Get ready for Keno Luna, a four-time New England Golden Gloves champ, who’s finally stepping into the professional ring. This Saturday night, December 9, he’s all set to dazzle fans at the ‘Pandemonium at the Palladium 2’ event. Hosted by Granite Chin Promotions, Luna will throw down in a four-rounder against Moises Riveira. Don’t miss a punch – it’s all streaming live on BXNGTV.com from the legendary Palladium in Luna’s own Worcester, Massachusetts. And hey, it’s not just about the fights – GCP’s teaming up with Project New Hope, a local charity that’s all about helping veterans and their families.
Luna’s not just a pretty face with gloves. With a record of 67 wins and 18 losses as an amateur, he’s also bagged five Silver Mittens championships. Oh, and let’s not forget his semi-final appearances in the 2019 and 2023 National Golden Gloves. Trained by the one and only Chico Lopez at Ken Ball’s Camp Right Boxing Gym, Luna’s got the skills to pay the bills.
Why go pro now, you ask? Luna thought he was Olympic-bound this year, but things didn’t go his way. Feeling a bit robbed and not willing to wait another four years, he’s jumping into the pro scene. Luna’s confident his style’s more cut out for professional boxing than amateur – think less point-chasing, more strategic striking. He’s a speedy southpaw, dubbed ‘mini-Pacquiao’ in the gym, and started training at the tender age of 10. Inspired by Manny Pacquiao’s fights, Luna’s ready to make his mark.
For Luna, fighting in Worcester, his hometown, is like living a dream. He knows he’s part of a legacy, following in the footsteps of top fighters like the lightweight contender Jamaine Ortiz. Training and sparring with Ortiz has been a huge inspiration for Luna.
The December 9th card’s not just about Luna, though. Two other Worcester warriors are ready to rumble: light heavyweight Kendrick Ball, Jr., and junior middleweight Khiary ‘Too Sharp’ Gray. Ball’s chasing his third title against Heber Rondon for the USBF Light Heavyweight Championship, and Gray’s returning to the ring after two years to face Jimmy ‘The Quiet Storm’ Williams. These fights might just steal the show.
Chris Traietti, the big boss at GCP, is all praises for Luna. He believes Luna’s got the potential to make some serious noise in boxing. With Luna’s pro debut, the ‘Pandemonium at the Palladium 2’ event is shaping up to be a showcase of Massachusetts boxing’s present and future talents.
And there’s more: Steve ‘The Savage’ Sumpter, the IBA Americas Super Middleweight and Massachusetts Light Heavyweight Champion, will also be there, ready to face an opponent yet to be announced.