There was a time when the club boxing scene flourished in the state of New York. Dating back to the golden age of boxing, these club shows built fighters in the same weight division to eventually meet in the ultimate showdown for "Bragging Rights."

On Friday, June 8, Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing turns back the clock, with the 31st edition of Rockin' Fights at The Paramount. Headlining the event in a junior welterweight tilt, will be local hero's, Long Island's own, ANTHONY "SHOWTIME" KARPERIS (15-3 5KO's) against Queens native, DANNY "EL GALLO" GONZALEZ (15-1-1 6KO's) in a "Battle For The Paramount".  

Both Karperis and Gonzalez are no strangers to the Rockin' Fights series at The Paramount. Karperis returns for his fifth consecutive Rockin' Fights main event, coming out victorious in his last opportunity, against tough Nicaraguan, Nelson Lara. This will be Karperis' seventeenth fight at The Paramount going back to 2012. During his tenure at the great Long Island venue, Karperis earned himself the New York State Super Lightweight Title in 2016.

Gonzalez will step into the ring in June, looking to remain undefeated at his home away from home. A victory would make it eight consecutive wins at The Paramount, the last coming in March against Juan de la cruz Rodriguez by way of TKO. This will be the first headliner for Gonzalez.

Karperis is known for his agility and hand speed, creating angles to break down his opponents. "Showtime" has proven to use this agility to his advantage, taking down the likes of prospects Scott Burrell, Ariel Duran and fellow Long Islander, Alan Gotay.

Gonzalez is a true New York boxer, who is not afraid to slug it out. Continuing his busy year, this will be Gonzalez's fourth fight in as much time, previously taking out the likes of Samuel Amoako and Jerome Rodriguez. "El Gallo" knows a win at The Paramount will help him take the next step in his career.

Karperis had these comments about the importance of this fight,"I'm very excited to be celebrating my 30th birthday on the same night as my 20th professional fight. My preparation and skill will be well on display on June 8th, as I secure a victory on this special night and take the next step in my career."

Gonzalez, himself, had this to say of the upcoming bout, "I am very excited for this oppurtunity. You will see the best Danny Gonzalez you have ever seen on June 8th. I want to thank my coaching and management team for getting me this opportunity."

"Rockin' Fights 31" brings together two New York based fighters, in a "Battle For The Paramount." The arena in which both men have gone to war, time and time again. However this time, on June 8th, only one can be crowned the true king of The Paramount.

Star Boxing President, Joe DeGuardia had these remarks on the main event, "Both Anthony Karperis and Danny Gonzalez have grown large followings at The Paramount, and I know this is a fight that Long Island fans want to see. There is nothing like a good, old-fashioned neighborhood brawl to kick the summer off. Karperis impressed in his last main event in March, and Danny, fighting in his first main event, has shown that he does not shy away from the bright lights. This is a true, gritty, Long Island fight, and one you will not want to miss."

To understand a fighter like Kali Reis, you must first understand the person, Kali Reis. Born on Aug 24, 1986 in Providence, Rhode Island, Kali's roots stem well into American history with her Native American heritage.

The name "Mequinonoag", which she carries into the ring with her for every fight, was bestowed on her as her Native American name. Kali explains that the name was, "given to me by my mother, she is the medicine woman of our Seaconke Wampanoag tribe. It means "May Feathers", or "Many Talents." Kali is a proud, mixed Native warrior women.

Carrying the Native Warrior blood of the Cherokee, Nipmuc, and Seaconke Wampanoag tribes, the Providence-born fighter started boxing at the age of 14 out of Manfredo's Gym in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Prior to turning pro, Reis had a brief, but successful amateur career, securing a variety of achievements such as the 2007 Rocky Marciano Championship, the 2007 NYC Golden Gloves at 154 pounds, and the 2006 New England 154 Championship.

Professionally, Kali has already attained three world titles. In 2014, she TKO'd Teresa Perozzi to win the International Boxing Association Female Middleweight Championship. Two years later in 2016, Reis earned a vicious first-round TKO win over Victoria Cisneros for the Universal Boxing Federation World Female Middleweight title. In that same year, only two months later, the Rhode Island fighter went the full distance in a 10 round war with Maricela Cornejo, winning a clear unanimous decision victory to earn the WBC World Female Middleweight belt.

One of her most impressive performances came against a tough Tiffany Woodward in November. Entering the ring to a traditional Native American display, the Providence Warrior went toe-to-toe with Woodward, creating constant uproars from the packed crowd resulting in her earning a six-round unanimous decision victory at Mohegan Sun Casino, and easily the fight of the night. Catching the eye of renowned New York boxing promoter, Joe DeGuardia, Reis was immediately signed to Star Boxing Inc..

Joe DeGuardia had this to say about signing Reis, "After watching Kali put on a truly impressive performance at Mohegan Sun in November, I knew she deserved to be signed, and that a big fight would be on the horizon." DeGuardia continued, "We are extremely happy to get Kali a fight of this magnitude, as the first ever female to be a feature fight on HBO, and we know that fans will gravitate to her style, and persona, in and out of the ring."

On May 5th at the StubHub Center, Kali will enter the ring, just as she always does, in a traditional Native American display, literally carrying her Native American pride on her sleeve. However, with this entrance, history will be made. Kali aims to upset the apple cart, defeat Braekhus and secure the four most prestigious championships in the sport (IBF, WBO, WBA, WBC), which are all held by the women considered to be the best boxer in the world today, the undefeated, undisputed welterweight champion, Cecilia Braekhus. With a win, Kali will immediately establish herself as one of the greatest decorated female boxers of all time.

Braekhus vs Reis is the co-feature bout to the main event of Golovkin vs Martirosyan airing on HBO, May 5th, live from the StubHub Center in Carson, California.

ORANGE, Calif. - Giovani Santillan (24-0, 14 KOs) made a compelling case for a world title shot opportunity by knocking out Alejandro Barboza (11-2, 7 KOs) in the second round Friday night from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.

With the win, Santillan retains the WBO NABO welterweight title and could conceivably climb from his No. 5 ranking. It was Santillan's second successful title defense - both by knockout - since winning the belt by second round stoppage over Sammy Valentin in Valentin's hometown of Tampa, Fla. last July.

"I told everyone that I was going to finish this fight early and that's what I did," Santillan said. "I normally don't predict knockouts, but I'm fighting with such confidence right now that I think I can beat anyone in the welterweight division."

The shot that ended it all - a crushing left hook to the body in the second round that crippled Barboza (2:33 mark). Since moving up to welterweight for the Valentin fight, Santillan has three early knockout wins on his resume. The southpaw from San Diego, Calif. is settling in nicely in what is perhaps boxing's most loaded division.

"My punches are definitely stronger at 147," said Santillan, who has been with Thompson Boxing since the early days of his career. "After the first round I knew I would be able to knock out Barboza. I was able to push him around basically. When I saw the midsection open up in the second round, I went for it."