At just 19 years old, Carlos Jamil De León is already making waves in the boxing world. As he transitions from a distinguished amateur career to the professional ranks, the pressure is on for the junior lightweight to prove himself at a higher level.
De Leon, with a record of 2-0 (1 KO), faces Jose Alfredo Guevara (2-2-1, 1 KO) on Saturday as part of the undercard for the Liam Paro-Richardson Hitchins bout at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan.
Signed to Boxlab Promotions, De León is eager to continue building on the impressive foundation laid during his years as an amateur. A native of Puerto Rico, he began his boxing journey at the Juan Popo Guzman Gym in Cupey Alto, where he was mentored by the late Juan Gomez and his father, Carlos De León Snr. His talent quickly became evident, leading him to the Cheo Aponte Torres Gym in Caguas, where he further honed his skills under the guidance of his father and other respected coaches. By the age of 18, De León had already claimed the Puerto Rico Elite National Championship title in the 60kg (132 lbs) category, solidifying his place as one of the island’s top young talents.
De León’s amateur career included a long list of international accomplishments. Among his most notable achievements are four Sugar Bert Boxing Tournament titles (USA), with the added recognition of receiving the WBC Belt in 2019 as the tournament’s best boxer out of over 400 competitors. He has also earned titles in Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Spain, and Colombia, and his international experience includes competing in prestigious events like the 2022 Youth World Cup and the 2023 Continental Championships, further affirming his standing as one of Puerto Rico’s brightest prospects.
“I’m ready to show the world what I can do under the bright lights,” De León said of his transition to professional boxing. “The amateur experience gave me the foundation I needed, but turning pro is about stepping up to a new level. I had a lot of international fights that have given me the confidence needed to be great as a professional.”
De Leon carries the weight of Puerto Rico’s rich boxing history with him as he looks to add his name to the list of champions hailing from the island. “Puerto Rico has had so many great fighters and champions, and I’m proud to carry that torch,” he said. “My goal is to make my island proud and to inspire the next generation of champions. Hopefully, when my career is over, I’ll be remembered as one of the greats.”
Looking ahead, De Leon is excited to work with Boxlab Promotions, who will help keep him active and focused on his development. “Joining Boxlab Promotions is a dream come true. They believe in my talent, and I’m excited to stay active, improve with every fight, and chase greatness in the ring,” he added. “It all starts this Saturday in my hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico.”
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