DAVIS WINS RING RETURN

Coverage & Photos by Darryl Cobb Jr. / Instagram: @darrylcobb
 

Rising Star Promotions made its Philadelphia promotional debut June 20 at 2300 Arena with "South Philly Showdown," an 11-fight card featuring two title fights, several local prospects, and a number of competitive matchups.

LOPEZ WINS DEBUT BY STOPPAGE

The evening started with Isabel “La Loba” Lopez, King of Prussia, PA, making a successful professional debut by stopping Gabrielle Roman of South Amboy, NJ in the third round. Both fighters opened behind their jabs, but Lopez found success early with her right hand, scoring a knockdown in the opening round. Lopez steadily increased her pressure while Roman attempted to recover and work her way back into the fight.

The end came 48 seconds into Round 3 when referee Shawn Clark stopped the contest. Lopez entered the bout with Team Combat League experience, having already competed in six rounds before making her professional debut.

RESULT: Isabel Lopez TKO 3 Gabrielle Roman (0:48)
Lightweights - 4 Rounds

Lopez: 1-0, 1 KO
Roman: 0-3, 0 KOs

MUHAMMAD SCORES QUICK KNOCKOUT

Philly southpaw Ismail “The Chef” Muhammad needed less than two minutes to stop Lanoka Harbor, NJ's Danny Murray. Muhammad controlled the action with a steady jab and backed Murray into the corner before landing the right hand that ended the fight at 1:59 of the opening round. The referee was Dave Braslow.

Afterward, Muhammad credited trainer Bozy Ennis for his preparation. “With Bozy in my corner, we work on things every day,” Muhammad said. Muhammad, who is signed to Boots Promotions, also said he gets ring work alongside Jaron “Boots” Ennis.

RESULT: Ismail Muhammad KO1 Danny Murray (1:59)
Welterweights - 6 Rounds
Muhammad: 10-0, 6 KOs
Murray: 8-12, 0 KOs

 GONZALEZ RETURNS WITH VICTORY

Carlos Gonzalez, Springfield, MA, returned after a 450-day layoff and earned a unanimous decision victory over Tom's River, NJ-based Mexican Oscar Barajas. Gonzalez put together the cleaner combinations throughout the fight while investing consistently in body work. Barajas remained competitive and landed his share of punches, but Gonzalez generally connected with the harder shots.

The fourth round featured some of the best action of the fight as Gonzalez appeared to hurt Barajas before the two exchanged at close range to close the round. Gonzalez continued pressing forward in the final rounds looking for a stoppage, but Barajas remained dangerous through the final bell.

After the fight, Gonzalez admitted he wanted the knockout. "This was my first fight in 450 days. I thought I was done with boxing,” Gonzalez said.

RESULT: Carlos Gonzalez W6 (U) Oscar Barajas (Scores: 59-55, 59-55, 58-56)
Jr. Welterweights - 6 Rounds
Gonzalez: 16-0-1, 14 KOs
Barajas: 7-11-1, 2 KOs

MULLEN HANDLES PHYSICAL TEST

Brooke “Too Smooth” Mullen, Boyertown, PA, earned a unanimous decision victory over Miranda “She-Hulk” Barber of Boca Raton, FL. Mullen established her jab early and looked to use her reach advantage. Barber’s strategy was to close the distance, make the fight physical, and force exchanges on the inside.

Referee David Braslow warned both fighters about holding during the contest. Barber found success at times, including a sharp uppercut in round three, but Mullen’s jab and movement allowed her to maintain control.

When asked afterward if Barber’s style frustrated her, Mullen dismissed the idea. “I wouldn’t say that,” Mullen said. The victory gave Boots Promotions its second win of the night.

 RESULT: Brooke Mullen W4 (U) Miranda Barber (Scores: 40-36 x3)
Welterweights - 4 Rounds
Mullen: 3-0, 2 KOs
Barber: 3-7, 1 KO

HOLCOMB EDGES ORTIZ IN ACTION FIGHT

Reading, PA's Joshafat Ortiz and Chicago's William Holcomb produced one of the most entertaining fights of the evening. From the opening bell, both fighters came forward throwing power punches. Neither man spent much time working behind the jab as the fight quickly turned into a battle of pressure and exchanges.

Ortiz suffered a cut from an accidental head clash in round two, and Holcomb targeted it for the remainder of the fight. Ortiz appeared to become even more aggressive after the cut. Neither fighter gave ground and neither showed signs of slowing down.

The fight nearly ended dramatically when Holcomb landed a right hand that dropped Ortiz with 12 seconds remaining. Ortiz beat the count but was still feeling the effects of the punch when the final bell sounded and needed assistance getting back to his corner. Holcomb earned the unanimous decision.

 RESULT: William Holcomb W6 (U) Joshafat Ortiz
(Scores: 58-56, 58-56, 57-56)
Jr. Lightweights - 6 Rounds
Holcomb: 5-1, 2 KOs
Ortiz: 13-3, 6 KOs

GERENA STOPS BAILEY IN ROUND FIVE

Gabriel Gerena, Piscataway, NJ,  scored a fifth-round stoppage victory over Marklin Bailey of Durham, NC. Gerena found success early with body combinations and appeared to hurt Bailey in the second round. Bailey responded by standing his ground and trading punches, creating several competitive exchanges.

Bailey repeatedly lost his mouthpiece throughout the fight and was eventually deducted a point by referee David Braslow after the third occurrence. Gerena returned to body work in the later rounds and began breaking Bailey down. Once Bailey was trapped in the corner again, Braslow stepped in and stopped the fight at 1:30 of round five.

