Former multiple-time world champion Ricardo Mayorga (32-10-1, 26 KOs) takes on hometown veteran Rodolfo “Cobrita” Gomez Jr. (12-4-1, 8 KOs) in a super middleweight 10-rounder on April 7 at the Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo, Texas. The 44-year-old Mayorga is coming off a loss to Andrey Sirotkin in November.
The card will be the first event presented by Lone Star Boxing Promotions. The company is headed by former boxing manager Ivaylo Gotzev (CEO), former heavyweight contender David “Nino” Rodriguez (President), and Laredo businessman Arturo Ortiz (Vice-President).
Lone Star was formed, Rodriguez says, after his retirement from fighting (due to a spinal injury), when he called up his trusted friends Gotzev and Ortiz to talk about stepping into the promotional arena.
“The difference between Lone Star Boxing and other promotional firms is that we will treat the fighters ethically and fairly,” said Rodriguez. “I spent 20 years as a boxer and contender and I know the good, the bad and the ugly sides of boxing. I will not treat any fighter that signs with Lone Star any different than I would want to be treated myself. I will be honest and upfront with every fighter, therefore setting a new standard of ethics and honesty in our sport. We hope to make Lone Star the standard of boxing when it comes to our fighters’ welfare.”
“We won’t be afraid to get our hands dirty and will plant ourselves in the location of the fight for a month or more leading up to the shows,” added Gotzev, who may be best known for his outstanding work with former WBC heavyweight champion Samuel Peter. “We want to deliver the best shows by putting together great match-ups and then getting the excitement going straight to the fans from the area. We’re not going to be promoters on paper and at the mercy of network executives giving away handouts. We are ready to work the old-fashioned way and make history.”
The pair say the addition of Ortiz, heavily connected to the Texas boxing scene, will prove extremely advantageous to their mission.
“Arturo knows the people we need to know to make our first show a smashing success,” said Rodriguez. “He is well-respected in Laredo and his name adds a great deal of credibility to our endeavor.”
The plan, however, is to branch out to multiple towns around the United States and the world.
“This is only the beginning,” said Gotzev. “We are already planning events in other cities and signing fighters to our promotional stable. I’m very happy to be in business with these two friends and looking forward to a bright future for Lone Star Boxing Promotions.”