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Galloway’s Tyrone Luckey is a throwback fighter, boxing career resurrected

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QUINCY, Pawg. (Lub kaum hli ntuj 27, 2022) – In short two years, after signing a contract with Granite Chin Promotions, veteran New Jersey boxer Tyrone “Hands of Stone” Luckey has gone from journeyman to legitimate opponent with a promising upside.

“Guys like Tyrone have a special spot for me,” Granite Chin Promotions president Chris Traietti commented. “I’ve helped to build up his record, developed trust between us, and we’ll see where we go from here. He’s a big Dallas Cowboy fan and he really wanted to fight in AT & T Arena. He dreamed of fighting there and I got him on the Spence-Garcia card, and he got the biggest purse of his life.”

“He is a fighter’s fighter. Any promoter would be very happy to have 25 like him in their stable. His goal now is to make as much as he can over the next few years and get out with his health. He continues to trust me. He wants to be part of the team and I just signed him to a new 3-year deal. Tyrone has had a bit of a rebirth in his career.”

The former New Jersey Golden Gloves Champion had a 9-12-4 pro record, when he joined the Granite Chin stable, and since then Luckey has won six of nine fights, capturing the ABF USA Mid-American super lightweight title along the way.

“I had no choice but to get better,” Lucky spoke about his resurgence the past two years. “It first changed when I started going to Gladiator’s Gym for help with trainer Shawn Darling. My career in boxing changed since the pandemic started.

The 36-year-old Luckey (15-15-4, 11 Kos), fighting out of Galloway (NJ), is a throwback fighter back to the days boxers only asked when and where they were fighting, no pickin’ and choosin’ soft touches. Evidence of his admirable attitude is the fact he’s fought in six different weight classes, from super featherweight to super welterweight, during his 11-year-pro career.

“I’m not afraid of anyone,” Luckey said. “I fight guys others avoid, even some that world champions wouldn’t fight. I’m able to fight in different weight classes because I know my body and how to properly get done in weight. Txoj cai tam sim no, I feel comfortable at 140 phaus, and I feel like I have a ton of power at 130 los yog 135 phaus. I’m naturally small, but psychologically, I’m always the bigger fighter no matter what position I find myself in.”

Luckey’s stock jumped in his last two fights, both against previously unbeaten Eduardo Aguilar, who was knocked out, feem, in the first round and he couldn’t continue past the sixth round in their most recent fight, in which Luckey dropped Aguilar seven times.

A married man who is an endoscopy technician, Luckey has been saving his boxing purses to eventually buy a house.

“I plan to box until I’m 39, maximum of 40,” Luckey remarked. “I’ll call it quits and maybe become a trainer or pro bowler. I’m trying to get into a sanctioned league (he averages 215 and rolled a perfect 300 game in 2017)."

Luckey and Traietti, also a pro boxer, have a mutually beneficial relationship today. “Our relationship has always been great,” Tyrone confirmed. “I had a fight fallout and the matchmaker set me up with Chris, who was working a fight in Minnesota. He said that after the fight we could talk. He’s a good dude, great promoter. I’m glad our paths crossed because he’s put me in a new situation. I put my faith in him. It’s always love when we talk.”

“We hit it off right away,” Traietti concluded. “He’s easy to work with and will fight anybody. Kom nws credit, he signed with me when it wasn’t really popular, not until 8 rau 10 months later. Granite Chin has blown up and my some of my fighters have been performing on some of the biggest cards in boxing.”

Do you feel lucky? Tyrone Luckey certainly does and he’s finally cashing in on all his hard work and perseverance, fighting under the Granite Chin banner.


NTAUB NTAWV:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin
Twitter: @Granite_Chin
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Much at stake for “The Come Up” headliner “Fly” Mike Marshall in “The Come Up” Day-Night Doubleheader August 28 nyob rau hauv Derry, N.H.

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MIKE MARSHALL.jpeg
QUINCY, Pawg. (Lub yim hli ntuj 17, 2021) – New England Heavyweight Champion “Fly” Mike Marshall has the right attitude as he prepares to headline “The Come Up” card, presented by Granite Chin Promotions, on August 28th at New England Sports Center in Derry, New Hampshire.

“The Come Up’ is the name of the professional card being held during the afternoon session of a day-night doubleheader, separate admissions. The championship final of the inaugural “Granite Chin Invitational” will headline the evening portion of Pro-Am doubleheader.

Marshall (5-1-1, 4 Kos), fighting out of Danbury (I), who was supposed to fight on the Fury-Wilder III card July 24 nyob rau hauv Las Vegas, which was postponed until October 9th due to members of Fury’s camp contracting COVID-19. Instead of playing things safe, avoiding risk and waiting to hear if he’ll be fighting on the rescheduled Tyson-Wilder III PPV, Marshall is fighting Jose “Olimpico” Corral (20-27, 12 Kos), in the August 28th 10-puag ncig, non-title fight main event.

“I was super excited to be on Fury-Wilder III so I could show everybody what I am capable of,” Marshall remembered. “When I heard Tyson had COVID and the fight was postponed, it disappointed me, but I got that opportunity and figure others will be coming. I stayed in the gym. I’m very happy Chris (promoter Traietti) got me on the card in the first place.

“This is the hurt business and I’m not one of those guys afraid of a challenge. Kuv yog ib tug dav hlau tua rog. The opportunity came up for this fight and I took it. I’m not one to sit at home waiting for a call. This is what I get paid to do. I’m focused on my job and not concerned about the uncontrollable.”

Marshall has won three fights in a row, all at the same venue as his August 28th sib ntaus, including his New England title-winning performance last November, when he took a unanimous 8-round decision from defending N.E. heavyweight champion Justin Rolfe. In his most recent fight this past June, Marshal fought 13-1-1 Steve Vukosa to a 10-round draw, for the vacant NABA – USA crown.

“Winning the New England title meant a lot to be because it’s my first as a pro,” Marshall added. “A lot of people thought that he’d win, and he was the defending champ. I went in there and did what I had to do and took home the belt.

“I proved that I could go 10 hard rounds with a veteran like Steve. A lot of guys on TV can’t do that. Kuv xav tias kuv yeej, but he’s a veteran who is well known up there. I took care of business and imposed my will on him. Steve is a good guy; I gave him a lot of respect. I watched his training wars with James Toney.”

Rising New England prospect Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (5-0, 4 Kos), an undefeated welterweight from Holyoke (MA), is matched against 57-fight veteran Dewayne Wisdom in the 6-round co-featured event.

The Sumpter brothers from Pittsfield (MA), light heavyweight Steve (1-0, 1 KO) and pro-debuting heavyweight Quintin, will be in action in 4-round matches. Steve faces Tahlik Taylor and 2020 New England Novice Golden Gloves champion Quinn faces Wallace Nass Silva (0-1).
Also fighting on the undercard in 4-round bouts are Lynn, MA heavyweight Dennis Ventura vs. Andrew Nolan (0-1), Holyoke junior middleweight Carlos Castillo (2-0, 2 Kos), Florida middleweight Josniel “TG” Castro (4-0, 3 Kos), Lawrence, MA lightweight “El Gallo” Kevin Rodriguez (0-1), Springfield’s pro-debuting middleweight Jamer Jones, Niagara Falls junior middleweight Anthony Leaks (17-7, 7 Kos), thiab Springfield (MA) super middleweight Laurent Humes (1-0, 1 KO).

Card subject to change.

The championship finals of the “Granite Chin Invitational,” sanctioned by USA Boxing, with five title matches will highlight the all-amateur evening card featuring some of future New England future champions.

The most celebrated amateur in the finals, welterweight Arika Skkog (Nonantum Boxing Club), is the reigning USA Boxing Elite National champion, as well as a 2-time New England Golden Gloves Champion. In the championship match, she will meet dangerous Emily Jones (Everybody Fights Rock), ntawm Woburn (MA).

Nashua (NH) middleweight Mike Fontanez (Nashua PAL), a 2-time N.E. Golden Gloves Champion and 2-time USA Boxing Nationals silver medalist, takes on Portland’s (KUV) Wade Faria (Portland Boxing Club).

