McWilliams Arroyo
Encyclopedia
McWilliams Arroyo (born December 5, 1985) is a Puerto Rican
professional
boxer
. He was introduced to boxing in his childhood, becoming involved at the age of 12. As an amateur
, Arroyo represented Puerto Rico in numerous international events.
Arroyo won his first major gold medal at the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games, defeating Yan Bartelemí in the finals. In 2007, Arroyo ascended to the flyweight division, winning the division's title at the 2007 Pan American Games. He was selected to carry Puerto Rico's flag during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics
, deciding to compete in the event despite being in the recovery process of a leg surgery.
In 2009, the Puerto Rican media gave coverage to a rivalry between Arroyo and AIBA Youth World Champion, Jonathan González
. In three contests, González registered a balance of 2-1, winning the senior national championship in the process. In his last amateur competition, Arroyo won the gold medal at the 2009 World Amateur Boxing Championships
, which were held in Milan, Italy. He is the twin brother of McJoe Arroyo
. Both of the Arroyo brothers won a medal at the World Amateur Boxing Championships
, being the only pair of twins to win medals in this competition. They were also the second twins to qualify for the Olympics in boxing.
On February 27, 2010, Arroyo made his professional debut and by his second fight he was already competing against titlists, defeating Francisco Rosario, who had won the Dominican Republic's national minimumweight championship.
. In this locale they met Anthony Otero, a retired amateur boxer, who became their trainer during this stage of their careers. They initially took up the sport as a hobby, but after six fights they began establishing a pattern of only spending a limited amount of time inactive during a month, visiting the gymnasium at least every two weeks. Since the early stages of their careers, the brothers decided to fight in different divisions, in order to avoid fighting against each other. However, they participated in sparring sessions, performing as they would do against other sparring partners.
, where he won his division's gold medal. Arroyo entered the V José "Cheo" Aponte Tournament held from June 1–7, 2003. He advanced to the finals, losing a close decision to Joseph Serrano (13:14) to win the silver medal. Arroyo also represented Puerto Rico in the Copa La Romana, organized in La Romana Province, Dominican Republic
, earning the event's silver medal. In 2003, he was named Puerto Rico's Youth Boxer of the Year. Arroyo entered the 2005 Torneo Batalla Carabobo where he won the event's silver medal. The VII José "Cheo" Aponte Tournament was held between June 2–7, 2005. In the semifinals, Arroyo defeated José Meza of Ecuador, 17:13. He won the gold medal, defeating Steven Ortíz by points (25:16) in the finals. Arroyo competed in the 2005 Pan American Championships, earning his division's silver medal.
. Arroyo debuted in the light flyweight semifinals, defeating Yan Bartelemí of Cuba, 14:11. After advancing to the finals, he earned the tournament's gold medal, winning his contest against Odilion Zaleta of Mexico by points (14:8). His brother won the bronze medal at the 112 lbs division. For this performance, Arroyo won Puerto Rico's Boxer of the Year recognition. The IX José "Cheo" Aponte Tournament was held between May–5, 2007. In the quarter finals, Arroyo defeated Juan Carlos Payano of the Dominican Republic, 20:12. He won his semifinals against Alex Ferramosca of Italy (26:6). In the finals, Arroyo defeated Juan Vega of Ecuador by points, 30:14. Prior to the 2007 Pan American Games
, both of the brothers moved up one division in order to avoid being matched against each other in local tournaments. Arroyo, now fighting at the flyweight
division, debuted in the tournament's first date, defeating Lucas Navarro of Argentina by AB in the second round. He won his bracket's quartefinal against William Urina of Colombia, 16:7. In the semifinals, Arroyo defeated Yoandri Salinas
by RSCH in the second round. He gained the tournament's gold medal, winning by 12:11 against Juan Carlos Payano. Both of the brothers participated in the 2007 World Amateur Boxing Championships
. Aroyo debuted in the tournament’s third date, defeating Luvsantseren Zorigtbaatar of Mongolia by points, 26:10. He won his second preliminary contest against Vitali Volkov
of Ukraine (23:14). Arroyo closed his participation in this round by defeating Bato-Munko Vankeev
of Belarus, 23:17. In the quarter finals, he lost to Samir Mammadov
(33:21). McJoe Arroyo advanced, winning the tournament's bantamweight bronze medal.
