Undefeated teeb heavyweight Richard “Popeye” Rivera to headline & Amateur star Sharad Collier turning pro Lub rau hli ntuj 16 at Xfinity Centre in Hartford, I

(L-R) – Sharad Collier, promoter/trainer Tony Blanco & Richard Rivera

HARTFORD, Conn. (Tej zaum 3, 2018) -Hartford Boxing Promotions has announced its inaugural event, “Fight Night at the Capital”, to take place Saturday night, Lub rau hli ntuj 16, at Xfinity Centre in Hartford, Connecticut.

 

 

Boxing trainer Tony Blanco and his Hartford Boxing Center gym partner, Michael Tran, have teamed with their undefeated light heavyweight prospect, Richard “Popeye Lub neeg tsav nkoj txiv neej” Rivera (7-0, 6 Kos), to form Hartford Boxing Promotions.

 

 

“I’m excited about the entire card and providing a platform for some of the best amateurs in recent Connecticut boxing history to fight,” Blanco said. “‘Popeye’ is in the main event. He’s sparred against world champions and each experience has given him more confidence. He’s on his way to greatness. We’re also showcasing (‘The Special One’) Sharad Collier in his pro debut. This kid is something special. Richard is exactly what Hartford needs, somebody youngster can look up to as a role model. ‘Popeye’ is exciting to watch and very popular. Sharad is going to be like that, heev.

 

 

“I’m thrilled to partner with Richard and Michael to bring boxing back to Hartford, which is a hotbed for boxing, and it has a rich boxing history. There’s a lot of talent here right now and fans will see that June 16^th.”

 

 

Boxing’s roots in the Hartford market dates back nearly a full century, headlined by International Hall of Famers Willie “Will o’ the Wisp” Pep thiab Christopher “Battling” Battalino. Other top-area boxers include world champion Marlon “Magic txiv neej” Starling, lub ntiaj teb no title challengers Gaspar “El Indio” Ortega thiab Neeg Ixayees “es” Cardona, thiab 1996 USA Olympic Boxing Team captain Lawrence av nplaum-Bey.

 

 

The hardest hitter in New England, rising star Rivera will defend his Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) New England light heavyweight title in the eight-round main event versus an opponent to be determined.

 

 

 

“I’m blessed to help bring boxing back to Hartford,” Rivera commented. “I’m honored to headline our first show, Fans will see good boxing and be entertained. I’m going to put on a good performance on an exciting night. Kuv tsis tau tos!”

 

 

The 21-yer-old Collard, fighting out of Hartford like Rivera, will be competing in the National Golden Gloves Championships, starting May 14th in Omaha, Nebraska, before returning home to turn pro in a four-round Special Junior Welterweight Attraction versus Carlos Galindo (0-2), ntawm Woburn, Massachusetts.

 

 

“Tony is like my second father and I’m grateful to him for allowing me to make my pro debut in my hometown,” Collier remarked. “I’m bringing a big fan-base and I’m going to put on a show. I’m familiar with a lot of fighters on this card. ‘Popeye’ is like my big brother. We train and have traveled together as amateurs. We motivate each other. I’m going to try and get a faster knockout than him June 16^th.”

 

 

Undefeated Danbury, CT lightweight Omar “Lub Beast” Bordoy, Jr. (5-0, 1 KO) in his first scheduled six-rounder vs. Alexander “El Bravo” Picot (2-5-1), fighting out of Hartford by way of Puerto Rico.

 

 

Also fighting on the undercard, tag nrho cov nyob rau hauv plaub-round bouts, are Hartford featherweight Luis “Lobito” Rivera (4-3) vs. Phillip Davis (1-1-1), of Worcester, MA; pro-debuting New Haven, CT lightweight Anuel Rosa vs. Cleveland’s Roger Blankenship (1-3), New Britain, CT featherweight Nathan Martinez in his professional debut vs. New Bedford’s (MA)Henry Garcia (1-0), Hartford lightweight Jose Maysonette vs. Justin Morales, of New Bedford, in a battle of pro-debut fighters, and another pair of pro debut fighters, Bridgeport, CT featherweight Jacob Marrero vs. Jimmy Santiago, of New York City.

 

 

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

 

 

Daim pib, luv nqi ntawm $80.00, $60.00 thiab $40.00, are on sale and available to purchase, raws li zoo raws li $125.00 VIP tickets that include food and soft drinks), at Ticket Master outlets or at the Hartford Boxing Center gym.

 

 

Qhov rooj qhib rau ntawm 6 p.m. THIAB, nyuajsiab ntxhov plawv pib ntawm 7 p.m. THIAB.

 

 

Sponsors include Hot 93.7 FM, Hartford Boxing Center, Foster Buddies Network and HBC ProShop.

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