Framingham (MA) welterweight Kenny Larson (Nonantum Boxing Club) is matched against faces Manchester’s (NH) Apostolus Lolas (Nashua PAL), Lawrence (MA) lightweight Jaydell Pazmino (Thrive Boxing) meets Worcester’s (MA) Jonathan Cortez (Worcester Boys & Girls Club), and Meriden (I) featherweight Diego “King” Bengochea battles Framingham’s (MA) Fran Scata (Nonantum Boxing Club).
Matches subject to change.

Tickets are on sale now and priced at $35.00 (general nkag, $45.00 ringside) thiab $240.00 for a ringside table of four for Day Show / $25.00 (general nkag) thiab $35.00 (ringside) for the Night Show. Purchase tickets online at www.ticketriver.com (Nrhiav: The Come Up (day show) and Granite Chin Finals (night show).

Qhov rooj qhib rau ntawm 1 p.m. THIAB (day) thiab 7 p.m. THIAB (hmo ntuj) with the first bouts, feem, ntawm 1:30 p.m. THIAB thiab 7:30 p.m. THIAB.



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“Breakout” Possible swan song for Steve Vukosa, Statement time for Mike Marshall

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QUINCY, Pawg. (Lub rau hli ntuj 1, 2021) – The main event on the June 26th “Breakout” card, presented by Granite Chin Promotions, matches two New England heavyweights heading in opposite directions, Steve "The Gentle Giant” Vukosa (13-1, 5 Kos) thiab “Fly” Mike Marshall (5-1, 4 Kos).

The evening card of another Granite Chin day-night doubleheader (separate admissions) is headlined by the 10-round main event for the vacant NABA United States Heavyweight Championship between Vukosa (13-1, 5 Kos) who will possibly be fighting for the final time – win, poob los yog kos — and reigning New England heavyweight champion Marshall.

Vukosa, fighting of out Quincy, MA, is a former WBC U.S. Heavyweight Champion, which he captured in 2019 when he won an 8-round unanimous decision against Joe Cusumano (18-2, 16 Kos). During his 20-year pro boxing career, Vukosa’s gained invaluable experience sparring at the famed Wild Card Boxing gym in Los Angeles as a sparring partner for world champions James Toney, Evander Holyfield thiab Wladimir Klitschko. He’s also driven a bus for the past 15 years for the Mass Bay Transportation Authority, pib thaum 4 p.m. and finishing around 2 a.m., after which he does his run in. But he’s now 44 with a wife and three children and his boxing clock is ticking.

“I’m still fighting because I love it,” Vukosa explained. “It’s hard to walk away from something you’re good at. This one fight and it could be the end. My wife will be happy. My body is starting to fall apart: ob txhais tes, back and knees. They’ve been killing me. I used to be quick and fast, now I’m slow. I just want to have a good fight, yeej, or lose, but I want to win. I really enjoyed by days at Wild Card, those sparring sessions were like real fights, and my amateur days with trainer Jimmy Farrell.

“I saw my opponent when he won the New England title, I was impressed. (pab txhawb)Chris (Traietti) called asking if I’d fight him, I accepted because I like to fight and a good challenge. I’m looking forward to the fight.”

The 36-year-old Marshall, fighting out of Danbury, I, has won his last two fights, both on Granite Chin shows at the same venue as his upcoming match with Vukosa, including his N.E. title-winning performance last November against Justin “Crazy Train” Rolfe. Marshall isn’t looking at his opponent as over the hill because of Vukosa’s advance age, but he does plan to make a statement that, hopefully, will get him positive exposure outside of New England.

“I know he’s a veteran pugilist, a pupil of Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, who was an awesome fighter in his own right,” Marshall remarked. “This is boxing, dab tsi yuav tshwm sim. My job is to prepare for anything. I’ve had the best quality sparring in house with the No. 1 amateur heavyweight, Fernely Felix, Jr. My team works very hard, My manger, A.J. Galante, asked me to be sharper in my last fight (3-round KO of Tracey Johnson this past April), so I did what he asked me to do. My cornerman Austin Ampeoquio keeps me sharp with the mitts, and my head coaches David McDonough thiab Bennie ‘The Jet’ Little do a good job pushing me as well.

“I know Steve comes to fight and I’m looking forward to an exciting night of boxing. We are two warriors going toe-to-toe in the ring, putting on a show for boxing fans who really enjoy the sport of boxing, not this YouTube celebrity garbage that’s going on right now.”

“Steve ran into some bad luck after the Cusumano win,” Granite Chin president Chris Traietti commented. “A few fights fell through, then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. We literally had a fight in Germany fall out the day we were set to leave for the airport. After that we lost a lot of the steam from the Cusamano fight and kind of had to reassess. He picked up a tune-up fight a few months ago, but we now have to either regain some momentum by winning a fight like this or finally have Steve ride off into the sunset. This fight with Marshall will be no picnic. He has burst upon the local scene with some impressive performances.

“Like many coming to the fight, I have no idea how this fight shakes out, which makes for a great main event. One thing I will say, despite what Steve like to make people believe, in the event he wins this fight, it won’t be his final fight. Zero chance of that! If Marshall wins, I have no doubt he will get a television fight in the very near future on a major network.”

In the 8-round co-featured event, former N.E. heavyweight champion Rolfe (5-2-1, 4 Kos), ntawm Fairfield, KUV, will takes on Mexican challenger Jose Humberto “Olimpico” Corral (20-26, 12 Kos) for the vacant ABF Atlantic heavyweight title.

New England welterweight champion Mike “Bad Man” Ohan, Jr. (12-1, 6 Kos), fighting out of Holbrook, MA, will defend his title in an 8-round match against upset-mindedTyrone “Hands of Stone” Luckey (13-14-4 (9 Kos).

Undefeated Holyoke, MA welterweight Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (4-0, 3 Kos) will be in his first scheduled 6-rounder versus Anthony Andreozzi (0-1), of Swansea, MA. Indianapolis junior welterweight Dewayne Wisdom will be in his 66th pro fight against Nelson “Chino” Perez (2-0, 2 Kos) in a 6-rounder.

Also slated to be in action on the undercard, all in 4-round bouts, is Weymouth, MA welterweight Eric “Gladiator” Goff (1-0) vs. Aquilando Brandao (0-3), Holyoke junior middleweight Carlos Abel Castillo (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Jay Gregory (0-3), Woburn, MA middleweight Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste (2-0, 2 Kos) vs. Rodrigo Almeida (2-10, 2 Kos), Framingham, MA light heavyweight Saul “Spider” Almeida (0-13-4) vs. pro-debuting Steve Sumpter, Lawrence, MA junior lightweight Kevin Rodriguez (0-1) ntsej muag Ryan Venable (2-4), undefeated Puerto Rican super middleweight Jelame Garcia (7-0, 6 Kos) vs. Larry “Slo Mo” Smith (12-47-2, 8 Kos), and Worcester’s (MA) 3-time New England Golden Gloves champion Demek “Hightower” Edmonds (1-0, 1 KO) vs. pro-debuting Wallace Nass Silva.

The pro segment of the afternoon’s Pro-Am card will be headlined by ABF Atlantic Cruiserweight Champion Yan “Wild Thing” Pellerin (11-1, 5 Kos) defending his title against Lewiston, ME challenger Cristiano Pedro, fighting out by way of Angola, in an 8-round fight.

Other pro fights, all 4-rounders, include Canadian heavyweight Alexis Barriere (1-0, 1 KO) vs. New York’s pro-debuting Andrew Nolan, Methuen (MA), teeb heavyweightAndrew Perez in his pro debut vs. Jesus Cintron (1-18-2), Springfield (MA) super sib Ian “Dinamite” Garcia (0-0-1) vs. Andy Aiello (1-4-1), of Bridgewater, MA, New York light heavyweight Scott Lampert (1-2, 1 KO) vs. Yhago Goncalves (0-3), of Portsmouth (KUV) by way of Brazil, and Springfield’s pro-debuting super middleweightLaurent Humes vs.pro-debuting Philipe Martins, of Marlborough, MA.

