By Robert Coster
Unbeaten British flyweight Charlie Hoy (14-0, 9 KOs), ranked 7th by the WBA, is defending his WBA Fedelatin title this Thursday against Albert Gonzalez (9-5-1, 6 KOs) of Venezuela in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The diminutive (5’3″),crowd-pleasing Briton, based in Miami, has developed a fan base in the Dominican Republic where he has fought six times. When he is not fighting, Hoy drives a taxi in London.
For his part, Venezuelan Gonzalez has a deceptive record, having won 7 of his last 8 fights and holds a knockout victory over WBC Latino Champion Luis Alberto Rios. “I’m not taking him lightly, says Hoy, considering that he has turned his career around. Boxers like that are always dangerous.”
On the same card, former NFL wide receiver Travis Shelton (an ex-Denver Bronco) will make his pro boxing debut in the middleweight division. Also, former Dominican amateur standout Francis Florentino (4-0, 3 KOs) is fighting Dionis Martinez (8-13-2, 4 KOs) of Venezuela in the jr featherweight class.
The card is promoted by Domini Boxing (Jose Rafael Lantigua) and will be held at the Casa de los Clubes in the Dominican capital.