MOLINA, RAMOS HELP MAKE TOP RANK CARD IN MCALLEN A SUCCESS By Roy Hess, The Brownsville Herald

Rio Grande Valley fighters Eric Molina of Lyford and Humberto “Tito” Ramos of Mission were winners on Saturday night’s Top Rank Boxing show at the new McAllen Convention Center, but each had a difficult outing.
The 6-foot-5, 211-pound Molina, a cruiserweight fighting as a heavyweight, pounded out a rugged six-round unanimous decision against portly Andrew Greeley, a 5-9, 250-pounder from Louisiana.
“I feel like I’m the people’s champion,” said Molina (13-1, 10 knockouts). “When that guy rocked me with a shot in the third round, I heard all my people (fans), and I knew there was no way I was going to go down. I represent them, and they lift me up and give me strength.”
Ramos (11-0, eight KOs), a welterweight, earned a narrow six-round split decision over Gilberto Elizondo of San Antonio. It was a close bout, but Ramos prevailed despite a nine-month gap since his last official fight. Even though he recently has served as a sparring partner for Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Juan Diaz, his ring rust showed.
“Inactivity is the sin of boxing,” Ramos said. “I can’t wait for my next fight.”
“Yeah, ‘Tito’ was rusty,” said James Gogue, Ramos’ trainer. “We’re going to keep him active now. This was ‘Tito’s’ first real opponent. He’d hit the other guys, and they’d go down. This guy didn’t go down. We’re going to find similar opponents for ‘Tito’ in the future to help him get better. Sparring the best fighters in the world doesn’t mean nothing until you prove yourself in the ring (during an actual fight).”
In Saturday’s Top Rank main event, Brandon Rios (24-0-1, 17 KOs) of Oxnard, Calif., captured the NABF lightweight title with a third-round technical knockout of Jorge Luis Teron (23-2-1, 15 KOs) of the Bronx, N.Y.
The event, attended by approximately 2,500 fight fans, was broadcast live internationally by Fox Sports Net and Fox Sports en Español.

HOT PROSPECTS INVADE MCALLEN by John Cannon

Corpus Christi native and Top Rank prospect Jerry Belmontes said that he is proud to call the Valley his home away from home for now.

“I have been training here for quite some time now and feel very comfortable in the Valley, “said Belmontes. “I have fought twice here as a pro and a lot as an amateur and really enjoyed it.”
“I look forward to fighting in front of the Valley fans again and I know they will show their support. This is a great card and am proud to be a part of it.”
Belmontes, along with local favorites Eric Molina and Tito Ramos, were at Joe Brand in McAllen for the official meet and greet leading up to the “Top Rank Live” show on February 6 at the McAllen Convention Center. Top Rank Inc. launched their live series on January 16 in Las Vegas and are teaming up with Tecate, Fox Sports en Espanol, and Fox Sports Net as they are traveling to a variety of cities over the next couple months featuring some of the biggest and best prospects in the business.
“This is going to be a huge night of boxing for the Valley fans and I hope they come out and see a card that will feature some top level talent, “said Cavazos. “Belmontes is an up and coming prospect with Top Rank and had an excellent amateur background. Ramos is a local kid from Edinburg and got a huge opportunity as he was Floyd Mayweather’s sparring partner as he prepared him for Marquez.”
“And as for Eric, what can I say? He is the hottest prospect in the Valley right now and is moving up fast. I can honestly say that these three guys will be the next generation of Shane Mosley, Bernard Hopkins, and Oscar De La Hoya.”
Molina, who had an incredible 2009 by becoming the first ever WBC Latino Cruiserweight champion in the Valley, said he is excited to kickoff 2010 fighting on a Top Rank card.
“This is a huge opportunity for me and what a way to kick off 2010 than to fight on a Top Rank card,” said Molina. “ I am psyched about fighting on the same card as some of the top prospects in the business and feel it is going to be a good night of boxing. I have been training hard and can’t wait to step back in the squared circle and put on a good show.”
Ramos said that he is proud to represent Mexico, as well as the Valley on the Top Rank card and is ready to give his opponent a lesson in boxing.
“After being born in Mexico and now residing in the Valley, I am excited about getting an opportunity like this and plan on giving my opponent a lesson that night,” said Ramos. “I have been working hard for this over the past three years and all of the hard work and discipline will pay off on February 6.”

TOP RANK/FOX SPORTS COMING TO MCALLEN!

THE TOP RANK SERIES IS COMING TO THE NEW MCALLEN CONVENTION CENTER ON FEB. 6, 2010 WITH SEVEN FIGHTS PLANNED, INCLUDING THE SCHEDULED MAIN EVENT FEATURING BRANDON RIOS (23-0-1, 17KO’S) VS. JORGE LUIS TERON (23-1-1, 15KO’S) FOR THE INTERIM NABF LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE. 

TOP RANK IS FEATURING SOME OF ITS UP-AND-COMING FIGHTERS IN THE SERIES.  ALSO SCHEDULED TO FIGHT ON THE CARD ARE CORPUS CHRISTI FEATHERWEIGHT JERRY BELMONTES (10-0, 3KO’S), DALLAS SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT ROBERT MARROQUIN (11-0, 8KO’S), LOCAL FAVORITES WBC LATINO CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION ERIC “DRUMMER BOY” MOLINA (12-1, 10KO’S), LIGHT WELTERWEIGHT HUMBERTO “TITO” RAMOS (10-0, 7KO’S). 

“IT’S GOING TO BE A GREAT NIGHT OF BOXING FOR THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY” CAVAZOS SAID.

FOR VIP RINGSIDE SEATS CALL CAVAZOS BOXING @ (956) 630-1317 OR THE NEW MCALLEN CONVENTION CENTER TICKET OFFICE AT (956) 681-3800.