Anthony Velazquez believes that when Puerto Rican fans watch him fight, they will be enamored and get behind him.

Velazquez will face Yusuph Metu in a 10-round junior middleweight bout April 26 at Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, where Velazquez makes his home.

Velazquez, a 28-year-old who proudly represents both Springfield and Puerto Rico, has stopped three of his past four opponents. This came after a draw over tough veteran Rashid Stevens in 2023. Velazquez, 16-0-1 (14 KOs), who is trained by Hector Bermudez – the same coach who trains rising welterweight contender Rohan Polanco – is aiming to emerge on the world stage. Boxing is a tradition in his proudly Puerto Rican family, as Velazquez was inspired by an influential figure – his father. 

“My dad used to box, so as a kid, I always looked up to my father,” Velazquez told BoxingScene. “I always watched the Felix Tito Trinidad and Miguel Cotto fights. When you grow up in Puerto Rican households, you grow up in that type of environment."

Velazquez, who turned pro at age 21 in January 2018, is in his seventh year of professional prizefighting. He says his motivation wasn’t unlike that of many fighters – to become a world champion.

“I feel like when the world sees me and I'm Puerto Rican – so Puerto Rican fans are very into boxing – and once they see me and I win that crowd, it's gonna be really good,” Velazquez said. “I’m from Springfield, Massachusetts, but my roots are in Puerto Rico.”

The Metu fight will be just the second bout scheduled for as many as 10 rounds for Velazquez. The goal is a meaningful fight that advances him. Metu, a 32-year-old from Tanzania, is coming off a knockout win in November. In September, Metu, 11-1 (8 KOs), suffered his first career loss, to Albert Khamkhoev, in Russia. That is the only previous fight Metu has had outside of Africa.

“I haven't watched him,” Velazquez said. “I believe he's tough. He will come forward. He's never been stopped. It's gonna be a good test for me, and I'm excited to stop him. I'm excited to fight at home and bring a good fight to the people.”

Lucas Ketelle is the author of “Inside the Ropes of Boxing,” a guide for young fighters, a writer for BoxingScene and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Find him on X at @BigDogLukie.