Richard Vansiclen took up boxing as a passion in school and the game could pay dividends sooner or later, so long as he continues profitable.
The unbeaten tremendous middleweight prospect will face once-beaten Manuel Gallegos tonight on the Whitesands (ProBox TV) Occasions Heart in Plant Metropolis, Florida. The ten-round bout will headline a four-bout ProBox TV stream (8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT).
At Tuesday’s weigh-in, Vansiclen weighed in at 169.4 kilos. Gallegos weighed 168.8 kilos.
Vansiclen (13-0, 6 knockouts), who lives and trains in Seattle, Washington, final fought on September 9, defeating novice standout and highly-touted Hakim Lopez by unanimous determination. In his earlier struggle on March 12, Vansiclen defeated Cameron Sevilla Rivera by determination over eight rounds.
The 29-year-old performed soccer in highschool, and after graduating, attended the College of Washington. He picked up boxing as a sophomore, noticed enchancment in his skill-set and determined to show professional on the age of 23 in July 2016, one yr after incomes a Bachelor’s diploma in communications.
Hoping to journey the momentum from his final struggle, Vansiclen is assured a win over Gallegos will open extra alternatives later this yr.
“We had a great camp,” stated Vansiclen, who remains to be skilled by his coach in school. “Obtained the decision for this struggle just a few weeks in the past, however we had been coaching. I used to be gonna be on the (Tim) Tszyu-(Jermell) Charlo card (on January 28).
“My opponent is tall and lanky and has had many fights in Mexico. I do know he comes ahead and likes to throw hooks and he has a great document. He doesn’t use his attain to his benefit and likes to struggle inside. He doesn’t wish to struggle shifting backwards. I’m going to make the most of my athleticism and join on extra devastating photographs.
“My final struggle (in Plant Metropolis) was the furthest away from residence I had been for a struggle. However now that’s within the rear-view mirror and I need to win higher than I did final time. From that struggle, I realized perseverance and simply being myself and touchdown photographs and being assured.”
Gallegos (19-1, 16 KOs), who resides within the boxing hotbed of Los Mochis, Mexico, has not fought since October 2021, stopping Gabriel Flores within the fifth spherical. Gallegos has gained his final two bouts since dropping to Oziel Santoyo in October 2020.
The 25-year-old claims he was not at his finest on the night time he misplaced to Santoyo, stating he fought two weight courses under his regular combating weight.
“I’d been (coaching) for a February 8 struggle, then was suggested that is (a) higher alternative,” stated Gallegos, who’s promoted by Man Taylor. “I used to be inactive for a while as a consequence of COVID, then had a tough time discovering fights. There usually are not many Mexicans in Mexico in my weight class.
“I do know he’s a troublesome fighter and a southpaw, which is at all times tough, however we have now been coaching for (a) southpaw, so it shouldn’t be an issue. Now we have discovered some fighters in different gyms (with the) identical dimension as Vansiclen and (who’re) southpaws. I’ll use my attain and attempt to keep away from letting him get inside.”
Within the co-feature, middleweight prospect and 2020 Olympian Darelle Valsaint of close by Orlando will sq. off in opposition to Sao Paolo’s Lucas de Abreu in a six-round bout.
Valsaint (6-0, 5 KOs) scored a second spherical knockout win over fringe contender Paul Mendez in his final bout on October 7. The 20-year-old is managed by Tim VanNewhouse.
De Abreu (14-2, 11 KOs) final fought on December 16, dropping by unanimous determination to unbeaten Ernesbadi Begue. He has break up his final 4 bouts, with the opposite defeat coming by the hands of tremendous middleweight prospect Diego Pacheco.
Najee Lopez (5-0, 5 KOs), one other fighter managed by VanNewhouse and who resides in Greenwood, Georgia, will face Argentina’s Cristian Rios (23-16-3, 7 KOs) in a six-round gentle heavyweight bout.
In a compelling conflict of junior lightweights, Marques Valle (7-0, 6 KOs) of close by Wesley Chapel will sq. off in opposition to Los Angeles’ Jarrod Tennant (8-1, 4 KOs) in a six-round bout.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has coated boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He might be reached at [email protected]
Observe @FSalazarBoxing