due to their performance at the AIBA World Championships. It was be the second time that twins competed in an Olympic boxing tournament, the first pair being Valeriy
and Wladimir Sidorenko
, who participated together in the 2000 Summer Olympics
. On July 2, 2008, Arroyo was selected to carry Puerto Rico's flag in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. On July 8, 2008, Puerto Rico's Sports and Recreation Department offered up to $48,000 to the five boxers classified to the Olympics, if the boxers choose to continue with the team for a second Olympic cycle. In respect, Arroyo expressed that he would make his decision after comparing the offers provided by the government and professional promoters. The twins, José Pedraza
and Jonathan González began their preparations in a massive sports complex located in Salinas, Puerto Rico
, named Albergue Olímpico
. During the training, Arroyo suffered an injury in one of his legs. Consequently, his right foot underwent surgery and two screws were fasted to his bone, interrupting his training regime. As part of their training the boxing team moved to South Korea
, in order to get used to the time changes. Arroyo joined them and officially received the flag of Puerto Rico that was going to be used in the Olympic games on July 9, 2008. After training and participating in a series of exhibition matches, the team traveled from South Korea to Beijing. Despite the surgery, Arroyo decided to compete in the Summer Olympics along his brother. He received a bye in the first round of the preliminaries. Arroyo debuted in the final stage of the preliminaries, defeating Norbert Kalucza
of Hungary, 14:6. In the quarterfinals, he lost to Andry Laffita
(11:2). Arroyo subsequently continued the rehabilitation process and the following month, his first son was born, receiving his namesake, McWilliams Arroyo Junior.
. Early in the contest, González was able to use his speed and counterattack to establish control of the fight's tempo, winning the first round 3:0. This pattern continued in the next stanza, where he was able to score six more points, including three in only eighteen seconds, before his opponent scored his first point. Arroyo attempted to preassure the fight on the third, reducing the difference to 9:4, before González had one final advance, securing the final score of 11:5. Arroyo returned to action at the XII José "Cheo" Aponte Tournament, which began on May 19, 2009. Prior to the competition, the local media emphasized the rematch between him and Arroyo, labeling them as "nemesis". After advancing to the finals, he was matched against González, who won the second bracket. On this fight, Arroyo was able to win by points, gathering rounds of 6:3, 12:6 and 17:9. The fight was described as "frenetic" and saw a change in strategy by González, who attempted to pressure the offensive.
Immediately afterwards, both pugilists competed in a third contest as part of the first Juan Evangelista Venegas Olympic Cup. This event was organized by the Olympic Committee of Puerto Rico (COPUR), serving as the final qualifier to determine who would enter Puerto Rico’s national team in preparation for the 2009
World Amateur Boxing Championships
. The first two rounds concluded with a close score of 5:4, which favored Arroyo. In the third round, González connected a right hook and scored a knockdown. Arroyo stood up while still affected by the punch and was forced to receive a protective count following another offensive barrage. With the score favoring him by two points 7:5, González scored three more times, while Arroyo was only able to do so once, securing a final score of 10:6.
Subsequently, the Federación de Boxeo Aficionado de Puerto Rico (lit. "Amateur Boxing Federation of Puerto Rico") selected Arroyo to participate in the World Amateur Boxing Championships over González. Both of the brothers participated in this international event. Arroyo debuted in the tournament's third date, defeating Yoon Kyoung Min of Korea by RSCH in the second round. To close the preliminaries, he won his contest against Norbert Kalucza of Hungary by RSC in the third round. In the quarterfinals, Arroyo defeated Yampier Hernández
by points, 6:2. He advanced to the finals by winning his fight against Ronny Beblik of Germany (9:7). Arroyo won the tournament's flyweight gold medal, defeating Tugstsogt Nyambayar of Mongolia with a score of 18:2, the widest margin in all of the finals.
