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boxing, Granite Chin

Undefeated featherweight prospect Irvin Gonzalez added to “Fight Night at The Zone”

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This Saturday at The SportsZone in Derry, N.H.

 

 

 

QUINCY, Mass. (April 2, 2018) — This Saturday night’s “Fight Night at The Zone”, presented by Granite Chin Promotions, has been strengthened by the late addition of hot prospect Irvin Gonzalez to a card already showcasing some of the best young, professional boxers in New England.

 

 

 

Granite Chin Promotions is on a mission to establish a fan-base in the Granite State, providing a fan friendly, full entertainment experience at The Sports Zone in Derry, New Hampshire.

 

 

 

Gonzalez (8-0, 7 KOs), fighting out of Worcester, MA, was a 2015 New England Golden Gloves champion, who qualified for the 2016 Olympic Trials. The 21-year-old featherweight prospect will face Mexican Francisco “El Mono” Medal (12-12, 8 KOs) in a six-round bout.

 

 

 

Gonzalez, who hasn’t fought since December 1 1 (sensational third-round knockout of previously undefeated 13-0 Marlon Olea in Providence), was supposed to fight St. Patrick’s Day in Boston, but he was informed the day of the weigh in that his opponent hadn’t cleared medicals.

 

 

 

I’m always in the gym working hard because I like to stay busy and be ready,” Gonzalez said. “No layoffs for me. I’ve been sparring 3-4 times a week to polish my craft. I’m always prepared. I was disappointed a few weeks ago, but I’m fighting on this card, and back on the right track.

 

 

 

“I only focus on my next fight, April 7th, against a tough, experienced opponent. He’s a veteran boxer from Mexico. After this Saturday night, I’ll concentrate on my next fight, May 5th at Foxwoods.”

 

 

 

The addition of Gonzalez with a card featuring some of tomorrow’s stars such as Hartford, CT light heavyweight champion Richard “Popeye The Sailor Man” Rivera (6-0, 5 KOs) means two of the top three prospects in New England will be in action this Saturday in Derry. And several other promising boxers will also be in action. Rivera faces Randy “The Rattler” Campbell, of Ohio, in the six-round co-featured event.

 

 

 

“We are happy to have Irvin on our show,” co-promoter Chuck Shearns said. “His last fight fell out and we are always happy to help local fighters, especially someone of Irvin’s caliber. We have five undefeated fighters on this show. They’re legitimate prospects with a lot of upside. Irvin, Richie and Omar are starting to get national attention and New Hampshire fans are getting an early look at them. The veteran fighters on this show have a lot to fight for as well. ”

 

 

 

Dorchester, MA lightweight Gabriel Duluc (11-3, 2 KOs) headlines in the eight-round main event against Dallas veteran Larry “Slomoshun” Smith.

 

 

 

Iraq War veteran Chris Traietti (25-4, 20 KOs), fighting out of Quincy, MA, meets Indiana veteran “Jammin'” James Morrow in an eight-round, non-title fight. Traietti, whose title will not be on the line, is also the co-promoter of “Fight Night at The Zone.”

 

 

 

Another top Conn. prospect, Danbury junior welterweight Omar Bordoy (4-0, 1 KO), takes on Carlos Galindo, of Woburn (MA), in a four-round match. Other four-rounders on the undercard include Peabody, MA light heavyweight Russell Kimber (1-0) vs. Dustin Caplinger; Irish welterweight Paddy McGee, now fighting out of Dorchester (MA), makes his pro debut vs. Philadelphia’s Bardraiel Smith; Springfield, MA welterweight Anthony Velezquez (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Philadelphia’s Shavante Dixon, and Claremont, NH junior middleweight Rickey Ford (1-1-1) vs. Philadelphia’s Demetrius Thomas.

 

 

 

Also fighting on the undercard in six-round bouts are Stoughton, MA welterweight Travis Demko (5-1, 1 KO) vs. Paul DeSouza, and New Jersey middleweight Chris “Sandman” Thomas (7-0-1, 4 KOs) vs. Lynn, MA middleweight John Hantzopoulas.

 

 

 

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

 

 

 

Tickets, priced at $60.00 (ringside), $45.00 and $30.00, are on sale and available to purchase at www.ticketriver.com. Tables with wait service are also available for $400.00. Half-priced tickets are available for active members of the military, police and fire departments.

 

 

 

Doors open at 7:00 p.m., first bout 7:30 p.m. ET.

 

 

 

Event sponsors include Betley Chevrolet, Tobin Scientific, Matrix Aerospace, TownPlace Suites, Manchester Monarchs and Cars.com.

 

 

 

INFORMATION:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin
amateur boxing, boxing, Olympics

Amateur Boxing: USA vs Ireland New England Tour Closes Out With Fantastic Night of Action in Manchester, NH

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Fight Report By: Rich Bergeron

Photography By: Shelly Corriveau

PHOTO SLIDESHOW (contact rich.bergeron@gmail.com for photo copies):

Boxing fans packed the Manchester Downtown Hotel Wednesday night to take in a spectacular night of elite amateur boxing. This was the final stop on a three-city tour of Boston and Springfield, Massachusetts and Manchester, New Hampshire.  The scheduled fights featured Team USA amateurs facing the best amateur boxers from Ireland. By the final bell, Ireland managed to finish the eight bouts of the evening with a tie score, their best outcome of the tour. Team USA won the first two duals of the tour in Boston and Springfield, respectively, by scores of 8-4 and 7-3.

 

Wednesday’s fights were not all about winning, however. For the majority of the boxers involved it was a great opportunity to fine-tune their techniques and get some much-needed international competition experience. Some of Wednesday night’s best performers will also likely be representing their respective countries in the upcoming 2020 Olympics.

 

 

The main event of the night featured 2016 Youth World Championships Bronze Medalist Richard Torrez dominating 3-time Irish National Champion Dean Gardiner. The Irish fighter’s towering height and long reach simply could not overcome the fast pace and excellent defensive posture of the shorter American.

 

Torrez spent the first round executing masterful feinting and punch slipping while scoring with some bombing hooks. Torrez changed levels, used slick head movement, and never let his foot off the gas as Gardiner plodded forward with an unbalanced and wild approach in the early going. A thudding body shot connected for the Irishman in the first, but not much else.

 

Torrez kept up the quick work rate in the next frame, unleashing left and right hooks and landing cleanly through much of the round. He scored to the body and head easily, though much of the round saw his opponent covering up and waiting for openings. One straight left from Torrez sent his opponent reeling for a moment, but the taller man recovered and did land a phenomenal left hook to the head of Torrez as he was fighting off the ropes. Gardiner tried landing mostly straight punches on the outside and seemed unable to turn over his punches in close.

