PHILADELPHIA — November 14, 2018 — 19-year-old junior welterweight prospect, Branden “The Gift” Pizarro, is looking to impress a sold-out crowd this Friday night at The 2300 Arena when he takes on Jerome Rodriguez in a six-round bout for the NBA Intercontinental title.

The bout will precede a ShoBox: The New Generation card that airs live on SHOWTIME (9:35 PM E.T / P.T).

In the main event, undefeated welterweight Jaron Ennis (21-0, 19 KOs) takes on Raymond Serrano (24-5, 10 KOs) in a ten-round bout. In the co-feature of Friday’s live telecast, ShoBox veterans Kenneth Sims Jr. (13-1-1, 4 KOs) and Samuel Teah (14-2-1, 7 KOs) meet in an eight-round super lightweight bout. Undefeated Ukrainian Arnold Khegai opens the three-fight card when he takes on New Jersey’s Jorge Diaz (19-5-1, 10 KOs) in an eight-round super bantamweight bout.

Pizarro, of Philadelphia, is one of the top prospects in his weight division and has been preparing for a pinpoint performance.

“Camp was great. We had a full, six-week camp after my last fight, which took place on October 6th. I am ready for Friday,” said Pizarro.

In Rodriguez, he is facing a battle tested fighter who has opposed 10 undefeated foes, including Pizarro’s Hard Hitting Promotions stablemate Jeremy Cuevas in his last bout, which also took place on the same October 6th card.

“Rodriguez is a southpaw. He is a humble, good guy, who is tough. We looked at the tape of when he fought Cuevas. Usually my team is presented a few guys and he was the first guy. People who know me, I always take the first guy.”

With an expected sold-out crowd on hand in Philadelphia, Pizarro goes about his business to look good no matter what the stakes are. But being featured on television in the future is not the most important thing at this stage of the young prospect’s career.

“I am in no rush. I just turned 19. When my dad, who is my trainer and the rest of my team feel I am ready for that, then it will happen. We are just slow walking now. I just want to thank all of my supporters, and just expect a great performance. This is a great event, and Friday night will be a great night for me.”

Gadwin Rosa (8-0, 7 KOs), of Ocala, Fla. takes on 113-fight veteran German Meraz of Sonorea, Mex. in a six-round battle for the NBA Intercontinental title.

Kieran Hooks (3-1-1, 1 KO), of Philadelphia, will fight Gledwin Ortiz (5-2, 4 KOs), of Bronx, N.Y., in a welterweight bout.

Christian Tapia (6-0, 5 KOs), of Coamo, Puerto Rico, fights Darnell Pettis (3-12), of Cleveland, in a super featherweight contest.

Light heavyweight Benny Sinakin (1-0), of Philadelphia, will face Darren Gibbs (1-5, 1 KO), of Ferndale, Mich.

David Stevens of Reading, Penn. will make his pro debut against Dustin Long (0-1-2), of Johnson City, Tenn. in a cruiserweight battle.

Also seeing action against an opponent to be named will be super bantamweight Angel Pizarro, of Philadelphia.

Tickets for the show, which is promoted by Victory Promotions in association with Hard Hitting Promotions, are priced $50, $75 and $125 and can be purchased at 2300arena.com and hardhittingpromotions.com.

PHILADELPHIA — November 7, 2018 — Two members of the Hard Hitting Promotions stable will fight for NBA title belts on the non-televised undercard of a ShoBox: The New Generation event on Friday, November 16 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

Junior welterweight Branden Pizarro will take on Jerome Rodriguez in an eight-round bout for the NBA Intercontinental title, while undefeated super featherweight Gadwin Rosa faces German Meraz in a six-round bout for the NBA Intercontinental title.

Those bouts will precede a ShoBox: The New Generation tripleheader live on SHOWTIME® (9:35 p.m. ET/PT) that will feature an all-Philly showdown between undefeated Jaron Ennis and veteran Raymond Serrano. In the televised co-feature, Hard Hitting Promotions’ Samuel Teah will face Kenneth Sims Jr. in a junior welterweight bout. Opening the telecast will be a super bantamweight matchup between Arnold Khegai and Jorge Diaz.

