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October 28 in Worcester, MA
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(L-R) – front: Bobby Harris III holding Bobby Harris IV and A.J. Rivera; rear: Bobby Harris and Jose Antonio Rivera
WORCESTER, Mass. (October 2, 2017) – Local prospect Bobby “BH3” Harris III is ready to breakout of the shadows cast by his father, retired pro boxer Bobby Harris, starting Saturday night, October 28, in the fourth and final 2017 installment of the popular professional boxing series, “New England’s Future”, at the DCU Center (Exhibition Hall) in Worcester, Massachusetts.
“New England’s Future 4” is presented by Rivera Promotions Entertainment (RPE), which is owned and operated by retired three-time, two division world champion Jose Antonio Rivera and his son, Anthonee (A.J.) Rivera.
“BH3” and A.J. grew-up together in gyms as sons of pro fighters. They had dreams of making it in boxing, which has come to fruition with “BH3” the rising prospect, A.J. the president and matchmaker for RPE. At times, though, what’s transpired may be somewhat surreal for both young men.
“I grew up in boxing,” Bobby Harris III explained. “My father always brought me to the gym and his fights. My uncle, Adam Harris, was also a pro boxer. My father and Jose were super close, me and A.J. grew-up as brothers. The same blood couldn’t make us any closer. It’s me and AJ. My first amateur fight was when I was 13. A.J. used to run and workout with me. I’d go to his house after school and sleep over on weekends. We planned our lives together in boxing; my job is to fight and A.J. promotes and makes matches.”
“I remember growing up with Bobby as my brother,” A.J. added. “We did everything together: ran, trained, sparred and pushed each other to our greatest limits. He’s grown so much over the years. His natural ability, mixed with years of experience, and Bobby growing into a man will surely lead to him being world champion one day. I’m truly proud and excited to see our childhood plan unfold.”
“BH3” only had about 40 amateur matches but the large majority were at the national level. He is a two-time national amateur champion, including a gold-medal performance in the USA National Championships, and as a member of Team USA, he was rated No. 1 in the U.S, and No. 2 in the world.
The 21-year-old decided to turn pro earlier this year, rather than wait for a shot at the Olympics, after discussing his options with his father, as well as Jose and A.J. Rivera, plus his head trainer, Rocky Gonzalez. Worcester boxers such as Jermaine Ortiz and Irvin Gonzalez turning pro, along with the arrival of now 8-month-old Bobby Harris IV, were key factors in his decision to become a professional boxer. “I didn’t want to waste another year,” Bobby admitted. “Turning pro now will get me into rankings earlier. The time was right”
Bobby’s father was a 4-time national amateur champion as a super heavyweight who compiled a 20-2-1 (13 KOs) pro record between 1993 and 1999. Today, he is an important member of his son’s corner, but he did leave a shadow cast over his son, especially across New England.
“People will always compare me with my dad, in the ring, but, as good as he was, it’s a great honor to be his son,” Bobby Harris III remarked. “It’s been nothing but good for me. He trained with fighters like (Oscar) De La Hoya, (Shane) Mosley, (Evander) Holyfield and so many other great fighters. We are different, though. and now I’m establishing my own identity. The sport has changed so much since he fought. Back then it was mostly two guys beating each other up, not as much of a performance. I like to put on a good performance and have people say, ‘He’s cool, and when does he fight again. My dad has told me how different boxing is today compared to when he fought. Now, marketing is so important for fighters, and a lot of exposure is through social media.
“My father was a heavyweight, I’m going to go down to 154 (junior middleweight. He is so much bigger, taller and heavier than I am, so fighting in different weight classes separates us. I’m a different style fighter, too. I’m more active than him. So that people don’t confuse us when talking, I came up with ‘BH3’ as my persona. We are different in and out of the ring.”
“I have known Little Bobby (as I call him) since he was born,” Jose Rivera noted. “He calls me, Tio (uncle) Jose, and I love him like a member of my family. I am happy and proud to see little Bobby go after his dreams and goals his way and on his terms. I wouldn’t want it any other way. My son, A.J., and I are happy that we can use our RPE company to be able to help little Bobby pursue his dreams and goals. Worcester – and soon enough the rest of the world – will know it’s BH3 Time!”