. These concerns were restated in a subsequent press conference, where they noted that supporting their respective families was the main reason to pursue a professional career. On January 12, 2010, PR Best Boxing announced the official signing of both brothers. Arroyo's debut was scheduled for February 27, 2010, taking part of a card titled "Haciendo Historia", where Wilfredo Vázquez, Jr.
fought Marvin Sonsona
for the super bantamweight world championship. His opponent, Eliecer Sánchez, also debuted as a professional in this card. The fight concluded after 1:46 of the first round had passed, when Arroyo connected a single punch that left Sánchez unconscious for several minutes, requiring paramedical help and an oxygen mask, this result earned him a victory by knockout. In his second fight, he was matched against the latest Dominican Republic Minimumweight Champion, Francisco Rosario. Arroyo won by technical knockout in the third round, when Rosario surrendered following an exchange of solid combinations. His next opponent was Samuel Gutiérrez, who was forced on the defensive from the opening round, receiving several combinations and suffering a broken nose. In the second, Arroyo continued on the offensive, scoring a knockdown which prompted the referee to stop the fight. In his next fight, Arroyo suffered an upset loss to Takashi Okada (1-0-1) who knocked Arroyo down in the second round en route to a unanimous decision victory.
|align="center" colspan=8|4 Wins (3 knockouts), 1 Losses , 0 Draw
|- style="margin:0.5em auto; font-size:95%;"
|align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Res.
|align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Record
|align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Opponent
|align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Type
|align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Rd., Time
|align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Date
|align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Venue and Location
|align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Notes
|-align=center
||| ||align=left|
Cesar Grajeda
|-
|| - || November 6, 2010 || align=left|
MGM Grand
, Las Vegas
, Nevada
|align=left|
|-align=center
Puerto Rican people
A Puerto Rican is a person who was born in Puerto Rico.Puerto Ricans born and raised in the continental United States are also sometimes referred to as Puerto Ricans, although they were not born in Puerto Rico...
professional
Professional Boxing
Professional boxing, or prizefighting, emerged in the early twentieth century as boxing gradually attained legitimacy and became a regulated, sanctioned sport. Professional boxing bouts are fought for a purse which is divided among the fighters and promoters as determined by contract...
boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
. He was introduced to boxing in his childhood, becoming involved at the age of 12. As an amateur
Amateur boxing
Amateur boxing is practised at the collegiate level, at the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, and in many other venues sponsored by amateur boxing associations. Amateur boxing bouts are short in duration and fighters wear head protection, so this type of competition prizes point-scoring rather...
, Arroyo represented Puerto Rico in numerous international events.
Arroyo won his first major gold medal at the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games, defeating Yan Bartelemí in the finals. In 2007, Arroyo ascended to the flyweight division, winning the division's title at the 2007 Pan American Games. He was selected to carry Puerto Rico's flag during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
, deciding to compete in the event despite being in the recovery process of a leg surgery.
In 2009, the Puerto Rican media gave coverage to a rivalry between Arroyo and AIBA Youth World Champion, Jonathan González
Jonathan González (flyweight)
Jonathan González is a Puerto Rican boxer. He learned the sport from his father, practicing it since the age of four. As an amateur, González has represented Puerto Rico at numerous international events, while competing in the flyweight limit of 51 kg...
. In three contests, González registered a balance of 2-1, winning the senior national championship in the process. In his last amateur competition, Arroyo won the gold medal at the 2009 World Amateur Boxing Championships
2009 World Amateur Boxing Championships
The 2009 AIBA World Boxing Championships were held in Milan, Italy from September 1, 2009 to September 12, 2009 in the Mediolanum Forum. It was the biggest World Championships in AIBA history...
, which were held in Milan, Italy. He is the twin brother of McJoe Arroyo
McJoe Arroyo
McJoe Arroyo is a Puerto Rican amateur boxer best known for winning a bronze medal at the2007 World Amateur Boxing Championships as a bantamweight....
