Philippines, 22 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Celebrated amateur boxer Keno Luna to make pro debut at home Dec. 9 in Worcester, MA

PhilBoxing.com




QUINCY, Mass. (November 20, 2023) – Four-time New England Golden Gloves Champion Keno Luna will make his long anticipated professional debut at home on Saturday night, December 9, fighting on the “Pandemonium at the Palladium 2” card, presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), in a four-round bout against Moises Riveira.

All of the action will be streamed live on BXNGTV.com from the famed Palladium in Luna’s hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts.. GCP has partnered with Project New Hope, a Worcester-based charity that supports veterans and their families.

In addition to winning four N.E. Golden Gloves titles, Luna (67-18 amateur record) is a five-time Silver Mittens champion, who also reached the semi-finals of the 2019 and 2023 National Golden Gloves Tournament. He is trained by Chico Lopez at Ken Ball’s Camp Right Boxing Gym in Worcester.

“I wanted to make it to the Olympic Qualifiers this year, but I fell short,” Luna explained why he’s turning pro now. “I felt robbed and everybody else did too. I didn’t want to wait four more years to try and make the (2028) Olympics.

“I’m only going to be better as a pro, because my style is better suited for it than the amateurs, where it’s all about punching for points. I like to take my time and pick spots. I’m a southpaw who people in the gym have been calling mini-Pacquiao. I’m a speedy southpaw who started going to the gym when I was 10. I didn’t really know much about Manny Pacquiao, but once I started watching his fights, I realized why they were calling me mini-Pacquiao.”

Fighting at home as one of the leaders of the new wave of Worcester boxers means a lot to the 21-year-old Luna. He is aware of his hometown’s rich tradition of producing elite fighters for the past century, including top 10-rated lightweight contender Jamaine Ortiz.

“Fighting my pro debut at home is like a dream come true for me,” Luna said. I can’t wait. I’m happy and excited about this opportunity. I’ve trained with sparred Jamaine and it’s meant so much to me. He’s been my inspiration and look where he is today.”

Two other Worcester fighters are on the card as well, light heavyweight Kendrick Ball, Jr. (21-1-3, 12 KOs), and junior middleweight Khiary “Too Sharp” Gray (17-6, 13 KOs). Ball will be fighting for his third title when he faces Heber Rondon (20-5,13 KOs), of Venezuela, in an eight-round match for the vacant United States Boxing Federation (USBF) Light Heavyweight Championship. Gray fights for the first time in two years, squaring off with veteran Jimmy “The Quiet Storm” Williams (18-13-2, 6 KOs) in a six-round bout match that could steal the show.

“We are honored to have Keno’s first professional bout on a Granite Chin event,” GCP president Chris Traietti remarked. “All the chatter about him has been enthusiastic and optimistic that he has the goods to go somewhere in boxing. It all just adds to the quality of the card being put on December 9th. Granite Chin is displaying the immediate and relatively soon future of Massachusetts boxing.”

The stacked “Pandemonium at the Palladium 2,” card also has International Boxing Association (IBA) Americas Super Middleweight and Massachusetts Light Heavyweight Champion Steve “The Savage” Sumpter (9-0, 7 KOs) fighting an opponent to soon be announced.

Card subject to change.

Tickets are on sale and available for purchase online at www.ThePalladium.net.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET, first bout at 7 p.m. ET.

INFORMATION:
Facebook.com/GraniteChin
X (Twitter): @Granite_Chin




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • May 16: Kelvin Davis-Peter Dobson Welterweight Clash & Yan Santana-Cristian Cruz Featherweight Battle Added to Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright II Card LIVE on DAZN
    , Wed, 22 Apr 2026
  • World Super Flyweight contender John ‘Scrappy’ Ramirez waiting for Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez’ final decision
    , Wed, 22 Apr 2026
  • Former champ Lawrence Okolie tested positive in VADA testing
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 22 Apr 2026
  • Salim Ellis-Bey Secures Win for Team USA on Day One of World Boxing Cup - Stage 1
    , Wed, 22 Apr 2026
  • Garcia, Young, Gatus banner tough field in 20th Philippine Xiangqi Open Tournament on May 1
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 22 Apr 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION APRIL 20 APRIL 2026: Baumgardner Outpoints Shin, Retains IBF/WBA/WBO 130 Lb Titles; Daniels Stops Green in 9; Lorente SD Collins in WBC Welter Eliminator
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • ​Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Year of Memories Between the Ring and Faith
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • High Stakes in Ufa: Subkhankulov and Usmonov Clash for IBF #2 Spot
    By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Elorde Jr. is new PBF president
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Ancajas wins 1st bout as feather
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Ito knockouts Lerasan in 1st round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Kristian ‘KP’ Prenga developing into Albanian heavyweight boxing GOAT
    , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • IIEE PSME Quezon City Simba’s Tribe amazed with GAB Chairman Rivera’s advocacy for chess players
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • ‘CALM’ PERO READY TO FACE MILLER’S FIRE
    , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Hall of Famer Rafael Marquez's son Aaron wins professional debut
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Top Super Featherweights Tsendy Erdenebat & Cobia Breedy Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Registration Now Open for the Return of the Butterfly Brawl at the Iconic Santa Monica Pier – August 22, 2026
    , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Brackets Set for USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team at World Boxing Cup - Stage One
    , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Team Altagracia Primus Praedia Land Holding champ in Pacquiao chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • 2-Division World Champion  Daniel Ponce De León Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: First Round Game 1 Recap
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Mon, 20 Apr 2026
  • FIDE Master Ivan Travis Cu gains a total of 36 rating points, bringing his FIDE rating to 2321 by May after completing 2 chess tournaments in Spain
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 20 Apr 2026
  • Irish super middleweight prospect Tommy ‘The Governor’ Hyde Improves to 15-0 with 10th KO
    , Mon, 20 Apr 2026
  • IBA Bare-Knuckle Director attends historic Gambian Elite National Championships
    , Sun, 19 Apr 2026
  • Rosales stops Obedencio in RFL 4
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 19 Apr 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.