The third round saw both fighters slugging it out until the final bell with one of the wildest back and forth exchanges of the night, but it was too little and too late for Gardiner. He just could not get his range dialed in. Torrez just outworked his opponent again and landed a few slick uppercuts to go with his thundering right and left hooks. He used the jab sparingly but effectively, spending much of the final frame targeting Gardiner’s body. Torrez earned the Unanimous Decision win with his performance and didn’t take more than a handful of hard shots in the process.

 

Kelly Harrington, a World Championship Silver Medalist from Ireland, likely had her team’s most masterful performance in cruising to a unanimous decision victory over Stacia Suttles in the opening bout of the night. Suttles struggled to keep herself at the ideal punching range against the unrelenting attack of Harrington in the first round, spending much of the three minutes bobbing and weaving to try to avoid the crisp combinations of her opponent. Suttles did land her jab fairly consistently, and she did begin to put some combos together late in the round, but Harrington is an absolute expert when it comes to head movement. She looked as if Floyd Mayweather, Jr. was one of her coaches as she utilized a hands-low technique with constant feints, punch slipping and level changing. The first round saw her landing a beautiful straight left to the head and a fantastic body and head punching combination that landed solidly. She unleashed some fierce hooks, although a few were wild haymakers. Below is a picture of Harrington during one of just a few brief moments in the fight where she brought both hands up to protect her face.

Suttles caught Harrington with some glancing and flush shots in the second round, but she seemed to be having trouble getting power behind her punches. She did trade some decent right hands with her opponent, but it was clear by the end of the round that she just wasn’t going to be able to find any rhythm in the fight due to the craftiness of her opponent. Harrington spent the same round perfecting her range with crisp 1-2 combos and wild lead rights connecting. Harrington also scored some powerful left hooks with a picture perfect straight right landing just a few moments later.
 The third round was more of the same for both fighters. Suttles worked much of the frame to track her opponent down, but every time she unloaded, she paid for it. One particularly solid left hook landed late in the round, but it just wasn’t enough. Harrington spent much of the last three minutes trying to connect with winging right hands. She landed one of her hardest punches of the fight late in the round and momentarily stunned her opponent before the bell to end the fight. Harrington took away a unanimous decision and looks to be one of the most promising boxers at her weight in the running for the 2020 Olympics.
Yet another example of height somehow being a disadvantage played a role in the other female fight on the card. Team USA’s Leah Cooper (#2 US Female Middleweight) used ducking and feinting to avoid the taller Aoife Burke’s long reach. Cooper fought from a semi-crouch, making it hard for Burke to land with any significant power on the majority of her punches. The 8-time National Irish Champion
had a few spots in the fight where she regained control of the action, but Cooper made the right adjustments to minimize the threats.
Cooper executed a swarming attack to begin the first round, firing off 1-2 combos and backing Burke up. She remained patient and persistent throughout the frame, staying low and out of range of Burke’s power shots. Burke exhibited excellent defense, but she could only manage to throw and land one punch at a time.  She showcased a crisp jab throughout the round, but it just didn’t deter Cooper. Burke had her best moments of the round toward the final bell, mixing up shots to the body and head, including a hard right hook to the head.
Burke came out for the second round on fire, storming Cooper with rapid fire 1-2 combos and hooks. She also mixed in a slick uppercut that found Cooper’s chin. Cooper weathered the storm, only falling into the trap briefly. She regained her composure, landed some excellent counter punches, and turned what might have been Burke’s best round into the Irish champ’s worst.  Cooper remained calm and cool, despite taking some of the hardest shots her opponent landed in the fight. She landed some superb 1-2 combos after Burke’s attack fizzled, eventually opening a cut near Burke’s left eye and bloodying her nose. Cooper’s hard body punching also sent Burke crouching down to the canvas briefly after a solid right hook.
 Burke started the third round a bit late after getting checked out and cleared by the ringside doctor. She again started out with a flurry of bombing punches. She targeted the body and the head, but Cooper collected herself once again and went back to work. She changed levels well and began connecting with furious hooks, first to the body and then back up to the head. She also kept up an active jab and landed multiple 1-2 combos. Burke did manage another late flurry in the closing moments of the fight, but Cooper still came away with the unanimous decision win.
Team USA Lightweight James Browning came into Wednesday night’s bout with Ireland’s Francis Cleary as a two-time USA Boxing Champion. Cleary, a nine-time Irish National Champion, represented Browning’s first crack at international competition. Both fighters had their moments, but it would be Browning getting the win at the end of three entertaining, back-and-forth rounds of action.
Browning spent the first round establishing a higher work rate than his opponent and using lots of movement to avoid Cleary’s attack. He also landed a consistent jab, mixing up his body and head shots well. Though he won the round, Browning took plenty of risks and paid the price. Cleary picked his spots and unleashed the more clean and powerful punches when he was able to land. He just couldn’t connect enough, and he clinched out of trouble almost every time he wound up fighting in close quarters.
Clearly landed some more sharp bombs in the second frame, getting more aggressive and starting to track down his constantly moving opponent. A thumping left hook near the end of the round connected with Browning’s head and impressed the packed house of fans. Still, Browning remained busy and did well in the slugging exchanges between the two fighters. He was often wild, but the work output kept Cleary from stealing the round.
Cleary came out for the third round with renewed ferocity, engaging in a wild brawl with Browning. It was the best round of the fight for Cleary, and Browning could not maintain the elusiveness he displayed in the prior rounds. The Irish fighter landed another booming left hook in the round, featured perfectly-timed counters, and kept punching right up to the bell. Browning definitely appeared to be frustrated and tired by the end of the fight. Still, two out of the three judges were sure he deserved the win, earning a split decision victory.
The next bout pitted eight-time Irish National Champion Wayne Kelley against 13-time US National Champion Adrian Benton in a close welterweight battle. Both young fighters had bright spots in the match, but Kelley managed to squeak out the split decision victory with a crafty, gutsy effort.
Benton had the better first round thanks to a swarming attack. He worked in and out of range with 1-2 combos and sparing hooks. He used all his angles well, pivoting out of trouble and into effective range with ease. Kelley struggled to land counters until the final moments of the round when he landed his own flurry of 1-2 combos.
 
Kelley started the second round with much more energy and poise. He landed early and often, winging left hands and opening up a cut on Benton’s lip. Benton slipped some of the more dangerous punches, blocked shots well and landed some crisp, hard shots of his own. His best exchange was a left and right hook to the head that landed near the middle of the round.
 
