Claudio 'The Matrix' Marrero Growing into a World Champion

Dominican featherweight returns Friday in Pittsburgh vs. Felix Perez

Claudio "The Matrix" Marrero  (pictures by Rey Sanchez) MIAMI (August 5, 2014) - "The Matrix," world-rated featherweight Claudio Marrero(15-1, 11 KOs), has to be seen in order to truly appreciate his tremendous athleticism in the ring. The dynamic Dominican returns to the ring this Friday night in Pittsburgh in an eight-round bout against former World Boxing Council (WBC) FECARBOX champion Felix Perez (8-6, 3 KOs), of Puerto Rico. "He is a very elusive, aggressive southpaw who can pick apart his opponent, counter-punching from the outside," Marrero's manager/head trainer Herman Caicedo described his 25-year-old fighter's style.   "He uses his jab and effectively cuts-off the ring. He's learning how to not complicated things, even with his style he doesn't have to avoid every punch, and he knows he has to sit in the pocket more to be even more effective." Marrero learned a valuable lesson August 23, 2013 at Turning Stone Casino, when he suffered the first and only loss of his professional career by way of a close 12-round decision (116-111, 115-112, 114-113) to Jesus Marcelo Andres Cuellar (22-1) for the Interim World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight title. In retrospect, the then 24-year-old Marrero had only 14 pro fights under his belt, and the quantum leap into a world title fight, even an interim, was somewhat premature. "Maybe it was a bit premature," Marrero admitted, "but at the end of the day, it was a world title fight opportunity. It just wasn't my night but that loss has made me a better fighter. I've never been egotistical, always a humble man, and that fight humbled me more and I'm a bigger man today because of it. I learned that I have to be 100-percent at my best to win a big fight." Marrero has a rich amateur pedigree, finishing with a sterling 297-12 record and, at the tender age of 17, he lost by a mere single point to two-time Olympic gold medalist and reigning unified world bantamweight champion, undefeated Cuban great Guillermo Rigondeaux, in an amateur bout held in Havana. Training the last four years in South Florida has provided Marrero with invaluable sparring sessions with Rigondeaux and another Olympic gold medalist from Cuba,Yuriorkis Gamboa, also a multiple world champion as a professional. "Everybody benefits from that sparring, not just me, but probably me more than anybody," WBA No. 6-rated Marrero explained. "I fought 'Rigo' in the amateurs and have had more than 100 rounds sparring with both him and Gamboa. I've gained a lot more confidence in my skills having sparred with them." Caicedo. who also manages and trains undefeated bantamweight Juan Carlos Payano (15-0, 8 KOs), a two-time Dominican Olympian scheduled to challenge WBA Super bantamweight Anselmo Moreno on September 26, believes Marrero is special because of his unique talent as well as the sacrifices he has made. "I think he needs two or three more wins and then he's in position for another world title fight," Caicedo remarked. "The fight he lost was a little premature - he was still a baby in boxing - but the opportunity arose and we took a shot. He learned a lot and he's on his way back to the top. "Claudio is very reserved. He deeply cares about family, especially his wife and three-year-old son. He is very dedicated, driven, and willing to do whatever it takes to be world champion. Look at what he's sacrificed the last four years, leaving his family in the Dominican Republic to train here. He only gets to go home once or twice a year. It's a lot easier for other guys to sacrifice when they go home every day after training. He lives in the gym; always happy and training hard." A Dominican brotherhood among boxers has helped Marrero better deal with separation from his family, in addition to him living in a foreign country in which he doesn't speak its native language, English. "I believe there is a strong brotherhood of Dominicans who support each other worldwide in professional boxing," Marrero concluded. "I admire Joan Guzman for breaking away from the Dominican to accomplish all he has in boxing. I've oftened looked to him for advice." Follow Claudio Marrero on Twitter @MarreroMatrix.

