(June 29th) Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing once again delivered an unforgettable evening of professional boxing as a sold-out crowd filled The Paramount on Saturday night for the 54th edition of the acclaimed Rockin' Fights series.

Featuring five competitive bouts, dramatic momentum swings, and nonstop action from opening bell to final decision, Rockin' Fights 54 continued the tradition that has made the series one of the premier developmental boxing series in the country.

With another capacity crowd filling The Paramount, Rockin' Fights once again showcased the formula that has made the series the nation's premier developmental boxing events—combining competitive matchmaking, rising stars, and an atmosphere unlike any other in club boxing. From the opening bout through the main event, fans were treated to nonstop action that kept the energy high throughout the evening.

In the ten-round main event, world-ranked junior middleweight Wendy "The Haitian Fire" Toussaint of Huntington, New York, was pushed to the limit by veteran Aaron Coley of Oakland, California, battling to a hard-earned majority draw in a highly technical and closely contested fight.

One judge scored the bout 97-95 for Toussaint, while the remaining two judges each scored it 95-95, resulting in a majority draw.

From the opening bell, both fighters displayed high-level boxing skills, taking turns controlling the action in a tactical contest where every round was competitive and little separated the two throughout the evening. Toussaint's record now stands at 17-4-1 (7 KOs), while Coley moves to 17-5-1 (7 KOs).

"This is exactly what Rockin' Fights has become known for," said Joe DeGuardia, President and CEO of Star Boxing. "Competitive fights, hungry fighters, and an incredible atmosphere where every bout intrigues fans. Once again, our fans were treated to an outstanding night of boxing and entertainment."

The co-feature brought together fan favorites with proud ethnic backgrounds as Zay Flaherty of Queens squared off against Micky Scala of Mesa, Arizona, in an entertaining eight-round junior middleweight contest.

Flaherty came out aggressively, pinning Scala against the ropes for much of the opening round before dropping him with a crushing overhand right late in the frame. Scala showed tremendous heart, surviving the knockdown and battling back throughout the contest.

Flaherty maintained a relentless pace behind a high-volume attack over the middle rounds, while Scala continued searching for opportunities to turn the fight around. The eighth and final round produced one of the night's most exciting moments as Scala unleashed his best combinations in a desperate attempt to score a knockout. The sold-out crowd rose to its feet as Flaherty weathered the late assault before earning a well-deserved unanimous decision. Flaherty improves to 9-1 (4 KOs), while Scala falls to 13-2 (7 KOs).

Long Island native Ralph Clemente thrilled his hometown supporters with an impressive fifth-round stoppage of Kasimu Yakubu in their scheduled six-round super middleweight bout.

The fight featured heavy exchanges from the outset, with both men enjoying moments of success in an entertaining back-and-forth battle. With the contest still hanging in the balance, Clemente landed a thunderous left hook in the fifth round that badly hurt Yakubu. Sensing the finish, Clemente poured on the offense, forcing referee Pat Sullivan to stop the bout. Clemente improves to a perfect 5-0 (5 KO's) with the win.

Making his professional debut, Yousef Zazae of Danbury, Connecticut, scored an impressive stoppage victory over Elijah Grant in a scheduled four-round middleweight bout. The opening two rounds were highly competitive before Grant complained of dizziness following the second round. After being examined by the ringside physician, the bout was halted before the start of Round 3, giving Zazae a successful professional debut. Zazae begins his career at 1-0 (1 KO), while Grant falls to 1-2 (1 KO).

The evening opened with an action-packed four-round super middleweight battle between professional debutants Alex Garcia of Huntington and Pawel Zawistowski of Ridgewood. Both fighters exchanged heavy punches throughout an entertaining contest that immediately energized the sold-out crowd. Garcia scored a flash knockdown in the second round and maintained his composure over the remaining rounds to earn a hard-fought decision victory. Garcia begins his professional career at 1-0, while Zawistowski falls to 0-1.

From the opening bout through the final bell, Rockin' Fights 54 delivered competitive matchmaking and exciting action that have become the hallmark of Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing. Before another sold out crowd at The Paramount, the series once again lived up to its reputation as one of the premier club boxing events in America, providing fans with an unforgettable evening of thrilling entertainment.

