FRANK BARTOLINI (April 10, 2026) – An active weekend of prizefighting for the Garden State kicked off when Thomas LaManna’s Rising Star Promotions staged a twelve bout fightcard titled Brick City Fights.

Pro Box Promotions worked in conjunction with Rising Star and aired a portion of the event on Pro Box TV.

Headlining the evening, WBO #15-ranked Hebert Conceicao Sousa (11-0, 5 KOs) of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, faced Johan “The Chelo Manotas” Gonzalez (36-5, 34 KOs) of Las Vegas via Valencia, Venezuela, in a scheduled ten rounder. Held at the Prudential Center the show was part of the Pro Box “Contender Series” Sousa, a 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist held Gonzalez at bay the first two sessions. Then during the third Conceicao got through with an overhand right that landed on Sousa chin. As a result of the blow Sousa found himself on the seat of his trunks. Sousa regained his footing and continued to show signs of promise in a nip and tuck battle. Brought in as a test and not a soft touch, the seasoned Gonzalez has 34 knockout wins on his slate. After ten closely contested heats Sousa eked out a unanimous decision by scores of 96-93, 95-94 twice.

Not ready for the big time but with a ton of potential Sousa is now 11-0 5 kayos. Still with plenty is his tank Gonzalez is now 36-6 34 Ko’s. The night’s 10-round co-featured bout, Francisco “Bebu” Daniel Veron (17-1-1, 10 KOs) of Buenos Aires, Argentina, scored a unanimous 10-round decision over Raul Garcia (15-3-1, 12
KOs) of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Scores of 97-93, 98-92 and 98-92. Thunderous punching, featherweight prospect, hometown hero and love by the area’s Puerto Rican community Keith “Tsunami” Colon (10-0, 10 KOs) hammered out a dominating first-round TKO over Luis “Chacal” Almendarez Morales (8-5-1, 3 KOs) of Tijuana. Colon dropped and destroyed Almendarez Morales with a right hand with 30 seconds left in the opening round. Referee Richard Gonzalez started the ten count until he declared enough damage was done. The official time was 2:38 of the opener.