Chordale “The Gift” Booker (19-1, 8 KOs) realizes that he’s at a pivotal moment in his career.  The 32-year-old is in the final stages of preparation to defend his WBC US Super Welterweight title for the first time against Nicolas Hernandez (27-6-3, 12 KOs).  The bout serves as the main event of a massive pro and amateur card taking place on August 12 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.  

It’ll be the third fight of 2023 for the Stamford native, who appreciates the activity CES Boxing is providing him after fighting only once a year in 2020, 2021 and 2022.  

“I haven’t fought this many times since 2018,” explains Booker.  “Activity goes a long way for a fighter like me because I build on whatever I did in my last fight.  In training camp, we build on whatever went well and work on whatever didn’t go well that I need to improve on.”

A lot has improved for Booker, who is looking to make it 3 wins in a row after a disappointing knockout loss to Austin “Ammo” Williams in 2022.  Looking back on that fight, Chordale realizes that he took the opportunity at a higher weight class for the money and exposure that a big fight at Madison Square Garden would bring.  What he hadn’t considered was how inactivity could impact his performance on fight night.

“I was off for a while before that fight,” reflects Booker of the only loss on his record.  “I tore my Achilles and then COVID happened, and I rushed things.  Instead of taking on guys that I could beat to get my rhythm back, I wanted to jump right in there and fight guys at the same level as when I left, but I was no longer at that level – I needed to build back to where I was before.”  

That experience may have been a blessing in disguise, as it marked a turning point for Booker, who knew that he had cut some corners leading up to that fight and needed to dedicate himself more fully to the sport to reach his potential.

“The biggest thing I learned was to take things more seriously,” says the affable boxer.  “Eating the right things to make sure I regained my weight properly after I weigh-in and taking the time to really perfect my craft.”

Moving back down to 154, his natural weight class, Booker also began studying the greats.  He picked up on the nuances of the sport: the blending of offense and defense by Julio Cesar Chavez, how Larry Holmes controlled distance with his jab, and how ultra-disciplined fighters such as Bernard Hopkins and Marvin Hagler prepared for fights and capitalized on their opponent’s mistakes.

“I’ve been watching a lot of tape, studying various fighters and watching tapes of myself to see where I could’ve thrown more shots in between the other person’s punches,” explains Booker.  “Where I was letting guys off the hook, I’m no longer going to do that, because I won’t let guys who shouldn’t be in the ring with me for 8, 10 rounds last.  I’m going to get them out of there.  I want there to be a clear separation between me and someone who shouldn’t be in there with me.”

This is precisely what Booker did in his last fight, a four-round demolition of Daniel Aduku to win the WBC US Super Welterweight title.  Aduku was tough early on, but Booker broke him down with a patient body attack until he found an opening: a right jab followed by a straight left that stunned Aduku and forced him to hold.  Booker then spun his opponent and surprised him with a razor-sharp left to the chin that caused the Ghanian to crumble to the ropes for the count.

“I wanted to knock him out,” says Booker, who fought Aduku in April at Mohegan Sun Arena.  “I told my coaches ‘I don’t want this to go the distance.’ I’m going to take more risks to get him out of there because I want to show the fans that I’m an exciting guy and I want people to want to come out and see me hurt these guys and get to the next level.  This was different from when I fought Angel Hernandez.  I felt good in that fight, but I didn’t take a lot of risks.  I just wanted to get back to winning.”

Booker looks to keep the knockout streak alive against Nicolas Hernandez, a gritty Puerto Rican southpaw out of Reading, Pennsylvania who will pressure ‘The Gift’ with activity and volume punching.  Booker is betting that Hernandez will be there to be countered, and he plans to make  him pay for his mistakes.

“Hernandez doesn’t seem to be too much of a puncher, he’s more of a combination puncher,” assesses Booker.  “He’s kind of off balance when he goes for his power shots, so I’ll be looking to counter.  I’m going to take advantage of that.  I’m going to take advantage of him.”

The loss to Williams behind him, Booker is confident that if he keeps turning in impressive performances in his home state of Connecticut, he will become a star attraction in the Northeast.  

