Ellwood City’s prized fighter Rosalindo Morales has come a long way from stepping in the ring for the first time when he was 13 years old.
This Friday he will be featured in a fight on Showtime’s Shobox: The New Generation live at 9:00 p.m.
Morales will be part of three bouts that will take place at the Wind Creek Casino in Bethlehem, Pa.
In the 8-round Super Featherweight bout, Morales will face Julian Gonzalez, an undefeated fighter from Reading, Pa.
He said that Gonzalez is younger but hasn’t heard much more about him other than “he’s good.”
“We are both undefeated fighters, so it’s going to be a really good fight,” said Morales. “I’m ready for him.”
Morales said he can’t remember a time of his life when he wasn’t fighting.
“I’ve always been a fighter growing up,” he said. “I’ve always fought with cousins … we’d wrestle.”
But the breakthrough moment when he realized he wanted to BE a boxer was after seeing the Rocky movies.
“I watched them on repeat for months at a time. I still watch them.”
Morales, 29, lives in Ellwood City and got his start at the age of 13 at the Ellwood City Police Boxing Club with coaches Jack Maine and Bob Boyle.
“One day after basketball practice in 7th grade, my mom took me down to the boxing gym. I walked in and fell in love and I never stopped going.”
Since then, he has faced numerous opponents winning many along the way, but Shobox is definitely a defining moment for Morales.
“I always knew there was going to be something bigger for me. I didn’t think it was going to come this fast.”
He plans to savor the opportunity and capitalize on it as being able to focus solely on boxing is his dream.
“A win on this type of platform will hopefully boost my rankings in the U.S.,” he said. “I hope it’s a springboard to even bigger fights. It’s truly a blessing.”
Morales, who not only boxes full time but works full time at Ellwood Quality Steel, is proud of his Ellwood City roots and no matter how far he makes it in boxing, he said he will always represent Ellwood City as his hometown. He loves Ellwood and the community atmosphere it provides for his wife Hanna and 4-year-old daughter Gabbi. And little Gabbi is a big support for Dad.
“She comes to every single fight,” Morales said. “I brought her to the gym at 5 days old.”
Morales said Hanna is also a pillar of support of his boxing career.
Also in his corner are his current coaches Jae Rogers of the Dare to be Great Boxing Academy and Mike Molinaro of Molinaro Health and Functional Training Center, LLC
“Thank you to everyone for the support,” Morales said. “Thank you to sponsors and family couldn’t do this without you all.”
His advice for aspiring young figthers: “Consistency, never give up, and hard work and dedication. Put all those together and you can be on top as long as you have the heart and the will. Just keep moving forward.”
The teaser on Showtime’s website describes the event: “Two former Trainers of the Year will lead their young and undefeated fighters into the first SHOBOX: The New Generation card of the new year as James “Buddy” McGirt’s promising prospect Sean Hemphill faces off against Ronnie Shields-trained prodigy David Stevens in the main event of a tripleheader featuring six undefeated fighters. In the co-main event, Atif Oberlton faces Artem Brusov in a light heavyweight clash and lightweights Julian Gonzalez and Rosalindo Morales put their unbeaten streaks to the test in the opener. Live on SHOWTIME.”
Follow Rosalindo Morales on his Facebook Page.
Come out and support Ellwood City’s local boxing talent! The Showtime pay-per-view event will be shown live at local indoor golf and entertainment complex, The Tee Box
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