Worcester, Pawg. (Lub ib hlis ntuj 20, 2017) – Boxing returned to Worcester last night (Thursday) for the first time in more than five years to the delight of a capacity crowd of 2,100 passionate fans at the Palladium.

The inaugural event of the “Tshiab hais tus yav tom ntej” series, los ntawm Rivera Promotions Lom ze, featured 10 nkaus-packed fights, highlighted by rising Worcester featherweight prospect Irvin Gonzalez (5-0, 5 Kos).

“The support we received from the sold out crowd was exciting for our first show,” hais tias neeg pab txhawb Jose Antonio Rivera, the former 3-time, 2-division ntiaj teb no yeej. “We working on our second show in March, ntawm chav kawm, right here in Worcester.”

The 20-year-old Gonzalez was absolutely relentless in the main event, fright rom the opening bell, throwing a barrage of unanswered punches from every conceivable angle, repeatedly hurting his Mexican foe, Neeg Ixayees “Tigre” Ramos (9-15, 3 Kos), including a late first-round knockdown. Gonzalez didn’t let up in the second, firing crisp punches, until Rojas hit the canvas early in the second frame and referee Steve Clark had seen enough, stopping the one-sided fight.

Gonzalez is continuing the rich Worcester boxing tradition. “I’m always relentless,” Gonzalez said with a smile. “It was great fighting in the main event at home. I heard the crowd and really appreciated their support. I hurt him early and I almost took him out in the first round with a body punch. I finished him off with a right in the second. None of my fights have gone the distance, but I prepared to go the full six tonight, if needed.”

Gonzalez takes off Sunday o report to undefeated Guillermo Rigondeaux’ training camp in Miami, where he’ll work with the reigning WBA super bantamweight world champion and 2-time Olympic gold medalist.

Undefeated Ray “bazooka” Gracewski (5-0, 3 Kos), fighting out of Springfield (MA), was on a search-and-destroy mission in the co-feature against Worcester super middleweight Ralph Johnson (2-10, 1 KO), who was dropped three times before referee Kevin Hope halted the fight.

Hartford tus pro-debuting Richard “Popeye Lub neeg tsav nkoj txiv neej” Rivera was good to the finish, albeit only two rounds, in a fight contested at a 185-pound catchweight against Philadelphian Davonte Hopkins (0-3). Rivera, uas yog ib tug 2016 Rocky Marciano Tournament winner, punished Hopkins, finally dropping him in the second round, after which his corner threw in the towel.

In an evenly matched junior featherweight bout, hometown nyiam Andino Ranse‘s pro debut resulted in a hard earned victory, by way of a four-round unanimous decision, over Lowell’s (MA) previously unbeaten Jonathan Perez (2-1-1, 2 Kos)

Unbeaten Haitian heavyweight Jean Pierre “Kid Creole” Augstin (7-0-1, 3 Kos) pounded game Mexican foe Jose Humberto “Olympico” Corral (19-22, 12 Kos) from the opening bell en route to a shutout six-round unanimous decision.

East Hartford prospect Anthony Laureano (2-0, 1 KO), ib tug 2016 Tshiab hais Golden hnab looj tes yeej, finished off winless welterweight Rafael Francis (0-9) with a debilitating body shot early in the second round.

In his pro debut, popular Worcester heavyweight Felix Martinez, a local barber, spotted his opponent, 392-phaus Bobby Favors (0-4), ze li ntawm 60 pounds but Favors was unable to continue after the first round.

Southbridge, MA Wilfredo “lub Sucaro” pagan turned in a memorable pro debut, winning a four-round majority decision over Alexander Picot (1-2-1 (0 Kos), contested at a 145-pound catchweight.

The second-oldest pro fighter in Massachusetts history, 49-xyoo-laus “Irish” Chuck Shearns (3-1, 2 Kos), of nearby Auburn, MA., ended his boxing career in style with an opening-round technical knockout victory over Philadelphia junior middleweight Shavonte Dixon (0-2).

U.S. Tubrog nkoj Brandon Montella, fighting out of Saugus, MA., zoo nws cov ntaub ntawv mus 6-0 (5 Kos), as his light heavyweight Mexican veteran Roberto “Cov laus” Valenzuela (69-74-2, 56 Kos) suffered an injury early in the second round.

Sponsors: Heavyweights – Lundgren Honda, Atty. Michael H. Erlich, Atty. Maria M. Rivera-Cotto, USANA Health Services; Lightweights – TKO Auto Repair, Atty. Stephen W. Debs.

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Twitter: @RiveraPromoEnt @joseriverachamp, @KingRivera_

ABOUT RIVERA PROMOTIONS ENTERTAINMENT (RPE): Founded hauv 2016, Rivera Promotions Entertainment is owned and operated by one of Worcester’s all-time greatest boxers – 3-lub sij hawm, 2-division world champion Jose Antonio “Lub Gallo” Rivera – along with his son, Anthonee “AJ” Rivera, whose collective goal is to bring boxing back to Worcester on a consistent basis, providing boxers a platform and fans a full entertainment experience.

Worcester, Pawg. (Lub ib hlis ntuj 11, 2017) – Fast rising featherweight prospect Irvin Gonzalez (4-0, 4 Kos) will continue Worcester’s rich boxing tradition Thursdayhmo ntuj, Lub ib hlis ntuj 19, headlining the inaugural “Tshiab hais tus yav tom ntej” series event against Mexican invader Neeg Ixayees “Tigre” Rojas (9-14, 3 Kos), at the Worcester Palladium.

