Worcester, Pawg. (Cuaj hlis 13, 2017) – Former UFC heavyweight title challenger Gabriel “Napao” Gonzaga will make his professional boxing debutSaturday hmo ntuj, Lub kaum hli ntuj 26, nyob rau hauv lub “New England’s Future 4” card, promoted by Rivera Promotions Entertainment (RPE), nyob rau DCU Center (Exhibition Hall) nyob rau hauv Worcester, Massachusetts.

“New England’s Future 4” (NEF4) is presented by Rivera Promotions Entertainment (RPE), which is owned and operated by retired three-time, ob faib lub ntiaj teb champion Jose Antonio Rivera thiab nws tus tub, Anthonee (A.J.) Rivera.

Former WBU Americans and IBU North American cruiserweight champion Vinnie “American Nightmare” Carita (16-1-1, 15 Kos), nyob tsis. 6 by the North American Boxing Organization (NABO), headlines against an opponent to be determined in the eight-round main event.

“RPE is excited to have an athlete of Gonzaga’s caliber making his pro debut on our NEF4 boxing event,” promoter Jose Antonio Rivera said. “We are happy that boxers and MMA athletes trust us in terms of what we are trying to do to help them build their careers.”

The 38-year-old Gonzaga teaches Brazilian Ju-Jitsu (BJJ) in Worcester and lives nearby in Ludlow. Now retired from mixed-martial-arts competition (17-11-0, 7 Kos, 9 SUBs, 1 Dec), the 6′ 2″, 260-pound Gonzaga holds 4^th degree black belt in BJJ. The highlight of his MMA career was at the 2007 UFC 70 held in Manchester, United Kingdom, in which he knocked out K-1, Pride and Rizen champion Mirko Cro Copwith a head kick in the opening round, positioning Gonzaga for his unsuccessful challenge of UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture in his next fight.

Gonzaga also defeated Ben Rothwell, Shawn Jordan thiab Chris Tuchscherer, among the more notable UFC fighters he faced in the Octagon.

“When I first saw Gabriel sparring,” Gonzaga’s trainer Rocky Gonzalez hais tias, “I knew he had potential to beat a lot of heavyweights around. He had a lot going on at that time and he was still under contract with the UFC. Tam sim no, it’s a great opportunity for him.”

Daim pib, luv nqi ntawm $75.00 (ringside) thiab $45.00 (general nkag), are on sale and available to purchase at the DCU Center box office, www.dcu.centerworcester.com, by contacting 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 6:30 p.m., thawj sib ntau sib tw 7:00 p.m. THIAB.

Sponsors xws li Lundgren Honda, Championsofhealth.usna.com, and American Pyramids.

Part of the proceeds will go to Worcester Latino Dollars For Scholars.

Facebook.com/RiveraPromotionsEntertainment

Twitter: @RiveraPromoEnt @joseriverachamp @KingRivera_