. Both of the Arroyo brothers won a medal at the World Amateur Boxing Championships
World Amateur Boxing Championships
The World Amateur Boxing Championships is a biennial amateur boxing competition organised by the International Boxing Association , which is the sport governing body. Alongside the Olympic boxing programme, it is the highest level of competition for the sport...
, being the only pair of twins to win medals in this competition. They were also the second twins to qualify for the Olympics in boxing.
On February 27, 2010, Arroyo made his professional debut and by his second fight he was already competing against titlists, defeating Francisco Rosario, who had won the Dominican Republic's national minimumweight championship.
Early life
McWilliams was born along his twin brother, McJoe, in the municipality of Ceiba in the northeast coastal region of Puerto Rico's main island. Their parents are Milagros Acevedo Hernández and José A. Arroyo Gelabert. Arroyo and his twin, were introduced to boxing in their childhood. At the age of 12, they entered Gimnasio Fito Ramos, a gymnasium located in the municipality of Fajardo, Puerto RicoFajardo, Puerto Rico
Fajardo is a small city in Puerto Rico located in the east region of the island, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of Ceiba and east of Luquillo.Fajardo is spread over 7 wards and Downtown Fajardo , which serves as the administrative center of the city...
. In this locale they met Anthony Otero, a retired amateur boxer, who became their trainer during this stage of their careers. They initially took up the sport as a hobby, but after six fights they began establishing a pattern of only spending a limited amount of time inactive during a month, visiting the gymnasium at least every two weeks. Since the early stages of their careers, the brothers decided to fight in different divisions, in order to avoid fighting against each other. However, they participated in sparring sessions, performing as they would do against other sparring partners.
Amateur career
Arroyo began competing in the 70 pounds division, while his brother did so in the 75 pounds. He participated in the first Pan-American Cadet Championships, representing Puerto Rico in the event held in Mexico. In this competition, Arroyo won his first medal in an international tournament, earning the silver medal. Subsequently, he performed in the International Junior Olympics held in MichiganMichigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, where he won his division's gold medal. Arroyo entered the V José "Cheo" Aponte Tournament held from June 1–7, 2003. He advanced to the finals, losing a close decision to Joseph Serrano (13:14) to win the silver medal. Arroyo also represented Puerto Rico in the Copa La Romana, organized in La Romana Province, Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
, earning the event's silver medal. In 2003, he was named Puerto Rico's Youth Boxer of the Year. Arroyo entered the 2005 Torneo Batalla Carabobo where he won the event's silver medal. The VII José "Cheo" Aponte Tournament was held between June 2–7, 2005. In the semifinals, Arroyo defeated José Meza of Ecuador, 17:13. He won the gold medal, defeating Steven Ortíz by points (25:16) in the finals. Arroyo competed in the 2005 Pan American Championships, earning his division's silver medal.
Central American and Pan American titles
Both of the twins classified to the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games2006 Central American and Caribbean Games
The 20th edition of the Central American and Caribbean Games was held in the city of Cartagena, Colombia. The tournament began on July 15 and ended on July 30.-Host City:*Main**Cartagena de Indias*Other host cities...
. Arroyo debuted in the light flyweight semifinals, defeating Yan Bartelemí of Cuba, 14:11. After advancing to the finals, he earned the tournament's gold medal, winning his contest against Odilion Zaleta of Mexico by points (14:8). His brother won the bronze medal at the 112 lbs division. For this performance, Arroyo won Puerto Rico's Boxer of the Year recognition. The IX José "Cheo" Aponte Tournament was held between May–5, 2007. In the quarter finals, Arroyo defeated Juan Carlos Payano of the Dominican Republic, 20:12. He won his semifinals against Alex Ferramosca of Italy (26:6). In the finals, Arroyo defeated Juan Vega of Ecuador by points, 30:14. Prior to the 2007 Pan American Games
2007 Pan American Games
The 2007 Pan American Games, officially known as the XV Pan American Games, were a major continental multi-sport event that took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 13 to July 29, 2007. A total of 5,633 athletes from 42 National Olympic Committees competed in 332 events in 34 sports and in...
