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Raymond “The Scientist” Cuadrado Returns and More on What’s Ahead

Image Credit: Courtesy of Raymond Cuadrado

NEW YORK, NY — Inside Ridgewood Brotherhood Boxing Gym located on the border of Ridgewood, Queens and Bushwick, Brooklyn are amateur and pro fighters. They train and prepare, looking to become the next champion in a sport that thrives on success. 

On the far end is undefeated pro fighter Raymond “The Scientist” Cuadrado (8-0-0, 3KOs), a super lightweight at 140 from nearby Flushing, Queens. A 30-year-old New York City firefighter who hopes his fight this Saturday evening, October 10th at the Paramount in Huntington, NY, goes on as planned.

He opposes Efstathios Antonas (13-3-2, 4 KOs), a 29-year-old known as “The Greek God” who resides in nearby Astoria, Queens. The main event highlights one of five bouts of Rockin’ Fights 55 with the Paramount out on Long Island having become a successful venue for promoter Joe DeGuardia and Star Boxing.

The road though to contention for Cuadrado and attempt at achieving that success in a potential championship fight has been difficult to obtain. Not his fault since boxing as we know is a tough grind, a matter of those boxing technicalities falling in place at times.

Cuadrado, proud to represent his Puerto Rican and Filipino heritage, has been a victim of that, as his last three scheduled fights were canceled due to either weight or medical issues, forcing his opponent to pull out because of the athletic commission’s regulations.

It’s frustrating to him and disappointing. Friends, members of the gym where he trains, family and brothers in the FDNY including those in his unit of Engine 302 in South Jamaica, Queens feel his frustration.

They ask him what caused the latest step back? He says it’s a part of the boxing business but Cuadrado is resilient, patient and persistent. It’s been over three years since his last fight, a four round unanimous decision against Dominican Yeuri Andujar at Sony Hall’s ballroom in New York City.

In June of 2025, Raymond “The Scientist” Cuadrado had the opportunity to be a part of the 68th Annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade in Manhattan – Image Credit: Courtesy of Raymond Cuadrado

That June of 2023 victory was during his first year employed as one of New York’s “Bravest” known as the FDNY, a job that also presents a similar challenge like boxing.

“It’s been discouraging but at the same time, they just want to see me active,” Cuadrado says about his followers, family, friends and co-workers. “I’m always at the gym. The sport does not love you back some times but I’m just taking every fight as it comes.”

He sells tickets, a part of every promotion and obligation that fighters have in their contract when they sign on the dotted line. The hassle of returning those refunds can be as frustrating as preparing for a fight. But there is always the comeback bout and Cuadrado is in the final stages of preparation towards his Saturday night.

“Yes, it does get discouraging when a fight gets called,” he says. “You start to question things, I always had too much love for this sport, just the luck of the draw. One thing that favors me: I would rather do it myself than watch someone else do it. It just drives me. I see myself doing it more than watching somebody and that motivates me to try for more.”

And watching Cuadrado is looking at a scientist up-close, the nickname is appropriate with a nice jab, skills of going to the body and for the finish. He is technical and contains that old school style in the ring. Renowned Brooklyn trainer and coach Joe Higgins, retired from the FDNY, again will be in his corner. They’ve known each other for a long time, have grown a strong friendship and good chemistry together.

“It’s a comeback fight,” Cuadrado says. “Fighting a guy with more wins than me, being more active the past three years. I’m embracing this as a step up fight for me. This is a challenge I’m looking forward to moving past and when I’m done hopefully look into another step up fight to get in that contention of getting ranked for a belt in the future.”

Cuadrado says he wants a championship belt and is still relatively young towards completing that accomplishment. Time is still on his side. Whether it’s a win, lose, draw or another unfortunate fallout of his opponent, he intends to continue that journey of success.

“I will take it as far as I can take it,” he says. 

Hop on StarBoxing.com for the full fight card information, details on how to watch, purchase tickets and more.

FINALLY JOSHUA-FURY

We have a fight with heavyweights Anthony Joshua (30-4-0, 27 KOs) and Tyson Fury (32-2-1, 25 KOs), former champions and perhaps a decade too late when they were once sparring partners.

Regardless a clash between two of the most well known names in the heavyweight division but one that has no real significance with no titles on the line.

It is who will prevail and ponder their futures when they step in the ring at the Principality in Cardiff, Wales on December 11th with the action streamed live globally on Netflix.

The fight is billed as the all-British heavyweight clash and one for superiority as to who is the best in the United Kingdom.

Words were exchanged though there were more pleasantries with the two at their press conference kicking off the fight this week. The animosity was more between Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn who handles Joshua and Zuffa Boxing head Dana White, making for dominant headlines.

Delays of an official announcement was due to White, the promoter, who says he is involved with production of the fight. Meanwhile Hearn with lawsuits in the balance claims that White has no business with this fight or promotion.

And add in, Zuffa and TKO are involved with the finances and connection with Turki Al-Sheikh, the Saudi government official and chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and his business with Netflix and streaming rights.

So for now, all is good for Joshua and Fury who have been a part of heavyweight boxing history. But not so much with Hearn and White who continue to go punch-for-punch on social media and online boxing media outlets.

Stay tuned for more of the drama, not with the fighters but with Hearn and White.

NEXT MOVE FOR TEÓFIMO? 

Teófimo López (23-2, 13 KOs) won the WBA Welterweight championship last month with a dominant win over Rolando Romero and is back in the gym, awaiting the arrival of a newborn. Speculation is growing on who is next in a competitive division as he seeks to take over and unify the titles.

Of course speculation with the champions Devin Haney (WBO) and Ryan Garcia (WBC) in talks for his next fight, mega would be the words. Recently López had also been ordered to defend his title against Brit Jack Catterall according to the WBA or his belt will be vacated.

A fight with Garcia would have much more appeal, then again, the governing bodies have control of challenges and in a nutshell that continues to be that dark cloud for the sport.

López when we last talked expressed his interest in fighting Garcia. The anticipation grew when Garcia challenged him to meet in the ring after his commanding title defense win over Conor Benn.

Sources informed me and not López that every effort will be made to stage a López-Garcia fight early next year. 

Boxing politics and WBA could put an end to it and if so, fans once again would pay the price by being denied a fight they have been calling for.

Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and columnist at LatinoSports.com with coverage of MLB, boxing, and MLS – X:@Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso

Keep It In The Ring weekly with Rich @YouTube. Latest boxing and pro wrestling analysis with recaps and guests. Like, comment, subscribe Rich Mancuso @Youtube

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