The inaugural “Granite Chin Invitational” tournament, pitting some of the best amateur boxers in New England in the semifinals round, in the USA Boxing-sanctioned event during the afternoon portion of the day-night doubleheader. The semifinals winners will advance to the tournament’s championship final August 28th at New England Sports Center.

Some of the top N.E. amateur boxers expected to compete include 2021 USA National Championships gold medalist Arika Skoog, the 2-time N.E. Golden Gloves champion out of Newton (MA); 2-time N.E. Golden hnab looj tes yeej Tashawn Ward, a featherweight from Providence (RI); thiab middleweights James Maner, 2019 N.E. Golden Gloves champion from Providence, and 2-time N.E. Golden hnab looj tes yeej Mike Fontanez, of Nashua (N.H).

Daim pib no yog rau cov muag khoom thiab yog luv nqi tom $25.00 (Day Show) / $40.00 (Night Show) for general seating (unassigned). Unassigned ringside seating will be available at $35.00 per seat during the day show. The night show will offer ringside tables (assigned and seats 4) rau $300.00 and are available to purchase online at www.ticketriver.com(Nrhiav: Granite Chin Invitational for the day show, Breakout for night show).

Qhov rooj qhib rau ntawm 12:15 p.m. THIAB thiab 7:15 p.m. THIAB (hmo ntuj) with the first bouts, feem, ntawm 12:30 p.m. THIAB thiab 7:30 p.m. THIAB.

NTAUB NTAWV:
Facebook.com/GraniteChin
Twitter: @Granite_Chin
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“Breakout” headliner NABA U.S. Heavyweight title fight Steve Vukosa vs. Mike Marshall Day-Night Doubleheader June 26 nyob rau hauv Derry, N.H.

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Day-Night Doubleheader June 26 nyob rau hauv Derry, N.H.

QUINCY, Pawg. (Tej zaum 20, 2021) – “Breakout,” presented by Granite Chin Promotions, will feature two heavyweight title fights as part of another day-night doubleheader on June 26th atNew England Sports Center nyob rau hauv Derry, New Hampshire.

The night card is headlined by the 10-round main event for the vacant NABA United States Heavyweight Championship between agelessSteve “The Gentle Giant” Vukosa (13-1, 5 Kos) thiabMike “Fly” Marshall (5-1, 4 Kos). 

Vukosa, fighting of out Quincy, MA, is a former WBC U.S. Heavyweight Champion, which he captured in 2019 when he won an 8-round unanimous decision againstJoe Cusumano(18-2, 16 Kos).

The reigning New England Heavyweight Champion, Marshall won his belt last November at the same venue as his upcoming fight with Vukosa, when the Danbury, CT fighter took an 8-round unanimous decision fromJustin “Crazy Train” Rolfe.

Former N.E. heavyweight champion Rolfe (5-2-1, 4 Kos), representing Fairfield, KUV, will face his Mexican opponent, Jose Humbert “Olimpico” Corral (20-26, 12 Kos), in the 8-round, co-featured event for the vacant ABF Atlantic heavyweight title.

“I am excited to be coming back to Derry with another doubleheader, featuring open-class amateurs and local professionals,” Granite Chin presidentChris Traietti hais tias. “I try to grow and develop the Granite Chin brand every show. Bringing in an elite level amateur tournament is a great way to introduce local fans to the future of the sport and help me develop relationships with amateur boxers.”

Undefeated Holyoke, MA welterweightDenzel Whitley (4-0, 3 Kos) will be in his first scheduled 6-rounder versusAnthony Andreozzi (0-1), of Swansea, MA. Lawrence, MA junior lightweightKevin Rodriguez (0-1) ntsej muagRyan Venable (2-4) in a 4-round battle.

Also slated to be in action on the undercard, all in 4-round bouts against opponents to be determined, are Weymouth, MA welterweightEric “Gladiator” Goff (1-0), Holyoke junior middleweightCarlos Castillo (1-0, 1 KO), and Woburn, MA middleweightJulien “Black Dragon” Baptiste (2-0, 2 Kos).

A Pro-Am card will feature the inaugural “Granite Chin Invitational” tournament, pitting some of the best amateur boxers in New England in the semifinals round, in the USA Boxing-sanctioned event during the afternoon portion of the day-night doubleheader. The semifinals winners will advance to the tournament’s championship final August 28th at New England Sports Center.  

Some of the top N.E. amateur boxers expected to compete include 2021 USA National Championships gold medalistArika Skoog, the 2-time N.E. Golden Gloves champion out of Newton (MA); 2-time N.E. Golden hnab looj tes yeejTashawn Ward, a featherweight from Providence (RI); thiab middleweightsJames Maner, 2019 N.E. Golden Gloves champion from Providence, and 2-time N.E. Golden hnab looj tes yeejMike Fontanez, of Nashua (N.H).:

The pro segment of the afternoon’s Pro-Am card will showcase ABF Atlantic Cruiserweight ChampionYan “Wild Thing” Pellerin (11-1, 5 Kos) defending his title against Lewiston, ME challengerCristiano Pedro, fighting out by way of Angola in an 8-round fight.

Other pro fights, all 4-rounders, include Canadian heavyweightAlexis Barriere (1-0, 1 KO) vs. New York’s pro-debutingAndrew Nolan, Methuen (MA), teeb heavyweightAndrew Perez in his pro debut vs. TBA, Springfield (MA) super sibIan “Dinamite” Garcia (0-0-1) vs.Andy Aiello (1-4-1), of Bridgewater, MA, New York cruiserweightScott Lambert(1-2, 1 KO) vs.Yhago Goncalves (0-3), of Portsmouth (KUV) by way of Brazil, and Springfield’s pro-debuting light heavyweightLaurent Humes vs.pro-debutingPhilipe Martins, of Marlborough, MA..

Daim pib no yog rau cov muag khoom thiab yog luv nqi tom $25.00 (Day Show) / $40.00 (Night Show) for general seating (unassigned). Unassigned ringside seating will be available at $35.00 per seat during the day show. The night show will offer ringside tables (assigned and seats 4) rau $300.00 and are available to purchase online atwww.ticketriver.com (Nrhiav: Granite Chin Invitational for the day show, Breakout for night show).

Qhov rooj qhib rau ntawm 12:15 p.m. THIAB thiab 7:15 p.m. THIAB (hmo ntuj) with the first bouts, feem, ntawm 12:30 p.m. THIAB thiab 7:30 p.m. THIAB.

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“Crossroads: doubleheader results from N.H.: Kendrick Ball, Jr. hits home run vs. Bryan Vera

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“Crossroads” results from New Hampshire

DERRY, N.H. (Plaub Hlis Ntuj 18, 2021) -Former New England middleweight championKendrick “Peppa” Ball, Jr. turned in a career-best performance in last night’s main event against dangerousBryan “The Warrior” Vera on the evening portion of the “Crossroads” day-night doubleheader, presented by Granite Chin Promotions, at New England Sports Center in Derry, New Hampshire.

The pre-fight plan was followed as Ball (16-1-2, 11 Kos) boxed and moved, while Vera (28-17, 18 Kos) applied pressure, right from the opening bell. Ball took control in the second round, when he stayed in the pocket, snapping off crisp combinations. Ball fired more effective combinations in the third round as Vera started chasing his opponent. Ball started moving around the ring and fighting from the outside in the fourth and stayed on his toes the remainder of the fight.

Ball won an 8-round unanimous decision (79-73, 79-73, 78-74) to become the World Boxing Council (Qhov) USNBC (United States) Silver Super Middleweight Champion.

“This was my best fight, because of who I fought, and the magnitude of the fight,” Ball commented. “The plan was to box and move because he was much smaller and slower. At times I banged, when I knew he wasn’t hurting me, but I shouldn’t have taken the risks.”

The 39-year-old Vera isn’t the same fighter he was when he beat three different world champions –Andy Lee, Sergio Mora (ob zaug) thiabSerhiy Dzinziruk.  The Texan needs to decide if it’s time to finally hang up his gloves.