, both of the brothers moved up one division in order to avoid being matched against each other in local tournaments. Arroyo, now fighting at the flyweight
Flyweight
Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing less than 112 lb but above 108 lb .-Professional boxing:...
division, debuted in the tournament's first date, defeating Lucas Navarro of Argentina by AB in the second round. He won his bracket's quartefinal against William Urina of Colombia, 16:7. In the semifinals, Arroyo defeated Yoandri Salinas
Yoandri Salinas
Yoandri Salinas Luis is a Cuban pro boxer from Ciego de Ávila best known to medal repeatedly at flyweight in international amateur tournaments.-Amateur:...
by RSCH in the second round. He gained the tournament's gold medal, winning by 12:11 against Juan Carlos Payano. Both of the brothers participated in the 2007 World Amateur Boxing Championships
2007 World Amateur Boxing Championships
The 2007 AIBA World Boxing Championships were held in Chicago, United States from October 23, 2007 to November 3, 2007. It was held at the UIC Pavilion. It was the biggest World Championships in AIBA history. The championships were originally awarded to Moscow...
. Aroyo debuted in the tournament’s third date, defeating Luvsantseren Zorigtbaatar of Mongolia by points, 26:10. He won his second preliminary contest against Vitali Volkov
Vitali Volkov
Vitali Vladimirovich Volkov is a Russian footballer. Currently he plays for FC Volga Nizhny Novgorod. From 2001-2006 he played at Torpedo Moscow and in 2007 he played for FC Rubin Kazan. He currently plays for FC Tobol in Kazakhstan Premier League....
of Ukraine (23:14). Arroyo closed his participation in this round by defeating Bato-Munko Vankeev
Bato-Munko Vankeev
Bato-Munko Vankeev is a boxer from Belarus.Vankeev qualified for the 2004 Summer Olympics by ending up in first place at the 2nd AIBA European 2004 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Warsaw, Poland...
of Belarus, 23:17. In the quarter finals, he lost to Samir Mammadov
Samir Mammadov
Samir Mammadov is a boxer from Azerbaijan, who won the silver medal in the men's flyweight division at the 2006 European Championships in Bulgaria and bronze at the 2007 World Championships.-Career:...
(33:21). McJoe Arroyo advanced, winning the tournament's bantamweight bronze medal.
Surgery and Olympics
The Arroyo twins, McWilliams and McJoe, qualified to the 2008 Summer Olympics2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
due to their performance at the AIBA World Championships. It was be the second time that twins competed in an Olympic boxing tournament, the first pair being Valeriy
Valeriy Sydorenko
Valeriy Petrovych Sydorenko is a retired male boxer from Ukraine, who competed for his native country at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia...
and Wladimir Sidorenko
Wladimir Sidorenko
Volodymyr Sydorenko, or Vladimir Sidorenko, is a professional boxer in the bantamweight division. He is the former WBA world bantamweight champion, and twin brother of Valeriy Sydorenko.-Amateur career:...
, who participated together in the 2000 Summer Olympics
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
. On July 2, 2008, Arroyo was selected to carry Puerto Rico's flag in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. On July 8, 2008, Puerto Rico's Sports and Recreation Department offered up to $48,000 to the five boxers classified to the Olympics, if the boxers choose to continue with the team for a second Olympic cycle. In respect, Arroyo expressed that he would make his decision after comparing the offers provided by the government and professional promoters. The twins, José Pedraza
Jose Pedraza (boxer)
José Pedraza González is a Puerto Rican professional boxer. As an amateur he represented Puerto Rico, winning medals in multiple international competitions...
and Jonathan González began their preparations in a massive sports complex located in Salinas, Puerto Rico
Salinas, Puerto Rico
Salinas is a small municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico located in the southern coast of the island, south of Aibonito and Cayey; southeast of Coamo, east of Santa Isabel; and west of Guayama...
