HUNTINGTON, NY — Raymond “The Scientist” Cuadrado sat anxiously, getting his hands wrapped behind a closed door downstairs Saturday night at the Paramount in Huntington, Long Island. He appeared prepared and all ready to go, returning to the ring after a three-year hiatus due to opponents’ failure cutting contracted weight and other circumstances. A probationary period of not competing as a newly installed firefighter in the FDNY.
But this day was coming, Raymond’s return. As the undercard proceeded for Rockin’ Fights 55, presented by Joe DeGuardia and Star Boxing, Cuadrado heard the small capacity crowd roaring upstairs. He was ready but anxious as if it was his professional boxing debut, though Cuadrado, 30, a Flushing, Queens resident out of Ridgewood had eight previous pro fights—all wins and three via the knockout route.
Making his three-plus year return to the ring Saturday night at the Paramount in Huntington, Long Island, Raymond “The Scientist” Cuadrado heard the crowd from above while he was preparing for his bout in a locker room downstairs – Image Credit: Roberto Carlo/Latino Sports
However any type of hiatus for a fighter is a rough road to climb, even at 30 years of age. There were those questions and anticipation about his return, the super featherweight weighed in at 138 and opposed Efstathios Antonas (13-3,2, 4 KO’s), a 29-year-old known as “The Greek God” who resides in nearby Astoria, Queens.
Both fighters were seeking bragging rights across nearby Queens neighborhoods in a friendly rivalry. Cuadrado sold a good share of his tickets to friends and fraternity brothers of FDNY’s Boxing team.
DeGuardia, a veteran at hosting an old school house show and former fighter himself, knew Cuadrado and Antonas would be a perfect match for his main event Saturday evening.
Efstathios Antonas and Raymond Cuadrado put on a show for all of those who attended Rockin’ Fights 55 Saturday night or watched from home – Image Credit: Roberto Carlo/Latino Sports
And the fight did not disappoint, highlighting a five-bout card that included in the crowd former fighters and champions of the Star Boxing stable that basically got schooled fighting on previous DeGuardia promoted events. Fight cards like this one are rare and when Rockin’ Fights comes to the suburban part of New York City, they grasp at the opportunity to be there as DeGuardia and Star Boxing continue to make it happen.
And so it was, Antonas was motivated to be that strong and well-experienced fighter coming for a brawl. He showed his determination and the first round set the stage as Cuadrado showed there was no rust from a long hiatus in a fight scheduled for six rounds.
Cuadrado came to fight, the ring rust quickly wasn’t a question with a good jab and power of the knockout punch in the first round that briefly floored his opponent.
Raymond Cuadrado recorded a first round knockdown on Efstathios Antonas in their main event bout, helping push the scorecards more in his favor to open up the fight – Image Credit: Roberto Carlo/Latino Sports
He took it to the chin, listened to his corner, caught his breath and never was a threat in going down again.
Was there any question as he heard his supporters nearby in the first few rows of a packed Paramount crowd?
“I had to remind myself that he didn’t belong in the ring with me,” said Cuadrado who went the route of scoring a unanimous decision win. “I had to remind myself of that and you know, stay composed. Just fight my game, do what I’ve always been doing and that’s staying undefeated.”
Though it was unanimous, it wasn’t easy because Antonas was relentless, staying close to his opponent and fighting inside which created some distance. Also active with a jab, his strong punches surprised Cuadrado a few times.
Raymond Cuadrado was all ears each time he returned back to his corner and trainers round after round Saturday night – Image Credit: Roberto Carlo/Latino Sports
“The reason I took this fight is because I knew he wasn’t a slouch,” said Cuadrado downstairs in his private room after getting post-fight medical supervision administered by the New York State Athletic Commission.
“He was a very active fighter and you know he has more experience than me in the pro game.”
But as the fight progressed and punches accumulated, it was “The Scientist” gaining more confidence as a technician that earned him the nickname. He was also relentless in getting that decision and return win regardless if it was not a knockout.
“I’m glad I got those six rounds in and shook off that ring rust,” he said. “Whenever my team tells me I have to get back in there, you know, I’ll be ready and I’ll be in there with a more improved game. Thanks to my team for putting up an opponent like that in front of me. I definitely needed that. It was a great step up fight for me.”
Raymond Cuadrado believes Saturday night’s turnout for Star Boxing’s Rockin’ Fights 55 will result in more opportunities for him with the hope of climbing up the ranks fight by fight – Image Credit: Roberto Carlo/Latino Sports
He added: “Hopefully the next opponent gives me a strong game like that the next time around and hopefully I could put that guy down.”
“It just puts me back on the drawing board, I gotta climb the ranks again. With this step up fight, hopefully there’s another step up fight in front of me. It’s all up from here. I got to remind myself that whoever is on the opposite corner of me does not belong in that ring with me.”
And his opponent was gracious after defeat in appreciation of the opportunity.
It was all respect between Efstathios Antonas and Raymond Cuadrado following their six-round brawl in Saturday night’s main event to close out Star Boxing’s Rockin’ Fights 55 – Image Credit: Roberto Carlo/Latino Sports
Moments later both fighters embraced backstage, with Cuadrado visiting Antonas in his quarters to share food together.
“I have something here for you,” Cuadrado, of Puerto Rican and Filipino heritage, said, with some ethnic pastries he purchased prior to the fight.
The comradery of boxing, a special fraternity after the battle.
And for Raymond Cuadrado as he says, there will be more. Perhaps the main event on another Star Boxing card soon.
The Scientist Strikes Again
Raymond “The Scientist” Cuadrado made his return to the ring last night, the 30-year-old’s first bout since June of 2023, and did not disappoint, headlining @starboxing Rockin’ Fights 55 main event at The Paramount in Huntington, NY
Improving his… pic.twitter.com/jNWEJ0vttx
— Latino Sports (@LatinoSports) October 11, 2026
RIP WILFREDO GÓMEZ
The boxing world mourns the loss of three division champion Wilfredo “Bazooka” Gómez, the 69-year-old Hall of Famer from Santurce, Puerto Rico who was in bad health with respiratory complications the past few years.
He was a warrior (44-3-1, 42 KOs), one of the elite champions from Puerto Rico, known for his knockout power as a junior featherweight, featherweight and junior lightweight champion. Born in San Juan, PR, Gómez, compiling 44 wins and 42 by way of knockout, represented Puerto Rico at the 1972 Olympics with notable title defenses against Carlos Zárate and Lupe Pintor.
Wilfredo Gómez was a cornerstone of Puerto Rican boxing, helping define a glorious era that elevated our island to the pinnacle of the sport. His greatness inspired generations and helped forge a proud boxing tradition that lives on today.
A legendary champion, a national hero,… pic.twitter.com/JxGiqSbb9A
— WBO (@WorldBoxingOrg) October 11, 2026
A champion for all of Puerto Rico, with a legacy that will live on forever.
Rest in Peace, Champ.
Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and columnist at LatinoSports.com with coverage of MLB, boxing, and MLS – X:@Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
Watch Keep It In The Ring weekly with Rich on YouTube for the latest on boxing and pro wrestling with recaps and guests. Like, comment, and subscribe to Rich Mancuso on Youtube
Follow us on Social Media for updates and exclusive content
Instagram: @latinosportsoficial
Twitter: @latinosports
TikTok: @latino.sports
Facebook: Latino Sports