Kelley slowed down a bit in the final round, unable to find his ideal range. He landed some hard right hands, a well-placed body shot and unloaded with a late flurry. Benton kept busy early in the round and artfully ducked under a bombing right hook from Kelley. The judges seemed more impressed with Kelley’s composure in the final two rounds as Benton kept getting drawn in to sloppy brawling. Kelley edged out the win by a 2-1 margin.
The light welterweights came next, producing another tight contest. Ireland’s Caoimhin Ferguson fought Team USA’s Charlie Sheehy with a slightly better tactical approach, earning another split decision victory for his squad.
Sheehy took on a more cautious and patient approach in the first round, waiting for the perfect moment to throw and land. His best punches of the round included a hard right hand to the body and a starching jab. Ferguson put in more work in the frame, scoring on multiple hooks to the head and unleashing wild and crazy flurries a few times. One particular left hook crashed hard into Sheehy’s head in the final moments of the round.
Ferguson landed some decent shots in the second round, but Sheehy was much more composed. He worked around the wild-swinging, hard-charging assault by keeping his distance and scoring from outside with some crisp rights to the chin. The fighters exchanged some hooks to the body and wound up in a clinch before the end of the round.
Sheehy struggled to string punches together in the final round. Though he had a nice straight right hand working for him, Ferguson was able to penetrate his defense. Ferguson landed a thumping left hook early and went on to land a few more bombs before losing his mouthpiece in one exchange. Likely knowing he needed to finish strong to get the judges on his side, Ferguson rushed in with a final torrent of hooks in the final seconds. He earned a 2-1 decision win for his tenacity.
Welterweights Kieron Molloy (Ireland) and Freudis Rojas, Jr. (USA) squared off in another bout. Both fighters are previous World Championship Bronze Medalists with Molloy also claiming nine Irish National titles and Rojas winning the US nationals 10 times so far. It was another close shave win for Team Ireland.
Rojas was clearly the more active fighter in the first round. He used a consistent jab and increased his work rate through the frame. He ket busy on offense right up until the bell. Molloy began the round winging shots and trying to figure out his range. He unleashed a bit late in some of the more fierce exchanges, couldn’t figure out how to get his combinations going, and had a tough time catching up with the faster Rojas.  Molloy did land some excellent straight lefts, though.
The next round went much better for the Irish southpaw. He started with an uptick in his punch output, though he still struggled to land combos. At one point in the round, Molloy connected with a huge straight left, followed up by a nice power jab, slowing down his opponent. Rojas kept coming forward but couldn’t capitalize on scoring opportunities in the round. A late flurry of punches from Rojas wasn’t enough for him to steal the round.
Rojas landed some excellent shots in the final round, going downstairs to the body frequently. He also caught Molloy against the ropes, blasting him with straight punches. Molloy fought the smarter round, though, picking the best times to throw and often catching Rojas with his hands down. His best exchange of the round featured a huge 1-2 connecting to the head and a wild left hook to the head. A final swarm of punches from the Irish fighter closed the show and earned him a 2-1 split decision win.
Team USA’s Nikita Ababiy scored a hard-fought win in a wild affair before the main event with Team Ireland’s Gerard French. The first round saw Ababiy jabbing well. The American came into the fight with a very non-traditional boxing stance with one hand low, but his posture seemed to be effective in luring his opponent into punching range. Ababiy landed some booming hooks and a nice left uppercut that backed up French. Meanwhile, French concentrated on trying to land counters. He had a lower work rate but also didn’t take too much punishment.
French spent the second round trying to exchange in close quarters. He landed more shots later in the round, including some heated right hooks in the final moments. Ababiy connected with some thumping shots in the round and showcased some nice defense as well. He mixed up his shots to the body and head, throwing and covering up to wait for the next opening. Ababiy landed a nice left hook to the head followed up with a picture perfect right uppercut in the final minute. He ended the round well on his way to his first win.
The final round saw Ababiy slow down a bit, but he was still effective enough to carry the frame. French managed some crisp left hooks to the head, but he couldn’t figure out the different style his opponent brought to the ring. The American cruised to the unanimous decision win.
The night also began with the only stoppage on the card thanks to a wild brawl between local 132-pound Manchester, NH novices Michael Correa and Abhisek Thapa.  Correa took off across the ring upon hearing the opening bell and unleashed one wild flurry after another. Thapa didn’t let the tornado swallow him up, though. He ust covered up and waited for his opportunities. It only took a couple minutes for Correa to start tiring out from the relentless attack. Thapa then waded in to land some of the most impressive shots of the night, forcing the referee to stop the fight for three standing eight counts before the end finally came with a whirlwind of power punches from Thapa.

 

There was also a guest appearance made by the boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr. still calls his toughest opponent ever, Emanuel Augustus (3-34-6, 20 KOs). Augustus participated in a reunion the previous night with “Irish” Micky Ward (38-13, 27 KOs), celebrating one of the best fights in the history of the sport, which took place on July 13, 2001. Augustus stuck around for the fights and even came into the ring to showcase that he still has the same punching prowess that made him one of the most entertaining fighters of his era.
“We learned from this tour that we’re right up there with the best teams in the world,” Team USA head coach Billy Walsh said. “Team Ireland is a very good, young team. We’re going to have a good team to send to Tokyo (2020 Olympics). I’m proud of my team. They all worked very hard. We didn’t have some of our best boxers because some were competing in an International tournament We do have a good crop of 18-19-20 year-olds who will make up our 2020 Olympic team.”

Team Ireland also brought their own production crew to film all the action for those who couldn’t be there:

INFORMATION:
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Facebook: /USABoxing
amateur boxing, boxing, Olympics

USA and Ireland battle to 4-4 draw Americans capture three-city team title, 2-0-1, on USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour

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MANCHESTER RESULTS
MANCHESTER, N.H. (March 22, 2018) – Last night’s third and final stop on USA Boxing’s 2018 USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour ended in a 4-4 draw at Downtown Manchester Hotel in Manchester, New Hampshire. Team USA won the team tour title, 2-0-1.
Team USA had won the first two duals of the tour in Boston and Springfield, respectively, by scores of 8-4 and 7-3.
“We learned from this tour that we’re right up there with the best teams in the world,” Team USA head coach Billy Walsh said. “Team Ireland is a very good, young team. We’re going to have a good team to send to Tokyo (2020 Olympics). I’m proud of my team. They all worked very hard. We didn’t have some of our best boxers because some were competing in an International tournament We do have a good crop of 18-19-20 year-olds who will make up our 2020 Olympic team.”
Team Ireland led last night’s team scoring, 4-3, going into the final match of the night, a super heavyweight rematch. The 2016 Youth World Championships bronze medalist Richard Torrez once again defeated there-time Irish National Champion Dean Gardiner,
Third time was the charm for Brooklyn middleweight Nikita Ababiy, who broke into the win column with a 3-0 unanimous decision over Gerard French, keeping the Americans hope alive to deadlock the final score with one match to go.
In a battle between southpaw welterweights, nine-time Irish National Champion and World Championships bronze medalist, Kieron Molloy took a 2-1 split decision over Freudis Rojas, Jr., a 10-time national champion and World Championships bronze medalist.
Irish light welterweight Caoimhin Ferguson won a 2-1 split decision victory over California light welterweight Charlie Sheey to give Team Ireland a 3-2 advantage.
Eight-time Irish National champion and European Championships bronze medalist Wayne Kelley won a 2-1 split decision versus Cincinnati light welterweight Adrian Benton, the 13-time national champion making his International match debut.
In his International debut, two-time USA Boxing champion James Browning won a 2-1 decision over Irish lightweight Francis Cleary, a nine-time Irish National champion and European Championships silver medalist, in a very entertaining lightweight match.
No. 2-rated American middleweight Leah Cooper dropped her opponent, eight-time National Irish National champion and European Championships bronze medalist Adolfe Burke, en route to a 3-0 unanimous decision.
World Championship silver medalist Kellie Harrington defeated lightweight Stacia Suttlesfor the second time on the tour by the identical score, 3-0, giving Team Ireland its first lead of the tour, albeit temporary, in last night’s tour opener.
In a Special Manchester Lightweight novice class match, Michael Correa (Manchester PAL) defeated Abhisek Thapa (Title Boxing) when the referee stopped the contest in the opening round.
 