“This was awesome, definitely our best show to date,” Granite Chin’sChris Traietti declared after the show. “We feel great about stepping up to give these fighters, especially the locals, a platform to perform on in front of fans. I think a lot of promoters have gotten lazy. They gave us a lane and Granite Chin took advantage. This was our fourth show with fans during the last year. Brian fought hard and he’s a great guy, but he’s not the same guy he was in 2011. He needs to think about what he’s going to do.

“Granite Chin returns here June 26th with another doubleheader. The afternoon show will be the Granite Chin Invitational for open elite boxers. With the New England Golden Gloves canceled again there is a void to fill. If promoters are going to help amateurs, I certainly will, starting June 26th."

ChallengerMarquis Bates (8-4, 6 Kos) dethroned defending New Hampshire Welterweight ChampionRyan Dibartolomeo (3-2-1, 1 KO) via a sixth-round stoppage in an entertaining co-feature. A devastating overhand right from Bates gave him his new crown as the referee didn’t even count as the ring doctor quickly entered the ring.

Larry “Hitman” Pryor took the contract out onScott Lambert and he wasted little time taking care of business to become the New Hampshire Cruiserweight Champion. Pryor took advantage of his decisive height and reach advantages, closing the show with a perfectly thrown left hook that sent Lambert to the canvas. Lambert managed to beat the count, but the referee stopped the fight midway through the opening round when he saw Lambert wobbling back and forth on rubbery legs.

Lanky lefthandedFrancis “The Tank” Hogan (5-0, 5 Kos) graduated last night with a brilliant performance againstLarry “Slo Mo” Smith, who was in his 60th career fight. Hogan put down Smith early in the third round and caught the Texan late in the same round with a lefty-combination to the temple. Smith beat the count, but he was unable to answer the bell for the fourth round, and 20-year-old Hogan became the new New Hampshire Junior Middleweight Champion.

Former New England heavyweight championJustin “Crazy Train” Rolfe (5-2-1, 4 Kos) positioned himself for another N.E. title shot with a spectacular knockout ofAlfredo “Choncho” Trevino (9-9-1, 1 KO). The 263-pound Rolfe, fighting out of Fairfield, Maine, charged across the ring at the bell and put his Arizona opponent to sleep right in his corner, when he was counted out at the 20-seconds mark.

The newest member of the fightin’ Whitley family from western Massachusetts, undefeated WelterweightDenzel Whitley, cruised to his fourth victory with his fourth knockout. He drilledAquilandro Brandao late in round one and the fight was stopped by the referee.

UndefeatedJahye Brown (9-0, 7 Kos) captured the vacant ABF Athletic junior middleweight title with a hard fought 8-round unanimous decision over a game Mexican opponent,Dormedes Potes (12-4-1, 9 Kos).  The two fought toe-to-toe from the opening bell and Brown landed the more effective punches inside to earn the victory.

Promising middleweight prospectJulien “Black Dragon” Baptiste kho kom 2-0 with his second knockout, blasting outBruno Dias in the third round.

Fighting for the first time in more than eight years, Fall River, MA welterweightDustin Reinhold (6-4, 2 Kos) won a 4-round unanimous decision over pro-debutingAnthonyAndreozziin what can best be called a rough and tumble match. 

Junior middleweightCarlos Castillo’s professional debut was a gem as the Holyoke, MA fighter droppedTheo Desjardon ob zaug, the last closing the show late in the first round.

“Cannon” Berry stops Ibarra in 5

UBO All-America Welterweight ChampionBrandon “The Cannon” Berry (21-5-2, 13 Kos) successfully defended in the afternoon card’s main event, overcoming a slow start in which he was buzzed to stop challengerGael Ibarra (5-3, 4 Kos) in the fifth round.

Berry finished the fight in the fifth, when he unloaded twin barrages of unanswered punches on a trapped Ibarra until the referee waved off the fight.

“I’m glad it wasn’t a 4-round fight,” Berry said after the fight. “He was a strong guy. I was feeling it. He tested me. I want to thank my family and friends here, and Granite Chin and everybody involved in the promotion.”

Nyob rau hauv lub co-featured kev tshwm sim, New England heavyweight championMike “Fly” Marshall (4-1, 3 Kos), in a non-title fight, khob qhov rooj tawmTracey Johnson (4-10-6) in the third round.

Popular Boston IrishmanJimmy Torney (3-0, 3 Kos) – 6’ 6”, 269 phaus. – needed only 42-seconds and one big right to stop pro-debuting heavyweightMarco Nascimento. 

Massachusetts welterweightEric “Gladiator” Goff convincingly won his pro debut againstJader Alves(0-5) as he pitched a 4-round shutout

Three-time New England Golden Gloves championDemek “Hightower” Edmonds had an awesome pro debut, dropping cruiserweightFrancisco Neto twice in round one, the second a vicious body shot ending the fight. Edmonds, a southpaw from Worcester, MA, is a college graduate and bonafide prospect to watch.

In a non-title fight, New England welterweight championMike “Bad Man” Ohan, Jr. (12-1, 6 Kos) schooled his 54-fight Las Vegas opponent, junior middleweightRynell Griffin. Ohan decked Griffin three times in the first round, the third with a left hook to the body from which Griffin was unable to beat the count.

Canadian cruiserweightYan “Wild Thing” Pellerin (11-1, 5 Kos) landed two stinging rights to the body of 63-fight veteranSteve “The Spoiler” Walker, both flooring the Missouri fighter, the second resulting in an opening-round knockout for the vacant ABF Atlantic title.

Connecticut welterweightOmar “The Beast” Borday, Jr. (1101, 3 Kos) dominated 65-fight journeymanDewayne Wisdom en route to a one-sided 8-round unanimous decision.

Official results below: 

RAUG RAWS NTAUB NTAWV TAU 

NIGHT CARD

MAIN EVENT – VACANT WBC USNBC SILVER SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Kendrick Ball, Jr. (16-1-2, 11 Kos), Worcester, MA

WDEC8 (79-73, 79-73, 78-74) 

Bryan Vera (28-17, 18 Kos), Austin, TX

(Ball on WBC USNBC Silver middleweight title)  

CO-FEATIURE –NEW HAMPSHIRE WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Marquis Bates (8-4, 6 Kos), Taunton, MA

WKO6 (2 :26) 

Ryan Dibartolomeo (3-2-1, 1 KO), Leominster, MA

(Bates won the N.H. welterweight title) 

VACANT NEW HAMPSHIRE CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Larry Pryor (14-23, 8 Kos), Frederick, MD

WTKO1 (1:50) 

Scott Lampert (1-2, 1 KO), Dover Plains, NY

(Pryor won the N.H. cruiserweight title) 

VACANT NEW HAMPSHIRE JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Francis Hogan (5-0, 5 Kos), Weymouth, MA

WTKO3 (3:00) 

Larry Smith (12-46-2 (8 Kos), Dallas, TX

(Hogan won the N.H. junior middleweight title) 

VACANT ABF ATLANTIC JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Jahyae Brown (9-0, 7 Kos), Schenectady, NY

WDEC8 (79-72, 77-74, 77074) 

Dormedes Potes (12-3-1, 9 Kos), Woburn, MA

(Brown won ABF Atlantic junior middleweight title) 

Heavyweights

Justin Rolfe (5-2-1, 3 Kos), Fairfield, KUV 

WKO1 (0:20) 

Alfredo Trevino (9-9-1, 1 KO), Douglas, LUB

WELTERWEIGHTS

Denzel Whitley (4-0, 4 Kos), Holyoke, MA

WTKO1 (2 :42) 

Aquilando Brandao (0-4), Boston, MA

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Julien Baptiste (2-0, 2 Kos), Woburn, MA

WTKO3 (2 :26) 

Bruno Dias (0-5), Boston, MA

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT

Carlos Castillo (1-0, 1 KO), Holyoke, MA

WTKO1 (2:16) 

Theo Desjardin (0-7), Attleboro, MA

WELTERWEGHTS

Dustin Reinhold (6-4, 2 Kos), Fall River, MA

WDEC4 (39-36, 39-036, 39-37 

Anthony Andreozzi (0-1), Swansea, MA

. 

