NEWARK, New Jersey – Amateur standout Ramon Ordonez has signed a promotional deal with ProBox TV and will make his professional debut next month.

A 19-year-old southpaw from Newark, New Jersey, Ordonez will make his pro debut on May 1 at Live! Casino and Hotel in Hanover, Maryland, in a four-round featherweight bout on the undercard of the Tsendbaatar Erdenebat vs Cobia Breedy card.

Ordonez had been one of the United States’ top amateurs in recent years, making it to the US national team in 2025 while competing at the World Championships in England and the World Boxing Cup in Brazil as the youngest boxer on the squad. A five-time national champion, Ordonez had his first amateur bout at age 8 and fought in more than 50 bouts total, with most coming in national tournaments. Ordonez said he mulled over several deals that were presented to him by manager Rick Mirigian before deciding on signing with ProBox TV.

“People are going to love what I bring to the table. When people get to see me showcase my skills, they’re gonna love what they see,” said Ordonez, a boxer-puncher with two-fisted power who uses smooth footwork and tight defense to outmaneuver opponents.

Mirigian, who manages top junior middleweight Vergil Ortiz Jnr and guided Jose Ramirez to world titles at 140lbs, believes he has a future star on his hands.

“Ramon was the best amateur in USA Boxing there was, an elite blue-chip prospect, without question,” Mirigian said. “I've managed guys for 14 years, and some of the biggest names in the sport, and when every promoter wants a fighter and throws their names and offers in, then you know you have something special.

“ProBox has a very bright future from every angle, and [they] stepped up and did the only thing in this sport you can to show a fighter you’re all in and care: They wrote him a check bigger than anyone else’s. Expect this young man to emerge as one of Puerto Rico's brightest prospects.” 

[Editor’s note: BoxingScene is owned by ProBox TV co-founder and CEO Garry Jonas.]

To prepare Ordonez for the professional ranks and help round out his skill set, the fighter and his father, Victor, have added trainer Eric Roman, a veteran coach from New York. Roman, who has worked with pros such as Richardson Hitchins and Khalil Coe, says that Ordonez’s amateur experience plus being in the gym with world titlists like Shakur Stevenson and Hitchins have prepared him for the next level.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Roman. “We’ve been building him up little by little, getting him acclimated to the rounds. Even though it’s a four-rounder, we want to start getting him ready quick and move him into six rounds soon.”

Ordonez, whose parents hail from Arecibo, Puerto Rico, says his goal is to become the next Puerto Rican superstar, following in the footsteps of his favorites, Felix "Tito" Trinidad and Miguel Cotto.

“I want to become world champion – that’s definitely a goal of mine,” he said. “I also want to leave my mark and impact on the sport. I just look back at films of Miguel Cotto and Tito Trinidad, the love they would get from their people. Those guys had parades thrown for them after their fights.

“I want to be that next Puerto Rican superstar for my people. I want to be able to be the people’s champ.”

Ryan Songalia is a reporter and editor for BoxingScene.com and has written for ESPN, the New York Daily News, Rappler, The Guardian, Vice and The Ring magazine. He holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at ryansongalia@gmail.com or on Twitter at @ryansongalia.