Complete individual & team results:
MANCHESTER RESULTS
(tour records in parenthesis)
SUPER HEAVYWEIGHTS
Richard Torrez, Tulare, California, USA
UDEC (3-0)
Dean Gardiner, Tipperary, Ireland
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Nikita Ababiy (1-2), Brooklyn, New York, USA
UDEC (3-0)
Gerard French (0-2), Antrim, Ireland
WELTERWEIGHTS
Kieron Molloy (2-0), Galway, Ireland
SDEC (2-1)
Freudis Rojas, Jr. (0-1), Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
LIGHT WELTERWEIGHTS
Caoimhin Ferguson (1-1), Antrim, Ireland
SDEC (2-1)
Charley Sheehy (1-1), Brisbane, California, USA
Wayne Kelley (1-1), West Meade, Ireland
SDEC (2-1)
Adrian Benton (0-1), Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
LIGHTWEIGHTS
James Browning (1-0), Tempe, Arizona, USA
SDEC (2-1)
Francis Cleary (0-2, Mayo, Ireland
WOMEN MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Leah Cooper (1-0), Ozone Park, New York, USA
UDEC (3-0)
Aolfe Burke (0-1), Dublin, Ireland
WOMEN LIGHTWEIGHTS
Kellie Harrington (2-0), Dublin, Ireland
UDEC (3-0)
Stacia Suttles (0-2), Bronx, New York, USA
USA:   4          

IRELAND:   4 
SPECIAL NEW HAMPSHIRE LIGHTWEIGHT NOVICE MATCH
Michael Correa, Manchester PAL, Manchester, NH
WRSC1 (1:41)
Abhisek Thapa, Title Boxing, Manchester, NH
INFORMATION:
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FULL FIGHT NEWS UNLIMITED REPORT AND PHOTOS COMING SOON!!!
amateur boxing, boxing, USA Boxing

2001 Fight of the Year Reunion for final stop of 2018 USA vs. Ireland Northeast Tour

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Emanuel Augustus joins special guests Micky Ward & Steve Smoger to complete memorable fight
March 21 in Manchester, NH
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (March 19, 2018) – Retired pro boxer Emanuel Augustus has confirmed his attendance this week at a USA Boxing-hosted reunion of the 2001 Fight of the Year, associated with the final stop on the 2018 USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour festivities in Manchester, New Hampshire.
The 2001 Fight of the Year was held July 13, 2001, at Hampton Beach Casino in Hampton, NH., and it is still considered one of the greatest matches ever broadcast on ESPN. “Irish” Micky Ward won an incredibly entertaining, back-and-forth junior welterweight match-up with “boxing cult” hero Emanuel Augustus, by way of a 10-round unanimous decision that was much closer than the judges’ scoring indicated (98-90, 96-91, 96-94).
“Ward versus Augustus was truly the event of the year in boxing and we’re so happy it was held right here in New Hampshire,” said Stephen, who has been in his position as chairman since 1974, “Micky was losing the fight until the later rounds. As the chairperson of he commission, I checked the judges’ scorecards after six or seven rounds and Micky was losing. Then, Micky caught Augustus, dropped and really hurt him. He went on to win a great fight.”
The high-profile win positioned Ward for what turned out to be his epic Gatti trilogy, while Augustus went on to become one of the most dangerous, upset-minded opponents in boxing. Ward, Augustus and the third man in the ring that night, Hall of Fame referee Steve Smoger, will host as USA Alumni Association event Tuesday, Mar. 20 at The Shaskeen Pub & Restaurant (909 Elm St. in Manchester), starting at 6 p.m. ET.
The trio will also be joined by two others closely associated with the 2001 Fight of the Year, Chairman of the New Hampshire Boxing and Wrestling Commission, Bobby Stephen, as well as International matchmaker, Eric Bottjer, who made the Ward-Augustus fight in 2001.
All five will also attend the USA Boxing Alumni Association event as well as the following night’s (Mar. 21) USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour finale at the Manchester Downtown Hotel in Manchester, New Hampshire.
 
SPECIAL MANCHESTER AMATEUR BOXING MATCH ADDED
A special lightweight novice WILL open the competition, showcasing two Manchester amateur boxers, Abhisek Thapa (Title Boxing Club) and Michael Correa (Manchester PAL).
Presented by Corona Premium, the Manchester event will start at 7 p.m. EST, and it also serves as a fundraiser for another partner of the show, the Manchester PAL Boxing Club.
Tickets are reasonably priced at $20.00 for general admission, $30 for reserved ringside seats, and available to purchase on Seacoast Ticket Agency’s website, www.seacoastticket.com, the official ticket distributor for the event.
“We’re so happy to have the USA-Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour here in Manchester,” Stephen added. “The talent on both squads is extraordinary. We’re honored to have these two teams here for this big event. It’s a credit to USA Boxing and (special events director) Al Valenti, who has done so much over the years for boxing in New Hampshire. Boxing was very popular here many years ago. People turned out in droves to attend the Golden Gloves. There’s a boxing resurgence and that’s so important to teach young people discipline, respect and conditioning that’s so needed today. These amateurs do their best for the love of boxing; they aren’t in it for money like professionals.
“Micky is honorable, a real nice person. It means a lot for local fans and boxers to meet him. We were fortunate to have him fight in New Hampshire on serval occasions and nobody who watched his fight Augustus or his trilogy with Arturo Gatti will never forget.”.
To stay up to date on the USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour click here.
USA vs. Ireland Schedule
March 21: The Manchester Downtown Hotel, Manchester, N.H.
(All boxers and bouts are subject to change.)
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @USABoxing
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /USABoxing

Mick

amateur boxing, boxing, USA Boxing, women's boxing

Team USA knocks off Team Ireland, 7-3 on USA Boxing’s 2018 USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour stop #2; SPRINGFIELD RESULTS

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Team USA middleweight Troy Isley was named Most Outstanding Boxer of the night

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (March 16, 2018) – Team USA defeated Team Ireland, 7-3, last night (Thursday) on the second stop of the three-city 2018 USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour, at MassMutual Center MGM Springfield in Massachusetts.