DAY CARD

MAIN EVENT – UBO ALL-AMERICA WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Brandon Berry (21-5-2, 13 Kos), West Tib Rab Diav Rawg, KUV

WTKO5 (1:29) 

Gael Ibarra (5-3, 4 Kos), Bisbee, LUB

(Berry retained the UBO All-America welterweight title) 

CO-FEATURE – HEAVYWEIGHTS

Mike Marshall (5-1, 4 Kos), Brooklyn, NY

WTKO3 (0:38) 

Tracey Johnson, (4-10-6, 0 Kos), Boston, MA.

VACANT ABF ATLANTIC CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Yan Pellerin (10-1, 4 Kos), Montreal, Quebec, Canada

WKO1 (1:02) 

Steve Walker (26-37, 18 Kos), Hannibal, MO

(Pellerin won the ABF Atlantic cruiserweight title) 

Heavyweights

Jimmy Torney (3-0, 3 Kos), Boston, MA

WTKO1 (0:42) 

Marco Nascimento (0-1), Bow, NH

CRUISERWEIGHTS

Demek Edmonds (1-0, 1 KO), Worcester, MA

WTKO1 (2:56) 

Francisco Neto (1-12), Woburn, MA

            JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Mike Ohan, Jr. (12-1, 6 Kos), Holbrook, MA

WTKO1 (2:52) 

Rynell Griffin (8-46-2, 2 Kos), Las Vegas, NV

WELTERWEIGHTS

Eric Goff (1-0, 1 KO), Weymouth, MA

WDEC4 (40-30, 40-34, 40-34) 

Jader Alves (0-5), Woburn, MA.

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS

Omar Borday, Jr. (11-1, 3 Kos), Danbury, I

WDEC8 (80-70, 79-72, 78-72 

Dewayne Wisdom (7-56-2, 3 Kos), Indianapolis, IN

NTAUB NTAWV:   

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin

boxing, granite lub puab tsaig

Justin “Crazy Train” Rolfe crowned N.E. heavyweight champion

Cia ib saib
Justin “Crazy Train” Rolfe (L) punched his way to the N.E. Heavyweight title
(all pictures courtesy of Emily Harney/Fitography)

GO HERE FOR MORE PICTURES:


DERRY, N.H. (Lub yim hli ntuj 30, 2020) – Two regional title bouts, supported by several stay-busy fights, highlighted Granite Chin Promotion’s first pro boxing event since this past November, ‘Return to Derry,” last night (Sat., Aug. 29), in front of a near capacity crowd at New England Sports Center in Derry, New Hampshire.

Two world champions were in attendance to support the fighters, undefeated reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) Middleweight champion Demetrius “Boo boo” Andrade thiab“Lub Gallo” Jose Antonio Rivera, lub so 3-lub sij hawm, 2-division title holder.

“I’m glad that tonight we took as step forward towards normalcy,” pab txhawb Chris Traietti commented. Sports help to bring people together and tonight we had a packed house with people of all races, religions, and creeds. I’m happy these Americans enjoyed themselves here tonight.”

Justin “Crazy Train” Rolfe was crowned New England heavyweight champion by way of an 8-round unanimous decision over Tracey “Titan” Johnson nyob rau hauv lub ntsiab kev tshwm sim.

Rolfe vs. Johnson II was a rematch of a 6-round majority draw last November in Quincy, Massachusetts. A lot more was at stake in the rematch, tab sis yog, because the N.E. heavyweight title was on the line. Boston southpaw Johnson, the half-brother of Andrade, methodically boxed, while Maine-resident Rolfe came forward throwing bombs, and their contrast of styles made for a entertaining fight.

The elusive Johnson started finding his range in the fourth round, connecting with combinations as Rolfe appeared to tire, but he got his second wind and continued to be aggressive, often pinning Johnson on the ropes. The two evenly matched fighters went back and forth in the latter half of the fight, although Rolfe pressed the action and Johnson countered. Neither appeared to be hurt at any point during the bout., Both let loose in the eighth and final round, leaving nothing in the tank. Rolfe’s non-stop attack and turned out to be the difference in this match-up.

Ryan DiBartolomeo captured the vacant New Hampshire welterweight title, taking a 6-round split decision over Kris Jacobs, in the co-featured event. “I live in Massachusetts but all my fights (3-0-1) have been in New Hampshire and I train in Nashua (NH),” DiBartolomeo said after the fight. “Fighting in New Hampshire is like fighting at home and now I’m the New Hampshire welterweight champ.”

DiBartolemeo quickly came out of the corner and soon dropped Jacobs for an 8-count. Jacobs made it through the opening round, but he was unable to avoid the free-swinging DiBartolemeo’s strong right hand, peppering his opponents head, nyob rau hauv round ob. Jacobs settled down in the third, picked-up the pace in the fourth, and started letting his hands go more in the fifth, landing more effectively on his aggressive foe. The two fighters went at it toe-to-toe in the final round and DiBartolemeo closed the show.

New England middleweight champion Kendrick Ball, Jr., fighting light heavyweight Tahuk Taylor, displayed his skill set to the maximum, blasting his opponent to the mat with a sweet straight right, again with a beautiful left hook, and he was about to close the show when refereeJackie Morell mercifully ended the fight with 13-seconds left in round one.

Popular junior welterweight Mike “Bad Man” OHan, Jr. did just about everything but stop gritty DeWayne Txawj Ntse, who was penalized two points and officially floored once. But he survived, albeit losing a lop-sided 6-round unanimous decision to Ohan.

Tshiab hais Golden hnab looj tes yeej Francis “Frank The Tank” Hogan dismissed Rashan Wisdom, who went down on the canvas twice before his corner threw in the towel. Hogan is a tall, lanky southpaw who is well schooled and now 2-0 (2 Kos).

In a spirited fight, undefeated teeb heavyweight Edet “Papito” Mkpanam (4-0, 3 Kos) was relentless against a game Xa-u “Spider” Almeida, one of the top mixed-martial-arts fighters in New England. Mkpanan dropped Almeida in the first two rounds on his way to a tough 4-round unanimous decision.

Promising Boston lightweight prospect Jonathan Depina outclassed Theo “The Unholy Truth” Desjardin, flooring him early and finishing him off soon after with a blistering shot, to improve to 2-0 (2 Kos).

Middleweight Anthony Concepcion won by way of a third-round disqualification when his opponent, pro-debuting Caleb Denham, ignored the referee’s instructions to continue fighting.

Middleweight Larry “Slomoshun” Smith, fighting out of Dallas, recorded his first victory in more than nine years, taking a 4-round unanimous decision from Yexus “The Juice” Cintron. The 41-year-old Smith, 0-39-2 during his winless streak, dropped Anderson in the first round.


Larry Smith celebrated after his first win in 9 xyoo

Texas light heavyweight Bryan Vera khob qhov rooj tawm Mike Anderson with a big right hand early in round one. Referee Leo Gerstel immediately waved off the count right after Anderson hit the mat. Vera, who is known for his participating in Lub contender kev muaj tiag TV qhia tau tias, has defeated world champions Sergio Mora (ob zaug), then-undefeated Andy Lee thiab Serhiy Dzinziruk during his 16-year pro career.

Veteran junior middleweight Cliff “Magician” McPherson had no tricks for Tyrone “Hands of Stone” Luckey because he was disqualified in the second round by referee Morrell for repeated holding.

Opening the night was a cruiserweight match between Larry “Hitman” Pryor thiab Francisco Neto. It didn’t take long for Pryor, whose cousin was the late, Hall ntawm Famer Aaron “Hawk” Pryor, put down Neto with a nicely placed left hook. Neto beat the count but stood on wobbly legs, leading referee Gerstel to halt the fight at the 35-second mark of the opening round.

