualcenter.com.  

Partial proceeds from the event will go towards sponsoring children to attend the Universal Training Academy in Springfield and Central City Boxing & Barbell in Springfield for one year. 

 

Media Requests and Sponsorship:  

Michael Reyes  

Reyes Boxing Inc.  

Email: michaelreyes@reyesboxingclub.com  

Phone: 617-271-3760