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© St. Petersburg Times, published February 25, 2003
SPRING HILL -- Jose Alonzo, an undefeated super middleweight from Spring Hill who recently received his first world ranking, signed a contract last week to fight on April 18 for the vacant World Boxing Association Fedecentro world title.
Alonzo, 25, is scheduled to fight Albert Albaladejo in a rematch of a six-round 57-56, 58-55, 58-55 unanimous decision in June.
The 33-year-old was dominated in the early rounds. But Albaladejo eventually gave Alonzo, who was competing as the main event for the first time, his toughest bout as a professional.
"He said he's going to knock me out, but we'll see," Alonzo said.
"I'm going to bring a championship back to Spring Hill with me. I don't think that's ever been done before," Alonzo said. "I'm going to be ready."
The title bout will be held at Tampa's A La Carte Event Pavilion.
Alonzo said no tune-up fights are scheduled. Trainer Don Kahn, who also lives in Spring Hill, was in Las Vegas working with other fighters Monday and unavailable for comment.
Alonzo, 10-0 with six knockouts, is listed fourth in the world in the just-released WBA Fedecentro super middleweight rankings, which are for younger or less-experienced boxers of Latin American decent.
Alonzo's family originally is from Puerto Rico.
Albaladejo has lost his last three fights, beginning with an April 2002 six-round unanimous decision to Alonzo's stablemate, Gene Molen (11-0, eight knockouts), and an August first-round technical knockout by Ron Simms (10-0, 7 knockouts).