Rivera Promotions Entertainment (RPE), is promoting the first professional boxing show in the Central Massachusetts city in more than five years.

(photo by Cristian Nunez)

Worcester’s boxing tradition started close to a century ago with Canadian import Lou Brouillard, a two-division world champion and Hall of Famer, 1928 Olympic bronze medalist Leo Sawicki, and more recently, ntawm lwm tus neeg, pro and amateur standouts such as multiple national amateur champion Bobby Harris, Sean “The Irish Express” Sean Fitzgerald thiab Edwin Rodriguez.

Arguably the greatest Worcester fighter in the past 50 years is three-time, ob-faib lub ntiaj teb no yeej Jose Antonio “Lub Gallo” Rivera, who is promoting “Tshiab hais tus yav tom ntej” with his son, Anthonee. “I have seen Irvin train and fight since he was in the Junior Olympics,” Rivera said. “I am very proud of him because he was able to discover on his own that he was getting in his own way. He was always a talented fighter but, at times in the ring, he was inconsistent and it cost him a few fights. As he got older, he boxed more talented boxers and looked good against them. He started believing in himself more and it showed in his training. His abilities and confidence grew and that got him all the way to the Olympic Trials. I feel he has the skills to become world champion in the future. The sky is the limit for this young man and I am proud to have him fighting on our show.”

Gonzalez, ib tug 2015 Tshiab hais Golden hnab looj tes yeej, will be headlining his first show in his first scheduled six-round bout. “Fighting in my hometown in the main event means a lot to me because,” Gonzalez admitted. “I’ve grown up in this city, fighting my whole life, and of people who’ve supported me will be watching me fight for the first time as a pro. Kuv pog. I’m comfortable fighting here in Worcester and I want to showcase the boxing talent we have in Worcester.”

Gonzalez qualified for the 2016 Olympic Trials but he was eliminated, not due to a loss in the ring, for missing weight. He decided not to wait four years for another Olympic shot, turning pro this past March with a first-round stoppage of Gilvan Santos at Foxwoods Resort Casino. In four pro fights to date, Gonzalez has four knockouts and only one was extended into the second round.

“I was always told that I had a pro boxing style,” the well-spoken, handsome Gonzalez continued, “but we didn’t immediately decide to turn pro until the time was right. I had some stoppages as an amateur but, raws li ib tug pro, I’ve been going more to the body. I do have heavy hands. I don’t go into a fight looking for a knockout. I just let ’em come but I’ve prepared to go six rounds if needed for this fight. I’ve been sparring eight rounds with different guys coming in fresh.”

In addition to being a prize fighter, the 20-year-old Gonzalez works at a bank and he also owns and operates New England Boxing gym with his father, former boxer Irvin Gonzalez, where the youngster serves as a personal trainer.

In the six-round co-feature Springfield (MA) teeb heavyweight Reinaldo “bazooka” Graceski (4-0, 2 Kos) faces Worcester’s Ralph Johnson (2-9, 1 KO).

Fighting on the undercard in four-round bouts are Worcester junior lightweight Andino Ranse in his pro debut vs. Lowell’s (MA) Jonathan Perez (2-0-1, 2 Kos), pro-debuting Worcester heavyweight Felix Martinez vs. Bobby Favor (0-3), Hartford’s (I) pro-debuting light heavyweight Richard “Popeye Lub neeg tsav nkoj txiv neej” Rivera vs. Brockton’s (MA) Davonte Hopkins (0-2), pro-debuting Southbridge (MA) boxer Wilfredo Pagan vs. Alexander Picot (1-1-1, 0 Kos) at a 145-pound catchweight, pro-debuting Springfield (MA) junior featherweight Luis “Pancho” Santiago vs, Jonathan Ramos (0-2), 2016 N.E. Golden hnab looj tes yeej Anthony Laureano (1-0), of East Haven (I), vs. Boston junior welterweight Rafael Francis (0-8), Auburn (MA) junior middleweight “Irish” Chuck Shearns (2-1, 1 KO), the 49-year-old hanging up his gloves after his fight with Shavonte Dixon (0-1), ntawm Philadelphia, Saugus (MA) teeb heavyweight Brandon Montella (5-0, 4 Kos) vs. Roberto El Viejo” Valenzuela (69-73-2, 56 Kos) and unbeaten Lawrence (MA) Heavyweight Jean Pierre Augstin (7-0-1, 3 Kos) vs. Jose Hymberto “Olympico” Corral (19-22, 12 Kos).

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

Daim pib, luv nqi ntawm $65.00 (ringside), $45.00 (preferred seating) thiab $35.00 (general nkag), yog ntawm kev muag khoom thiab muaj nyob rau yuav ntawm www.ThePalladium.net los yog cov Palladium chaw ua hauj lwm (general nkag xwb), los yog los ntawm hu rau Jose Rivera (elgallojar@gmail.com/508.864.6954), AJ Rivera (anthoneerivera@gmail.com/774.272.2269) of any of the fighters. A portion of the proceeds will go to Why Me & Sherry’s House.

Major event sponsors include Lundgren Honda, Atty. Michael H. Erlich, Atty. Maria M. Rivera-Cotto and USANA Health Services. Other sponsors are TKO Auto Repair and Atty. Stephen W. Debs.

Facebook.com/RiveraPromotionsEntertainment

Twitter: @RiveraPromoEnt @joseriverachamp