2021 Ukraine Olympian, heavyweight Tsotne Rogava (4-0, 4 KOs), will headline for the first time Thursday night, February 15th, on the “Punches and Punchlines” card at Soboba Casino Resort in San Jacinto, California. Rogova takes on John Shipman (5-5, 2 KOs) of Dallas in the six-round main event. In the co-feature, California junior welterweight Jimmie “El Chingon” Nunez (5-2, 5 KOs) faces Kenekuk De La Rosa (2-1, 1 KO) of Phoenix in a six-rounder. The show, to be presented by Toro Promotions, Inc., House of Pain and Black House Boxing, will be the first pro boxing event at Soboba Casino in nearly five years.
Born in the Republic of Georgia, Rogava lived for several years in Ukraine until moving last year to Marina del Rey, California. The 6’ 5”, 270-pound Rogava successfully transitioned to boxing from his world class Muay Thai and kickboxing career, highlighted by his three-time IFMA world title-winning performances in Muay Thai as an amateur, along with an ACB kickboxing crown.
Rogava is trained by Hall of Famer Joe Goossen, who compares Rogova to Tyson Fury, style-wise, because of their athletic movement on their feet. The 30 year-old Rogova is coming off a knockout of previously undefeated Dante Williams halfway through the opening round this past January 4th at Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington.
ADDITIONAL BOUTS
Nicaraguan super featherweight Nilo Guerrero (7-0, 6 KOs), faces Dan Hernandez (3-4, 2 KOs) in a six-round bout. Guerrero, 23, is a tall boxer with a long reach for his weight class, and was the 2016 Nicaraguan Youth National Champion. He now fights out of Coachella, California. Also scheduled to fight on the undercard, all in four-round matches, are Temecula cruiserweight David Longoria (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. pro-debuting Jason “El Crazy Horse” Lara, of Boyle Heights, CA; Perris, CA lightweight William King (5-1-1, 2 KOs) vs. Giovanny Meza (0-6), and Temecula heavyweight Ian “The Captain” Morgan (1-2, 0 KOs) vs. Terrance Brown (1-5).
“With Dave’s (Trujillo, House of Pain) love and enthusiasm for the sport and with mine and Whit’s (Haydon/Toro Promotions) experience in the business, we are looking to establish HOP and Toro Promotions as one of the top prospect-building promotional teams in Southern California,” House of Pain’s Cesar Garcia said. “We are looking forward to presenting boxing with a little vibe as (comedian) Jerry Garcia will not only have a small set during an intermission, but he will introduce each fight.” Tickets are available to purchase online at www.soboba.com. Doors open at 6 p.m. PT, first bout at 7 p.m. PT.