, named Albergue Olímpico
Albergue Olímpico
The Albergue Olímpico German Rieckehoff Sampayo or Olympic Hostel is an athletic training and recreational center located in Salinas, Puerto Rico. It is the most complete sports center in Puerto Rico used by professional athletes and by the general public for health, educational, and recreational...
. During the training, Arroyo suffered an injury in one of his legs. Consequently, his right foot underwent surgery and two screws were fasted to his bone, interrupting his training regime. As part of their training the boxing team moved to South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, in order to get used to the time changes. Arroyo joined them and officially received the flag of Puerto Rico that was going to be used in the Olympic games on July 9, 2008. After training and participating in a series of exhibition matches, the team traveled from South Korea to Beijing. Despite the surgery, Arroyo decided to compete in the Summer Olympics along his brother. He received a bye in the first round of the preliminaries. Arroyo debuted in the final stage of the preliminaries, defeating Norbert Kalucza
Norbert Kalucza
Norbert Kalucza is a Hungarian amateur boxer who qualified for the 2008 Olympics.-Career:He qualified for the Olympics by beating German boxer Marcel Schneider in the semi final of a European qualifying tournament.-External links:* * ....
of Hungary, 14:6. In the quarterfinals, he lost to Andry Laffita
Andry Laffita
Andry Laffita Fernández is a Cuban amateur boxer best known to win the silver medal at the 2005 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Mianyang.-Career:...
(11:2). Arroyo subsequently continued the rehabilitation process and the following month, his first son was born, receiving his namesake, McWilliams Arroyo Junior.
Final stages and World Championship
His next competition was the Torneo Nacional de Boxeo Aficionado Isaac Barrientos, Puerto Rico's national championship tournament. In the finals, he was matched against AIBA Youth World Champion, Jonathan GonzálezJonathan González (flyweight)
Jonathan González is a Puerto Rican boxer. He learned the sport from his father, practicing it since the age of four. As an amateur, González has represented Puerto Rico at numerous international events, while competing in the flyweight limit of 51 kg...
. Early in the contest, González was able to use his speed and counterattack to establish control of the fight's tempo, winning the first round 3:0. This pattern continued in the next stanza, where he was able to score six more points, including three in only eighteen seconds, before his opponent scored his first point. Arroyo attempted to preassure the fight on the third, reducing the difference to 9:4, before González had one final advance, securing the final score of 11:5. Arroyo returned to action at the XII José "Cheo" Aponte Tournament, which began on May 19, 2009. Prior to the competition, the local media emphasized the rematch between him and Arroyo, labeling them as "nemesis". After advancing to the finals, he was matched against González, who won the second bracket. On this fight, Arroyo was able to win by points, gathering rounds of 6:3, 12:6 and 17:9. The fight was described as "frenetic" and saw a change in strategy by González, who attempted to pressure the offensive.
Immediately afterwards, both pugilists competed in a third contest as part of the first Juan Evangelista Venegas Olympic Cup. This event was organized by the Olympic Committee of Puerto Rico (COPUR), serving as the final qualifier to determine who would enter Puerto Rico’s national team in preparation for the 2009
2009 World Amateur Boxing Championships
The 2009 AIBA World Boxing Championships were held in Milan, Italy from September 1, 2009 to September 12, 2009 in the Mediolanum Forum. It was the biggest World Championships in AIBA history...
World Amateur Boxing Championships
World Amateur Boxing Championships
The World Amateur Boxing Championships is a biennial amateur boxing competition organised by the International Boxing Association , which is the sport governing body. Alongside the Olympic boxing programme, it is the highest level of competition for the sport...
. The first two rounds concluded with a close score of 5:4, which favored Arroyo. In the third round, González connected a right hook and scored a knockdown. Arroyo stood up while still affected by the punch and was forced to receive a protective count following another offensive barrage. With the score favoring him by two points 7:5, González scored three more times, while Arroyo was only able to do so once, securing a final score of 10:6.