“Fighting in my home state regularly is something I’ve always wanted,” emphasizes Booker, who will be fighting at Mohegan Sun Arena for the third consecutive time in 2023.  “It was cool fighting at the Barclays Center and Madison Square Garden because it’s where the greats have fought, but there’s nothing like fighting at home.  I was recently at a WNBA game at Mohegan Sun Arena, and I was looking around and was amazed that I get to fight here on a regular basis.  It’s one of the best arenas and casinos in the United States, period.  I feel honored that I keep doing it over and over and get to become a star in this area, and I just want everybody to know who I am and support me because I really believe that I’m going to be one of the top guys and a world champion soon.”      

Chordale, who is also active in the community via his “Go the Distance” Foundation, wants to inspire and demonstrate that suffering a setback does not define a career or one’s life.  

“I’m rebounding from my only loss at 160 and coming back down to 154,” explains Booker.  “I’m showing people that just because you have one loss in the sport, it doesn’t mean that you’re done.  You can still become a champion and continue to grow.  I want the fans to come out and enjoy my fight, because I’ve really been working hard.  I’m going to put on a masterclass as the main event.  It’s my first main event ever.  I want a lot of people there supporting me as I knock this guy out.”

Tickets for “Summer Heat 2023” are priced at $46, $66, $140 and $165.  They are quickly selling out, so fans are encouraged to buy them at CESfights.com, Ticketmaster or at the Mohegan Sun box office.  A single ticket is valid for both the pro card and “Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Invitational” amateur showcase. Doors open at 4pm, with the first amateur bout starting at 4:30pm and the pro card beginning at 6:30pm.

For more information, follow CES Boxing on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @CESBOXING.

INFORMATION

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III” and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”.

ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN ARENA

Mohegan Sun Arena finished 2021 with its first “#1 Indoor Arena” ranking for its capacity in the world according to Pollstar and VenuesNow, ranked among the top 10 venues in the U.S. regardless of size based on ticket sales, and was named “2021 Innovator of the Year” by Celebrity Access for its ViacomCBS residency.  In recent years, the “Most Beloved Venue in America” has also been the “#1 Casino Venue in the World,” “#1 Social Media Venue in the World” and a seven – time national award – winner for “Arena of the Year.”  For more information on concerts and other great events, visit Mohegan Sun. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711.

Bethlehem, PA (May 6, 2019)–Frank De Alba got back in the win column by winning an eight-round unanimous decision over Ruben Dario Lopez in a super featherweight bout in front of a sold-out crowd at The Sands Bethlehem Event Center.

The action was promoted by King’s Promotions and Titans Boxing Promotions.

De Alba had to overcome a hard-charging Lopez, as the visitor form Argentina came out swinging wildly in the first 30 seconds of the fight. De Alba was able to fend that off, and get into a nice rhythm of boxing.

De Alba was keeping a solid distance, and work behind the jab, and befuddled Lopez throughout the rest of the contest, and won by shut out scores of 80-72 on all cards.

De Alba, who was on a two-fight losing streak, got back in the win column which upped the Reading, PA native’s record of 23-4-2. Lopez of Rosario, Argentina is 12-14-4.

In the co-feature, Erik Spring took an exciting eight-round unanimous decision over Nicholas Hernandez to win the USBF Silver Junior Middleweight Championship.

Hernandez has success early as he pressed the action and rocked Spring several times. With the crowd in a frenzy, as they cheered on the two Pennsylvania based fighters, Spring was able to turn the tide in the middle rounds as both he and Hernandez engaged in several toe-toe exchanges.

The bout was close heading into the home stretch, and Spring needed them bad as his work over the final six-minutes was the difference of the fight as he took all three cards by 77-75 scores.

Spring of Reading, PA is 13-2-1. Hernandez of Lebanon, PA is 9-4-1.

Jonathan Torres of Bethlehem, PA won a four-round unanimous decision over Jerrod Miner in a bantamweight fight.

Scores were 40-36 twice for Torres, and is now 3-0. Miner of Philadelphia falls to 1-5-2.

Martino Jules won a six-round unanimous decision over Danny Flores to win the ABO Junior Featherweight title.

Jules of Allentown, PA won by shutout tallies of 60-54 on all cards, and is now 6-0. Flores of Mexico City is 15-16.

Rasheed Johnson stopped Ricky Nuno at the end of round four of their scheduled six-round welterweight fight.

Johnson set everything up off of his jab, and he was able to pretty much do what he wanted until the corner of Nuno had enough and pulled the plug on the fight at the end of the 4th frame.