“The NBA belt is a great springboard title, and to have two of our young prospects fight for titles on this great card is terrific for them,” said Manny Rivera of Hard Hitting Promotions. “The NBA has a long history of champions which include Roy Jones and Hector Camacho, so we definitely think that this will be the first of many titles for Branden and Gadwin.”

Pizarro, of Philadelphia, has a record of 12-1 with six knockouts, and the 19-year-old keeps improving with each fight. Rodriguez (7-10-3, 2 KOs), of Allentown, Penn., is battle tested and has wins over two undefeated fighters, including world-ranked Avery Sparrow.

Rosa ,of Ocala, Fla., is 8-0 with seven knockouts. The unbeaten super featherweight will look to continue his knockout prowess as he fights the 113-fight veteran German Meraz, who has faced numerous top prospects and contenders. For Rosa, this fight will be a solid indicator of where the talented youngster stands as he climbs the 130-pound ladder.

In more non-televised action:

Kieran Hooks (3-1-1, 1 KO), of Philadelphia, will fight Gledwin Ortiz (5-2, 4 KOs), of Bronx, N.Y., in a welterweight bout.

Christian Tapia (6-0, 5 KOs). of Coamo, Puerto Rico, fights Darnell Pettis (3-12), of Cleveland, in a super featherweight contest.

Light heavyweight Benny Sinakin (1-0), of Philadelphia, will face Darren Gibbs (1-5, 1 KO), of Ferndale, Mich.

Also seeing action against opponents to be named will be super bantamweight Angel Pizarro, of Philadelphia, and light heavyweight David Stevens, of Reading, Penn., who will make his professional debut in a cruiserweight fight.

Tickets for the show, which is promoted by Victory Promotions in association with Hard Hitting Promotions, are priced $50, $75 and $125 and can be purchased at 2300arena.com and hardhittingpromotions.com.

Philadelphia, PA (October 8, 2018) – This past Saturday night, Darmani Rock remained perfect by stopping Pedro Julio Rodriguez in round four of a scheduled eight-round heavyweight fight that headlined a seven-bout card at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

The action-packed card was promoted by Hard Hitting Promotions.

The card was seen by a world wide audience on Facebook Fight Night Live, and can be viewed in demand BY CLICKING HERE

Rock focused on the body early-on. In round four, Rock landed a hard right to the body, and left hook that sent Rodriguez to the canvas. Rodriguez got to his knees, and that was it as he took the ten-count at 27 seconds.

Rock, 275.5 lbs of Philadelphia is now 13-0 with eight knockouts. Rodriguez of Miami falls to 23-6.

Good looking prospect Jeremy Cuevas won a six-round unanimous decision over Jerome Rodriguez in a lightweight bout.

Cuevas was cut from around his left eye in the third round from an accidental headbutt. In was the right eye of Rodriguez that started leaking blood in the same round. Cuevas started putting his dazzling combinations together, but Rodriguez showed a good chin.

This was a solid learning experience for the 22 year-old Cuevas, as he fought an experienced foe and worked through adversity by having the cut.

In the end, Cuevas won by scores of 60-54 and 59-55 twice to raise his perfect mark to 11-0. Rodriguez of Trenton, New Jersey falls to 7-10-3.

Branden Pizarro stopped veteran Justin Johnson in round two of their scheduled six-round junior welterweight bout.

Pizarro dropped Johnson three times in round two, and the bout was stopped at 2:21.

Pizarro, 141.2 lbs of Philadelphia, PA is now 12-1 with six knockouts. Johnson, 141.5 lbs of Pittsburgh is 6-19-6.

Gadwin Rosa needed just 41 seconds to destroy Aldimar Silva in a scheduled six-round super featherweight bout.

Rosa scored two knockdowns, and the bout was stopped.

