Carlos Adames, Alberto Puello, Hector Garcia, and Luis Rosa are all fighters from the Dominican Republic who’ve discovered success in boxing.
Alejandro Paulino desires so as to add his identify to that checklist.
The unbeaten junior light-weight will face D’Angelo Keyes tonight on the Mohegan Solar Area in Uncasville, Connecticut. The eight-round bout will precede the primary occasion bout between fringe junior middleweight contender Chordale Booker and Greg Vendetti.
Each fights will stream stay on Swerve Fight (8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT).
Paulino (15-0, 13 knockouts), who was born within the Dominican Republic and now resides in New London, Connecticut, final fought on August 12, knocking out Julian Evaristo Aristule within the opening spherical. The victory over Aristule occurred nearly three months after Paulino stopped journeyman Jonathan Perez within the sixth spherical.
The 25-year-old will face his first critical check, on paper, in opposition to Keyes, who was stopped by Oscar Duarte in his final battle on Might 27. Paulino believes he is able to face the likes or Keyes to maneuver ahead in his profession.
“I’m very motivated to get the win,” Paulino instructed The Ring Thursday afternoon. “(Keyes) has a great resume and a great document, however I don’t suppose he’s on my stage. That’s what I get from him. I have to impress (tonight) and do what I’ve to do. He does have expertise, however this can be a good battle for me (at this stage in my profession).”
Paulino fought 4 instances in 2023 in opposition to modest opposition at 130 and 135 kilos. He’s dedicated to campaigning as a junior light-weight and going through opposition who will problem him contained in the ring.
“I need to hold combating those that will put me able to at some point battle for a world title belt,” mentioned Paulino, who’s promoted by CES Boxing’s Jimmy Burchfield. “I need to push myself and face one of the best. After my battle (tonight), I need to face unbeaten guys or those that are near my stage.”
Paulino made his professional debut in Might 2021 on the age of twenty-two. Prior to totally committing to boxing, Paulino was a highschool state wrestling champion in Connecticut.
Since making the transition from wrestling to boxing, and never having a prolonged beginner profession, supervisor Roland Estrada has been impressed with Paulino’s means to study within the gymnasium and achieve expertise and publicity.
“(Alejandro) is among the most devoted fighters I’ve had the pleasure to coach,” Estrada instructed The Ring. “This child drives from Connecticut to Windfall (Rhode Island), 90 minutes, 4 days every week, to coach. Most likely drives previous 30 boxing gyms alongside the way in which. That’s dedication. (He’s a) fast learner, asks quite a lot of questions and is continually attempting to implement that data into his sparring. The sky is the restrict for this child. Exhausting work and a bit of little bit of luck is all we want.”
Paulino believes in exercise and studying as a lot as doable.
“It’s necessary to me to be energetic,” mentioned Paulino. “I began late in boxing and I didn’t have quite a lot of beginner expertise. Each battle, I really feel like I enhance and get higher. I’m studying on the job. I hope to battle once more in March. I’m going to see how effectively I do. I need to battle four-five instances this yr.”
The Dominican battle scene has excelled in recent times. Carlos Adames is on the verge of a world title shot at 160 kilos. Alberto Puello and Hector Garcia just lately held titles at 140 and 130 kilos, respectively.
Paulino is glad to be part of this motion, acknowledging the expertise in the meanwhile within the amateurs and prospects within the professional recreation.
“There’s a brand new wave of fighters from the Dominican Republic. There’s a gifted group that was a part of the Olympic workforce. All through the island, there may be quite a lot of expertise. I’m very proud to signify them as effectively.”
As he continues down a path towards contender standing, Paulino stays grounded, because of his household. He additionally hopes to proceed to enhance his skill-set as he hopes to face the higher echelon of the 130-pound division.
“I’m not one to speak so much. I need to show myself within the ring. I’ve quite a lot of confidence, however my household doesn’t like showboating. I do my work within the ring and let my fists do the speaking.
“I need to get able to battle for a world title at 130 kilos. I’m huge for my weight, so I need to see how effectively I do till I transfer as much as light-weight. I want to win a world title belt after which transfer as much as 140 kilos. These are my targets.”
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has coated boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He may be reached at [email protected]
Comply with @FSalazarBoxing
