During his ring entrance 18 year-old Philly Lightweight Branden “The Gift” Pizarro comes in with “shades” on and dancing up into the ring with his fan’s screaming for him! His father and trainer Angel Pizarro right with him. Right there at all times is his beautiful mother cheering him on!
Pizarro has won eleven of his twelve fights with five stoppages since turning professional on October of 2016 ten days after turning 17! His first three fights were at the SugarHouse Casino in Philly ending his first fight in 0:39 over Puerto Rico’s Eqequiel Ocasio!
“Having another successful camp is a blessing from the man above. Every fight is a step forward and a lesson learned. This camp was a success and we are focused on our task Saturday night. Branden has been looking amazing in camp and is growing daily. After Branden’s last fight we’ve got a lot of positive comments on how good he looked and how much he has grown. We appreciate everyone’s love and support in and out of the ring. I want to thank all the writers especially Ken Hissner for always checking up and staying on top of the boxing game,” said Angel Pizarro.
In December Pizarro won 40-36 on all score cards over experienced Mexican Jesus Lule. In February of 2017 he scored a knockout at 2:42 of the first round over Puerto Rico’s unbeaten Abdiel Padilla putting him into retirement.
In March Pizarro won all four rounds including a knockdown over Matt Murphy of St. Louis at the Fillmore in Philly. In April at the Liacouras Center in Philly he defeated Chris Gutierrez of Texas 40-36 twice and 39-37.
In June at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ, Pizarro knockout out Puerto Rico’s Angel “Prieto” Hernandez at 0:26 of the sixth and last round. In August he traveled to Rivers Casino, in Pittsburgh defeating Mexico’s Israel “Isra” Villela, 6-5, in what would be the first of two fights down the road.
In September Pizarro took on tough Tyrone “Hands of Stone” Luckey, 8-7-3, back at the SugarHouse Casino in Philly stopping him at 0:26 of the fourth round in a scheduled six scoring three knockdowns. In December he suffered his first defeat at the hands of Christian Rivera, 6-0, 58-55, 58-54 and 57-56 at the SugarHouse Casino. Rivera has not fought since.
Pizarro came back in March of this year winning all four rounds over Mexico’s Pablo Cupul, a veteran of thirty-two fights at the Fillmore in Philly. In May and his second fight with Villela at the 2300 Arena in South Philly he won all six rounds 60-54.
In Pizarro’s last fight in August he stopped Hector Marengo, 7-12-4, at 1:32 of the second round of a scheduled six. He is schedule to return to action on October 6th at South Philly’s Arena.
KEN HISSNER: What was your amateur background like?
BRANDEN PIZARRO: My amateur record was great. My amateur record was 65-5 with 32ko’s. I traveled to many places. Winning Gold in the Junior Olympics in Dallas, TX, won the Ringside tournament four years back to back in Kansas City, MO, winning silver and bronze in the Youth nationals in Las Vegas, NV. I did a lot at a young age, which allowed me to sign turning pro at 16 and 10 days later fight at 17.
KEN HISSNER: I remember seeing you and your brother Angel in your first fights with your father Angel and “Bozy” Ennis in your corner. I understand your father now has his own gym. Where is it?
BRANDEN PIZARRO: Yes, we are still a team. My father and I just got our own gym that’s located on “I and Tioga” called “The Gift’s Boxing Gym”.
KEN HISSNER: You seemed to have found a “home” at the SugarHouse Casino having five of your twelve fights there. Would that be one of your favorite places to fight?
BRANDEN PIZARRO: Honestly, no, I would never go back to the SugarHouse Casino. There’s nothing there for me at all. I only want to expand and get bigger and better in life.
KEN HISSNER: You spent five months out of Philly going to Atlantic City and Pittsburgh. Was that a good experience?
BRANDEN PIZARRO: Yes! Fighting outside of Philly was an amazing experience that I would do over and over again.
KEN HISSNER: You returned to Philly and took on tough Tyrone “Hands of Stone” Luckey knocking him down three times stopping him in the fourth round. Was that a tough fight being you would come back three fights later in probably your toughest fight?
BRANDEN PIZARRO: Sharing the ring with Tyrone Luckey was something I would never forget being we shared the ring with Jason Sosa and Tevin Farmer. The fight was tough but I was determined my whole training camp and leading up to the fight I knew what I wanted to do in there. My mind was made up and I did exactly what I planned in training camp. Personally my toughest fight was my second fight against tough veteran Jesus Lule, from Mexico. That fight gave me the boy to man transition. After that fight I knew I had to train super hard for every fight after that one.
KEN HISSNER: You next suffered your only loss to Christian Rivera, 6-0, who hasn’t fought since then in December of 2017. How tough was it suffering your first loss and has it made you a better boxer?
BRANDEN PIZARRO: My first and only loss broke me but then again made me what I am today. I don’t wish a loss on anyone. That pain is something unexplainable. Suffering my loss was horrible, but I’m young so I was able to pull through and get over that hump in my career. Ever since I lost I just evaluated all around inside and outside the ring. I think my performances speak for themselves.
KEN HISSNER: You came back in March of this year shutting out Pablo Cupul. Was it good getting back in the win column?
BRANDEN PIZARRO: Getting back to winning was something I couldn’t wait to do. I was just happy to be back where I belong.
KEN HISSNER: In May you had your rematch with Israel Villela. Was it easier the second time around shutting him out over six rounds?
BRANDEN PIZARRO: The rematch with Israel Villela was easier than the first time. The second time around I knew he would come at his best but so would I. He expected the same Branden as the first fight which made it easier for me because I’ve grown and learned so much.
KEN HISSNER: In your most recent fight last month you stopped experienced Hector Marengo in the second round. That was your first stoppage in almost a year after three straight decision bouts. Was it good to get the stoppage?
BRANDEN PIZARRO: Getting the stoppage over Hector was amazing. I could have stopped a few of my opponents but I wanted to show my boxing abilities as well. I’ve grown all around and learned that going for the knockout isn’t good. Getting the rounds in and the experience matters most.
KEN HISSNER: You will be returning to action on October 6th at the 2300 Arena. Do you have any idea how many rounds it will be for?
BRANDEN PIZARRO: Yes I will be returning October 6th at the 2300 Arena. The fight will be for 6 rounds.
KEN HISSNER: Do you’re fans yelling your name inspire you during you’re fights?
BRANDEN PIZARRO: Yes, heading into the ring hearing my fans yelling and chanting my name is something amazing. I get a rush through my body knowing I have an amazing support system being there watching me do what I love. But what inspires me the most is the kids looking up to me in and out of the ring. I love the kids and always want them to know that there aren’t any limits to greatness. Whatever they decide to do in life they can do it and never let anyone tell them otherwise.
KEN HISSNER: I wish you the best in your continuing success.
BRANDEN PIZARRO: I appreciate it. I’m here for a long time not a good time. Thank you all for the outstanding support. I fight for you all! Always remember. “Team Work Makes The Dream Work!”