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Tag Archives: Sharad Collier
“Fight Night in The Capital” OFFICIAL RESULTS
Toot, Toot!
Richard “Popeye” Rivera smokes Jaime Solorio in 8th round
HARTFORD, Conn. (June 17, 2018) – Rising Hartford folk hero Richard “Popeye The Sailor Man” Rivera kept his pro record perfect (8-0) intact, knocking out his tough opponent, Jaime “Zarco” Solorio (12-4-2, 9 KOs), in the eighth round to capture the vacant ABF Continental cruiserweight title, last night (Saturday) in the main event on the “Fight Night at The Capital” pro boxing card, at Xfinity Centre in Hartford.
The reigning UBF All Americas light heavyweight champion, Rivera (8-0, 7 KOs) is arguably the hardest pound-for-pound puncher in New England, if not the entire Northeast. After breaking his last opponent’s ankle with the force of his power, the incredibly popular Hartford fighter
Boxing trainer Tony Blanco and his Hartford Boxing Center gym partner, Michael Tran, recently teamed with Rivera to form Hartford Boxing Promotions, which was promoting its first pro boxing event, “Fight Night at The Capital.”
“I’m excited to have promoted our first show here in Hartford and I hope other promoters will follow,” Blanco commented. “I’m happy for all of the fighters. This was our first but not last show. We’re bringing boxing back to Hartford.
“I’m also excited about Sharrad’s pro debut (Collier), who is like a son to me, and Richie, my brother and partner. Everything I do is for them, that’s who I work for them.”
The durable Solorio had only been knocked out once in 17 pro fights going into the ring against Rivera, who has knock out six of his seven victims.
The first was a feeling-out round, but Rivera picked up the pace in the second, landing several hard shots on his game Mexican opponent. The highly entertaining Rivera cruised through the third through fifth, picking his spots better, but it was bombs away in the sixth as Rivera landed a right that sent Solorio to the deck. Solorio was penalized a point in the sixth for unsportsmanlike conduct.
In the seventh round, Solorio appeared to be fighting to survive, frequently holding and clinching, but he came forward in spurts as Rivera started loading up for a knockout that finally came in the eighth round. Rivera had never fought more than four rounds, but he was determined to ward off his opponent’s wrestling, landing a right-left-right uppercut combination to close the show with only 30 seconds left in the contest.
“I want to thank everybody for being here and bringing our community together in one house,” Rivera said. “Happy Father’s Day. I dedicated this fight to my father who I love so much. I told everybody that he was going down in three, but Solorio was tough. I took him in deep water and I’m strong to the finish because I eat my spinach…..toot, toot!”
In an intra-Connecticut clash of junior welterweights, Danbury’s undefeated Omar “The Beast” Bordoy, Jr. (6-0, 2 KOs) knocked out Alexander “El Bravo” Picot (2-6-1), of Hartford, with only one second left in the sixth and final round of co-featured event.
Bordoy was hampered by a cut over his right eye, suffered during the second round from an unintentional headbutt, who was fighting in his first scheduled six-rounder. He pivoted and threw a short, straight right that rocked Picot, dropping him forward on the mat as referee Shada Murdaugh immediately waved off the count, calling the doctor into the ring.
A star was born in a professional debut as two-time New England Golden Gloves champion “The Special One” Sharad Collier (1-0, 1 KO, fighting at home in Hartford, displayed his vast arsenal of skills, knocking out Antonio Castillo, Jr. (1-1) in round one.
The 21-year-old Collier showed the poise of a veteran and surprising power, especially considering he fought two full divisions higher than his natural weight class, due to his opponent weighing in as a junior middleweight. Collier decked Castillo early and finished him off with a barrage of unanswered punches until referee Danny Sciavone halted the action.
“Everything went the way I had planned,” Collier said after the bout. “Before the fight, I knew I was going to win, because I felt so good. People were asking me before the fight how I was feeling and, to be honest, I was a lot more nervous as an amateur.”
New Haven, CT lightweight Anuel Rosa (1-0, 1 KO) turned in an explosive pro debut, blasting an overwhelmed Roger Blankenship (1-3) around the ring until the referee Murdaugh stopped the action at the 49-second mark of the opening round. The 21-year-old Rosa dedicated the fight to his cousin, the late Luis “KO King” Rosa (23-1, 11 KOs), who tragically died last January in a car accident at the age of 26.
New Britain, CT featherweight Nathan Martinez (1-0) had another very impressive pro debut, pitching a complete shutout (40-35) on all three judges’ scorecards against Henry Garcia (0-2), despite it being an action-packed bout from start to finish. Martinez used lethal body shots, dropping Garcia with a left hook to the liver, and crisp combinations.
