| Totowa, NJ, August 26, 2022 – Ismael “Maelo” Villarreal (12-0, 8 KOs) coming off the biggest win of his professional career, has re-upped on a new promotional deal with Main Events.
The Bronx native’s most recent bout, on July 30 at Barclay’s Center on the undercard of Garcia vs Benavidez Jr., was against fellow undefeated super welterweight LeShawn Rodriguez (13-1, 10 KOS). “Maelo” knocked Rodriguez down twice, once in round two and again in round six, when the bout was stopped just twenty-six seconds in (TKO-6). It was Villarreal’s fifth consecutive stoppage.
The two-time New York Golden Gloves Champion’s original Main Events deal began with his 2017 pro debut and lasted till January 31, 2020. He was promoted by Main Events again for the Rodriguez fight. (There were three non-Main Events fights in that gap). Following his impressive win, they move forward with the new multi-fight deal.
“The entire Ismael «Maelo» Villarreal team is very happy to be back with Main Events for more than one reason,” said Ismael’s manager José Santiago. “First of all, we feel great appreciation and respect for Main Events. We also know that they have the experience and the best intention of taking Ismael to places that many still cannot imagine. As Ismael’s manager and boxing lover that I have been all my life, I understand that this 25 years old humble young man from the Bronx, who also has a Bachelor’s degree from Lehman College, has the potential to be not only a world champion at 154 and 160 pounds, but that he can do it while becoming one of the best fighters of this era. This might seem premature, but with the discipline, the self-confidence, the desire to keep learning the game and the hunger with which «Maelo» approaches his career, the chances of him reaching the top are immense. The entire 154-pound division needs to start paying some attention to «Maelo». We come to fight!”
«We pushed Ismael Villarreal throughout his career until the pandemic hit,» said Joseph Rotonda, the New Jersey-based company’s director of operations. “We know what he’s capable of and we really believe he’s going to be a 154-pound champion. He has power in both hands, a granite chin, and an aggressive, straight-forward fighting style. Ismael has never turned down a fight – we know he will fight anyone, anytime, anywhere.”
«One of the best parts of having a fighter like Ismael in your stable is that he treats every fight like it’s a title fight, and you know he’ll be in phenomenal shape,» said Main Events CEO Kathy Duva. “He’s a true professional with an old school work ethic and excellent mental strength that will take him places in this sport. It won’t be long before he moves up the rankings and starts to build some enthusiasm in the Super Welterweight division,» she concluded. |