Results from Vega Baja, Puerto Rico - 'DIRECTV Boxing Nights'

At the Moises Navedo Coliseum in Vega Baja, in the maint event, Emmanuel 'Manny' Rodriguez ( 9-0, 5 KO's ) defeated Felix 'La Ardilla' Perez ( 8-5 , 3 KO's ) by unanimous decision 

From the start, Rodriguez was able to establish the pace, connecting accurate combinations to the face and body of Pérez , who was active throughout the fight, but without success for the effective defense of Rodríguez. The judges scored 80-72, 80-72 and 78-74.

"I followed the game plan as always. Perez is strong, and has faced good prospects. I did not feel his power. In this fight I was a little more aggressive, and the results speaks for himself " said an excited 'Manny' Rodriguez.

In a thrilling encounter, Carlos 'Macho ' Lopez ( 4-1-1 , 3 KO's - 160lbs ) defeated by unanimous decision over Jonathan Garcia (3-8, 1 KO's ). The judges scored 40-36, 39-37 and 38-38

At 108 pounds and six rounds, Pedro Ortiz ( 3-2-1 ) defeated by unanimous Alexis Diaz ( 0-5-1 ) decision. The judges scored 60-54, 60-54 and 59-55 .

Milton 'El Santo' Santiago (4-0, 3 KO's - 135lbs ) won by TKO in the first round over Luis Ortiz ( 0-5 ).

At 135 pounds, Juvenal Ramos ( 1-0, 1 KO ) won by TKO in the second round over Jose Cortes (0-4).

In the heavyweights, Kevin Nunez (1-0, 1 KO ) defeated Miguel Sanchez ( 0-1 )by TKO in the third.

At 154 pounds, Jelame Garcia (1-0, 1 KO ) defeated Eduardo Torres ( 0-1 ) by TKO in the second round.

Event promoted by M & V Power Promotionns in collaboration with Fresh Boxing.

Milton 'El Santo' Santiago in action this Saturday in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico

17-year-old Pennsylvania boxer, Milton 'El Santo' Santiago ( 3-0, 2 KO - 135lbs ) of Puerto Rican descent, will be making his first professional fight in Puerto Rico,this Saturday, April, 5 at the Moises Navedo Coliseum in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico.


"I'm in excellent condition for this fight, so the fans can expect the best from me at my first professional fight in Puerto Rico", commented Milton Santiago, who turns 18-year-old on September, 15, "I'm very excited because my family and friends from Puerto Rico will be there supporting me, it will be a great night for sure". Santiago will face Luis Ortíz ( 0-4 )

Santiago is the youngest professional boxer to turn pro in the state of Pennsylvania at 17s-year-old. At the amateurs, Santiago ended up with a record of 184-12.

'El Santo' began his professional boxing career on February 7, 2014, when he defeated Moses Molina by knockout in the first round. Two weeks later ( February, 21 ), he defeated Christian Daniels by the same route in Delaware. In his last bout , Milton scored a notable victory over William Lorenzo, an opponent that despite his negative record ( 3-15 ), was able to defeated on his last fight, Julian Valerio, a former Florida State Champion via fourth-round TKO.

In the feature bout at 118 pounds, highly touted, Emmanuel 'Manny' Rodriguez (8-0, 5 KO's) will clash against, Felix 'La Ardilla' Perez ( 8-4-3 , KO's) in a 8 rounds fight.

Also in action, former Puerto Rican national Champion, Carlos 'Macho' Lopez,Jr ( 3-1-1, 3 KO's) will battle experienced fellow Boricua, Edgar Perez ( 5-8, 3 KO's ) in a 6 rounds middleweight fight.

Carlos 'Macho' Lopez will battle Edgar Perez this Saturday in PR

Former Puerto Rican National Champion, Carlos 'Macho' Lopez,Jr ( 3-1-1, 1 KO's - 160lbs ) is set to make his first professional boxing match in his native Puerto Rico, this Saturday, April 5 at the Moises Navedo Coliseum in Vega Baja, where in the main event match, Emmanuel 'Manny' Rodríguez ( 8-0, 5 KO's ) will battle former WBC CABOFE champion, Felix 'la Ardilla' Perez ( 8-4, 3 KO's)

'Macho' Lopez,Jr will battle experienced fellow Boricua, Edgar Perez (5-8, 3 KO's) in a 6 rounds middleweight fight. 

