Boxing great Oscar De La Hoya was so smitten by Filipino puncher Romero Duno that his Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) formally signed him up yesterday for a multi-year contract.
Duno earned De La Hoya’s admiration last week when the 21-year-old from General Santos City took out hot prospect Christian Gonzalez in leas than two rounds at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles.
The Mexican-American Gonzalez, who entered the right with an immaculate 15-0 record with 14 KOs, was being groomed for stardom by GBP and his devastating defeat to Duno proved to be costly as De La Hoya suddenly switched sights.
“I am very thankful to Golden Boy Promotions for giving me a chance to showcase my talent on the big stage,” said Duno. “I also want to thank my team Sanman Boxing for believing in me. I still cant believe that this is happening to me, God is good.”
De La Hoya, whose last ring appearance was against Manny Pacquiao in 2008, was obviously awed by Duno, who came into the WBC Youth Intercontinental lightweight title fight armed with a 12-1 mark with 11 KOs.
“We saw Romero’s power in the ring-he is the real ,” said De La Hoya. “He has exceptional power, along with the talent and desire to be a great fighter. He could be the next big boxing star from the Phillipines as time is on his side, and I’m pleased he chose Golden Boy to introduce him to a wider audience in the US.”