Omar Rosario Taken The Distance By Tough and Durable Raekwon Butler
At the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York, Omar Rosario (6-0, 2 KOs) squared off against Raekwon Butler (4-2, 2 KOs) in a six-round junior welterweight contest. Rosario is a prized pupil of the Top Rank promotional stable. Many pundits believe the 23-year-old from Puerto Rico is one of the best prospects in the sport.
A six-time national champion, he hails from Caguas, the same city which produced former four-division world champ and national legend Miguel Cotto. In 2020 and 2021, Edgar Berlanga and Xander Zayas came to the forefront and caught the eye of the boxing masses. They both come from a boxing-rich Puerto Rican heritage. Rosario has visions of being the next fighter in line to make a splash. He faced the southpaw Butler who, on paper, was the toughest test of his career.
ON ATTACK MODE
Rosario swarmed the opening bell. Understanding he was in with a slick counterpuncher, the former amateur star threw punches in bunches. It paid off as he shook Butler with body and headshots. At the end of the first, the fight looked like it would end sooner and later.
Credit goes to Butler for gaining his composure and using his legs. He was also doing a good job of blocking and parrying the punches. Whenever Rosario threw, the southpaw answered with combinations of his own.
In the end, the aggression and work-rate of Rosario was the separator, and the judges scored the fight in his favor by unanimous decision (58-55, 59-54×2). Overall, this will be a teaching lesson for the winner. Young and very talented, look for Rosario to become a better fighter moving forward.
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By: Michael WIlson Jr.
