Thomas Dulorme: The Latest Boricua in Line to Fill Tito’s Shoes?

By Boxing News - 09/25/2011 - Comments

By Bradley Pearson: Carlos Ortiz, Wilfredo Gomez, Felix Trinidad;- it’s no secret that Puerto Rico have produced a fine array of champions over the decades. Gracing the boxing world with some hugely significant moments that will forever be imprinted throughout pugilism history- from Gomez’ classic war with Salvador Sanchez, to Ortiz’ brutal knockout victory over Flash Elorde, and not forgetting Trinidad’s eventual destruction of the once feared Mexican, Fernando Vargas.

All doing their bit in helping their beloved island nation establish themselves as a heavyweight force within the sport.

However few, if any, have captured the hearts and imagination of the Puerto Rican people the way Felix Trinidad did, in a career spanning over the course of just under 18 years, capturing 4 world titles along the way. Since Tito’s retirement, a gaping void has some what been left in his absence- a void that has been crying out to be filled by the next Puerto Rican prodigy. Not that there haven’t been some very good fighters in the last few years, but none have really succeeded totally in dominating a division, on top of embodying the spirit of an entire nation through their ring performances. Miguel Cotto, Kermit Cintron, Ivan Calderon, and more recently the likes of Juan Manuel Lopez & Wilfredo Vasquez Jr have all at some point shown considerable amounts of promise, yet all had their legacy dented by knockout defeats.

Which brings us to the latest virtuoso candidate, hoping to take the boxing world by storm. Thomas Dulorme (12-0, 10 KO‘s) will defend his undefeated record October 22nd when he takes on Venezuela’s Charlie Jose Navarro (20-4, 15 KO‘s). Fresh off his dominant 10 round unanimous decision over experienced journeyman DeMarcus Corley, in only the 2nd fight of his blossoming pro career that has gone the distance, Dulorme will hope to attract more fans and put on an impressive show.

Already in his short career, he’s fought at lightweight, light-welterweight, and has currently settled at welterweight- and at 5’10” coupled with a 70” reach, he certainly has the physical dimensions to succeed at 147 LB’s. Heavy-handed, demonstrated by 10 straight KO’s, along with a Golden Gloves championship and a reported amateur record of 140-2; Thomas certainly has all the credentials on paper to strive as Trinidad’s “successor” in the eyes of both the Puerto Rican boxing contingent and worldwide boxing fans alike. Whether or not he’ll translate this into the ring however, succeeding in what Cotto, Calderon and Lopez have so far failed to do, remains to be seen.

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