Acosta Makes First Title Defence In Hato Rey

WBO Light Flyweight Champion Tito Acosta will make his first title defense against Nicaraguan challenger Carlos "Chocorroncito" Buitrago in the 12-round main event at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico Center in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico on June 16.

Building his own legacy in a traditionally rich, hot-bed for boxing like Puerto Rico, Acosta (17-1, 17 KOs) captured the vacant WBO title last December at Madison Square Garden, when he knocked out Juan Alejo (24-4-1), of Mexico, in the 10^th round.

An outstanding amateur boxer with more than 180 bouts, highlighted by his gold-medal performance at the Central American Games,), the San Juan-based fighter has defeated Juan Guzman, Japhet Uutoni and Luis Ceja.

"My goal is to be the best," Acosta said. "I grew-up watching Tito Trinidad and Miguel Cotto, who are my favorite fighters. I will work as hard as I can to give the best to my family, as well as make my island proud. I will win on June 16^th and let the world know that I am the best 108-pound boxer in the world."

Having a future Hall of Famer such as Cotto as his promoter is a tremendous advantage, in and out of the ring, for Acosta. "It means a lot and is an honor for me to have a living legend like Miguel Cotto as my promoter," Acosta explained. "He has guided my career the best way. He also gets involved in my camp and wants me to get better and better every fight."

"Tito Acosta is a really good fighter," Cotto commented about his protégé. "He is World Champion for a reason. We will work to give him the best opportunities. Tito has an opportunity to show the world on June 16^th what he is made of and who he is. As World Champion, he needs to be at the highest level to have a brilliant performance each fight, because the better performances and victories, the bigger name he will build."

"It is important for a fighter to do his job in the ring because every performance is a unique opportunity to show the world who you are and at what level you belong. People in Puerto Rico love boxing, and its fighters."

WBA #2-rated Buitrago (30-3-1, 17 KOs) will be fighting in his fifth world title fight, after losing three times with one draw. He was stopped for the first time in his last fight this past December, by undefeated International Boxing Federation (IBF) Minimumweight World Champion Hiroto Kyoguchi (8-0), in the eighth round of their title fight in Japan.

All three of Buitrago’s career losses have been to world champions, including a pair to Thammanooon Niyomtrong (11-0) in 2016 and 2014, both by way of 12-round unanimous decisions in Thailand for the Interim WBA title. Buitrago also fought a 12-round split draw in 2013 to then-WBO Minimum World Champion Merlito Sabillo (12-0) in Manila, Philippines.

"Chris Buitrago is a great fighter and tough challenger, who has the highest level of experience, and that motivates me," Acosta spoke about his Nicaraguan opponent. "People want to watch a toe-to-toe brawl and he brings that style. I think he will brawl with me, but I’ll be ready for any style he brings June 16^th.

"I work for the KO (he has 17 knockouts in his 17 wins) because that’s what fans like. I work for that every fight and I will win June 16^th by knockout!"