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Costa
Rica Has a Boxing Beat
Tucked way down south of the
United States is a hotbed of
boxing activity. It’s not quite
the Mecca of boxing legends that
Mexico is, but it is home to
some tough talented fighters.
Within these borders you will
find many hungry fighters with
visions of grandeur hoping to be
realized by the riches of our
sweet science. Because of the
fact that great fighters are not
a required ingredient in the
recipe to make great fights,
boxing is thriving in Central
America, particularly in Costa
Rica.
While Costa Rica hasn’t earned
the pugilistic reputation that
famous fighters have brought to
other neighboring countries,
such as Panama, that is all set
to change.
The sport and business of boxing
started to take off a few years
ago when Ricardo “El Matador”
Mayorga thrilled locals with his
brazen attitude and brawn.
Mayorga, born in Managua
(Nicaragua) won WBA and WBC
regional titles (Fedelatin and
Fecarbox) junior middleweight
titles while fighting in Costa
Rica. He adopted Costa Rica as
home although stayed true to his
native Nicaragua.
Fans took to Ricardo like a
savior as the brawler entered
the ring to the “Los Fabulosos
Cadillacs” infectious song “El
Matador.” Mayorga had the people
coming out to the fights and out
of their seats while he was in
the ring, and while he is gone,
the fans have remained faithful
to the sport.
Now, thanks to local television
broadcasts, the internet, and
the management of local company
Promobox, boxing in Costa Rica
is growing at a healthy rate.
With a commitment to bring two
competitive shows each and every
month, boxers from neighboring
countries are finding the San
Jose (Costa Rica’s major city) a
place they can call home and
earn a living. Economically it
simply makes sense as boxers
gain the exposure they require
(bouts are televised here as
well as live on the internet at
www.theboxingchannel.com) and
are able to stay active fighting
monthly, or more, in Costa
Rica).
Typical fight nights involve
“ticos” as well as boxers from
Nicaragua, the Dominican
Republic, Colombia and Panama.
We have also seen some top
talent out of Mexico (12-0-1
Juan Carlos Salgado fought
Berman “La Cobra” Sanchez to a
draw here in his last bout) and
even the occasional American
(heavyweight Thomas Hayes
improved to 24-1-0 with 17 KOs
with a knockout victory
administered by three
knockdowns, all left hooks, as
he escaped the cold of Chicago
for a bout this past week in
sunny Central America).
Fighters such as Henry Porras,
Humberto Aranda, Francisco
Campos and Mayorga have all
helped pave the way for the
current breed of fighter in
Costa Rica such as Carl Davis
Drummond and Henry Saenz. There
are many exciting young fighters
emerging out of Costa Rica with
Nelson Lara, Aristides Calderon
and Berman Sanchez among the
notables leading the pack, while
former world title challenger
Aranda (who has fought Javier
Castillejo, Thomas Damgaard,
Raul Marquez and Kermit Cintron)
still claims a spot in the
hearts of local fight fans.
Twice each month The Boxing
Channel will broadcast fights
live to the internet (www.theboxingchannel.com)
from Costa Rica as Anthony
Torres and I proudly bring you
the action from ringside. We
witnessed some good fighters put
on great fights in the past year
and look forward to another year
of progress and development on
the local boxing scene. To be
part of that excitement, be sure
to join us at
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