WORCESTER, Masse. (Oktober 19, 2017) – The next chapter of former UFC heavyweight title challenger Gabriel “Napao” Gonzaga starts October 28^th when he makes his professional boxing debut fighting on the “New England Future 4” Karte, the fourth and final 2017 installment of the popular professional boxing series, “New England die Zukunft”, to be held 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, zwei Teilung Weltmeister Jose Antonio Rivera und sein Sohn, Anthonee (A. J.) Rivera.

The 38-year-old Gonzaga teaches Brazilian Ju-Jitsu (BJJ) in Worcester and lives nearby in Ludlow (MA). An imposing physical fighter, die 6′ 2″, 260-pound Gonzaga (17-11-0, 7 KOs, 9 SUBs, 1 Dezember), hält 4^th degree black belt in BJJ. The highlight of his MMA career was at the 2007 UFC 70, held in Manchester, Vereinigtes Königreich, in which he knocked out K-1, Pride and Rizen champion Mirko Cro Cop with a head kick in the opening round, positioning Gonzaga for his unsuccessful challenge of UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture in his next fight.

Gonzaga, who retired from MMA 1 ½ Jahren, also defeated Ben Rothwell, Shawn Jordan und Chris Tuchscherer, among the more notable UFC fighters he faced in the Octagon.

(L-R) – Rocky Gonzalez & Gabriel Gonzaga

Gonzago has a new opponent for his four-round bout, Tampa’s pro-debuting Alejandro Esquilin Santiago, who also has a pro MMA background.

“I like challenges in my life,” Gonzaga explained why he’s making his pro debut. “I set new goals because I like to be competitive in sports. I have a good boxing coach who told me I should try. I was a BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) world champion and UFC title contender. I have good boxing skills and plan to put on a good show. I do have one-punch power and hit hard.

“I started boxing in 2001 and worked at it every day for two years to learn, but then I was competing in MMA. Jetzt, I’m focused on boxing. I think boxing is the hardest part of MMA. I know you can’t make mistakes in boxing and there’s no time to relax. In MMA, I could relax a little at times in clinches, but the referee won’t allow that in boxing. I’ll probably fight more than once but not too many because of my age and I’m not really at the high-level of boxing like I was in MMA.”

Gonzaga’s head boxing trainer, Rocky Gonzalez, has been working with several MMA fighters, including Gonzaga, for more than a decade to help them improve their striking skills. Gonzalez freely admits that Gonzaga knew how to box before he started working with him, crediting Gonzaga’s Muay Thai coach, and that boxing came naturally to the big Brazilian who has made an easy adjustment from the Octagon to the ring. Gonzalez also feels that leg positioning differences for MMA fighters switching to boxing, in terms of throwing proper punches, is somewhat overrated.

“Beim Boxen,” Gonzalez sagte,, “fighters need their hands like their legs and elbows in MMA. Distance and timing is more important than where their legs and feet are positioned. Gabriel doesn’t like sparring with headgear, so, his sparring is more like real fighting. He’s been hot with some real shots but he’s responded well. He’s always going to have a puncher’s chance and he’s deceptive because he doesn’t look as fast as he is.

“We didn’t really plan anything but he got this good opportunity. He’s always wanted to turn pro as a boxer and go from there. Gabriel is a good listener who keeps working hard to get better. When he first brought up boxing, he was contracted by the UFC, but we started talking about him boxing after the UFC released him. He knew Jose from him teaching boxing. Gabriel isn’t doing this for the money. He’s a competitive guy who wanted to try boxing.”

Former WBU Americans and IBU North American cruiserweight champion, Vinnie “American Nightmare” Gesicht (16-1-1, 15 KOs), fighting out of Pembroke (MA), will take on Bolivian heavyweight champion Saul “El Fenjx Asesino” Faraff (64-23-3, 56 KOs) in dem Acht-Runden-Main Event.

Hartford’s (CT) Beliebt Richard “Popeye der Seemann” Rivera (3-0, 2 KOs) erfüllt Hansen Castillo (0-2) in den Vier-Runden, co-featured event to be contested at a 180-pound catchweight.

Many of New England’s best and most popular N.E. fighters will be in action, einschließlich 2014 N.E. Golden Gloves Champion Adrian “Tonka” Sosa (4-0, 3 KOs), Kämpfe aus der Nähe Lawrence (MA), vs. veteran Norwalk (CT) Weltergewicht Shakha Moore (12-23-3, 2 KOs) in einem Sechs-Runden-Match.