Sau kom tiav tau rau hauv qab no:


RAUG RAWS NTAUB NTAWV TAU
MAIN kev tshwm sim – VACANT NEW ENGLAND. HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Justin Rolfe (4-1-1, 3 Kos), Fairfield, KUV
WDEC8 (79-73, 79-73, 78-74)
Tracey Johnson (4-8-6, 0 Kos), Boston, MA
(Rolfe won the N.E. Heavyweight title)

CO-FEATURE – VACANT NEW HAMPSHIRE WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Ryan DiBartolomeo (3-0-1, 1 KO), Leominster, MA
WDEC6 (59-54, 59-54, 56-57)
Kris Jacobs (2-1-1, 0 Kos), Fall River, MA
(DiBartolomeo won vacant N.H. welterweight title)

CRUISERWEIGHTS
Larry Pryor (12-22, 6 Kos), Frederickson, MD
WTKO1 (0.35)
Francisco Neto (1-9), Woburn, MA

LUB TEEB heavyweights
Kendrick Ball, Jr. (15-1-2, 11 Kos), Worcester, MA

Tahuk Taylor (3-12-1, 1 KO), Greensboro, NC

Edet Mkpanam (4-0, 3 Kos), New Bedford, MA
WDEC4 (40-35, 39-36, 39-36)
Xa-u Almeida (0-12), Framingham, MA

Bryan Vera (27-16, 17 Kos), Auston, TX
WKO1 (1:01)
Mike Anderson (0-6), Philadelphia, PA

MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Francis Hogan (2-0, 2 Kos), Weymouth, MA
WTKO1 (1:37)
Rashan Blackburn (8-54-2, 4 Kos), Columbus, OH

Larry Smith (11-44-2, 7 Kos), Dallas, TX
WEC4 (40-35, 40-36, 40-36)
Jesus Javier Cintron (1-14-2, 0 Kos), Asbury Park, NJ

Anthony Concepcion (5-0-1, 4 Kos). Providence, RI
WDQ3 (152)
Caleb Denham (0-1, 0 Kos), Jamaica Plain, MA

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Tyrone Luckey (10-12-4, 7 Kos), Little Egg Harbor, NJ
WDQ2 (2:51)
Cliff McPherson (2-41-1, 1 KO), Cleveland, OH

Mike Ohan, Jr. (10-1, 5 Kos), Holbrook, MA
WDEC6 (60-52, 59-54, 59-54)
DeWayne Txawj Ntse (7-54-2, 3 Kos), Indianapolis, IN
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Jonathan Depina (2-0, 2 Kos), Boston, MA
WKO1 (2:17)
Theo Desjarden (0-12), Wrentham, MA
boxing, granite lub puab tsaig

3-lub sij hawm, 2-division world champion Jose Antonio Rivera returns with a bang KO winner in his first fight in 7 xyoo

Cia ib saib
Homecoming
Featuring the return of 3-time, 2-division ntiaj teb no yeej
“Lub Gallo” JOSE ANTONIO RIVERA
Friday, YIM HLI NTUJ 17, 2018
The Palladium, Worcester, Massachusetts
RAUG RAWS NTAUB NTAWV TAU
THE CHAMP IS BACK: referee Bob Benoit (L) and Jose Antonio Rivera

Worcester, Pawg. (Lub yim hli ntuj 19, 2018) – Seven years after his last fight, “Lub Gallo” Jose Antonio Rivera returned to the ring in grand fashion last night (Saturday) rau xov xwm “Homecoming, presented by Granite Chin Promotions in association with Rivera Promotions Entertainment, thaum Lub Palladium nyob rau hauv Worcester, Massachusetts.

 

 

 

The 45-year-old Rivera (42-6-1, 25 Kos), 35 pounds lighter than he was in February when he started training, packed the house in his hometown, fully entertained his supportive fans. Peb-lub sij hawm, two-division world champion Rivera pressured Larry “Slomoshun: Smith (10-38-1, 7 Kos) from the opening bell and he never let up.

 

 

 

It took a few rounds for Rivera to wear off the rust, but he fed Smith a steady diet of body shots, gradually breaking down his opponent, as he won round after round on points. Twice in the sixth round it looked like Smith was done, but the tough Texan showed a lot of heart to survive.

 

 

 

Thaum kawg, Rivera closed the show in the seventh round, when Smith broke his hand in the fifth round and was unable to continue, kneeling in his corner, obviously in pain.

 

 

 

“I’ve always been tough,” Rivera said after the fight, “but I was a little rusty. He tested me early but, once he saw I wasn’t going anywhere and knew he was in for a fight. I started warming up in the fourth round. I was always a 12-round fighter. I didn’t know he broke his hand until after the fight. Kuv xav tias zoo. We gave a good fight to the fans who have always supported me.”

 

 

 

“I give myself a C+ tonight. I’m going to talk with my family, but I’m thinking about one more fight, to make it 50 for his pro career).”

 

 

 

Jose Antonio Rivera (R) had a successful comeback fight

 

 

 

Nyob rau hauv lub co-featured kev tshwm sim, Worcester super middleweight Kendrick Ball, Jr. (10-1-2, 7 Kos) demolished Fabian “El Lobo” Valdez (2-4), flooring him with a right uppercut and soon after finished him with a vicious body shot for a technical-knockout victory in the opening round. The popular Ball was fighting at home for the first time as a professional

 

 

 

The rematch between Worcester junior middleweight Khiary Grey (16-4, 12 Kos) thiab Antonio Chaves Fernandez (9-34, 4 Kos) ended in the same fashion as their first encounter did three years ago. Also fighting at home for the first time, Gray blasted out his game opponent, cracking him with a picture-perfect, left-fight combination that put Fernandez on his back. Fernandez beat the count, but referee Bob Benoit halted the action.

 

 

Southbridge, MA junior middleweight Wilfredo “lub Sucaro” pagan (5-0, 3 Kos) tseem undefeated, using a relentless body attack to drop Engelberto “Guarura” Valenzuela (11-15, 3 Kos) peb lub sij hawm, the last ending the fight midway through the third round.

 

 

 

Springfield, MA junior lightweight Joshua Orta (1-0, 1 KO) turned in an impressive pro debut in a barn-burner that ended when (1-8-1, 1 KO), of Worcester, was unable to continue fighting after the third round.

 

 

 

Worcester welterweight Eslih Owuso (1-0) pitched a shutout in his pro debut, decking veteran Bryan “The Brick” Abraham (6-31-2, 6 Kos) ob zaug nyob rau hauv lub thib ob puag ncig, en txoj kev mus rau ib tug unanimous kev txiav txim siab yeej.

 

 

 

In the opening bout of the night, 45-xyoo-laus Jose Angel “KO” Ortiz (5-14-1, 2 Kos) poob Patrick Leal (0-5) 10-seconds into the fight, once more later in the opening round, and stopped him in the second. Oritz, fighting out of Springfield, MA by way of Puerto Rico, was fighting for the first time in five years, and he registered his first victory in seven.

Official results below:

 

RAUG RAWS NTAUB NTAWV TAU

 

MAIN kev tshwm sim – MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Jose Antonio Rivera (42-6-1, 25 Kos), Worcester, MA

WTKO 7 (1:07)

Larry Smith (10-38-1, 7 Kos), Dallas, Texas

 

 

 

CO-FEATURE – SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Kendrick Ball, Jr. (10-1-2, 7 Kos), Worcester, MA

WTKO1 (2:21)

Fabian Valdez (2-4, 0 Kos), Cananea Sonora, Mexico

 

 

 

MIDDLWEIGHTS

Jose Angel Ortiz (5-13-1, 2 Kos), Springfield, MA

WTKO2 (1:03)

Patrick Leal (0-5), Somerville, MA.