Rosa, 130.5 lbs of Ocala, FL is 8-0 with seven knockouts. Silva, 128.1 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is 21-14.

Christian Tapia stopped Hector Marengo in round two of their scheduled four-round lightweight bout.

Tapia dropped Marengo in round two with a right hand. Marengo did not beat the count at 2:02.

Tapia, 133.3 lbs of Coamo, PR is 6-0 with five knockouts. Marengo, 134.5 lbs of Arecibo, PR is 7-14-4.

Benny Sinakin won a four-round unanimous decision over Alex Lara in a light heavyweight bout.

At the end of round three, Sinakin dropped Lara with a left hook.

Sinakin, 172.8 lbs of Philadelphia, PA won by scores of 40-35 on all cards and is now 1-0. Lara, 173.6 lbs of Manhattan, NY is 1-1.

Marcos Suarez and Israel Suarez battled to a four-round majority draw in a lightweight clash.

In round one, Marcos Suarez suffered a cut on his forehead.

Marcos Suarez took a card 40-36 while that was overruled by two even cards at 38-38.

Marcos Suarez, 133.3 lbs of Bronx, NY is 5-0-2. Israel Suarez, 134.5 lbs of Luquillo, PR is 4-6-3.

HARD HITTING PROMOTIONS WILL RETURN TO THE 2300 ARENA ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH. DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY

Philadelphia, PA (October 2, 2018) – This Saturday night, undefeated lightweight prospect Jeremy Cuevas is looking to make a statement by knocking out veteran Jerome Rodriguez in the six-round co-feature bout at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

The eight-bout card is promoted by Hard Hitting Promotions.

In the eight-round main event, undefeated heavyweight Darmani Rock (12-0, 7 KOs) of Philadelphia takes Pedro Julio Rodriguez of Miami, Florida, via Cuba in an eight-round bout.

Cuevas of Philadelphia is on the cusp of higher profile fights, but he 1st must get by the tough southpaw, Rodriguez from Allentown, PA.

“My training was great. My weight is great. I got awesome sparring with (IBF Junior Lightweight World champion) Tevin Farmer, (Undefeated prospect) Joseph Adorno, and some other good southpaws,” said Cuevas.

In Rodriguez he is facing a 19-fight veteran, who has faced 10 undefeated opponents, which includes wins over world-ranked Avery Sparrow and then-undefeated puncher Tre’shawn Wiggins.

“Rodriguez is a tough fighter. He has been in there, and has defeated good fighters. The challenge for me is not to beat him, but stopping him. My objective is to knock him out cold.”

Cuevas is now starting to get recognized on some prospect lists, and those acclaims are very motivating to the 22 year-old.

“This is a dream come true. I have been blessed to be with the right team of people. That has helped me to start to get noticed. People fear me because I am a slick southpaw that can punch.”

With bigger fights and names on the horizon, Cuevas is just taking one fight at a time, as he knows his time will be coming in the near future.

“I want the top guys, but my coach tells me that there is no rush. I am just 22 years-old, and, I am going to take my time. This should be my last six-round fight, and my next fight should be an eight-rounder.”

Cuevas wants to follow in the footsteps of Farmer and Danny Garcia to become the next world champion from the historic fight town of Philadelphia.

“I look up to those guys, and being from Philadelphia, you have a standard. This city has such a rich history of boxing, that is has given me a pathway to become a world champion.”

Cuevas has fought all but one of his fights in Philadelphia, and this has given him the opportunity to start and grow a sizable fan-base that will root for their hometown fighter.

“It means the world to me to fight at home. Every fighter is not lucky enough to build themselves up at home, so it’s great that I have fans, and soon it will be time to expand my following outside of Philadelphia. I am ready to go on Saturday, and I am coming to put a hurting on my opponent.”

Cuevas, who is promoted by Hard Hitting promotions can be followed on Instagram at jeremy_King_Cuevas and on Facebook at Jeremy Cuevas

Branden Pizarro (11-1, 5 KOs) of Philadelphia will take on 30 fight-veteran Justin Johnson of Pittsburgh in a six-round junior welterweight fight.

