Philippines, 12 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:

  • Tyson Fury gets a unanimous decision victory after 12 rounds against Arslanbek Makhmudov in England
    , Sun, 12 Apr 2026
  • 'The Take Over' Renden Oppas Scores Win in Australia
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026
  • CK Ingles: A Chess Player, Chess Team Manager - CHESS KINGS, Chess Tournament and Event Organizer
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026
  • Hebert Conceicao Sousa Wins Perilous Unanimous Decision over Johan Gonzalez in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Prudential Center  in Brick City
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • ARGENTINE KO KING CHAVES FACES MADUENO IN LAS VEGAS
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Team USA Clinches Eight Medals At 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Weights From ‘Mielnicki vs. Huerta’ Event from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Boquiren to face Olmillo in RFL on April 18
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • USA Opens Strong at 2026 Gee Bee Tournament In Helsinki
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Filipino chess prodigy Nika Juris Nicolas eyes Woman International Master title
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Blazen Rocili "The Filipino Giant" Dominates in Statement Victory at "Rumble in the UNE," Improves to 10-0
    , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Oppas to face Lu on April 11 in Australia
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Ilar, Infiesto to play in Guevarra Chess Cup
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Pabular to face Kitano on April 13 at Korakuen Hall
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Five reasons why IBA NOMAD 14 in Almaty is worth watching
    , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Antonio bounces back in Sydney International Open Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Los Angeles Prospect Jahvad McDermott
    , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Staying active is Magsayo’s priority
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Abu Bakar ready to rumble against Singh on April 11
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Atty. Aldwin Alegre is set to compete in the 23rd Bangkok Chess Club Open 2026 to be held at the Luxurious Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa, Thailand from April 11-19, 2026.
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • WEIGH IN RESULTS IGLESIAS VS SILYAGIN - TOMORROW NIGHT IN MONTREAL!
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Kristian Prenga Headlines “Crossroads in Brick City” on June 6 in Newark
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Macala, Silva, Lopez to play in 14th Atty. Jong Guevarra Cup
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Former World Champion Miguel Berchelt Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in  Las Vegas
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Sem Japet Enano Stuns Hometown Favorite Tyrell Adams to Claim IBO Oceania Featherweight Title
    , Thu, 09 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.