Complete results below:
MAIN EVENT – VACANT ABF CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Richard Rivera (8-0, 7 KOs), Hartford, CT
WTKO8 (2:30)
Jaime Solorio (12-4-2, 9 KOs), San Quinton, Mexico
CO-FEATURE – JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS
Omar Bordoy, Jr. (6-0, 2 KOs), Danbury, CT
WTKO6 (2:59)
Alexander Picot (2-6-1), Hartford, CT by way of Puerto Rico
SPECIAL JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT ATTRACTION
Sharad Collier (1-0, 1 KO), Hartford, CT
WTKO1 (2:20)
Antonio Castillo, Jr. (1-1), Canton, OH
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Anuel Rosa (1-0, 1 KO), New Haven. CT
WTKO1 (0:49)
Roger Blankenship (1-4), Cleveland, OH
FEATHERWEIGHTS
Nathan Martinez (1-0, 0 KO), New Britain, CT
WDEC4 (40-35, 40-35, 40-35)
Henry Garcia (1-1), New Bedford, MA
INFORMATION;
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Boxing the way out for pro-debuting “The Special One” Sharad Collier
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June 16 at Xfinity Centre in Hartford, CT
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HARTFORD, Conn. (June 7, 2018) – Hartford boxing prospect “The Special One “Sharad Collier has overcome tougher obstacles in life than he may ever face in the ring.
The two-time New England Golden Gloves champion will make his professional debut Saturday night, June 16, on Hartford Boxing Promotions’ inaugural event, “Fight Night at The Capital”, at Xfinity Centre in Hartford.
“I’m excited to make my pro debut at home in Hartford,” Collier said. “Fans are going to see a whole new beast: more power, speed and I’m not just in the ring to fight. I’m going to put on a show. Here’s what ‘Special’ stands for: S is for speed, P for power, E for enthusiasm, C for charisma, I for intelligence, A for – athleticism, L is for the looks.”
Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) All America light heavyweight champion Richard “Popeye The Sailor Man” Rivera (7-0, 6 KOs) will defend his title and fight Mexican challenger Jaime “Zarco” Solorio (12-3-2, 9 KOs) in the eight-round main event. They will also fight for the vacant ABF Continental Americas Championship.
The 21-year-Collier, who will fight Ohio’s Antonio Castillo, Jr. (1-0) in a four-round Special Welterweight Attraction, has dedicated his boxing career to his uncle and father. His uncle was murdered three years outside of a venue in which Sharad was boxing and, sadly, his father has been in and out of prison. Collier grew up in toughest part of (south) Hartford, spent time in a detention center and, at times, lived in and out of foster homes.
“I’ve been through a lot in life,” the charismatic Collier admitted. “I’ve had to fight my whole life. My goals include becoming world champion, making good money, and buying a house. I have two kids and I want them to have a better life than I did. I love boxing and it’s my way out.”
Undefeated Danbury, CT lightweight Omar “The Beast” Bordoy, Jr. (5-0, 1 KO) will fight in his first scheduled six-round bout versus. Alexander “El Bravo” Picot (2-5-1), fighting out of Hartford by way of Puerto Rico.
Also fighting on the undercard, all in four-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 (0-1), Hartford lightweight Jose Maysonet vs. Justin Morales, of New Bedford, MA, 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, and New Haven junior welterweight prospect Jeffrey Torres (4-0, 2 KOs) vs. TBA..
Boxing’s rich roots in the Hartford market dates back nearly a full century, headlined by International Hall of Famers Willie “Will o’ the Wisp” Pep and Christopher “Battling” Battalino. Other top-area boxers include world champion Marlon “Magic Man” Starling, world title challengers Gaspar “El Indio” Ortega, and Israel “Pito” Cardona, and 1996 USA Olympic Boxing Team captain Lawrence Clay-Bey.
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $80.00, $60.00 and $40.00, are on sale and available to purchase, as well as $125.00 VIP tickets that include food and soft drinks), at Ticket Master outlets or at the Hartford Boxing Center gym.
Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first bout starts at 7 p.m. ET.
Sponsors include Hot 93.7 FM, Hartford Boxing Center, Foster Buddies Network and HBC ProShop.
INFORMATION; Facebook: /hartfordboxingcenter Twitter: @hartfordboxing Instagram: @hartford.boxing.center/ You Tube: /c/HartfordBoxingCenter |
“Fight Night at the Capital” Press Conference Quotes
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HARTFORD, Conn. (May 31, 2018) – Hartford Boxing Promotions (HBP) hosted a press conference yesterday at the Hartford Boxing Center to promote its first event, “Fight Night at the Capital”, June 16 at Xfinity Centre in Hartford, Connecticut.
Below are quotes from yesterday’s press conference.
