Undefeated Hartford (I) teeb heavyweight Richard “Popeye Lub neeg tsav nkoj txiv neej” Rivera (5-0, 4 Kos) will headline the fifth installment of the “Tshiab hais tus yav tom ntej” series, tiv thaiv Kevin “Tus Tshiab hais Bully” Cobbs (10-2, 4 Kos), fighting out of South Boston (MA), rau cov tsis muaj Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) Tshiab hais title nyob rau hauv lub yim-round ntsiab kev tshwm sim.
Worcester ob-lub sij hawm lub teb chaws pib xyaum ua champion Bobby “BH3” Harris, III (2-0) raws li Brazilian super middleweight Xa-u Almeida (0-8-1) nyob rau hauv lub plaub-round co-featured kev tshwm sim, while Hartford super middleweight Jose “Nyob R” Rivera (4-1, 3 Kos) raws li Troy “Omar KO Artist” artist (4-7-1 (3 Kos), ntawm Danbury (I) nyob rau hauv ib tug rau-round match.
“Tshiab hais tus yav tom ntej 5” charity choice: Luis Rosa, Jr. Scholarship Fund
For each RPR event, pab txhawb Jose Antonio Rivera selects a charity to donate a portion of the proceeds to, and for “Tshiab hais tus yav tom ntej 5” he has announced that it will be the Luis Rosa, Jr. Scholarship Fund.
“We believe it’s important to give back to the community and for this show we have selected the Luis Rosa, Jr. Scholarship fund. Luis died last weekend in a tragic car accident at the age of 26. He was a great fighter and an even better person who will be terribly missed. Our company will also push the news about the Luis Rosa, Jr. Scholarship Fund when it’s finalized through our social media.”
Sib ntaus sib tua rau lub undercard, tag nrho cov nyob rau hauv plaub-round bouts,
are Danbury junior welterweight Omar Bordoy, Jr. (2-0) vs.
Puerto Rican foe Alexander “El Bravo” Picot (
2-4-1), Southbridge (MA) junior welterweight
Wilfredo “lub Sucaro” pagan (3-0, 1 KO) vs. pro-debuting
Nick Peralta, ntawm Lawrence, undefeated Springfield (MA) teeb heavyweight
Ray “bazooka” Graceski (5-0, 3 Kos). vs. Hartford tus pro-debuting
Paul Bansiak, Springfield welterweight
Derrick “Phem Tub” Whitley (2-0) vs.
Roger Blankenship (1-2), undefeated Puerto Rican super middleweight
Jelame Garcia (6-0, 6 Kos) vs. Brazilian
Rodrigo Almeida 1-7), Bridgeport tus (I) pro-debuting welterweight
Yauxej Goss vs.
Seth Basler (0-3), thiab Hartford junior sib vs. Bridgeport tus
Carlos Marraro, III (0-1).
Tag nrho cov sib ntaus thiab tua hluav taws yuav raug hloov.
XOVXWM rooj sab laj QUOTES
Jose Rivera, RPE CEO: “I’m excited because a press conference means the fights are getting closer. We plan to build our promotional company this year. There is a lot of talent in New England and that’s why we have so many Connecticut fighters on this card. I want the fighters here to understand the importance of a press conference. They will gain valuable experience speaking in public and being interviewed by the media. One of the primary reasons we’re promoting is to give young fighters a platform to box and prepare them for their pro careers.”
A.J. Rivera, RPE President/Matchmaker: “The support we’ve received has been tremendous and we exceeded expectations in our first year. This is just the begining for RPE. We’re going to get better this year. We’re not satisfied just being a small promotional company. Boxing is the loneliest sport in the world and these boxers need fans’ support. There’s a lot of talent in New England and much of it is concentrated in Connecticut. We have more Connecticut fighters on this card than fighters from Massachusetts.”
Richard Rivera: “Qhov no yog ib tug loj lub sij hawm rau kuv. Rivera Promotions accomplished so much in its first year. I fought in the co-main twice of two previous RPE shows I fought on. This is going to be an awesome show, not just the main event. There are competitive boxers up and down the card. Tsis tsuas ntsais muag lawm, don’t go to the bathroom because any one of these fights could end at any time.”
“This is a big step up for my career. Boxing is my passion. We’re both coming to fight. Yeej, lose or draw we’ll see who the Alpha dog is at the end. “I’m ‘Popeye The Sailor Man’, and I’m good to the finish because I eat my spinach.”
Kevin Cobbs: “I respect Rivera and believe in what I hear. He seems like a good dude. I’m excited about this fight. A lot of people weren’t sure about what I was doing because I hadn’t fought nyob rau hauv ob xyoos thaum kuv tau txais tus hu (to fight Rivera). Boxing took me out of the space was in and I never stopped boxing. This is going to be a big year for the Rivera’s. I like to switch it up and I’m ready to go.”
Bobby Harris, III: “My opponent wants to redeem his brother’s loss to me. I want to thank RPE for putting me in the co-feature in only my third pro fight. My first two fights were a learning experience and this fight I’m looking to make a statement to showcase my talents. I have a lot to prove as the only Worcester fighter on this card.”
Omar Bordoy, Jr: “I’m fighting a tough opponent. Fighting is easier for me than talking up here. I’m fighting a guy from Hartford. I have a lot of love for his trainer and Hartford. I want my hand raised at the end of the fight.”
Derrick Whitley: “I want to thank Rivera Promotions for putting me on this card. I fought on two of their shows last year and came out 2-0. I’m looking to be 3-0. It was a learning experience going from the amateurs to pros. Everybody’s goal is to raise your level. I’m in the best shape of my life for this fight and doing things in the gym I’ve never done before. I’m looking for a stoppage.”
Wilfredo Pagan: “Kuv 37 years old and I’ve always had a glad to fight at least one pro fight. A couple of fights fell through but the Riveras opened the doors for me. I put it all into my fights. I was looking for one fight and this will be my fourth. I’m going to be 4-0.”
Carlos Marraro, III: “I want to thank Rivera Promotions for the opportunity to showcase my talents February 10th. This will be my first fight on a Rivera Promotions card, but I’m familiar with most of the fighters on this card.”
Qhov rooj qhib rau ntawm 6 p.m. THIAB, thawj sib ntau sib tw 7 p.m. THIAB.
Sponsors xws li Lundgren Honda, Sab saum toj Royalty, Allstate, USANA, Atty. Maria M. Rivera-Cotto, ambition paj nruag, Hill Team Associates and Lundren Insurance & Financial Services.
NTAUB NTAWV:
Facebook.com/RiveraPromotionsEntertainment
Twitter: @RiveraPromoEnt @joseriverachamp @KingRivera_
(L-R) – Richard “Popeye Lub neeg tsav nkoj txiv neej”