An undefeated prospect and an amateur standout making his pro debut will fight on Sept. 21, CBN Promotions announced Thursday.
Middleweight Blazen Rocili, who is of Filipino descent, and junior bantamweight Terry Washington will fight in separate bouts, against fighters to be determined, at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California.
Both four-round fights will be part of the CBN Promotions card which will stream live across multiple platforms including Fubo Sports, Fox Deportes, Stadium, Gray TV (9:30pm ET/ 6:30pm PT), and on tape delay by Estrella TV.
“The Filipino community in Los Angeles absolutely needs to come out to see this kid fight,” said Alex Camponovo, who is the president of CBN Promotions. “It’s rare to see a Filipino boxer of Blazen’s stature, and he is an absolute talent. He is someone you don’t want to miss.
Terry Washington – Photo courtesy of CBN Promotions
“’Terrible’ Terry Washington is (also) a special talent, and we are excited to have him make his professional debut with us. His achievements speak for themselves, and we believe he will be a name that everyone in the sport will remember for years to come.”
Rocili (6-0, 5 KOs), who lives in Waipahu, Hawaii, last fought on April 20 of last year, stopping Zamir Young in the third round. In his previous fight in April 2022, Rocili defeated Matt Perez by majority decision.
The 22-year-old will fight for the first time in Southern California, where a large number of Filipino-Americans live. Rocili hopes to make up for lost time over the past few months, eager to showcase his talents and establish himself in the middleweight division.
“I was itching to get back in the ring,” said Rocili, who looks set to follow in the footsteps of his favorite fighter, Filipino great Manny Pacquiao. “After a long layoff, I feel stronger, more focused and ready to show everyone the improvements I’ve made. I am determined to carry the torch for Filipino boxing. It is a dream to follow in the footsteps of legends like Manny Pacquiao, and I believe I have what it takes to be the next big star. This fight will be worth the wait.”
“Fighting in California, especially for the first time, is an honor. I want to personally invite all my Filipino brothers and sisters to come out and support. Having the Filipino community behind me means everything. I’m excited to perform in front of a new crowd and I plan to make them proud. A win here will push me closer to where I need to be. This is just the beginning of a long journey, and each victory brings me one step closer to my ultimate goal.”
Rocili is trained by Richard Barrientes and managed by Andrew Bocanegra, who is the president of Boks VIP.
Washington, who lives and trains in the Southern California division of the Inland Empire, was a 2024 Olympic Trials champion, who was awarded the ‘Most Outstanding Boxer’ at the Olympic Trials. He also won a gold medal at the 2024 World Invitational International.
After a successful amateur career, Washington hopes to make a name for himself as a prizefighter.
“To fight on a CBN Promotions card, especially one that is televised, is an incredible opportunity,” Washington said. “I am grateful for the platform to showcase my skills from the beginning of my career to a wider audience. My ultimate goal is to become a world champion, and this is a first step. I’m ready to put in the work and do whatever it takes to reach the top.”
“Terry is the real deal, and anyone who comes to see him fight on September 21st is in for a treat,” said Ian Franklin, who trains and manages Washington. “He has the skills, the strength and the drive to go all the way in this sport. This kid was destined for greatness from day one. This is his time to shine.”
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached at (email protected)