RESULT: Gabriel Gerena TKO5 Marklin Bailey (1:30)
Welterweights - 6 Rounds
Gerena: 9-1, 7 KOs
Bailey: 10-16, 6 KOs

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RODRIGUEZ RETURNS WITH SHUTOUT

Emmanuel “Salserito” Rodriguez, Berlin, NJ, returned from a lengthy layoff and earned a unanimous decision victory over Luis Almendarez Morales, Tijuana, MEX. Rodriguez controlled the fight from the outset, working behind his jab, attacking the body, and keeping Morales on the outside. Morales attempted to increase the pressure but struggled to consistently land clean punches. Rodriguez’s defense proved difficult to solve as Morales often found gloves instead of open targets.

After the fight, Rodriguez discussed returning to action after being out since August. “I just trying to get my hands working and get back in the groove,” Rodriguez said. he also spoke about maintaining focus outside the ring. “I don’t smoke; I don’t drink; I just focus on what’s inside the ring. Ask my coach.” The father of three also wished everyone a Happy Father’s Day while wearing trunks featuring “Dad Gang” across the back.

RESULT: Emmanuel Rodriguez W6 Luis Morales
(Scores: 60-54, 60-54, 58-56)
Jr. Featherweight - 6 Rounds
Rodriguez: 16-3, 8 KOs
Morales: 8-6-1, 3 KOs

FALCON CAPTURES NBA LIGHTWEIGHT BELT

Ofacio “The Sniper” Falcon, Bronx, NY, claimed the vacant NBA lightweight title belt with a unanimous decision victory over Frankie Sanchez Jr. of Aurora, CO. Falcon established his jab and footwork early while Sanchez spent much of the fight trying to cut off the ring and force exchanges. Falcon mixed body work with movement and gradually increased his output without giving Sanchez many opportunities to capitalize.

The turning point came in round five when Falcon scored the fight’s only knockdown. He continued controlling the action behind his jab and movement over the final three rounds. All three judges scored the fight a shutout for Falcon. The referee was Dave Braslow.

RESULT: Ofacio Falcon W8 Frankie Sanchez Jr. (Scores: 80-71 x3)
Falcon wins the vacant NBA lightweight regional belt
Lightweights - 8 Rounds
Falcon: 15-0, 8 KOs
Sanchez: 7-4-2, 6 KOs

⸻

FLEMMINGS WINS WBA-NABA SILVER TITLE

Patterson, NJ's Dwyke Flemmings Jr. captured the WBA-NABA Silver Super Welterweight Championship with a third-round stoppage victory over Andy Aaron Arteaga of Round Rock, TX. Flemmings showed his power throughout the contest and nearly finished the fight in round two when a straight right hand dropped Arteaga.

Arteaga beat the count but was badly hurt and survived only because the bell arrived. The end came at 1:41 of round three when referee Shawn Clark stopped the fight.

RESULT: Dwyke Flemmings Jr. TKO 3 Andy Arteaga (1:41)
Flemmings wins WBA-NABA Silver Jr. Middleweight Championship
Jr. Middleweights - 8 Rounds
Flemmings: 12-1, 11 KOs
Arteaga: 9-2, 0 KO

PIZARRO OUTWORKS LEE

Philadelphian Branden Pizzaro earned a unanimous decision victory over Michael Lee of Newark, NJ in a competitive welterweight contest. The two exchanged heavy shots throughout the fight, but Pizzaro often landed first and finished exchanges stronger.

Lee showed frustration at times and was warned after lifting Pizzaro during an exchange by referee Dave Braslow. The fight’s momentum shifted in round seven when Lee again picked Pizzaro up. Pizzaro immediately responded by firing combinations that backed Lee up and changed the pace of the fight. Lee remained competitive, but Pizzaro continued beating him to the punch through the final round.

RESULT: Branden Pizzaro W8 (U) MICHAEL LEE
(Scores: 80-72, 80-72, 79-73)
Welterweights - 8 Rounds
Pizarro: 21-2-1, 11 KOs
Lee: 11-5, 7 KOs

DAVIS WINS MAIN EVENT

In the main event, Kyrone “Shut It Down” Davis, Wilmington, DE, earned a unanimous decision victory over Daijohn Gonzalez of Davenport, IA. Davis used his speed and timing throughout the fight, often countering Gonzalez before his punches could fully develop. Gonzalez continued pressing forward and landed occasional shots, but Davis consistently controlled the exchanges.

Davis also used head movement effectively, drawing Gonzalez forward before answering with quick jabs and counters. Trainer Stephen “Breadman” Edwards repeatedly called for Davis to increase the pressure during the middle rounds, but Davis remained in control throughout the contest.

After the fight, Davis acknowledged some ring rust. “I felt a little rusty being out of the ring for over a year, but no excuses,” Davis said. All three judges scored the fight 80-72. The referee was Shawn Clark.

RESULT: Kyrone Davis W8 (U) Daijohn Gonzalez (Scores: 80-72 x3)
Middleweights - 8 Rounds
Davis: 20-4-1, 6 KOs
Gonzalez: 14-10, 8 KOs

ADDITIONAL NOTES:  

Both Boots Promotions fighters on the card, Ismail Muhammad and Brooke Mullen, picked up victories one week before Jaron “Boots” Ennis’ June 27 bout.

"South Philly Showdown" marked the first event promoted in Philadelphia by Rising Star Promotions after the company’s planned October 2025 debut was postponed when Matchroom announced Ennis’ title fight at Wells Fargo Center on the same date.

The debut event featured several competitive matchups, highlighted by Ortiz-Holcomb and the title-winning performances by Ofacio Falcon and Dwyke Flemmings Jr.

Darryl Cobb Jr. - South Philly - June 20, 2026
 

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