Brunson Takes On Garcia In South Philly

It’s another Philly vs. New Jersey showdown when junior middleweight Tyrone Brunson hopes to pin the first loss on Ismael “Tito” Garcia in their scheduled eight-round main event Friday evening, Oct. 14, at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia. First of seven fights is at 7 p.m.

Brunson (left), 31, of North Philadelphia, set a record when he turned pro in 2005 and knocked out each of his first 19 opponents in one round. The streak ended in 2008 when Brunson was held to a six-round draw by Mexican Antonio Soriano in Canada.

In his last fight Aug. 5 at the 2300 Arena, Brunson got off the floor twice in the second round to score a spectacular one-punch knockout in the fifth round over Carlos Garcia, of Puerto Rico. That win brought Brunson’s 10-year pro record to 23-6-1, 22 K0s. More important, it gave him the boost he needed to refocus on his once-promising career.

“It’s an honor to be headlining my first main event at home on a great card with a legendary promoter (J Russell Peltz) throwing the show,” said Brunson.

Ismael Garcia (right), 29, of Vineland, NJ, also comes into the Oct. 14 fight with a win over Carlos Garcia, but it was a much tougher evening. Ismael earned a six-round split decision over Carlos on March 16 at the 2300 Arena.

A pro since 2014, Ismael is 10-0-1, 4K0s, but his career has been hampered by injury and long layoffs. He also has beaten Fred Jenkins, Jr., of Philadelphia, and previously unbeaten lefty Dushane Crooks, of New York.

“I am excited to be fighting such a talented and devastating puncher in Tyrone Brunson,” Garcia said. “I can’t wait to show my critics why I am the best counter- puncher among the young prospects.”

The semifinal eight-rounder will feature unbeaten junior welterweight Mike Reed, of Baltimore, MD.

A slew of local favorites make up the undercard, highlighted by the fourth meeting between lightweights Victor Vasquez; of Philadelphia, and Osnel Charles, of Atlantic City, NJ. Charles leads the series, 2-1, but Vasquez won the last time by knockout.

Another six-round all-Philly lightweight contest pits Anthony Burgin against Gerald Smith.

Also on the card: junior middleweight Isaiah Wise; the return of welterweight Hasan Young; middleweight Fred Jenkins, Jr., lightweight Steven Ortiz; super bantamweight Nelson Acevedo.

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August 31 2016