Tag Archives: Theater at Madison Square Garden

Xander Zayas Claims Vacant WBO Junior Middleweight with Decision Win Over Jorge Garcia Perez

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Xander Zayas has earned his place in boxing history…

The 22-year-old Puerto Rican professional boxer has become the youngest current world champion after capturing the vacant WBO junior middleweight title with a dominant decision win over Jorge Garcia Perez at the Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Xander ZayasFighting at the Garden for the eighth time in his career, Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) was in control from the opening bell, using elusive footwork and counterpunching to quell Garcia Perez’s awkward but powerful offense.

As Zayas picked up on his opponent’s timing, he maintained distance — even when Garcia Perez, standing in a corner after absorbing a combination, tried to bring in Zayas.

When Garcia Perez closed the distance, Zayas tied him up.

All three judges awarded the fight to Zayas (116-112, 118-110, 119-109). Garcia Perez, a 28-year-old from Mexico, saw his eight-fight winning streak end.

In the final 30 seconds of Round 6, Zayas punctuated an exchange with a right hand that sent Garcia Perez (33-4, 26 KOs) stumbling into the ropes. Garcia Perez regained his footing, but Zayas continued to pick him apart.

Garcia Perez appeared to be fading, but he had a strong eighth round, throwing more combinations. But in the ninth, Zayas avoided damage and answered with combinations. He was in control the rest of the way, landing at a high percentage and making Garcia Perez miss.

According to CompuBox, Zayas landed 50 more jabs and 19 more power punches than Garcia Perez despite throwing 81 fewer punches. Garcia Perez connected on 22% of his total punches and 24% of his power punches, while Zayas connected on 38% of his total punches and 45% of his power punches. Zayas also held a 59-31 edge in body shots landed.

“It’s amazing. It’s amazing to represent Puerto Rico at the highest level and to just put the pride of my island where it belongs — at the top,” said Zayas, who is the most recent fighter from Puerto Rico to win the junior middleweight world championship.

Zayas, who is No. 8 in the ESPN junior middleweight rankings, is 22 years, 324 days old. The next-youngest champ is welterweight Brian Norman Jr. at 24 years, 245 days.

Louis C.K. to Perform at This Year’s Stand Up for Heroes

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Louis C.K. is taking a stand…

The 49-year-old Mexican American comedian, actor, writer, producer, director and editor will take part in this year’s Stand Up for Heroes on November 1 at the Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Louis C.K.

Presented by the Bob Woodruff Foundation and the New York Comedy Festival, it will mark the 10th anniversary of the annual event that’s raised more than $33 million for wounded, ill and injured veterans, service members and their families.

Louis C.K. joins an all-star roster that includes Jim Gaffigan, Jerry Seinfeld, Bruce Springsteen and Jon Stewart.

“We look forward to Stand Up for Heroes each year not only because it’s grown into New York’s biggest night of comedy and music, but because a decade of laughter has translated into a lifetime of immeasurable support for our nation’s injured heroes,” said Bob Woodruff, co-founder and ABC News correspondent. “As we commemorate the 15th anniversary of 9/11 and the wars that have followed, it’s important not to lose sight of the fact that a small percentage of our population stood up for us — it’s now our turn to stand up for them.”

Woodruff and wife Lee established the Bob Woodruff Foundation after the then-recently installed co-anchor of ABC News was critically injured in 2006 by a roadside bomb in Iraq. The Woodruffs partnered with the New York Comedy Festival founders Caroline Hirsch and Andrew Fox to stage the first Stand Up for Heroes event in 2007.

“We could not be more proud to partner with the Bob Woodruff Foundation to celebrate such an incredible milestone as the 10-year anniversary of Stand Up for Heroes,” says Caroline Hirsch, Bob Woodruff Foundation board member and founder of the New York Comedy Festival and Carolines on Broadway. “The organization’s remarkable perseverance, passion and contribution to wounded soldiers and their families is outstanding. Nothing would be possible without the time and dedication from all of the performers and supporters of the organization over the years.”\

After its start at New York’s Town Hall and, later, the Beacon Theatre, the event moved to MSG in 2013.

Verdejo to Face Daniel Evangelista in 10-Round Bout

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Felix Verdejo is ready to rumble on his home turf…

The 22-year-old rising Puerto Rican lightweight boxing star and 2014 ESPN.com prospect of the year will face Daniel Evangelista on April 16 at Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, according promoter Top Rank.

Felix Verdejo

The scheduled 10-round bout will headline a “Solo Boxeo Tecate” card on Spanish-language network UniMas.

“The name of my opponent makes no difference,” Verdejo said. “I want to fight the best, but I don’t choose my opponents. I leave that to [manager and trainer] Ricky [Marquez] and Top Rank. I always prepare well for any opponent, and this time won’t be the exception. I will be in my best condition to once again bring happiness to my people.”

If he comes through the bout against Evangelista unscathed, Verdejo (20-0, 14 KOs), 22, is due to fight again on June 11, the eve of the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York. That bout, an HBO-televised co-feature at the Theater at Madison Square Garden, is expected to be against a much better opponent than Evangelista.

The leading candidate for that fight is Jose Felix Jr. (33-1-1, 25 KOs), 23, of Mexico, a fringe contender, according to Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.

Evangelista (18-6-2, 14 KOs), 25, of Mexico, is 1-3-1 in his past four fights but has experience against opponents such as former junior lightweight world titleholder Argenis Mendez and unbeaten prospect Casey Ramos.

“I don’t think it would be smart to think that a fighter with some losses on his record doesn’t have the qualities to be a worthy opponent,” Marquez said of Evangelista. “I respect Evangelista for his bravery of coming to our island to try to ruin our plans. I really think he is an opponent that will come to apply pressure, throw a lot of punches and will make Felix work to dominate him.”