The Fists of Fury at The Hard Rock

By Matthew Benoliel

September 30, 2023.  

Promoter Kris Lawrence’s Heavyweight Factory presented a short but exciting night of pugilism to an enthralled fandom at the Hard Rock Live in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, last evening. The card included two bouts in the heavyweight division, a burner of a flyweight event, and the return of two-division former world champion Ivana Habizin. 

Undefeated heavyweight prospect Lenier Pero (10-0), a powerful southpaw with an extensive amateur pedigree in Cuba including Youth Olympic and Pan-American gold, made short change of his Argentinian opponent Guillermo Rubin Andino (17-8-0). Pero was coming off a pro-career highlight victory over formerly undefeated Viktor Faust in February. In stark contrast to this previous outing, Andino did not present a challenge to Pero, who is clearly ready to step up.  

TFN’s Fight of the Night goes to the flyweights, Billy Rodriquez (2-0) and Christoper Rios (10-0). The pair battled through ten rounds of action that ended in a split decision that was somewhat controversial. Both fighters had been knocked down at points and Rios seemed to edge out most of the later rounds. Judges saw the contest as 95-94 Rios, 96-93 x2 for Rodriquez. 

Ivana Habazin (21-5-0) of Croatia has held both IBF and IBO belts in two weight divisions, decisioned Timea Belik of Budapest, Hungary in a six-rounder. Habazin currently resides in Boynton Beach, FL and brought an entourage of vocal fans, including two-time world champion Maureen Shea, whose encouraging words echoed throughout the venue. Ivana was able to control the action against Belik, who stayed competitive throughout the fight. Judges ruled a unanimous decision to Habazin.

Another crowd favorite from Miami was heavyweight Gustavo “Cuban Assassin” Trujillo (4-0, 4 KOs) who delivered a second round TKO of debutante Keegan Vandermeer, a bare-knuckle boxer fighting out of Denver, Colorado. Trujillo also completes sans gloves for the BKFC organization and it is possible that these two could meet again in that arena. 

Super bantamweight Ariel Perez De La Torre (10-1, 7KOs) took on undefeated Victor Abreu (3-0, 1 KO) in a ten rounder. This contest saw back and forth action throughout although Perez was in control most of the time. Abreu took his first professional loss via unanimous decision.

In attendance at the Hard Rock Live was Evander Holyfield, a long time friend of The Heavyweight Factory, WBA Champ David Morrell Jr, heavyweight contender Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, and former world Champions Maureen Shea and Carolina Duer. BKFC star Jeremy “Pitbull” Smith and local boxer/mma star Jose “Colombian Necktie” Cortes sat ringside as well. 

Fist of Fury at The Hard Rock

By Matthew Benoliel

September 30, 2023.