GABE ROSADO marked a successful return to the ring with a first-round knockout and an immediate challenge to a fellow Puerto Rican fighter.
The 39-year-old made quick work of Crispulo Javier Andino in their eight-round light-heavyweight bout at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California. The veteran scored a knockout victory in the opening round, picking up his 27th career win in dominant fashion.
Rosado had previously announced his retirement from boxing six days after losing on points to Bektemir Melikuziev on the Gervonta Davis-Ryan Garcia undercard in April 2023. That loss came in a 10-round rematch of their June 2021 bout, where Rosado had shocked Melikuziev with a dramatic one-punch knockout. Their second meeting saw Melikuziev exact revenge.
During his retirement, Rosado worked as a ringside analyst and commentator for DAZN. But his desire to return grew – and against Andino, he looked sharp and composed without needing to shift out of first gear. Andino appeared out of his depth almost immediately.
After his win, the Philadelphia-born Rosado called out former super-middleweight contender Edgar Berlanga, who recently suffered his first professional defeat.
“We want [Edgar] Berlanga in Puerto Rico. He got a piece of humble pie so he gotta come back strong, I came back after a two-year layoff, we Boricua’s, let’s do it in Puerto Rico.
“Berlanga can’t talk shit no more. We can run this in Puerto Rico, let’s go. And I’m the one who really has the island behind me.”
Berlanga’s “humble pie” came courtesy of Hamzah Sheeraz, who knocked him out in the fifth round on July 12 after a fiery build-up. Rosado’s challenge may stir interest in a potential Puerto Rico showdown, but whether the fight can be made remains uncertain.
What’s clear is that Rosado’s competitive fire still burns. Reflecting on his comeback, the battle-tested veteran explained what brought him back to boxing.
“Commentating on fights, I love doing that,” he said.
“When you commentate on fights you get that itch to get back in the ring. I feel like I’ve got unfinished business and I felt it was time for me to get back with my original trainer Billy Briscoe. I feel like this is a new beginning, another chapter – it ain’t over, we got unfinished business.”
