Lou DiBella, Rosa’s promoter, confirmed Rosa’s death through Twitter on Sunday morning. Rosa was 26.
Born in Puerto Rico, Rosa lived in New Haven, Connecticut, and fought mostly in his home state, New York and New Jersey during his seven-year pro career. Rosa went 23-1, including 11 knockouts and two no-contests, during his career.
The rugged veteran lost for the first time as a pro in his most recent fight, a highly entertaining battle with Yuandale Evans that Showtime televised November 10 from Evans’ native Cleveland. Rosa lost that closely contested, 10-round bout by split decision to Evans (20-1, 14 KOs).
Here’s DiBella’s Tweet about Rosa’s death: Just received the terrible news that #boxing contender Luis Rosa, Jr. died early this morning in an automobile accident. He was only 26 years old. He came from a close and loving family; prayers to Marilyn and Luis, Sr. & family. #RIPLuisRosaJr
DiBella added this in another Tweet: Luis Rosa Jr’s last #boxing match was Nov 10, 2017. Fittingly, it was #ShoBox @ShowtimeBoxing & it was a thrilling, toe to toe, FOTY candidate. He didn’t get the nod (could have), but he & @YuandaleEvans gave us something to remember. #RIPLuisRosaJr, a #fighter & a good kid.
Rosa produced the biggest win of his career when he defeated super bantamweight contender Luis Del Valle in May 2014. A resilient Rosa overcame a fifth-round knockdown and a point deduction for low blows in the seventh round to defeat Del Valle (then 18-1), a fellow Puerto Rican, by unanimous decision in a 10-round bout HBO Latino televised from Las Vegas.
