Gabriel Gonzaga (R) won his pro boxing debut

WORCESTER, Masse. (Octobre 29, 2017) – Former UFC heavyweight title challenger Gabriel “Il a attaqué” Gonzague has a successful pro boxing debut last night (Samedi, Octobre. 28) in the co-featured event on the “L'avenir de la Nouvelle-Angleterre 4” carte, présenté par Promotions Rivera Divertissement (À propos de nous), au DCU Center, Salle d'exposition, à Worcester.

Le 6′ 2″, 280-pound Brazilian, now fighting out of Worcester (MA), fought another pro-debut boxer with limited MMA experience, Alejandro Esquilin Santiago, de Tampa (FL). Gonzaga stalked the southpaw Santiago, landing some hard shots in the opening round. The heavy-handed Gonzaga picked up the pace in the third and his upset-minded opponent responded in a positive fashion. Both fighters exchanged freely in the fourth and final round, neither was hurt during the contest, and Gonzaga was awarded a win by four-round majority decision.

“I thought I’d be more relaxed in the ring like I had been in the gym,” Gonzaga said. “I did my best and came away with a victory. I was too safe in the third round. My punches were much strong and a lot of his punches I blocked with my gloves. This was really great! ce soir”

“I felt good and gave it my all,” Santiago remarked. “He hit me with some shots and gave ’em back. Not only does he have a big nose (“Il a attaqué”), he has a strong, big head, aussi.”

Dans l'événement principal, popular Hartford (CT) mi-lourds Richard “Popeye le marin” Rivera resté invaincu, améliorer son dossier pour 4-0 (3 KOs), with a first-round knockout of an over-matched Hansen Castillo (0-3)

Rivera, not relations to the promoter, first dropped Castillo with a beautifully placed left uppercut and finished the show moments later with a left hook that sent Castillo flying to canvas. Arbitre Kevin Hope didn’t bother to count.

“My coaches were telling me to be calm because it was a six-round bout,” Rivera a expliqué. “I saw that he had his left down and caught him with an uppercut. I’m strong to the finish because I eat my spinach.”

New Haven junior middleweight Edwin Sosa (11-2-2, 4 KOs) overcame at 15-pound disadvantage, tout au moins, en route to a dominant six-round unanimous decision over Anthony “L'animal” Everett (1-7), of Rowley (MA).

Danbury (CT) poids welter junior Omar Bordoy, Jr. (3-0, 1 KO) stopped New York veteran Bryan “La brique” Abraham (6-31, 6 KOs) au quatrième et dernier tour. Abraham was decked twice and after counting to 10 after Abraham’s second time on the canvas, arbitre Paul Casey a agité l'action.

Three-time national amateur champion Elvis “Chi Chi” Figueroa (3-0, 1 KO), se battre hors de New Haven, pitched a complete shutout over a game, pro-Faisant ses débuts René Nazare(0-1), du Brésil, for a convincing win by way of a four-round unanimous decision.

Southbridge (MA) welters Wilfredo “le Sucaro” Païen (3-0, 1 KO) pinnedPatrick Leal (0-4), de Woburn, on the ropes early, dropping him three times until referee Casey halted the fight midway through the opening round.

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