Team USA defeated Team Ireland in team scoring, 8-4, last Monday in the first dual and it also clinched the team title last night, holding a 2-0 advantage with one more match-up to go in the series.
Thursday night’s final score was somewhat misleading, though, much more competitive than the final team score may indicate, as the first five matches ended in 2-1 split decisions, all in favor of Team USA.
Gifted California bantamweight Marc Castro won his second straight bout on this tour,defeating George Bates, 2-1, in the Fight of the Night.
Most Outstanding Boxer of the night, Virginia middleweight Troy Isley, the 2017 Elite World Championship bronze medalist, locked up the team victory and series clincher in the seventh match of the night with an up-close-and-personal unanimous decision over game Irish middleweight Gerard French.
The USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour concludes Wednesday, Mar. 21 at The Manchester Downtown Hotel in New Hampshire. The action will commence at 7:00 p.m. ET for up to 12 world-class amateur bouts, which will all be live streamed, free of charge, on USA Boxing’s website (www.usaboxing.org). Presented by Corona Premium and serving as a fundraiser for another partner of the show, the Manchester PAL Boxing Club, tickets are $20 for general admission, $30 for reserved ringside seats, and available to purchase on Seacoast Ticket Agency’s website, www.seacoastticket.com, the official ticket distributor for the event.
Irish heavyweight Kiril Afganasev edged 2017 US National bronze medalist Adrian Tillman, 3-0, for the second consecutive time on this tour. The taller Afranasov was too strong inside, once again, for Tillman.
American light heavyweight Khalil Coe decisioned six-time Irish National champion Caoimhin Hynes for the second time in a row by the identical scoring, 3-0, by effectively using his superior height and reach advantage.
Eight-time Irish National Champion Brett McGinty avenged his opening night loss, winning a 2-1 decision against National AAU champion Nikita Ababiy.
Southpaw Paddy Donovan gave Ireland its first win of the night, upsetting Cleveland welterweight Quinton Randall, a 2017 Elite World Championship team member, in the sixth match, by way of the first 3-0 unanimous decision of the evening.
 
2016 Youth World Champion Delante “Tiger” Johnson took a split decision from Irish light welterweight Caoimhin Ferguson, 2-1.
California light welterweight Charlie Sheehy kept the American freight train rolling, taking a split decision from eight-time Irish National champion Wayne Kelly.
In a rematch of last Monday’s match, heavy-handed American welterweight Oshae Jones, a 2017 Elite Women’s Continental Championships silver medalist, won a hard-fought split decision over Grainne Walsh for the second time in a row. Jones dropped Walsh in the opening round, but the Irish boxer battled back in another second spirited confrontation.
In the opening match of the evening, Virginia light welterweight Amelia Moore, in her first international bout, upset World Championships silver medalist lightweight Kellie Harrington, 2-1.
Complete individual & team results:
 
SPRINGFIELD RESULTS
HEAVYWEIGHTS
Kiril Afanasev, Dublin, Ireland
WDEC (3-0)
Adrian Tillman, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Khalil Coe, Jersey, City, New Jersey, USA
WDEC (3-0)
Caoimhin Hynes, Belfast, Ireland
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Brett McGinty, Derry, Ireland
WDEC (2-1)
Nikita Ababiy, Brooklyn, New York, USA
Troy Isley, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
WDEC (3-0)
Gerard French, Anrtim
WELTERWEIGHTS
Paddy Donovan, Limerick
WDEC (3-0)
Quinton Randall, Katy, Texas, USA
LIGHT WELTERWEIGHTS
Tiger Johnson, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
WDEC (2-1)
Caoimhin Ferguson, Atrium
Charlie Sheey, Brisbane, California
WDEC (2-1)
Wayne Kelly, Laois, Ireland
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Marc Castro, Fresno, California, USA
WDEC3 (2-1)
George Bates, Dublin
WOMEN WELTERWEIGHTS
Oshae Jones, Toledo, Ohio, USA
WDEC (2-1)
Grainne Walsh, Offaly, Ireland
WOMEN LIGHTWEIGHTS
Amelia Moore, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
WDEC (2-1)
Kellie Harrington, Dublin, Ireland
USA: 7            IRELAND: 3
 
 
To stay up to date on the USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour click here.
USA vs. Ireland Schedule
March 21: The Manchester Downtown Hotel, Manchester, N.H.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @USABoxing
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /USABoxing
amateur boxing, boxing

Team USA defeats Team Ireland, 8-4 In USA Boxing’s 2018 USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour

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BOSTON RESULTS
BOSTON (March 13, 2018) – Team USA defeated Team Ireland, 8-4 , last night (Monday) on the first stop of the three-city 2018 USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour, at Club Royale Entertainment Center in Boston’s historic theater district.
Two of the best amateur boxing squads in the country, featuring numerous 2020 Olympic hopefuls, had a major showdown to the delight of the mixed crowed of supporters of both programs.
“It was a fantastic night of boxing,” said Team USA head coach Billy Walsh, who used to guide Team Ireland’s boxing program. “The real winners were the boxing fans, American and Irish, supporting these two young teams. I was really happy with our performance as well as theirs.”
The USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour continues this Thursday (Mar. 15 at) the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass., and concludes Wednesday, Mar. 21 at The Manchester Downtown Hotel in New Hampshire.
All the duals will begin at 7:00 p.m. EST and tickets will be made available for purchase in the coming weeks. Each city will showcase up to 12 bouts, which will all be live streamed, free of charge, on USA Boxing’s website (www.usaboxing.org).
Honorary captains Irish” Micky Ward and Kevin “The Clones Colossus” McBride, respectively, led Team USA and Team Ireland into the ring.
A USA Alumni Association gathering was held prior to the show.
In the final bout of the night, American super heavyweight Richard Torrez, the 2016 Youth World Championship bronze medalist and 2017 USA Boxing Elite National champion, closed the show in style against four-time Irish National Champion Dean Gardiner, 3-0.
Bombs away was the theme in the heavyweight match as Irishman Kiril Afganasev powered his way past Adrian Tillman, 2-1.
Lanky American light heavyweight Khalil Coe decisioned six-time Irish National champion Caoimhin Hynes.
Three-time European champion Michael Nevin edged 2016 Youth World Championship team member Nikita Ababiy, 2-1, in a back-and-forth middleweight contest.
One of America’s brightest prospects, 2017 Elite World Championship bronze medalist Troy Isley, showed everything in his arsenal against eight-time Irish National champion Brett McGinty, emerging with an impressive unanimous decision in a toe-to-toe middleweight clash.
Eight-time Irish National champion Kierion Molloy won a split decision over American welterweight Quinton Randall, a 2017 Elite World Championship team member.
 