Johnson of Philadelphia is 6-2 with two knockouts. Nuno of Bethlehem is 2-3.

In a wild bantamweight fight, Yeuri Andujar had to get off the deck twice to eek out a six-round majority decision over Edgar Cortes.

Andujar was decked in round two, and each guy traded knockdowns in round three. Each fighter took control of the fight at different stages of the bout, that produced several furious exchanges.

The sell out crowd voiced their disapproval with the outcome which read 57-56 for Andujar on two cards, and 56-56.

Andujar of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic is now 4-1. Cortes of Vineland, New Jersey is 6-5-1.

Recent King’s Promotions signee Janelson Figueroa Bocachica stopped Gabor Gorbics a the end of round three of their scheduled eight-round welterweight fight.

Bocachica bloodied the nose of Gorbics in round two, and continued the onslaught for another round, until the ringside doctor stopped the bout before the 4th frame.

Bocachica of Detroit is 14-0 with 10 knockouts. Gorbics of Budapest, Hungary is 26-17.

Radzhab Butaev won a six-round unanimous decision over Silverio Ortiz in a welterweight fight.

Butaev of Brooklyn, New York won by scores of 59-54 and 58-55 twice, and is now 12-0. Ortiz of Merida, Mexico is 37-25.

Khainell Wheeler made a successful pro debut by stopping George Sheppard at 2:47 of the 1st round of their super middleweight bout.

Wheeler of Bethlehem is 1-0 with one knockout. Sheppard of Norfolk, Virginia is 1-8-1.

KING’S PROMOTIONS WILL BE BACK AT THIS FRIDAY AT THE 2300 ARENA IN PHILADELPHIA AS KALVIN HENDERSON MEETS ANTOWYAN AIKENS IN THE MAIN EVENT OF A STACKED CARD.

Bethlehem, PA (April 29, 2019)–Super Featherweight contender Frank De Alba will take on late-replacement veteran Ruben Dario Lopez in the eight-round main event of a big night of boxing that will take place, THIS FRIDAY NIGHT, May 3rd at The Sands Bethlehem Event Center.

The card is promoted by King’s Promotions in association with Titans Boxing Promotions.

De Alba of Reading, PA has called the Sands Bethlehem Event a 2nd home as this will be the 6th appearance for De Alba in the venue.

The 31 year-old is a eight-year veteran, who has a record of 22-4-2 with nine knockouts.

De Alba has wins over Andrew Bentley (1-0); Benjamin Burgos (1-0); Jose Bustos (8-2-3); Benjamin Gomez Uribe (16-3-1); Kiun Evans (12-2-1) & Ryan Kielczewski (26-2). In his bout, De Alba dropped a 10-round unanimous decision to Andy Vences on July 7, 2018.

Lopez Santa Fe, Argentina has a record of 12-13-4 with five knockouts.

The 36 year-old is an eight-year professional, and will be making his American debut.

Lopez has a wins over previously undefeated Diego Baez (5-0). Lopez is coming off a decision loss to Carlos Armando Santana on February 22nd.

Erik Spring will take on Nicholas Hernandez in a scheduled eight-round junior middleweight bout.

Spring of Reading, PA has a record of 12-2-2 with one knockout. The 34 year-old Spring turned professional in 2014, and has wins over previously undefeated Simon Henriksson & David Wilson (5-0-1). Spring is coming off a majority decision over Terrance Williams on March 29th in Philadelphia.

Hernandez, also of Lebanon, PA has a record of 9-3-1 with two knockouts. Like Spring, Hernandez is 34 years-old and turned pro in 2014. Hernandez has wins over Ricky Nuno (2-0), Nick Valliere (5-1) and Ray Barringer (4-1). Hernandez is coming off a draw with Rick Graham on November 17th in Harrisburg, PA.

In the eight-round bout, undefeated Janelson Bocachica will take part in a welterweight contest against Gabor Gorbics (26-16 16 KOs) of Budapest, Hungary

20 years-old of Detroit has a record of 13-0 with nine knockouts. Bocachica began boxing at the age of eight, and started winning amateur tournaments such as the 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 Ringside Championships, 2012 National PAL Championships, and 2015 Detroit Open-class Golden Gloves. He was ranked number one in his division in the United States from 2013 to 2015, and sixth on the 2016 Independent Worldwide Amateur Boxing rankings. Bocachica is a three-year professional, and has wins over Pablo Sanchez (10-2), and his last bout which was a 1st round stoppage over Victor Abreu that took place on January 19th in Puerto Rico.