Fans who were unable to attend—or who want to relive the excitement—can watch the entire Rockin' Fights 54 event on demand now at StarBoxing.tv.

(June 16th) Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing proudly congratulates its former world champion Antonio Tarver (31-6-1, 22 KOs) on his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2026. Tarver was officially enshrined this past weekend in Canastota, New York, taking his rightful place among the sport's all-time greats.

One of the most gifted and accomplished fighters of his era, Tarver built a remarkable career that included multiple world championships, an Olympic bronze medal, and some of the most memorable moments in boxing history. Widely regarded as one of the premier light heavyweights of his generation, Tarver's legacy was cemented through championship victories and his unforgettable rivalry with Roy Jones Jr. Boxing fans still remember Tarver's famous pre-fight question, "What's your excuse gonna be tonight, Roy?" delivered moments before the opening bell for their rematch at Mandalay Bay, and the stunning knockout victory that followed--one of the most memorable and defining moments in modern boxing history.

Star Boxing had the privilege of promoting Tarver during the most significant chapters of his professional career, including his rise to world champion and subsequent title defenses, while helping showcase the talent, charisma, and professionalism that made him one of boxing's biggest stars.

"Antonio Tarver was a special fighter and an even better ambassador for the sport," said Star Boxing President and CEO Joe DeGuardia. "He possessed incredible skill, intelligence, and confidence every time he stepped into the ring. We were honored to promote Antonio and be part of his journey. His Hall of Fame induction is a well-deserved recognition of an extraordinary career and his lasting impact on the sport."

Known for his sharp boxing IQ, elite athleticism, and larger-than-life personality, Tarver captivated boxing fans around the world. Whether competing on the sport's biggest stages, winning world titles, or delivering memorable performances that remain etched in boxing history, Tarver consistently showcased the qualities of a true champion.

His induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame serves as the ultimate recognition of a career built on excellence, perseverance, and achievement. Tarver joins an elite group of legends whose contributions helped shape the history of the sport.

"Antonio's accomplishments speak for themselves," added DeGuardia. "The Hall of Fame is reserved for the very best the sport has ever produced, and Antonio absolutely belongs among those names. Everyone at Star Boxing congratulates him and his family on this incredible honor."

Star Boxing extends its sincere congratulations to Antonio Tarver on a career worthy of boxing immortality and wishes him continued success as he celebrates this historic achievement.

(June 13th) "Voodoo" Peter Latorre (6-0, 6 KOs) has quickly become one of the most compelling young fighters to watch on the Long Island boxing scene, and on June 27, the undefeated knockout artist returns to The Paramount looking to deliver another memorable performance at Rockin' Fights 54.

Inside the ring, Latorre has been nothing short of perfect, stopping every opponent he's faced and establishing himself as one of the most dangerous rising prospects in the area. Fans saw that power firsthand at Rockin' Fights 53 when he produced one of the night's most devastating knockouts.

Outside the ring, Latorre's story is equally impressive. A United States Marine Corps infantry veteran, he has dedicated himself to service long after his military career ended. Today, he is pursuing dual Master's degrees in Mental Health Counseling and Rehabilitation Counseling at Hofstra University while serving as President of the school's Student Veterans Association, helping fellow veterans navigate life after service and advocating for mental health awareness.

The discipline, resilience, and work ethic that carried Latorre through the Marines now fuel his pursuit of success in professional boxing. Every fight represents another step toward his championship aspirations and another opportunity to inspire others through his journey.

When 'Rockin' Fights 54 comes to The Paramount on Saturday, June 27, "Voodoo" Peter Latorre will once again look to make a statement in front of the hometown crowd.

"Rockin" Fights

Returns to the Paramount in June 27th

Join us for another night of the hard-hitting fights and electric atmosphere that has made Rockin' Fights a Long Island tradition.

If you like high-action, thrilling fights, the Paramount on June 27th is the place to be.

Tickets to Rockin' Fights 54 are on sale now and moving quickly.