In a special match-up between two Internationally decorated light welterweights,2016 Youth World Champion and 2017 Elite Continental Championships silver medalist, Delante “Tiger” Johnson, took a split decision from eight-time Irish National champion Wayne Kelly.
 
Keyshawn Davis pounded Irish light welterweight George Bates en route to a dominating unanimous decision victory, in which the American showcased his numerous skills.
American lightweight Marc Castro, who moved up one weight class, turned in an auspicious “Elite” class debut, defeating Francis Cleary by way of a unanimous decision. The highly-regarded Castro was a two-time World champion as a junior and youth boxer.
Aggressive American welterweight Oshae Jones won a hard-fought split decision versus Grainne Bates in an action-packed match from start to finish. Jones was a 2017 Elite Women’s Continental Championships silver medalist.
World Championships silver medalist lightweight Kellie Harrington won a unanimous decision over American lightweight Stacia Suttles in a very competitive match.
Four-time 2017 international gold medalist Virginia Fuchs opened the night with a victory over Irish flyweight Lauren Hogan, when the referee stopped the contest in the second round.
 
Complete individual & team results:
 
 
BOSTON RESULTS
 
SUPER HEAVYWEIGHTS
Richard Torrez, Tulare, California, USA
WDEC (3-0)
Dean Gardiner, Tipperary, Ireland
 
HEAVYWEIGHTS
Kiril Afanasev, Dublin, Ireland
WDEC (2-1)
Adrian Tillman, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
 
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Khalil Coe, Jersey, City, New Jersey, USA
WDEC (3-0)
Caoimhin Hynes, Belfast, Ireland
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Michael Nevin, Laois, Ireland
WDEC (2-1)
Nikita Ababiy, Brooklyn, New York, USA
Troy Isley, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
WDEC (3-0)
Brett McGinty, Derry, Ireland
WELTERWEIGHTS
Kieron Molloy, Galway, Ireland
WDEC (2-1)
Quinton Randall, Katy, Texas, USA
LIGHT WELTERWEIGHTS
Tiger Johnson, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
WDEC (2-1)
Wayne Kelly, Laois, Ireland
 
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Keshawn Davis, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
WDEC (3-0)
George Bates, Dublin, Ireland
Marc Castro, Fresno, California, USA
WDEC (3-0)
Francs Cleary, Mayo, Ireland
WOMEN WELTERWEIGHTS
Oshae Jones, Toledo, Ohio, USA
WDEC (2-1)
Grainne Bates, Dublin, Ireland
WOMEN LIGHTWEIGHTS
Kellie Harrington, Dublin, Ireland
WDEC (3-0)
Stacia Suttles, Bronx, New York, USA
WOMEN FLYWEIGHTS
Ginny Fuchs, Kemah, Texas, USA
RSC2 (1:57)
Lauren Hogan, Offaly, Ireland
 
USA:      8              IRELAND:   4
 
 
To stay up to date on the USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour click here.
USA vs. Ireland Schedule
March 15: MassMutual Center, Springfield, Mass.
March 21: The Manchester Downtown Hotel, Manchester, N.H.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @USABoxing
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /USABoxing
amateur boxing, boxing

2001 Fight of the Year Reunion planned for final stop of 2018 USA vs. Ireland Northeast Tour

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Special guests Micky Ward & Steve Smoger
March 21 in Manchester, NH
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (March 12, 2018) – USA Boxing is hosting a special reunion, featuring two key members of the 2001 Fight of the Year, to be part of the final stop on the 2018 USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour, March 21 at the Manchester Downtown Hotel in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Presented by Corona Premium, the Manchester event will start at 7 p.m. EST, and it also serves as a fundraiser for another partner of the show, the Manchester PAL Boxing Club.
Tickets are reasonably priced at $20.00 for general admission, $30 for reserved ringside seats, and available to purchase on Seacoast Ticket Agency’s website,www.seacoastticket.com, the official ticket distributor for the event.
The 2001 Fight of the Year was held July 13, 2001, at Hampton Beach Casino in Hampton, NH., and it is still considered one of the greatest matches ever broadcast on ESPN. “Irish” Micky Ward won an incredibly entertaining, back-and-forth junior welterweight match-up with “boxing cult” hero Emanuel Augustus, by way of a 10-round unanimous decision that was much closer than the judges’ scoring indicated (98-90, 96-91, 96-94).
The high-profile win positioned Ward for what turned out to be his epic Gatti trilogy, while Augustus went on to become one of the most dangerous, upset-minded opponents in boxing. Ward and the third man in the ring that night, Hall of Fame referee Steve Smoger, will host a USA Alumni Association event Tuesday, Mar. 20 at The Shaskeen Pub & Restaurant (909 Elm St. in Manchester), starting at 6 p.m. ET, and attend the following night’s (Mar. 21) USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour finale in Manchester.
“I’m honored to be invited by USA Boxing to represent all professional officials who spent so much valuable time in the amateurs on their way to their positions in the pros,” Smoger said. “I’m looking forward to being part of everything planned.
“Anytime I spend time with Micky is enjoyable, in and out of the ring, and we’ve truly formed a bond. I worked six or seven of his fights, including his first in Atlantic City, around the time we were both breaking in. We spend time together every year at the International Boxing Hall of Fame inductions. He’s such a pleasure to be around. He treats people very well. His history in the ring and personality make him a big fan favorite. He’s the same guy he’s always been but he still has the heart of a warrior.”
Bernard Dunne celebrating world title anniversary
Irish Team Performance Director Bernard Dunne will celebrate the ninth anniversary of his WBA super bantamweight title-winning performance, Mar. 21, 2009, the same date as the USA-Ireland Northeaster Boxing Tour stop in Manchester.
Dunne (28-2, 15 KOs), fighting out of Dublin, fought professionally between 2001-2009. He was 119-11 as an amateur, including 13 Irish titles.
In 2009, he stopped Ricardo Cordoba in the 11th round at O2 Arena in Dublin, to become world champion.
USA stars out in Manchester
USA Boxing will be looking to conclude the tour on a high note with expected boxers on the show such as 2017 four-time international gold medalist Ginny Fuchs (Kemah, TX), 2017 Elite Women’s Continental Championships bronze medalist Oshae Jones (Toledo, OH), 2017 World Championships silver medalist Duke Ragan (Cincinnati, OH), 2017 World Championships bronze medalist Freudis Rojas (Las Vegas, NV), 2016 USA Nationals heavyweight champion Jared Anderson (Toledo, OH), and 2016 Youth World Championship bronze medalist Richard Torrez (Tulare, CA). All boxers and bouts are subject to change.
To stay up to date on the USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour click here.
USA vs. Ireland Schedule
March 12: Royale Entertainment Complex, Boston, Mass.
March 15: MassMutual Center, Springfield, Mass.
March 21: The Manchester Downtown Hotel, Manchester, N.H.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @USABoxing
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /USABoxing
amateur boxing