Bocachica is recently signed to King’s Promotions.

Appearing in six-round bouts will be Martino Jules (5-0) of Allentown, PA as takes on Danny Flores (15-15-1, 8 KOs) of Mexico City in a junior featherweight bout.

Ricky Nuno (2-2, 1 KO) of Bethlehem, PA battles Rasheed Johnson (5-2, 1 KO) of Philadelphia in a welterweight fight.

Yeuri Andujar (3-1, 3 KOs) of San Cristobal, DR will take on Edgar Cortes (6-4-1) of Vineland, NJ in a bantamweight fight.

Radzhab Butaev (11-0, 9 KOs) takof Brooklyn, NY es on Silverio Ortiz (37-24, 18 KOs) of Merida, Mexico in a wlterweight bout.

In four-round fights:

Jonathan Torres (2-0) of Bethlehem, PA will square off Jerrod Miner (1-4-2, 1 KO) of Philadelphia in a bantamweight bout.

Khainell Wheeler of Bethlehem will make his pro debut against George Sheppard (1-7-1) of Norfolk, VA in a super middleweight affair.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $35,$50, $70 and $100, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

Bethlehem, PA (April 3, 2019)–Super Featherweight contender Frank De Alba will take on veteran Moises Delgadillo in the ten-round main event of a big night of boxing that will take place on Friday night, May 3rd at The Sands Bethlehem Event Center.

The card is promoted by King’s Promotions in association with Titans Boxing Promotions.

De Alba of Reading, PA has called the Sands Bethlehem Event a 2nd home as this will be the 6th appearance for De Alba in the venue.

The 31 year-old is a eight-year veteran, who has a record of 22-4-2 with nine knockouts.

De Alba has wins over Andrew Bentley (1-0); Benjamin Burgos (1-0); Jose Bustos (8-2-3); Benjamin Gomez Uribe (16-3-1); Kiun Evans (12-2-1) & Ryan Kielczewski (26-2). In his bout, De Alba dropped a 10-round unanimous decision to Andy Vences on July 7, 2018.

Delgadillo of Guadalajara, Mexico has a record of 17-19-2 with nine knockouts.

Delgadillo, 31, is a 15 year veteran is better then the record indicates as evidenced by wins over Guillermo Arroyo (1-0); Jose Ramirez (20-0) & Sergio Torres (19-4-1). Delgadillo dropped former world champion Jason Sosa in his bout, but came up just short as he lost a unanimous decision over on January 18th in Verona, New York.

Erik Spring will take on Nicholas Hernandez in a scheduled eight-round junior middleweight bout.

Spring of Reading, PA has a record of 12-2-2 with one knockout. The 34 year-old Spring turned professional in 2014, and has wins over previously undefeated Simon Henriksson & David Wilson (5-0-1). Spring is coming off a majority decision over Terrance Williams on March 29th in Philadelphia.

Hernandez, also of Lebanon, PA has a record of 9-3-1 with two knockouts. Like Spring, Hernandez is 34 years-old and turned pro in 2014. Hernandez has wins over Ricky Nuno (2-0), Nick Valliere (5-1) and Ray Barringer (4-1). Hernandez is coming off a draw with Rick Graham on November 17th in Harrisburg, PA.

In the eight-round bout, undefeated Janelson Bocachica will take part in a welterweight contest.

20 years-old of Detroit has a record of 13-0 with nine knockouts. Bocachicabegan boxing at the age of eight, and started winning amateur tournaments such as the 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 Ringside Championships, 2012 National PAL Championships, and 2015 Detroit Open-class Golden Gloves. He was ranked number one in his division in the United States from 2013 to 2015, and sixth on the 2016 Independent Worldwide Amateur Boxing rankings. Bocachica is a three-year professional, and has wins over Pablo Sanchez (10-2), and his last bout which was a 1st round stoppage over Victor Abreu that took place on January 19th in Puerto Rico.

Orlando Gonzalez (10-0, 7 KOs) Agualla, Puerto Rico will take on an opponent to be named in a featherweight bout.