HBP’s goal is to bring quality boxing back to Hartford, which has a rich tradition dating back nearly a full century, headlined by International Hall of Famers Willie “Will o’ the Wisp” Pep and Christopher “Battling” Battalino. Other top-area boxers include world champion Marlon “Magic Man” Starling, world title challengers Gaspar “El Indio” Ortega, and Israel “Pito” Cardona, and 1996 USA Olympic Boxing Team captain Lawrence Clay-Bey.
Tickets, priced at $80.00, $60.00 and $40.00, are on sale and available to purchase, as well as $125.00 VIP tickets that include food and soft drinks), at Ticket Master outlets or at the Hartford Boxing Center gym.
Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first bout starts at 7 p.m. ET.
“FIGHT NIGHT AT THE CAPITAL” * June 16, 2018 * XFINITY CENTRE, HARTFORD, CT
MAIN EVENT – UBF ALL AMERICA &
VACANT ABF CONTINENTAL AMERICAS LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 8 ROUNDS
RICHARD RIVERA JAIME “Zarco” SOLORIO
Champion
Hartford, CT
7-0 (6 KOs)
CO-FEATURE — LIGHTWEIGHTS – 6 ROUNDS
OMAR BORDOY, JR. ALEXANDER PICOT
Danbury, CT
5-0 (1 KO)
SPECIAL JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT ATTRACTION – 4 ROUNDS
SHARAD COLLIER TBA
2-time New England Golden Gloves Champion
Hartford, CT
Pro Debut
FEATHERWEIGHTS – 4 ROUNDS
LUIS “Lobito” RIVERA
Hartford, CT
4-3
LIGHTWEIGHTS – 4 ROUNDS
ANUEL ROSA
New Haven, CT
Pro Debut
FEATHERWEIGHTS – 4 ROUNDS
NATHAN MARTINEZ
New Britain, CT
Pro Debut
LIGHTWEIGHTS – 4 ROUNDS
JOSE MAYSONET
Hartford, CT
Pro Debut
FEATHERWEIGHTS – 4 ROUNDS
JACOB “Lefty” MARRERO
Bridgeport, CT
Pro Debut
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS — 4 ROUNDS
JEFFREY TORRES
New Haven, CT
4-0 (2 KOs)
(all fights & fighters subject to change)
PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Tony Blanco, Promoter: “I’m really excited to do this in Hartford. There wouldn’t be a show without these guys. We work for them.”
Michael Tran, Promoter: “We’re really excited to feature some of top Connecticut boxers including many pro debuts of some of Connecticut’s best young fighters. Fans will be able to see them all in action on June 16th. We’re bringing boxing back and it’s only right that we have this event in the capital of Connecticut.”
Richard Rivera: “People ask me why I box? I love it, no other reason. As an amateur, I fought for the love of the sport. I’m blessed now because I’m getting paid, but I still love it. We do need to eat and because we have a lot of pro debuts on this card, it means we have a lot of hungry fighters. On June 16th, I’m going to do my thing and, trust me, there are going to be a lot of fireworks. I’ve watched a lot of these guys train. We’re finally fighting in our hometown and we’re going to better all the time.
“Boxing helps save lives. Boxing is a performing art. Kids get off the street in in the gym. This is a movement! We are a forced to be reckoned with and boxing gives everybody a chance.”.
Sharad Collier: “I’d like to thank Tony Blanco and Hartford Boxing Promotions for putting me on this card and my team. It’s going to be a good night. I’m ready to go. I’m going to keep working hard and keep being smart.”
Luis Rivera: “I want to thank Hartford Boxing Promotions and my coach, Papo Colon. Come June 16th, it’s going to be an interesting night.”
Nathan Martinez: “I’m thankful for this opportunity on June 16th. Come June 16th, expect a big fight.”
Jose Maysonet: “Thanks to my team and on June 16th, I will be ready.”
Anuel Rosa: “Thanks to Hartford Boxing Promotions for putting me on this show and to my trainer, Luis Rosa, for my eight weeks of training. I knew this day was coming and I’ll be ready. When people see me fight, you’ll want me on the next card.”
Jacob Marrero: I want to thank Tony Blanco for this opportunity to make my pro debut and my team for getting me ready for my fight.”
Jeffrey Torres: “I want to thank my coach, Luis Rosa. I’ll be 100-percent ready on June 16th.”
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Sponsors include Hot 93.7 FM, Hartford Boxing Center, Foster Buddies Network and HBC ProShop.
INFORMATION;
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Twitter: @hartfordboxing
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Undefeated light heavyweight Richard “Popeye The Sailor Man” Rivera to Headline “Fight Night at the Capital”
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HARTFORD, Conn. (May 15, 2018) – New England’s hottest, most popular and hardest hitter, Richard “Popeye The Sailor Man” Rivera, will defend his Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) All America light heavyweight title at home on Hartford Boxing Promotions’ inaugural event, “Fight Night at the Capital”, June 16th at Xfinity Centre in Hartford, Connecticut.