“BH3” turned pro this past June 10, in his Worcester hometown, taking a four-round unanimous decision (40-36 X 3) over an awkward opponent, Rodrigo Almeida, who seemed more interested in survival, often frustrating “BH3” with his constant holding.
“I’m happy with the way that fight went because I learned so much,” Bobby commented. “I was so excited with all the hype about my pro debut, and I was into the crowd trying for the knockout. I learned that I need to take my time, have fun, throw combinations and that the knockout will come. Dad liked to jab, I like to hit and run like ‘Sugar’ Ray (Leonard). My first pro fight wasn’t really me. I’m the matador but I can fight like a bull if the opportunity comes to me. I can change things around but I forgot to have fun in my pro debut.”
“BH3” plans to breakout from his father’s shadow in his Oct. 28th fight against New Yorker Troy Omer “KO Artist” Artis (3-7-1, 2 KOs), contested at a 164-pound catchweight, in a four-round bout.
Former WBU Americans and IBU North American cruiserweight champion Vinnie “American Nightmare” Carita (16-1-1, 15 KOs), fighting out of Pembroke (MA), will face an opponent to be determined in the eight-round main event.
Former UFC heavyweight title challenger Gabriel “Napao” Gonzaga will make his pro boxing debut in a four-round match against Washington D.C. heavyweight Alando Pugh (1-10-1, 1 KO).
The “New England’s Future 4” undercard features many of the best and most popular N.E. fighters, including 2016 N.E. Golden Gloves champion Anthony Laureano (4-0, 2 KOs), a promising welterweight from East Hartford (CT), who faces Clifton Rashad Thames (3-2-1), of Oklahoma City, in a six-round match.
Other undercard fights, all four-rounders, include 2014 N.E. Golden Gloves champion Adrian “Tonka” Sosa (4-0, 3 KOs), fighting out of nearby Lawrence (MA), vs. veteran Norwalk (CT) welterweight Shakha Moore (12-23-3, 2 KOs), New Haven (CT) Edwin Soto (10-2-2, 4 KOs) vs. Anthony Everett (1-6). of Lawrence, at a 150-pounds catch-weight, three-time USA Boxing Nationals champion Elvis Figueroa (2-0, 1 KO), of New Haven (CT), vs. Anthony Bowman (11-63-2, 3 KOs). Richard “Popeye The Sailor Man” Rivera (3-0, 2 KOs), of Hartford (CT), vs. Hansen Castillo (0-2), at a 180-pounds catch-weight, Southbridge (MA) junior welterweight Wilfredo “El Sucaro” Pagan (2-0) vs. Oscar Diaz (0-12), of Hartford, and Danbury (CT) junior welterweight Omar Bordoy, Jr. (2-0) vs. Alan Beeman (0-15), of Providence.
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $75.00 (ringside) and $45.00 (general admission), 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.
(anthoneerivera@gmail.com/774.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., first bout 7:00 p.m. ET.
Sponsors include Lundgren Honda, Championsofhealth.usna.com, and American Pyramids.
Part of the proceeds will go to Worcester Latino Dollars For Scholars.
INFORMATION:
Facebook.com/
Twitter: @RiveraPromoEnt @joseriverachamp @KingRivera_
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Charlo Hosts a Public Media Workout to Discuss His October 14 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Fight Against Erickson Lubin
Click HERE for Photos from Andy Hemingway/SHOWTIME®
Click HERE for Photos from Fred Agho/Team Charlo
Photo Credit: Andy Hemingway/SHOWTIME
HOUSTON (Sept. 29, 2017) – Unbeaten champion Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo visited the Houston Food Bank on Fridayto meet with volunteers and help prepare boxes of goods for victims of Hurricane Harvey alongside his twin brotherJermall Charlo and Houston-based world champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara. The Houston Food Bank presented Jermell with a patch to wear on his shorts during his title defense bout on October 14 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.