USA Boxing Announces Rosters for USA vs. IRL Northeast Boxing Tour

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TICKETS ON SALE, VISIT WWW.USABOXING.ORG
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (March 7, 2018) — USA Boxing announced today the tentative rosters for the three-city USA vs. IRL Northeast Boxing Tour that is kicking offMarch 12 at Boston’s Royale Entertainment Complex. All three stops will showcase top USA boxers that have won numerous international medals.
Boston’s stop, which is presented by Budweiser, will feature three World Championship medalists, including 2017 Elite World Championship bronze medalist Troy Isley (Alexandra, Va.), who just earned a silver at the 2018 Strandja Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria last month, as well as 2016 Youth World Champions Delante Johnson (Cleveland, Ohio) and 2016 Youth World Championship bronze medalist Richard Torrez (Tulare, Calif.). Johnson and Torrez both represented Team USA with Isley in Bulgaria, where Johnson earned a bronze medal.
Other boxers to represent Team USA in Boston include Keyshawn Davis (Norfolk, Va.) who just earned his first international title in Bulgaria. Headlining the women is Virginia Fuchs (Kemah, Texas), who won four international gold medals in 2017 and began her 2018 with a bronze at the Strandja Tournament.
Team USA’s second dual at Springfield’s MassMutal Center on March 15 will be headlined once again Isley and Johnson, as well as their 2017 World Championship teammate Quinton Randall (Humble, Texas) will join them on this leg of the tour, along with 2017 National Champion and Continental Championship silver medalist Oshae Jones (Toledo, Ohio). Two-time World Champion Marc Castro (Fresno, Calif.) will represent Team USA for the first time at the elite level.
Amoskeag Beverages and Manchester PAL will present the third and final stop in Manchester, N.H. on March 21. Duke Ragan (Cincinnati, Ohio), 2017 World Championship silver medalist, will headline the final stop along with 2017 World Championship bronze medalist Freudis Rojas (Las Vegas, Nev.), as well as Fuchs and Torrez. Other boxers anticipated to compete include 2017 USA Boxing National Champions Jared Anderson (Toledo, Ohio) and international medalist Stacia Suttles (Bronx, N.Y.)
Team Ireland will bring a total of 18 different boxers to compete throughout the tour, and a full roster can be seen below for both teams.
For more information and to stay up-to-date on USA vs. IRL Northeast Boxing Tour, click here.
USA Boxing Roster – **All rosters are subject to change**
Boston
51 kg / 112 lbs: Virginia Fuchs, Kemah, Texas, 29
60 kg / 132 lbs: Stacia Suttles, Bronx, N.Y., 23
60 kg / 132 lbs: Keyshawn Davis, Norfolk, Va., 19
64 kg / 141 lbs: Delante Johnson, Cleveland, Ohio, 19
69 kg / 152 lbs: Oshae Jones, Toledo, Ohio, 20
69 kg / 152 lbs: Quinton Randall, Humble, Texas, 27
75 kg / 165 lbs: Troy Isley, Alexandria, Va., 19
75 kg / 165 lbs: Nikita Ababiy, Brooklyn, N.Y., 19
81 kg / 178 lbs: Khalil Coe, Jersey City, N.J., 21
91 kg / 201 lbs: Adrian Tillman, Colorado Springs, Colo., 22
91+ kg / 201+ lbs: Richard Torrez, Tulare, Calif., 18
Springfield
56 kg / 123 lbs: Marc Castro, Fresno, Calif., 18
60 kg / 132 lbs: Keyshawn Davis, Norfolk, Va., 19
64 kg / 141 lbs: Amelia Moore, Alexandria, Va., 28
64 kg / 141 lbs: Charlie Sheehy, Brisbane, Calif., 19
64 kg / 141 lbs. Delante Johnson, Cleveland, Ohio, 19
69 kg / 152 lbs: Oshae Jones, Toledo, Ohio,
69 kg / 152 lbs: Quinton Randall, Humble, Texas, 27
75 kg / 165 lbs: Nikita Ababiy, Brooklyn, N.Y., 19
75 kg / 165 lbs: Troy Isley, Alexandria, Va., 19
81 kg / 178 lbs: Khalil Coe, Jersey City, N.J., 21
91 kg / 201 lbs: Adrian Tillman, Colorado Springs, Colo., 22
Manchester
51 kg / 112 lbs: Virginia Fuchs, Katy, Texas, 29
56 kg / 123 lbs: Duke Ragan, Cincinnati, Ohio, 29
60 kg / 132 lbs: Stacia Suttles, Bronx, N.Y., 23
60 kg / 132 lbs: James Browning, Las Vegas, Nev., 18
64 kg / 132 lbs: Charlie Sheehy, Brisbane, Calif., 19
69 kg / 152 lbs: Quinton Randall, Humble, Texas, 27
69 kg / 152 lbs: Freudis Rojas Jr., Las Vegas, Nev., 19
75 kg / 165 lbs: Nikita Ababiy, Brooklyn, N.Y., 19
75 kg / 175 lbs: Naomi Graham, Colorado Springs, Colo., 28
91 kg / 201 lbs: Jared Anderson, Toledo, Ohio, 18
91+ kg/ 201+ lbs: Richard Torres, Tulare, Calif., 18
Ireland’s Boxing Roster
54 kg / : Lauren Hogan, Offaly, 21
56 kg / 123 lbs: Evan Metcalfe, Dublin, 28
60 kg / 123 lbs: George Bates, Dublin, 23
60 kg / 123 lbs.: Francis Cleary, Mayo, 19
60 kg / 123 lbs.: Kellie Harrington, Dublin, 28
64 kg / 141 lbs.: Paddy Donovan, Limerick, 19
64 kg / 141 lbs: Caoimhin Ferguson, Antrim, 21
64 kg / 141 lbs.: Wayne Kelly, Laois, 21
69 kg / 152 lbs. L Eugene McKeever, Drogheda, 21
69 kg / 152 lbs: Kieran Molloy, Galway, 21
69 kg / 152 lbs: Grain Walsh, Offaly, 22
75 kg / 165 lbs: Aoife Burke, Dublin, 20
75 kg / 165 lbs: Brett McGinty, Derry, 19
75 kg / 165 lbs: Gerard French, Antrim, 20
75 kg / 165 lbs: Michael Nevin, Laois, 19
81 kg / 178 lbs: Caoimhin Hynes, Antrim, 20
91 kg / 201 lbs: Kiril Afanasev, Dublin, 26
91+ kg / 201+ lbs: Dean Gardiner, Tipperary, 27
 
USA vs. Ireland Schedule
March 12: Royale Entertainment Complex, Boston, Mass.
March 15: MassMutual Center, Springfield, Mass.
March 21: The Manchester Downtown Hotel, Manchester, N.H.
All boxers and bouts are subject to change.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @USABoxing
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /USABoxing
amateur boxing, boxing