Appearing in six-round bouts will be Martino Jules (5-0) of Allentown, PA as takes on Danny Flores (15-15-1, 8 KOs) of Mexico City in a junior featherweight bout.

Ricky Nuno (2-2, 1 KO) of Bethlehem, PA battles Rasheed Johnson (5-2, 1 KO) of Philadelphia in a welterweight fight.

In four-round fights:

Jonathan Torres (2-0) of Bethlehem, PA will square off Jerrod Miner (1-4-2, 1 KO) of Philadelphia in a bantamweight bout.

Yeuri Andujar (3-1, 3 KOs) of San Cristobal, DR will take on Edgar Cortes (6-4-1) of Vineland, NJ in a bantamweight fight.

Khainell Wheeler of Bethlehem will make his pro debut against George Sheppard (1-7-1) of Norfolk, VA in a super middleweight affair.

Juan Gonzalez of Brooklyn, NY will make his pro debut in a welterweight contest.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $50, $75 and $100, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

Reading, PA (January 3, 2019) – On Saturday night, January 26th, championship boxing returns to the Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania as Phoenix Promotions stages a big Pro-AM card.

In the main event, it will be a 10-round battle for the UBA Bantamweight title as Rosalinda Rodriguez takes on Liliana Martinez.

Rodriguez of Miami has a record of 8-0 with two knockouts.

The 32 year-old Rodriguez is a four-year professional who has wins over two undefeated fighters in Frederica Blanco and Samantha Salazar.

In her last bout, Rodriguez won an eight-round unanimous decision over Crystal Hoy on December 8th in Louisville, Kentucky.

Martinez of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic has a record of 21-18 with 13 knockouts.

The 35 year-old Martinez is a 19 year-professional is coming off a decision loss to Sandra Atanassow on February 3rd in Germany.

In the eight-round co-feature, Hector Camacho, Jr. returns to the ring when he takes on Vladimir Hernandez in an middleweight bout scheduled for eight-rounds.

Camacho, Jr. of New York, has a record of 58-7-1 with 32 knockouts.

Camacho, 40 years-old, is a 23 year veteran of the squared circle.

Camacho went undefeated in his first 34 fights, which included wins over Freddy Curiel (14-3-1), Roberto Nunez (15-3), Miguel Angel Ruiz (21-5-1), Menard Reed (20-1), former world champion Phillip Holliday (36-3-1), Joe Hutchinson (18-1-2), Rocky Martinez (34-4-1), former world title challenger Larry LaCoursiere, Arturo Urena (19-3), Fredd Ladd (45-9), Nelson Estupinan (12-1), Kenny Kost (14-3), Israel Cardona (36-9) & Former world champion Yory Boy Campas (92-14-1).

Hernandez of Denver, Colorado has a record of 10-3 with six knockouts.

The 29 year-old Hernandez is a 10 year-professional has two wins over Danny Valdivia (14-0 & 14-1).

In a six-round bouts:

Nicholas Hernandez (9-3-1, 2 KOs) of Reading takes on Jauvan John (3-7-1) of Brooklyn, NY in a junior middleweight bout.

Frank Trader (11-2-1, 3 KOa) of Philadelphia fights Zack Ramsey (8-5, 4 KOs) of Springfield, MA in a junior lightweight bout.

In four-round bouts:

Harold Lopez (4-0-1, 1 KO) of Allentown, PA fights pro debuting Rondarius Hunter in a flyweight bout.

Rakym Dyer will make his pro debut against fellow first-timer Earvin Young of Milwaukee, WI in a welterweight bout.

Martino Jules (5-0) of Allentown, PA will take on an opponent to be named in a featherweight contest.

There will be an amateur show that begins at 4 p.m., and tickets that that portion of the show only are $25.

Ticket Prices are as follows for Pro Show, that begins at 8 PM
1) $1,500.00 VIP Tables.
2) $150.00 Ring Side Seats.
3) $75.00 Silver Seating.
4) $50.00 Bronze Seating.
5) $25.00 General Admission.

All Tickets can be purchased at At The Santander Arena’s Box Office -700 Penn Street Reading Pa. 19602; Ticketmaster.com and at The Reading Extreme Boxing Club located at 1419 N. 5th Street Reading Pa. 19602.