 

 

 

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Khiary Grey (16-4, 12 Kos), Worcester, MA

WTKO1 (2:27)

Antonio Chaves Fernandez (9-34, 4 Kos), Brockton, MA

 

 

 

Wilfredo Pagan (5-0, 3 Kos), Southbridge, MA

WTKO3 (1:29)

Engelberto Valenzuela (11-15, 3 Kos), Agua Prieta, Mexico

 

 

 

WELTERWEIGHTS

Eslih Owusu (1-0), Worcester, MA

WDEC4 (40-34, 40-35, 40-36)

Bryan Abraham (6-31-2, 6 Kos), Schenectady, NY

 

 

 

 

JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS

Joshua Orta 1-0, 1 KO), Springfield, MA

WTKO3 (3:00)

Edwin Rosado (1-8-1, 1 KO), Worcester, MA

 

 

 

 

Event sponsors included Lundgren Honda, Elm Wealth Group, Atty. Maria M. Rivera-Cotto Championsofhealth@USANA.com, Chieftain Liquors, Centro Las America, Baystate Savings

Bank, Pamela Laporte Realty, Worcester Vocero, ChrisFIT Xperience and Grille 57.

 

 

 

A portion of the proceeds was donated to Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England.

NTAUB NTAWV:

Facebook.com: /RiveraPromotionsEntertainment, /GraniteChinPromotions

Twitter: @RiveraPromoEnt @joseriverachamp @KingRivera_, @Granite_Chin

boxing, granite lub puab tsaig

New “Homecoming” opponent for headliner “Lub Gallo” Jose Antonio Rivera

Cia ib saib
Homecoming
Featuring the return of 3-time, 2-division ntiaj teb no yeej
“Lub Gallo” JOSE ANTONIO RIVERA
Friday, YIM HLI NTUJ 17, 2018
The Palladium, Worcester, Massachusetts
No hnub Friday night at The Palladium in Worcester, MA

Worcester, Pawg. (Lub yim hli ntuj 15, 2018) – Peb-lub sij hawm, ob-faib lub ntiaj teb no yeej “Lub Gallo” Jose Rivera has a new opponent for his comeback fight this Friday night in “Homecoming”, presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP) in association with Rivera Promotions Entertainment (RPE), thaum Lub Palladium nyob rau hauv Worcester, Massachusetts.

 

 

 

The 45-year-old Rivera (41-6-1, 24 Kos), who was matched against Ruben “Modern Day Warrior” Galvan, didn’t find out until yesterday (Tuesday) that Galvan had broken a finger the night before. Texas veteran Larry “Slomoshun” Smith (10-37-1, 7 Kos) is the late replacement for Rivera in the eight-round main event.

 

 

 

“I am not a fan of late changes,” Rivera said, “but at this point it’s either that or no fight, and I’ve trained too hard not to fight.”

 

 

 

Rivera last fought in 2011, taking an eight-round decision over Paul Mpendo, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut.

 

 

 

The name of the event is “Homecoming” because five fighters in action are from Worcester, including three who’ve never fought there before as professionals.

 

 

 

Super middleweight Kendrick Ball, Jr. (9-1-2, 6 Kos) and junior middleweight Khiary Grey(15-4, 11 Kos), both promoted by CES Boxing, will be fighting at home in Worcester as pros for the first time in a pair of six-round bouts. Ball faces Mexican Fabian “El Lobo” Valdez (2-3) in the co-featured event, while Gray (15-4, 11 Kos) ntsej muag Antonio Chaves Fernandez (9-33, 4 Kos), of Brockton, MA, in a rematch of a fight won by Gray.

 

 

 

Also scheduled to fight on the undercard in four-round bouts are Southbridge, MA welterweight Wilfredo “lub Sucaro” pagan (4-0, 2 Kos) vs. Engelberto “Guarura” Valenzuela (11-14, 3 Kos), Springfield’s (MA) pro-debuting featherweight Joshua Orta vs. Worcester’s Edwin Rosado (1-7-1, 1 KO), Worcester’s pro-debuting welterweight Eslih Owusu.vs. Bryan “The Brick” Abraham (6-30-2, 6 Kos) thiab Springfield, MA welterweight Jose Angel “KO” Ortiz (4-13-1, 1 KO) vs. Somerville’s (MA) Patrick Leal (0-4).

 

 

 

Tag nrho cov sib ntaus thiab tua hluav taws yuav raug hloov.

 

 

 

Daim pib, luv nqi ntawm $75.00 (ringside) thiab $45.00 (general nkag), yog ntawm kev muag khoom thiab muaj nyob rau yuav ntawm www.ThePalladium.net los yog cov Palladium chaw ua hauj lwm (general nkag xwb), los yog los ntawm hu rau Jose Rivera (elgallojar@gmail.com/508.864.6954), AJ Rivera (anthoneerivera@gmail.com/774.272.2269) los yog ib yam ntawm cov fighters.

 

 

 

Qhov rooj qhib rau ntawm 6 p.m. THIAB, thawj sib ntau sib tw 7 p.m. THIAB.

 

 

 

Event sponsors include Lundgren Honda, Elm Wealth Group, Atty. Maria M. Rivera-Cotto,Championsofhealth.USANA.com, Chieftain Liquors, Centro Las America, Baystate Savings Bank, Pamela Laporte Realty, Worcester Vocero, ChrisFIT Xperience and Grille 57 (hosting the official weigh in and after party).

 

 

 

A portion of the proceeds will go to Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England.

 

NTAUB NTAWV:

Facebook.com: /RiveraPromotionsEntertainment, /GraniteChin Promotions

Twitter: @RiveraPromoEnt @joseriverachamp @KingRivera_, @Granite_Chin

boxing, granite lub puab tsaig

“Lub Gallo” Jose Antonio Rivera “Homecoming” Open Workout Photo Gallery

Cia ib saib
Homecoming
Featuring the return of 3-time, 2-division ntiaj teb no yeej
“Lub Gallo” JOSE ANTONIO RIVERA
Friday, YIM HLI NTUJ 17, 2018
The Palladium, Worcester, Massachusetts
“Lub Gallo” Jose Antonio Rivera
“Homecoming” Open Workout
Photo Gallery
Lub Champ yog rov qab – Jose Antonio Rivera
Photo Gallery below – all pictures courtesy of Cristian Nunez
Worcester, Pawg. (Lub yim hli ntuj 9, 2018) — Peb-lub sij hawm, ob-faib lub ntiaj teb no yeej “Lub Gallo” Jose Rivera held an open workout yesterday at Camp Get Right in Worcester, MA, in preparation for his comeback fight Lub yim hli ntuj 17, headlining “Homecoming, presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP) in association with Rivera Promotions Entertainment (RPE), thaum Lub Palladium nyob rau hauv Worcester, Massachusetts.
Rivera (41-6-1, 24 Kos) headlines against Ruben “Modern Day Warrior” Galvan (27-26-4, 10 Kos) in the eight-round main event.
The name of the event is “Homecoming” because five fighters in action are from Worcester, including three who’ve never fought there before as professionals: Kendrick Ball, Jr. (9-1-2, 6 Kos), junior middleweight Khiary Grey (15-4, 11 Kos) and pro-debuting Eslih Owusu.
Pob, Jr. and Owusu, along with nearby Southbridge’s Wilfredo “El Sacaro” pagan and Worcester’s Edwin Rosado, joined Rivera at last night’s open workout.
Daim pib, luv nqi ntawm $75.00 (ringside) thiab $45.00 (general nkag), yog ntawm kev muag khoom thiab muaj nyob rau yuav ntawm www.ThePalladium.net los yog cov Palladium chaw ua hauj lwm (general nkag xwb), los yog los ntawm hu rau Jose Rivera (elgallojar@gmail.com/508.864.6954), AJ Rivera (anthoneerivera@gmail.com/774.272.2269) los yog ib yam ntawm cov fighters.
Qhov rooj qhib rau ntawm 6 p.m. THIAB, thawj sib ntau sib tw 7 p.m. THIAB.
Event sponsors include Lundgren Honda, Elm Wealth Group, Atty. Maria M. Rivera-Cotto, Championsofhealth.USANA.com, Chieftain Liquors, Centro Las America, Baystate Savings Bank, Pamela Laporte Realty, Worcester Vocero, ChrisFIT Xperience and Grille 57 (hosting the official weigh in and after party).
A portion of the proceeds will go to Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England.
NTAUB NTAWV:
Facebook.com: /RiveraPromotionsEntertainment, /GraniteChin Promotions
Twitter: @RiveraPromoEnt @joseriverachamp @KingRivera, @Granite_Chin

