With a record of 19-1, 9 KOs, Team Puerto Rico’s Hector “El Flaco” Sanchez is the second most experienced member of Team Puerto Rico (Cesar Seda has challenged for a world title and turned pro the same year, 2005).
He is going to need all of that experience to overcome the challenge of hard-punching Vincent Arroyo, whom he will face on Saturday, June 11 at the Boricua Invasion II boxing event at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City and televised on the popular ShoBox: The New Generation, live at 10:35 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME.
Extremely tall for a junior welterweight (6′ 1″), Sanchez prefers to box from the outside and potshot with his long arms while maintaining an excellent work rate. However, when the opportunity to exchange punches arises, he will seldom refuse.
24-year-old Sanchez was an excellent amateur boxer, going 72-10 and winning several international tournaments. He has already scored several notable victories in his career, including a win over the great Mexican standout Albert Rodriguez and another over DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley.
When did you start boxing?
I started boxing when I was little, about 14 years old, and never left it since.
Tell me about your life in Puerto Rico.
My life is pretty good. Besides boxing, I also immerse myself in a lot community service. I think that it is imperative for me, as a boxer, to give back to the people that have given me so much.
Describe your boxing style.
Well, my style is basically to throw punches in bunches, have good defense and connect with punches. What I do is overwhelm my opponents with my high volume of activity.
Name a few boxers you admire and tell me why.
My favorite boxer of all time is Felix “Tito” Trinidad. He was an animal in the ring and, outside of it, the most humble human being I’ve ever met.
What do you know about your next opponent?
I’ve seen him fight and he’s a great fighter and that’s why I’m preparing myself so thoroughly to fight him. I need to be at my best to beat Arroyo.
Team Puerto Rico’s Next Appearance:
Back-to-back, on June 10 and 11 (Friday and Saturday before the 2011 National Puerto Rican Day Parade on Sunday) at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City, Gary Shaw Productions and DiBella Entertainment will present Boricua Invasion I and II, featuring members of Team Puerto Rico Boxing, the eight-man team of Puerto Rico’s future ring stars.
Friday’s Boricua Invasion I will feature the unstoppable welterweight on everybody’s “one to watch” list, Thomas Dulorme (11-0, 10 KOs) vs. former world champion DeMarcus Corley; Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico’s highlight-reel welterweight KO specialist Kenny “Battlestar” Galarza (14-1, 14 KOs) vs. Puerto Rican compatriot Irving Garcia and the future superstar already fighting in main events after just two bouts, Jose “Sniper” Pedraza (2-0, 2 KOs). The main bouts of Boricua Invasion I will be televised on ESPN Friday Night Fights.
Saturday’s Boricua Invasion II will feature four more members of Team Puerto Rico: featherweight Luis “Orlandito” Del Valle (12-0, 10 KOs) vs. Dat Nguyen; junior middleweight Jonathan “Mantequilla Gonzalez (12-0, 12 KOs); and light welterweight Sanchez vs. Arroyo. Also scheduled for action are Team Puerto Rico light welterweight Jorge “Machito” Maysonet Jr. (3-0, 2 KOs); plus a special off-TV appearance by Puerto Rico-born light welterweight Gabriel “Tito” Bracero (15-0, 1 KO) of Brooklyn. The main bouts of Boricua Invasion II will be broadcast live on Showtime: The New Generation.
Tickets for Boricua Invasion I on Friday, June 10 are priced at $175, $125, $75, $45 and are available through Ticketmaster.com, charge-by-phone, or at any Ticketmaster outlet. On Friday, doors will open at 6:00 pm and the action starts at 6:30.
Tickets for Boricua Invasion II on Saturday, June 11 are priced at $200, $150, $85, and $55 and are available through Ticketmaster.com, charge-by-phone, or at any Ticketmaster outlet. On Saturday, doors will open at 7:00 pm and the action starts at 7:30.
For VIP Package tickets to both nights, please call DiBella Entertainment at 212-947-2577.
The Roseland Ballroom is located at 239 West 52nd Street in New York City.
All bouts are subject to change.
For more information, visit www.teampuertoricoboxing.com or www.latinoboxing.com. For more information on the Roseland Ballroom, visit www.roselandballroom.com.
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