State title on line for Rosado vs. Collins
The ring ropes are tattered, and there isn't a punching bag without a slab of duct tape. No locker room here, unless you count the small, converted closet. And the boxing ring? That's just a thin, carpet-covered mat laid across the middle of the tile floor.
The ring ropes are tattered, and there isn't a punching bag without a slab of duct tape. No locker room here, unless you count the small, converted closet. And the boxing ring? That's just a thin, carpet-covered mat laid across the middle of the tile floor.
They say if you can move around in this ring, you can move around anywhere.
Gabriel Rosado has trained here for nearly eight years; it's where he transformed from a North Philly fighter into a legitimate boxer.
His trainer, Billy Briscoe, said it's the grimiest gym in the city, but the 30-by-20-foot room filled with makeshift training equipment can chew up fighters who fail to meet its demands.
Rosado grew up just a few blocks north of the Federic R. Mann Recreation Center at Eighth Street and Allegheny Avenue.
"It's gully in here. You have to make the best out of what you got," Rosado said. "Keeps you humble. I like it, I'm used to it. Makes me train hard. I like the atmosphere."
On Friday night, Rosado will take the next step in his journey as he faces Reading's Keenan Collins for the vacant Pennsylvania junior-middleweight championship at the Asylum Arena in South Philadelphia. Collins, 34, is 13-6 with nine knockouts.
Rosado has won seven of his last nine fights dating from 2009 and is riding a three-match win streak. His 17-5 record, with 10 KOs, includes a 2009 victory over current NABA middleweight champion Kassim Ouma.
After Rosado's last fight, a technical knockout of Ayi Bruce on July 15, he was arrested after an altercation with an Atlantic City police officer. Rosado has a court date Oct. 3 and said it was an unfortunate situation that will be resolved.
"Those that know me know I'm a family man," Rosado said. "I have a 2-year-old daughter. I don't have a criminal record. I've never been in trouble with the law. At the end of the day, the truth will come out."
The 25-year-old said it's hard to describe his boxing style, since he constantly is adapting his approach. He said he is unique and versatile. In one match he will be an aggressive brawler, in the next he'll be a traditional boxer. It's all about the opponent, Rosado said.
Briscoe said Rosado's ability to make adjustments separates him from opponents.
"How do you prepare for someone that makes an adjustment over your adjustment in the blink of an eye?" Briscoe asked.