(L-R) — Co-promoter Chuck Shearns & Jose Antonio Rivera

Jose Antonio Rivera with Kendrick Ball, Jr. being interviewed in background

Jose Antonio Rivera

Jose Antonio Rivera
Kendrick Ball, Jr.
Kendrick Ball, Jr.
Kendrick Ball, Jr.
boxing, granite lub puab tsaig

“Lub Gallo” Jose Antonio Rivera to headline “Homecoming”

Cia ib saib
Lub Champ yog rov qab!
Lub yim hli ntuj 17 thaum Lub Palladium nyob rau hauv Worcester, MA
“Lub Gallo” Jose Antonio Rivera hitting the pads with his trainer Sean Fitzgerald

 

Worcester, Pawg. (Lub Xya hli ntuj 31, 2018) – A dozen years after he captured his third world title in two different weight classes, seven since his last fight, “Lub Gallo” Jose Rivera returns to the ring August 17 rau xov xwm “Homecoming”, presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP) in association with Rivera Promotions Entertainment (RPE), thaum Lub Palladium nyob rau hauv Worcester, Massachusetts.

 

 

 

The 45-year-old Rivera (41-6-1, 24 Kos) has already lost more than 30 phaus, now within four pounds of his contracted weight, since he started training earlier this year. He will headline against Ruben “Modern Day Warrior” Galvan (27-26-4, 10 Kos) in the eight-round main event.

 

 

 

Nyob rau hauv 1997, Rivera captured the International Boxing Organization (IBO) World welterweight title, siv ceev xwmphem Gilberto Flores nyob rau hauv lub thib ob puag ncig. Six years later, he traveled to Germany to take on undefeated, hometown nyiam Michel Trabant (38-0) for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) World Welterweight Championship, in which Rivera won a 12-round decision and the belt.

 

 

 

In front of nearly 10,000 hometown fans in Worcester, Rivera capped his boxing career by winning a 12-round unanimous decision in 2006 over defending champion Alejandro Garcia(25-1) for the WBA World super welterweight title.

 

 

 

“The idea to return to the ring started with my son. A.J., and I talking about chasing history,” rivera piav. “We are not able to put that together right now (A.J. was born with Spina Bifida and he was unable to secure medical clearance in time for the Aug. 17th show.), but because of my hard work these last six months, I felt that it was only fitting to continue with my fight.

 

 

 

“Granite Chin Promotions has been very instrumental to make sure that this show is put together in the most professional manner possible. I won’t think our promotional company (Jos and A.J. own and operate RPE Promotions Entertainment) would have been able to pull this off. All the negotiations had to be done and me training the only way I know how, at a championship level, would have been too much for us to handle.”

 

 

 

Granite Chin Promotions’ co-promoter Chuck Shearns ntxiv, “When Jose and I started talking about his ring return, I was the last person to think he was crazy. We were friends during his championship days and I know how incredibly committed and disciplined Jose is. Kuv tiv thaiv ntawm 49 xyoo, not to compare myself to the level Jose has been on, but I know that it can be done. What everyone should know is how well Jose has taken care of himself during his thirties and into his forties. Did I ever think that Chris (Traietti, GCP co-promoter) and I would be co-promoting Jose’s comeback? Ua Tsis, but I’m happy to be involved and I will support him as far as he wants to take this. He’s been training like he’s 25 and Jose’s going to surprise some people.”

 

 

 

During Rivera’s title reigns, unlike other world champions, he also held a full-time job as a court officer in the Massachusetts Trial Court, a position in Worcester that he still holds 17 years later. Between working and training, never mind his family responsibilities, Jose somehow manages to balance everything in his extremely busy life.

 

 

 

“Let’s just say it makes for a busy schedule,” Rivera remarked. “I am committed to taking care of my family and will do whatever it takes. I usually run before work and train after work. Starting early and finishing late makes for busy days, but the job needs to get done. Txoj cai tam sim no, I’m in the middle of the hardest period of training. The week of the fight is more about preparing mentally and making weight. There’s nothing you can do the week of the fight to help you get into better shape.”

 

 

 

Rivera isn’t under any illusions that his comeback will lead to another major world title. The plan is for him to have two more fights to reach a total of 50 raws li ib tug pro, but he’s taking things one fight at a time, and he still hopes his next fight, tentatively slated for later this year, will be on the same card as his son’s pro debut.

 

 

 

Rivera last fought in 2011, taking an eight-round decision over Paul Mpendo, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut. The battle-tested Galvan, his Aug. 17th opponent from Indiana, has fought other world champions, Including Zab Judah, Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., Jorge Paez thiab Paul Spadafora.

 

 

 

“I hear he comes to fight and that he likes to fool around a bit to try and get into his opponent’s head,” Rivera added. I’ve concentrated on me, my timing and focus on the game plan

 

 

 

“Training for this fight has been more mental than anything else. I have been able to reach peak performance at 45 training like I did in my prime. The most important thing is that, working with my trainer Sean Fitzgerald, I’ve been focused on making sure my timing gets better since it’s been seven years since I last fought.

 

 

 

“Thiab, ntawm chav kawm, it’s always a great feeling to box in front of my hometown fans. Their support is always appreciated.”

 

 

 

The name of the event is “Homecoming” because six fighters in action are from Worcester, including three who’ve never fought there before as professionals.

 

 

 

Middleweight Kendrick Ball, Jr. (9-1-2, 6 Kos) and junior middleweight Khiary Grey (15-4, 11 Kos), both promoted by CES Boxing, will be fighting at home in Worcester as pros for the first time in a pair of six-round bouts. Ball meets Demethi-aus Walker (8-21-2, 4 Kos) in the co-featured event, while Gray (15-4, 11 Kos) ntsej muag Antonio Chaves Fernandez (9-33, 4 Kos), of Brockton, MA, in a rematch of a fight won by Gray.

 

 

 

Also scheduled to fight on the undercard in four-round bouts are Springfield, MA welterweight Jose Angel “KO” Ortiz (4-13-1, 1 KO) vs. Seth Basler (0-8) and pro-debuting featherweight Joshua Orta vs. Worcester’s Edwin Rosado (1-7-1, 1 KO), Southbridge, MA welterweight Wilfredo “lub Sucaro” pagan (4-0, 2 Kos) vs. TBA, and Worcester’s pro-debuting welterweight Eslih Owusu.vs. Bryan “The Brick” Abraham (6-30-2, 6 Kos).

 

 

 

Tag nrho cov sib ntaus thiab tua hluav taws yuav raug hloov.

 

 

 

Daim pib, luv nqi ntawm $75.00 (ringside) thiab $45.00 (general nkag), yog ntawm kev muag khoom thiab muaj nyob rau yuav ntawm www.ThePalladium.net los yog cov Palladium chaw ua hauj lwm (general nkag xwb), los yog los ntawm hu rau Jose Rivera (elgallojar@gmail.com/508.864.6954), AJ Rivera (anthoneerivera@gmail.com/774.272.2269) los yog ib yam ntawm cov fighters.

 

 

 

Qhov rooj qhib rau ntawm 6 p.m. THIAB, thawj sib ntau sib tw 7 p.m. THIAB.

 

 

 

Event sponsors include Lundgren Honda, Elm Wealth Group, Atty. Maria M. Rivera-Cotto,Championsofhealth.USANA.com, Chieftain Liquors, Centro Las America, Baystate Savings Bank, Pamela Laporte Realty, Worcester Vocero, ChrisFIT Xperience and Grille 57 (hosting the official weigh in and after party).

 

 

 

A portion of the proceeds will go to Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England.

 

NTAUB NTAWV:

Facebook.com: /RiveraPromotionsEntertainment, /GraniteChin Promotions

Twitter: @RiveraPromoEnt @joseriverachamp @KingRivera_, @Granite_Chin