Also fighting on the undercard in four-round fights include 2016 N.E. Golden Gloves champio, Anthony Laureano (5-0, 3 KOs), von East Hartford (CT) vs. Bruno Dias (0-3), Woburn (MA), New Haven (CT) Edwin Soto (10-2-2, 4 KOs) vs. Anthony Everett (1-6). von Lawrence, bei einem Catchweight von 150 Pfund, three-time USA Boxing Nationals champion Elvis Figueroa (2-0, 1 KO), von New Haven (CT), vs. pro-debuting Brazilian native Rene Nazare, Südbrücke (MA) Juniorwelterweight Wilfredo “die Sucaro” heidnisch (2-0) vs. Patrick Leal (0-3), Woburn (MA), bei einem Catchweight von 150 Pfund, Danbury (CT) Juniorwelterweight Omar Bordoy, Jr. (2-0) vs. Schenectady (NY) VeteranBryan “Der Ziegelstein” Abraham (6-30, 6 KOs), und Timmy Ramos (4-0-1, 4 KOs), Framingham (MA) vs. Seth Basler (0-2), of Illinois.

Alle Kämpfe und Kämpfer sind Änderungen vorbehalten.

Tickets, zum Preis von $75.00 (Ring) und $45.00 (Freie Platzwahl), are on sale and available to purchase at the DCU Center box office, www.dcu.centerworcester.com, by contacting Jose Rivera (elgallojar@gmail.com/508.864.6954), AJ Rivera

(anthoneerivera@gmail.com/774.272.2269) oder einer des Kämpfers

Die Türen öffnen um offen 6:30 p.m., ersten Kampf 7:00 p.m. UND.

Sponsoren sind Lundgren Honda, Championsofhealth.usna.com, and American Pyramids.

Part of the proceeds will go to Worcester Latino Dollars For Scholars.

Facebook.com/RiveraPromotionsEntertainment

Zwitschern: @RiveraPromoEnt @joseriverachamp @KingRivera_

WORCESTER, Masse. (Oktober 12, 2017) – Once-beaten Vinnie “American Dream” Gesicht is preparing in an entirely different way than all other fighters on the October 28^th “New England Future 4” Karte, the fourth and final 2017 installment of the popular professional boxing series, “New England die Zukunft”, to be held 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, zwei Teilung Weltmeister Jose Antonio Rivera und sein Sohn, Anthonee (A. J.) Rivera.

“I am happy to have a dedicated, hard-working boxer like Vinnie Carita headlining our boxing event on Samstag, October 28th an der DCU Center,” promoter Jose Antonio Rivera said. “He is a perfect example of why my son, A. J., and I started RPE. We want to be able to help boxers grow their careers and create a platform for them to get bigger and better opportunities.”

A former WBU Americans and IBU North American cruiserweight champion,Gesicht (16-1-1, 15 KOs) will take on Bolivian heavyweight champion Saul “El Fenjx Asesino” Faraff (64-23-3, 56 KOs) in dem Acht-Runden-Main Event.

Gesicht, fighting out of Pembroke (MA), will move up in weight once again to fight another foreign opponent. In the world of boxing, not only does Carita fight, he’s his own promoter, Manager, trainer and matchmaker. Outside of the ring, Carita is a fulltime court officer in Brockton (MA), as well as a part-time security contractor for the Department of Defense (DOD).

Although his incredibly busy schedule leaves little, if any, downtown to relax, Carita thrives because he’s so dedicated, disciplined and driven. He starts each day at 4 a.m., running or doing cardio exercising, works his day job, and hits the gym to train between 9-10 p.m. on a regular basis for a scheduled fight. When he’s had some free time to travel, Vinne has gone to New York, Philadelphia and even Montreal for quality sparring.

He started boxing at seven, when he first walked into a gym, and captured a Southeast Regionals Golden Glove title but, bei 14, only boxed sporadically, until he turned pro at 20. “I definitely have a passion for boxing,” the 32-year-old confessed. “I’m a boxing fanatic. If I’m not training, I’m watching fights, live or on television. It’s my love. Boxing will always be part of me and when I finally hang up my gloves, I want to be a referee, so I can still be in the ring, and have the best seat. Ich will nicht, um zu beurteilen,. Bigger guys last longer than smaller fighters. I want to continue doing this until by late thirties, maybe early forties.

“I fell in love with the cruiserweight division when I saw the (Vassily) Schirow-(Jakob) Toney Kampf (at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut). The cruiserweight division is hot right now with the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS). (Oleksandr) Usyk could win the tournament, unifying all four major belts, and then move up to heavyweight. That could be good for me if I was one of the eight fighting for one of the four vacant (major) Titel. I’ll look for the right fights until then, against guys who’ve been around and maybe competed for world or regional titles, like my next opponent (Faraff), who is the WBC Latino heavyweight champion.”

