Atlantic City, NJ—Former super bantamweight world-title challenger Teon Kennedy, of Philadelphia, now fighting as a junior lightweight, makes his first start in one year when he takes on Carlos Vinan, of Newark, NJ, in a scheduled 10-round bout on Saturday evening, June 1, in the Grand Ballroom at Bally’s Atlantic City.
The Kennedy-Vinan contest tops a seven-fight card which will be streamed live on the internet by www.gofightlive.tv. First fight is 7.30 p.m.
Kennedy (right), 26, last boxed June 9 at the MGM Grand Casino in Las Vegas when he was stopped in five rounds by Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux for the latter’s WBA super bantamweight world title.
“I’ve been struggling with my weight for
some time,” Kennedy said. “Getting down to 122 for the title fight was not easy. I’m going to feel much more comfortable at 130.”
A pro since 2007, Kennedy has a 17-2-2 record with seven knockouts.
Kennedy won the vacant USBA super bantamweight title in 2009 when he stopped Francisco Rodriguez, of Chicago, in 10 rounds at the legendary Blue Horizon in Philadelphia. He added the vacant NABA 122-pound belt the next year, knocking out Alex Becerra, of Mexico, also in 10 rounds, at Bally’s Atlantic City.
His biggest win came early in 2011 when he scored a pair of knockdowns en route to a 12-round decision over previously unbeaten Jorge Diaz, of New Brunswick, NJ, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
Vinan, 33, is originally from Ecuador but lives in Newark, NJ. His 10-9-5 record with two knockouts was compiled against some of the best featherweights, junior lightweights and lightweights in the country.
A pro since 2005, Vinan holds wins over a pair of Philadelphians, Eric Hunter and Victor Vasquez. He boxed a draw with former WBO super featherweight world-title challenger Eloy Perez, of Salinas, CA, and he upset then-undefeated Andrew Cancio, of Blythe, CA.
Vinan also has boxed world-class contenders Raymundo Beltran, of Mexico; Diego Magdaleno, of Las Vegas; John Molina, of Covino, CA;Mercito Gesta, of The Philippines.
Both men are 5-foot-6 and both come to fight.
Junior lightweight prospect Jason Sosa, of Camden, NJ, who has knocked out his last three opponents en route to an 8-1-3 record, will box in the scheduled eight-round semifinal.
Five preliminary fights complete the card.
The Kennedy-Vinan fight tops a seven-bout card at Bally’s Atlantic City. First fight is 7.30 pm. Tickets are priced at $50 and $75 and they are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) and all Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000). Tickets also are on sale at www.peltzboxing.com andwww.ticketmaster.com. www.gofightlive.tv will stream the card on the internet. The card is being promoted by Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., in association with Bally’s Atlantic City.
