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Neeco “Rooster” Macias Returns To Ring This Friday At
Emerald Queen Casino After 4-Year Retirement
One of boxing’s most entertaining fighters, Neeco “Rooster”
Macias (17-2, 10 KOs), returns to the ring this Friday night
(Apr. 7) after his four-year retirement against Ramon “Nino
de Oro” Ayala (25-7-1, 13 KOs) in the eight-round
co-featured event at the famed Emerald Queen Casino in
Tacoma, Washington.
Presented by Toro Promotions Inc. in association with
Whitfield Haydon, the card’s 10-round main event in the
state-of-the-art EQC Event Center, starting at 8 p.m. PT, is
a compelling showdown for the vacant World Boxing
Association (WBA) Fedebol Featherweight Championship between
Mexican fan friendly, upset specialist Angel Antonio
“Cachorro” Contreras (15-5-2, 7KOs) and dangerous Brandon
Valdes (14-3, 7 KOs), of Colombia.
Macias rapidly became a boxing cult hero from Tehachapi,
California, winning his first 15 fights between 2013 and
2018, displaying a non-stop, attack-mode from the opening
bell to the end of his fight. He lost his last two fights
and decided to retire as a boxer, but Macais found a new
calling as the operator of MBT Gym in Tehachapi, where he
trains people and spars.
“I retired four years ago,’ he explained. “Why? It's
complicated. I had a tough fight with Jesus Soto Karass
(28-13-4), which wasn’t the problem. I lasted 10 rounds
(lost a 10-round decision by scores of 96-94, 97-93, 95-95)
against a top fighter. (The two fighters completely
shattered CompuBox punch records.) Then, I fought a good
fighter who is now my buddy, Jeremy Ramos (10-6). Golden Boy
had me on a special contract. Before the fight, the rounds
were changed from 10 to 8, I got paid $15,000 less, and they
took the decision (lost an 8-round split decision: 77-75,
75-77, 74-78) away from me. Jeremy is a super cool guy. We
had an eight-round war. When the scores were announced, his
face was lumped up and I didn’t have a scratch, just a
smile. I think Golden Boy wanted to get rid of me. I
accepted it as part of my boxing destiny.”
“Rooster” started sparring and fell in love with boxing and
the gym again. He had agreed to fight on a show in
Bakersfield (CA) on April 29th, convinced that this fight
was part of his destiny. Every weekend he takes care of his
niece, Mia May Macias, and he decided to make a comeback so
she could see him fight. She would turn seven and be Neeco’s
No. 1 fan. A perfect birthday present except that the
Bakersfield show wasn’t on solid ground and then Macias’
promoter, Whit Haydon, called saying he had an opportunity
of a lifetime for “Rooster,” a fight April 7th against a
25-7 opponent.
“I had been sparring (WBC Interim Super Welterweight World
Champion) Sebastian Fundoro (20-0-1, 13 KOs) for his title
fight April 8 against (Brian) Mendoza on Showtime (in
Carson, CA),” Macias explained. “The stars were aligned; God
spoke to me. I took the fight and I’m ready. I’m fighting
for my niece’s 7th birthday, but she can’t see the fight
because it’s a 21-and-older show. I’m in it to win it. I’ll
make her a YouTube video of my victory this weekend.
“My (32nd) birthday is April 22nd and I’m inviting everybody
to my house to watch Tank-Garcia. No presents, I just want
everybody to check out this fight and enjoy a barbeque.”
Friday night, “Rooster” is matched against Ayala, a
typically tough Mexican fighter who is a former World Boxing
Council (WBC) Youth World super middleweight titleholder.
Macias isn’t concerned with his inactivity, to the contrary:
“I’m stronger than ever. I learned to rest to perform
better. I gave my whole body a rest. I’m taking this as one
fight. After April 7th, questions about my fighting future
will be answered. Training camp is over and I’m on weight.
“Fans are still going to see the same ‘Rooster.’ I started
boxing at 20 and fell in love with the amateur style for
three rounds. This is eight rounds but I fight the same for
10. I’m excited. There are going to be fireworks. We are
going to steal the show!”
Macias comes out as the “Rooster,” crowing
‘cock-a-doodle-doo’ and captivating the hearts and minds of
boxing fans again.
The undercard showcases regional and local boxers in
competitive matches. Phoenix heavyweight prospects Dante
Stone(11-1, 9 KO) takes on undefeated Detrailous Webster
(5-0, 2 KO), of Courtland, Mississippi, in a six-rounder,
while undefeated Washington super welterweight Jon Bryant
(6-0, 2 KO) faces Timothy Parks (5-3-1, 4 KO), of San Diego.
Three four-round bouts open the evening as Rounding out the
card will be a trio of four-round bouts including
pro-debuting super lightweight Josue Cadena from nearby
Auburn vs. Montana’s Jayden Salway (0-1-1), Wapato (WA)
super lightweight Margarito Hernandez (3-5-1. 0 KOs) vs.
Michael Portales (2-1-1, 1 KO), of Hayward, CA, and
Mexico-native Dario Guerrero-Meneses (1-5-1, 0 KOs),
fighting out of Long Beach (CA), vs. Alejandro Avalos (0-1),
of San Antonio
Card subject to change.
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