Bethlehem, PA—The scheduled junior middleweight clash between Gabriel Rosado and Joel Julio on June 1 at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem has been upgraded to 12 rounds for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Title.
The Rosado-Julio fight tops a seven-bout card in the new 1,800-seat Events Center at the Sands Resort Casino Bethlehem.
It also will headline the third installment this year of the NBC Sports Network Fight Night series.
Rosado (left), 26, of Philadelphia, PA, and Julio, (right) 27, of Monteria, Colombia, will be fighting not only for the WBO Inter-Continental belt but also for a spot among the Top 10 contenders in the WBO world rankings.
Julio already has boxed for the WBO world title, losing a 12-round decision to champion Serhiy Dzinzurik in 2008 in Germany.
Rosado comes into this fight off the biggest win of his career, a fifth-round knockout over Jesus Soto-Karass, of Sinaloa, Mexico, on Jan. 21 at the Asylum Arena in Philadelphia, PA. The fight was part of the first NBC Sports Network Fight Series and Rosado’s shocking win elevated his status world-wide. He is currently ranked No. 6 in the world by the International Boxing Federation (IBF), No. 11 by the WBC.
A pro since 2006, Rosado has a 19-5 record, 11 K0s, and he also has beaten ex-IBF world champion Kassim Ouma, of Uganda, Saul Roman, of Mexico, and fellow-Philadelphian Jamaal Davis.
Julio, now living in Miami, FL, is 37-4, 31 K0s. He has been in the rankings for years and also boxed for a world title, losing a 12-round decision to lefty Serhiy Dzinziruk in 2008 in Germany.
A pro since 2001, Julio has defeated Carlos Vilches, of Argentina; current IBF world champ Cornelius Bundrage, of Detroit, MI; long-time contender Ishe Smith, of Las Vegas, NV.
Against common foes, each man was stopped by Alfredo Angulo and each man defeated Jamaal Davis, Rosado by knockout, Julio by decision.
In the June 1 co-feature, scheduled for 12 rounds, Bethlehem prospect Ronald Cruz takes on Prenice Brewer, of Cleveland, OH, for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas welterweight crown.
Five additional bouts complete the card.
ABOUT JUNE 1
The Rosado-Julio and Cruz-Brewer fights top a seven-bout card at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem. First fight is 7.30 pm. Tickets priced at $50 and $75 can be purchased through the offices of Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) and at all Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000). Tickets also are on sale at www.peltzboxing.com, www.SandsEventCenter.com, and www.Ticketmaster.com. In Bethlehem, tickets are available at Deja Brew, Inc., 101 West 4th Street (610-865-2739) and at Pronto Insurance Notary, 232 East 3rd Street (610-419-6790). NBC Sports Network will televise the Rosado-Julio and Cruz-Brewer fights, beginning at 9 pm. The card is being promoted by Main Events and Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., in association with the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem and www.goDaddy.com.
