BOXING: CUBAN STAR GUTIERREZ RELOCATES TO MN, FIGHTS AUG. 31

21 year-old Cuban amateur boxing star Osvary Gutierrez is set to make his professional boxing debut on August 31st at the Minneapolis Armory. The Super Middleweight prospect relocated to Minnesota earlier this month and is preparing for his six round fight versus Yendris Rodriguez Valdez, also of Cuba. Gutierrez has been training at Minneapolis’s Circle of Discipline and says he was drawn to Minnesota because of the success of Jamal James and his Cuban ties to Baseball great Tony Olivia.

Osvary Gutierrez and Luis DeCubas.

Tony Olivia is a Cuban baseball icon – a mentor who has played a visible role of support in the corner of Jamal James, a family friend of Olivia for nearly two decades. Olivia was ringside for Jamal’s victory victory over Antonio DeMarco in July.

“ I’m excited to be here in Minnesota – excited to be training for my first pro fight at a world class venue like the Armory“ said Gutierrez at a public workout held inside the Circle of Discipline.

“ I could have gone anyplace in the country to live – but this is the only place I had the chance to be close to a baseball legend like Tony Olivia. Tony O keeps me connected with my past while I work hard to the present and a pro career in boxing”.

“I’m here to be a world champion. I’m here to get my work in but I also want to experience all Minnesota has to offer”.

“ I’m excited too about following the Twins in their race for the pennant. Nearly half of the players on the roster are Latin or Hispanic players. I’m rooting for them, hope they’ll be rooting for me”.

Gutierrez is a fighter considered by many to be a top level talent and one of the most promising fighters to ever come out of Cuba. Among his many amateur distinctions, he was a 2017 Cuban National Champion, a 2016 AIBA World Youth Champion in St. Petersburg, Russia, named “Best Boxer of the Tournament” and a 2018 India Open International Boxing Tournament in New Delhi, India.

Morrell Gutierrez finished his amateur career with an astounding record of 130-2, having only lost to his legendary countryman and Olympic gold medalist, Julio César la Cruz, in a fight many had him winning and to Canada’s Harvey David O’Reilly in Canada, a loss which he later avenged.

Warriors Boxing of South Florida and Russia-based Ural Promotions proudly announced the signing of Gutierrez in July. Minneapolis native Luis DeCubas will manage Gutierrez and can’t hold back his enthusiasm for this young Cuban boxing phenom.

“This dynamic young gun is going to be a superstar in our sport. Osvary’s amateur record is jaw dropping ; to tell you the truth. In the ring he reminds me of a young Sugar Ray Robinson; who fittingly fought at the Armory in his prime. Minnesota boxing fans are in for a treat to see the start of something of a ring career we expect to blast off”

You can catch Gutierrez on the PBC presented by FOX boxing show at the Minneapolis Armory on August 31st, 2019.