Gadwin Rosa (7-0, 6 KOs) of Ocala, Florida takes on David Berna (16-5, 15 KOs) of Budapest Hungary in a super featherweight bout.

In four-round bouts:

Christian Tapia (5-0, 4 KOs) of Coamo, Puerto Rico fights Hector Marengo (7-13-4, 4 KOs) of Arecibo, Puerto Rico in a lightweight bout.

Marcos Suarez (5-0-1,1 KO) of Bronx, New York battles Israel Suarez (4-6-2, 1 KO) of Luquillo, Puerto Rico in a lightweight bout.

Benny Sinakin of Philadelphia makes his pro debut against Alexander Lara in a light heavyweight bout.

Marcel Rivers (6-0, 4 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on an opponent to be named in a welterweight bout.

Tickets available now! $50 GA , $70 Premium, $125 VIP +fees

Purchase Tickets online at hardhittingpromotions.com ; 2300arena.com or by calling 267.758.2173 as well as the 2300 Arena Box Office.

Doors 6PM – First bout 7PM

Follow Hard Hitting Promotions at

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter View on Instagram

THE PRESS CONFERENCE AND WEIGH IN WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5TH AT 5 PM AT THE SHERATON SUITES PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT, LOCATED AT 4101 B ISLAND AVENUE, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19153

Philadelphia, PA (October 1, 2018) – A terrific night of action is rounding into place as Hard Hitting Promotions presents an eight-bout card THIS Saturday, October 6th at The 2300 Arena.

In the main event, undefeated heavyweight Darmani Rock (12-0, 7 KOs) of Philadelphia takes Pedro Julio Rodriguez of Miami, Florida, via Cuba in an eight-round bout.

Rock of Philadelphia, who was the number-one amateur heavyweight in the United States and former Youth Amateur champion, has a record of 12-0 with seven knockouts.

The 22 year-old Rock is a two-year professional who has a 1st round stoppage over Carlos Cotto (8-1-1) on his resume. Rock is coming off a six-round unanimous decision win over Marquis Valentine on July 20th in Sloan, Iowa.

This will be Rock’s 3rd appearance in Philadelphia.

Rodriguez has an impressive mark of 23-5 with 19 knockouts.

The 32 year-old Rodriguez is a n eight-year professional, who has defeated four undefeated fighters. Rodriguez holds a win over Andy Perez, who was 19-2 at the time.

Rodriguez is coming off a loss to Andrey Afonin on May 19th.

In the six-round co-feature, Jeremy Cuevas (10-0, 8 KOs) of Philadelphia will fight Jerome Rodriguez (7-9-3, 2 KOs) of Allentown, PA in a lightweight contest.

Branden Pizarro (11-1, 5 KOs) of Philadelphia will take on 24 fight-veteran Justin Johnson of Pittsburgh in a six-round junior welterweight fight.

Gadwin Rosa (7-0, 6 KOs) of Ocala, Florida takes on David Berna (16-5, 15 KOs) of Budapest Hungary in a super featherweight bout.

In four-round bouts:

Christian Tapia (5-0, 4 KOs) of Coamo, Puerto Rico fights Hector Marengo (7-13-4, 4 KOs) of Arecibo, Puerto Rico in a lightweight bout.

Marcos Suarez (5-0-1,1 KO) of Bronx, New York battles Israel Suarez (4-6-2, 1 KO) of Luquillo, Puerto Rico in a lightweight bout.

Benny Sinakin of Philadelphia makes his pro debut against Alexander Lara in a light heavyweight bout.

Marcel Rivers (6-0, 4 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on an opponent to be named in a welterweight bout.

Tickets available now! $50 GA , $70 Premium, $125 VIP +fees

Purchase Tickets online at hardhittingpromotions.com ; 2300arena.com or by calling 267.758.2173 as well as the 2300 Arena Box Office.

Doors 6PM – First bout 7PM

Follow Hard Hitting Promotions at

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter View on Instagram