Star Boxing CEO Joe DeGuardia praised his young contender’s performance.

“Alex showed exactly why we believe in him,” said DeGuardia. “He handled adversity, stayed composed, and delivered on a major stage against a tough unbeaten opponent. This was a big step forward in his career.”

With the victory, Vargas continues his rise in the junior welterweight division and further establishes himself as yet another Star Boxing developed top prospect.

Saturday, February 28th, Paramount Theatre, Huntington, New York: In the main event of a Joe DeGuardia, Star Boxing “Rockin Fights” 53 event, Deer Park, New York, middleweight, Jahi Tucker secured a dominant sixth-round TKO victory over Saint Paul, Minnesota’s, Sona “Slink Proper” Akale.

Tucker, 23, recently having turned down a high-profile bout with Providence, Rhode Island, based unbeaten Cuban, Yoenli Hernandez on the Sebastian Fundora vs Keith Thurman Amazon Prime Video PPV March 28th due to a purse dispute focused on the 38-year-old, veteran, Minnesotan.

Akale, known for having handed the 25-year-old, grandson of Muhammad Ali; Nico Ali Walsh his first career defeat would have his hands full keeping up with the younger, quicker more skilled New Yorker who landing with superior accuracy, working up and down would lose a point straying low in round three.

Coming off a ten round unanimous decision over Baltimore, Maryland, southpaw Lorenzo Simpson last June, Tuck shifted gears out working and wearing down “Slink Proper” trapping him on the ropes for an unanswered volley of punches forcing referee Arthur Mercante Jr. to call the bout at 1:18 of round six. Tucker seven bouts from his sole defeat a July 2023 eight round majority decision loss to Vega Alta, Puerto Rico’s Nicklaus Flaz looking towards bigger fights and pay days moves to

16-1-1, 7Ko’s. Akale stopped in two of his last three outings drops to 10-5, 5Ko’s.

In the scheduled eight round heavyweight co-feature, Mazancowice, Poland’s, Piotr Lacz wasted no time tracking and stopping Metairie, Louisiana, “Giant Killer”, Dominique Valera in one round.

Lacz taking control of the center of the ring worked his jab mixing in with looping left hooks forcing the 34-year-old “Giant Killer to his left. Eating a Louisianna uppercut for his effort, the Polish banger settled in backing Valera to the corner for a set of heavy body and head shots. Escaping to his right, straight along the ropes to the adjacent corner, trapped again and the proud owner of an undefended barrage of polish bombs forcied veteran referee Arthur Mercante Jr. to step in and stop the pounding at 2:08 of round one. Lacz still unbeaten advances to 15-0-1, 11Ko’s.  Th slingshot less “Giant Killer” Valera stopped in two of his last three bouts falls to 9-2-2, 5Ko’s.

In six round welterweight action, Elmont, Long Island, New York, heavy handed, U.S. Marine Corp veteran, Peter “Voodoo” Latorre stopped Montevideo, Uruguay’s, Jose Edgardo Perdomo in one round.

As if answering reveille, Latorre went straight to work with a precise tactical assault leveraging the more experience Uruguayan with devastating firepower neutralizing, backing and trapping Perdomo along the ropes for a thumping body and head massage dropping the durable visitor forcing referee Al LoBianco to shelve his count and call it done at 1:09 of round one. The 28-year-old, Latorre stays perfect at 6-0, 6Ko’s. The 31-year-old, Perdomo tooled and schooled by the Hofstra University master’s student levels out at 10-10, 6Ko’s.

Leading the action Ronkonkoma, Long Island, light heavyweight, Ralph Clemente opened the show ending his scheduled four rounder with a first-round dismantling of Spanaway, Washington’s, boxing, Muay Thai, MMA and bare-knuckle veteran Thomas "The Samurai" Turner.

The stronger, more skilled more powerful Clemente wasted no time taking the fight to "The Samurai" decking Turner with a clean, hard right hand. Showing some multi-discipline grit Turner beating the count would return to action only to be steam-rolled by a Clemente follow-up, big right hand highlighted assault forcing referee Al LoBianco to bring the thrashing to a close at 1:07 of round one. Clemente stays perfect at 3-0, 3Ko’s as Turner falls to 1-2.