After visiting the Food Bank, Charlo met with media at Charlo Boxing & Fitness Club in Sugar Land, Texas in advance of his much-anticipated fight against top contender Erickson “Hammer” Lubin. The fight will serve as the co-main event of the high stakes SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader that is headlined by Erislandy Lara defending his title against undefeated Terrell Gausha.
Tickets to the event are on sale now and start at $50 (not including applicable fees). Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
Here is what Erislandy Lara, Jermell Charlo and Jermall Charlo and had to say Friday:
ERISLANDY LARA
“When they asked me if I was available to come to the Houston Food Bank to volunteer, I didn’t even hesitate. I was in. No matter how busy I am with training camp, I always have time to help for a good cause.
“Houston has suffered with Hurricane Harvey. I’ve seen the devastation. Coming to the Food Bank with my wife today is my little grain of sand to help a bigger cause. I come from Cuba, an island that it’s often battered by storms. I’ve seen people lose a lot to Mother Nature. I feel for them.
“I don’t think my preparation for this fight has been affected by what happened here in Houston [Hurricane Harvey]. I have endured so much in my life. I had to escape from my homeland to pursue my dream of becoming a professional boxer. I defied the odds and I became a world champion. I got here with hard work and discipline. I’m focused. Nothing distracts me.
“Gausha is a good fighter, but he doesn’t know what he signed up for. I’m not a brawler, I’m a real fighter– a technical boxer. I went toe-to-toe with some of the best fighters in the division. He’s in for treat.”
JERMELL CHARLO
“I didn’t get a chance to really see my house [during Hurricane Harvey] because I’ve been gone. I’ve been in Dallas training with Errol Spence Jr. and my trainer Derrick James. My uncle wouldn’t tell me anything that’s going on in my gym. Everybody basically was like ‘don’t worry about what’s going on.’ I’m trying to keep my mind off of it. I’m back home, everything is good and that’s all that matters right now.
“Erickson Lubin is a crafty young fighter. He’s strong. He’s got some skills. He’s got pop. We’re just going to have to dog it out. Best man wins. Whoever’s in the best shape, whoever’s the strongest fighter, whoever lands the best punches is going to win the fight.
“I’m a vet. I’ve been in the game professionally ten years. I grew up in the amateurs. I’ve got the height, I’ve got the size, I’m stronger, I’m faster.
“I’ve fought three southpaws. I’ve knocked them all out. I’ve knocked every southpaw I’ve fought out.
“Errol Spence Jr. is the perfect sparring partner. He’s been one of the best sparring partners that I’ve had even when I’m fighting right-handers because of his dominance. He’s very strong, he’s fast and he’s punching.
“I’ve got Houston on my back right now – me and my twin brother. If there were more fighters in Houston, we would be a bigger team. We do what we can to try to get boxing back into this city.
“Why not get a big fight? I’ve fought 29 fights. I’ve fought a lot of prospects. My career has been built up. I beat Olympians. What else do you want me to do? Now it’s time to beat the [Miguel] Cottos and the Canelos [Alvarez] and the Triple G’s [Gennady Golovkin] and whoever else we’ve got to jump in the ring with.
“I’m satisfied with [trainer] Derrick James. I actually like the fact that I have to leave to go to a different city to train because I can focus over there. I’m sitting in a home where I just train. I wake up, eat protein, back to training again and then rest. My focus is there.”
JERMALL CHARLO
“I told my brother that this fight is equivalent to when I fought J-Rock [Julian Williams]. A lot of people are going to doubt him but at the end of the day they’re going to be in his corner cheering him on for the victory.
“I told Jermell to continue to work hard and keep striving because it’s going to build our legacy to that next level. It’s going to put us where we need to be to get the best opponents and the biggest fights.
“I’m in camp with Ronnie Shields. We’re getting in shape. I’ve been training so I’m just waiting on the next date, the next fight. We’ll see what happens.”
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For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports,www. PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @LouDiBella, @TGBPromotions @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter,
and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment
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