Subsequently, the Federación de Boxeo Aficionado de Puerto Rico (lit. "Amateur Boxing Federation of Puerto Rico") selected Arroyo to participate in the World Amateur Boxing Championships over González. Both of the brothers participated in this international event. Arroyo debuted in the tournament's third date, defeating Yoon Kyoung Min of Korea by RSCH in the second round. To close the preliminaries, he won his contest against Norbert Kalucza of Hungary by RSC in the third round. In the quarterfinals, Arroyo defeated Yampier Hernández
Yampier Hernandez
Yampier Hernández Gonzales is a Cuban boxer who has qualified for the 2008 Olympics at junior flyweight.-Boxing career:...
by points, 6:2. He advanced to the finals by winning his fight against Ronny Beblik of Germany (9:7). Arroyo won the tournament's flyweight gold medal, defeating Tugstsogt Nyambayar of Mongolia with a score of 18:2, the widest margin in all of the finals.
Professional career
On December 8, 2009, the Arroyo brothers issued a press release through their mother, Milagros Acevedo, informing that they were no longer interested in continuing their amateur careers. In the letter, they report differences with the criteria used to provide economical support to high-performance athletes, as well as schedule conflicts with their original plans to pursue a professional career after the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games2010 Central American and Caribbean Games
The 21st Central American and Caribbean Games took place in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, from July 18, 2010 to August 1, 2010.-Bid:...
. These concerns were restated in a subsequent press conference, where they noted that supporting their respective families was the main reason to pursue a professional career. On January 12, 2010, PR Best Boxing announced the official signing of both brothers. Arroyo's debut was scheduled for February 27, 2010, taking part of a card titled "Haciendo Historia", where Wilfredo Vázquez, Jr.
Wilfredo Vázquez, Jr.
Wilfredo Vázquez, Jr. is a Puerto Rican professional boxer. Vázquez is the son of former world champion Wilfredo Vázquez. Vázquez debuted as a professional in 2006, against Octavious Davis in a fight that he won by knockout...
fought Marvin Sonsona
Marvin Sonsona
Marvin Sonsona is a Soccsksargenese professional boxer and a former WBO Super Flyweight World Champion. A relative of his named Eden Sonsona is also a boxer and a former Philippine national bantamweight champion...
for the super bantamweight world championship. His opponent, Eliecer Sánchez, also debuted as a professional in this card. The fight concluded after 1:46 of the first round had passed, when Arroyo connected a single punch that left Sánchez unconscious for several minutes, requiring paramedical help and an oxygen mask, this result earned him a victory by knockout. In his second fight, he was matched against the latest Dominican Republic Minimumweight Champion, Francisco Rosario. Arroyo won by technical knockout in the third round, when Rosario surrendered following an exchange of solid combinations. His next opponent was Samuel Gutiérrez, who was forced on the defensive from the opening round, receiving several combinations and suffering a broken nose. In the second, Arroyo continued on the offensive, scoring a knockdown which prompted the referee to stop the fight. In his next fight, Arroyo suffered an upset loss to Takashi Okada (1-0-1) who knocked Arroyo down in the second round en route to a unanimous decision victory.
Professional record
|- style="margin:0.5em auto; font-size:95%;"|align="center" colspan=8|4 Wins (3 knockouts), 1 Losses , 0 Draw
|- style="margin:0.5em auto; font-size:95%;"
|align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Res.
|align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Record
|align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Opponent
|align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Type
|align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Rd., Time
|align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Date
|align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Venue and Location
|align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Notes
|-align=center
||| ||align=left|
Cesar Grajeda|-
Juan Manuel Lopez vs. Rafael Marquez
In addition, theirs will be yet another battle in the long-running rivalry between Mexican boxers and those from Puerto Rico, a fact that is lost on neither combatant....
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MGM GrandMGM Grand Las Vegas
The MGM Grand Las Vegas is a hotel casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The MGM Grand is the third largest hotel in the world and largest hotel resort complex in the United States in front of The Venetian. The MGM Grand was the largest hotel in the world when it opened in...
, Las Vegas
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
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