Perez has gone the distance in losing effort, against undefeated prospects such as Mike Tiberi ( 21-1 ), Antoine Douglas ( 12-0 ), Joel de la Paz (7-0), among others. 

"This is the kind of fight that I want because it's a opponent of lots of experience, and a true warrior inside the ring", said Lopez,Jr, who trains under the tutelage of his father Carlos López,Sr at 'El Maestro Boxing Gym' in Bronx, New York.

On his last fight a couple of weeks ago, Lopez,Jr just needed 37 seconds to demolish Mexican, Fernando Ramírez ( 0-1 ) in a middleweight division bout, held in Mexico. 

Lopez's managers Mario Avila and Alan Gomez are always looking for different fight scenarios.

"Since turning pro, I have fought in New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Mexico and now Puerto Rico. So far, all of those places have been great learning experiences for me and my team. They ( Mario and Alan ) know that one day I'll be fighting for a world title or any important fight that may ended up in a place far from home, or at my opponent's backyard but time will tell", stated López,Jr, who ended up with a record of 115-11 at the amateurs.

Former amateur star, Emmanuel 'Manny' Rodríguez vs. Félix 'la Ardilla' Pérez is set for April, 5 in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico

Puerto Rican flyweight prospect, Emmanuel "Manny" Rodriguez ( 8-0, 5KO's ), who on last December, defeated former world title challenger, David Quijano by unanimous decision, is set to return on Saturday, April, 5, against former WBC CABOFE champion, Félix 'la Ardilla' Pérez ( 8-4, 3 KO's ) in a 8 round bout at the flyweight division in a event held at the Moises Navedo Coliseum in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. The boxing card titled 'DIRECTV Boxing Nights' will be televised by DIRECTV PR ( OnDIRECTV - channel 165 - 9:00pm ).

Rodríguez, a former Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games champion, and Azerbaijan's 2010 World Youth Championships silver medalist will have his first fight at his hometown of Vega Baja, PR.

"I was born and raised in Vega Baja, and this event means a lot to me. The fans can expect a very good fight because I know Pérez is training hard but at the end of the night, I will prevail", stated Rodríguez.

On his last fight, Félix 'la Ardilla' Pérez captured the WBC CABOFE title by defeating, local favorite, Miguel 'el Loco' Robles on April, 27, 2013 in Caguas, PR.

Also in action in Vega Baja, the teenage phenom, Milton 'el Santo' Santiago,Jr ( 3-0, 2 KO's ) from Philadelphia, former Puerto Rican National Champion, Carlos 'Macho' López, Anthony Mercado ( 6-0, 6 KO's ), Waldemar Pagán ( 4-1, 4 KO's ), among others. More information coming soon.

Puerto Rican Carlos 'Macho' Lopez wins in Mexico

Last night in Tijuana, Mexico, former Puerto Rican National Champion, Carlos 'Macho' Lopez ( 3-1-1 , 3 KO's ) just needed 37 second to demolish Mexican , Fernando Ramírez ( 0-1 ) in a middleweight division bout, held at the Hangar 27 nightclub. 

"The original opponent ( Hugo Gutierrez ) could not fight, and they brought one that was supposedly a former Tijuana amateur champion. At the weigh-in, he threw a bottle of water at me, and told very out loud that I was going to get knocked out in less than a minute, but I went ahead and finished it in 37 seconds with a body shot", said Carlos 'Macho' Lopez, who is trained by his father, Carlos Lopez,Sr, and managed by Mario Avila and Alan Gomez.

20 year old, 'Macho ' Lopez is set to return on Saturday, April 5 at the Moises Navedo Coliseum in Vega Baja, PR, where in the main event, Emmanuel 'Manny' Rodriguez will face off against Felix 'la Ardilla' Perez.