Promoter’s Statement: Quote from Joe DeGuardia

“This is exactly what Rockin’ Fights was built for: explosive performances, dramatic moments, and fighters seizing their opportunity on a big stage,” said CEO/President, Joe DeGuardia. “Four knockouts, four Paramount debuts, and a crowd that brought incredible energy from the opening bell. Tucker showed why he’s climbing the rankings, Latorre continues to prove he’s a force, Lacz demonstrated composure under fire, and Clemente set the tone with authority. It was a special night for Star Boxing and for the fans.”

By: Joe Martin

Saturday, September 20th, Paramount Theatre, Huntington, New York: In the ten round super middleweight main event Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing “Rockin Fights” 51, Brooklyn, New York’s, Junior “Young God” Younan held on to his “almighty zero” with an abrupt first round stoppage of Split, Croatia’s, Luka Lozo.  

The battle of 29-year-olds, saw Younan go right to work putting Lozo on the defensive dropping Lozo with a ripping powerful left. The plainly shaken Croatian making it up right in no shape to compete was met a rapid Brooklyn fashioned follow-up highlighted by another ripping left forcing referee Arthur Mercante Jr. to put a stop to the fight at 2:43 of round one.  Younan on a Star Boxing promoted three bout KO run moves to 22-0-1, 14Ko’s. Lozo, unbeaten in his last five, has his two bout KO run close at 13-4-2, 12Ko’s.      

In the co-feature, in a remarkable demonstration of resilience and determination Queens, New York super welterweight, Isaah Flaherty of picked himself up off the canvas three times and battled on only to succumb to his first professional defeat losing a one-sided six-round unanimous decision to San Antonio, Texas, elusive Javier “El Diamante” Vargas.

Flaherty the aggressor put “El Diamante” on the defensive early only to see the mobile Texan cutting “diamond” edge angles begin to gain a sharp edge maneuvering his way out of the early back and forth action and flooring the local favorite twice in round three. The first time coming by way of a clean right hand then the second time from a driving left uppercut.

Vargas building on his third-round success dropped uncompromising opponent for a third time in round four, this time with another ripping uppercut. Flaherty showing no sign of surrender battled on with some minor success only to see the composed, more agile Texan, now hit with some clean return fire stay on the move box his way to a one-sided 60-51, 60-52 times two unanimous decision win. The nonconformist, Vargas 4-0-1 in his last five, climbs to 7-2-1, 3Ko’s. Flaherty suffering his first loss slips to 8-1, 4Ko’s.

In the opening six round super welterweight bout, Montevideo, Uruguay’s, Jose Edgardo Perdomo side stepped full opponent status stopping Mesa, Arizona’s, Micky Scala in two rounds.

The 23-year-old, taller, longer, Scala appearing in control and finding his rhythm was frozen by a surprise counter hook backed to the ropes for a set of undefended Perdomo punches would see the nights work cut short with referee Patrick Sullivan waving the bout over at 1:36 of round two. The 31-year-old, Perdomo with consecutive wins, 2-5 in his last seven bumps above the opponent fault line at 8-7, 5Ko’s. Scala with his first defeat dips to 12-1, 6Ko’s.

ABOUT THE PARAMOUNT:

Opening in September 2011, The Paramount was most recently ranked the #1 club worldwide. Located in Huntington, Long Island, New York, The Paramount – in concert with TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank® – hosts a variety of concerts, comedy, boxing, and other special events. Booked by Live Nation & utilizing Ticketmaster ticketing; The Paramount hosts over 200+ events per year. In just over 10 years, The Paramount has quickly established itself as the premier live entertainment destination on Long Island - the 20th largest U.S. media market (*2.5M HH-Arbitron: Nassau/Suffolk MSA). Boasting 90k+ Facebook fans, 36k+ Instagram & 16k+ Twitter followers, Pollstar Magazine recently ranked as The Paramount #1 Worldwide Club (*Year End ‘22) & nominated the venue as “Nightclub of The Decade”!