Gesicht, who occasionally is forced to fight as a heavyweight as he will against Faraff, will still weigh in around 200-205 Pfund. He walks around at 208 and usually weighs in at 194-196 for his cruiserweight fights. “I have no plans to compete as a heavyweight,” sagte er. “I’ve fought some heavyweights and it looks better for me to go the distance, or stop, guys much bigger than me. I try and pick the right guys to advance my career.”

Why has Carita fought so many opponents from countries all over the world? Networking. His job with the DOD, before he started working as a court officer, found him traveling around the world. Wherever he went – Südafrika, Dubai, Nordirland, etc. – he worked out at boxing gyms and made invaluable connections, establishing working relationships with many managers and matchmakers who he’s remained in contact with throughout his pro boxing career.

Because he trains himself, Carita only has one regular person working his corner, Pittsfield (MA) court officer John Felix, who he first met when they were drill instructors at the academy. Carita adds a cut-man for his fight but he tends to keep things lean and mean, even in his corner.

Nobody knows better or appreciates more what promoter Jose Antonio Rivera accomplished when he was world champion working full-time as a court officer in Worcester.

“To work full-time, raise children, train to be a world-class fighter and become world champion three times speaks volumes about Jose,” Carita commented. “Jetzt, he’s promoting and putting guys like me on his shows.”

“I understand perfectly how hard and demanding his schedule is working a fulltime job as a court officer and training to try to achieve his goals of fighting for and winning world championship,” Rivera hinzugefügt. “I am glad Vinnie has chosen to give RPE an opportunity to be able to help him get closer to achieving his dream.”

In der Zusammenarbeit vorgestellten Ereignis, Hartford’s (CT) Beliebt Richard “Popeye der Seemann” Rivera (3-0, 2 KOs) erfüllt Hansen Castillo (0-2) in the four-round bout to be contested at a 180-pounds catch-weight.

Die “New England’s Future 4” undercard features many of the best and most popular N.E. Kämpfer, unbeaten East Hartford (CT) welterweight and 2016 N.E. Golden Gloves Champion, Anthony Laureano (5-0, 3 KOs), who meets welterweight Clifton Rashad Thames (3-2-1), of Oklahoma City, in einem Sechs-Runden-Kampf.

Former UFC heavyweight title challenger Gabriel “Napao” Gonzaga makes his pro boxing debut in a four-round bout versus Washington D.C. Schwergewicht Alando Pugh (1-10-1, 1 KO).

Other undercard fights, alle vier Generalisten, include two-time national champion and hometown favorite, Bobby “BH3” Harris III (1-0), vs. Troy “Omar KO Künstler” Künstler (3-7-1, 2 KOs), 2014 N.E. Golden Gloves Champion Adrian “Tonka” Sosa (4-0, 3 KOs), Kämpfe aus der Nähe Lawrence (MA), vs. veteran Norwalk (CT) Weltergewicht Shakha Moore (12-23-3, 2 KOs), New Haven (CT) Edwin Soto (10-2-2, 4 KOs) vs. Anthony Everett (1-6). von Lawrence, at a 150-pounds catch-weight, three-time USA Boxing Nationals champion Elvis Figueroa (2-0, 1 KO), von New Haven (CT), vs. Anthony Bowman (11-63-2, 3 KOs). Südbrücke (MA) Juniorwelterweight Wilfredo “die Sucaro” heidnisch (2-0) vs. Oscar Diaz (0-12), von Hartford, and Danbury (CT) Juniorwelterweight Omar Bordoy, Jr. (2-0) vs. Alan Beeman (0-15), der Vorsehung.

Alle Kämpfe und Kämpfer sind Änderungen vorbehalten.

Tickets, zum Preis von $75.00 (Ring) und $45.00 (Freie Platzwahl), are on sale and available to purchase at the DCU Center box office, www.dcu.centerworcester.com, by contacting Jose Rivera (elgallojar@gmail.com/508.864.6954), AJ Rivera

(anthoneerivera@gmail.com/774.272.2269) oder einer des Kämpfers

Die Türen öffnen um offen 6:30 p.m., ersten Kampf 7:00 p.m. UND.

Sponsoren sind Lundgren Honda, Championsofhealth.usna.com, and American Pyramids.

Part of the proceeds will go to Worcester Latino Dollars For Scholars.

Facebook.com/RiveraPromotionsEntertainment

Zwitschern: @RiveraPromoEnt @joseriverachamp @KingRivera_