Springfield embodies spirit of USA Boxing

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Second stop of USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour on Mar. 15
 
TICKETS ON SALE, VISIT WWW.USABOXING.ORG
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (February 28, 2018) – Central City Boxing Club and Barbell, based in Springfield, Massachusetts, embodies the true spirit of USA Boxing.
Dean Fay, the Central City Boxing and Barbell Gym Founder & Director, has helped develop the Western New England Golden Gloves franchise into the preeminent power in the six-state region, capturing numerous individual All-New England titles and five consecutive team championships.
More importantly, though, Dean and his outstanding staff have reshaped the futures of countless youth in Greater Springfield, instilling an invaluable philosophy that, through amateur boxing, provides an opportunity for members to reshape their lives, in addition to making a significant difference in their communities.
From a storied past at the nearby Holyoke Boys & Girls Club, Dean and his young boxers have a new home at MassMutual Center in Springfield, which will host the second stop of the USA Boxing USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour on Thursday, March 15. An exciting evening of entertainment, headlined by 10 bouts of amateur boxing between the two powerhouse national programs, as well as Springfield’s hometown AC/DC tribute band,BACK IN BLACK, kicking off the show and continuing to perform throughout the night.
Tickets are on sale now, ranging in price from $35 for Upper Bowl seating to $100 for a limited premium seat at a ringside table. Seats in the Lower Bowl section of the MassMutual Center can be purchased for $50. Tickets can be purchased online here.Groups of 10 or more can enjoy select savings by calling Richard DeCusati at 413-271-3259.
Fay is a Springfield police officer who started his program 10 years ago, last year moving into Central City Boxing and Barbell Gym, primarily to keep kids off the street, teaching them values to become productive citizens.
“Our program, first, is youth development and second, boxing,” Fay explained. “We use boxing as a vehicle for valuable teaching lessons, embodying the same values of boxing: competition, cohesiveness and integrity. Springfield has had a long history in boxing. The Golden Gloves were held in Holyoke, one city over from Springfield, for 50 years before coming here. Golden Gloves has funded a lot of small gyms because many of these kids can’t afford fees. We’ve bridged the gap by hosting shows that raises money and creates fanbases.
“Through the years, Marvin Hagler, Marlon Starling, Micky Ward, John Scully and so many others have come through USA Boxing programs in New England. Boxing represents life; how to conduct themselves in and out of the ring. Boxing is a small fraternity and boxers walk up those steps and through the ropes, in front of everybody, and confront their fears. Boxing is determined by judges and, in life, you are judged by how you live by laws. Life values are taught through boxing.
“Hosting the USA-Boxing Northeast Boxing Tour gives kids in our program an opportunity to watch up close the top boxers who are representing their country. My kids realize that they could do that someday. They see the best boxers in the country and that’s where they want to be.”
Anticipated Team USA boxers competing in Springfield include 2017 Elite World Championship bronze medalist Troy Isley (Alexandria, VA.), along with 2017 Elite World Championship team members Delante Johnson (Cleveland, OH), Virginia Fuchs (Kemah, TX), who won four international gold medals last year, and 2016 Youth World Championship bronze medalist and 2017 USA Boxing Super Heavyweight National Champion, Richard Torrez (Tulare, CA). All boxers are subject to change.
Retired three-time, two-division world champion Jose Antonio Rivera started boxing in Springfield before moving to another Western N.E. stronghold in Worcester (MA). Now promoting professional shows, Rivera excelled as an amateur, winning top honors at the New England Golden Gloves and twice in the Western N.E. Championships, highlighted by a bronze-medal performance at the PAL Championships.
“I was fortunate to be part of USA Boxing,” Rivera said. “Gaining experience in amateur boxing helped mold me as a person and give me confidence to pursue my dream of becoming world champion as a professional. I started boxing in Springfield when I was 15, before moving to Worcester (MA), becoming part of Carlo Garcia‘s growing stable of national and regional champions.”
The three-city boxing tour kicks off at Boston’s Royale Entertainment Complex on March 12 and closes Mar. 21 at the Manchester Downtown Hotel in Manchester, N.H. A full roster for both teams will soon be released.
To stay up to date on the USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour click here.
USA vs. Ireland Schedule
March 12: Royale Entertainment Complex, Boston, Mass.
March 15: MassMutual Center, Springfield, Mass.
March 21: The Manchester Downtown Hotel, Manchester, N.H.
All boxers and bouts are subject to change.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @USABoxing
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /USABoxing
boxing, Granite Chin

Granite Chin invades Granite State again “Fight Night at The Zone”

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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
 
April 7 at The SportsZone in Derry, N.H.
Derek Silveira
(photo by Emily Harney)
QUINCY, Mass. (February 28, 2018) — Many of New England’s best and brightest professional boxers will be in action Saturday night, April 7, as Granite Chin Promotions returns to the Granite State, presenting “Fight Night at the Zone,” at The Sports Zone in Derry, New Hampshire.
“Granite Chin is excited to be back in New Hampshire,” co-promoter Chuck Shearns said. “The town of Derry and the local businesses have already started to support the event. We are looking forward to having professional boxing in the area. Some of the fighters on the show gave us some great fights last time around and we certainly expect more on this show.”
Former New England junior middleweight champion Derek “The Surgeon” Silveira (13-2, 7 KOs), of Salem, MA, headlines in a 10-round match.
New England cruiserweight champion Chris Traietti, an Iraq War veteran from Quincy, MA, will headline the event in a non-title, eight-round co-featured event. Traietti is also the co-promoter of “Fight Night at The Zone.”
Dorchester, MA lightweight Gabriel Duluc (11-2, 3 KOs) will be showcased in an eight-round fight. Undefeated UBF New England cruiserweight champion Richie “Popeye The Sailor Man” Rivera (6-0, 5 KOs), of Hartford, CT, returns to N.H. in a six-rounder, as does New Jersey middleweight Chris “Sandman” Thomas (7-0-1, 4 KOs).
Also fighting on the undercard in four-round bouts are Clairemont, NH junior middleweight Ricky Ford (1-1-1), Peabody, MA light heavyweight Russell Kimber (1-0), Danbury, CT junior welterweight Omar Bordoy (4-0, 1 KO), and pro-debuting Irish welterweight Paddy McGee, who fights out of Dorchester.

Chris Traietti is fighting and co-promoting Apr. 7 in Derry, NH
All opponents will soon be determined. All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $60.00 (ringside), $45.00 and $30.00, are on sale and available to purchase at www.ticketriver.com. Tables with wait service are also available for $400.00.
Doors open at 7:00 p.m., first bout 7:30 p.m. ET.
Event sponsors include Bentley Chevrolet, Tobin Scientific, Matrix Aerospace, TownPlace Suites, Manchester Monarchs and Cars.com.
INFORMATION:
Facebook.com/GraniteChin
Twitter: @Granite_Chin