Rivera (7-0, 6 KOs) has partnered with his trainer, Tony Blanco, and Hartford Boxing Center gym co-owner, Michael Tran, to form Hartford Boxing Promotions and bring world-class boxing back to Hartford.
Boxing’s rich roots in the Hartford market dates back nearly a full century, headlined by International Hall of Famers Willie “Will o’ the Wisp” Pep and Christopher “Battling” Battalino.
Other top-area boxers include world champion Marlon “Magic Man” Starling, world title challengers Gaspar “El Indio” Ortega, and Israel “Pito” Cardona, and 1996 USA Olympic Boxing Team captain Lawrence Clay-Bey.
Rivera will take on Jaime “Zarco” Solorio (12-3-2, 9 KOs) in the eight-round main event versus an opponent to be determined.
“There’s a lot of pressure fighting at home because, of course, I want a victory, but I also need to be impressive for me to be recognized,” Rivera said. “I’m all about boxing. My partners, Tony and Michael, take care of the business end of Hartford Boxing Promotions. I’m excited about fighting June 16th and I expect a great turnout. A lot of people know who I am from fighting all over New England. Now, I want to expand my horizons. I have a huge following from our gym and church, but I want to bring non-boxing fans to our show to make them boxing fans.
“There’s no such thing as an easy fight. It all starts with training, which makes fighting easier. I may get an early knockout, but I always train to go the distance. My opponent has fought on television a few times against some fighters with good records. I know that I am going to be in a fight. I’ll be ready for war!”
This past April in New Hampshire, Rivera hit his opponent, Randy Campbell, so hard with a powerful right, that the force broke Campbell’s ankle only seconds into the contest.
“Fighting is a way of life,” Rivera explained. “All the training and fighting, it’s for the love of boxing, not money. Fighting never leaves a boxer.”
Rivera originally got his nickname because, when he was younger, his forearms were considerably larger than his biceps. Fighters in the gym jokingly teased Rivera about his enlarged forearms, calling him “Popeye,” and the nickname has stuck. Now, Rivera showcases his Popeye persona in full, which has added many females and children to his growing fanbase of hardcore boxing fans. June 16thwill open a new chapter in the life of for the man who’s always good to the finish because he eats his spinach.
In the co-featured event, undefeated Danbury, CT lightweight Omar “The Beast” Bordoy, Jr. (5-0, 1 KO) will be in his first scheduled six-rounder against. Alexander “El Bravo” Picot (2-5-1), fighting out of Hartford by way of Puerto Rico.
“The Special One,” Sharad Collier, fighting out of Hartford, is competing this week Omaha (NE) at the National Golden Gloves Championships, before returning home to turn pro in a four-round Special Junior Welterweight Attraction versus an opponent to be determined.
Also fighting on the undercard, all in four-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 (0-1), Hartford lightweight Jose Maysonet vs. Justin Morales, of New Bedford, MA, 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, and New Haven junior welterweight prospect Jeffrey Torres (4-0, 2 KOs) vs. TBA..
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $80.00, $60.00 and $40.00, are on sale and available to purchase, as well as $125.00 VIP tickets that include food and soft drinks), at Ticket Master outlets or at the Hartford Boxing Center gym.
Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first bout starts at 7 p.m. ET.
Sponsors include Hot 93.7 FM, Hartford Boxing Center, Foster Buddies Network and HBC ProShop.
INFORMATION;
Facebook: /hartfordboxingcenter
Twitter: @hartfordboxing
Instagram: @hartford.boxing.center/
You Tube: /c/HartfordBoxingCenter
Hartford Boxing Promotions Announces inaugural show “Fight Night at the Capital”
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Undefeated light heavyweight
Richard “Popeye” Rivera to headline & Amateur star Sharad Collier turning pro
June 16 at Xfinity Centre in Hartford, CT
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 (L-R) – Sharad Collier, promoter/trainer Tony Blanco & Richard Rivera |
HARTFORD, Conn. (May 3, 2018) -Hartford Boxing Promotions has announced its inaugural event, “Fight Night at the Capital”, to take place Saturday night, June 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 The Sailor Man” 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, too.
“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 16th.”
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 and Christopher “Battling” Battalino. Other top-area boxers include world champion Marlon “Magic Man” Starling, world title challengers Gaspar “El Indio” Ortega and Israel “Pito” Cardona, and 1996 USA Olympic Boxing Team captain Lawrence Clay-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. I can’t wait!”
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), of 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 16th.”
Undefeated Danbury, CT lightweight Omar “The 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, all in four-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.
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $80.00, $60.00 and $40.00, are on sale and available to purchase, as well as $125.00 VIP tickets that include food and soft drinks), at Ticket Master outlets or at the Hartford Boxing Center gym.
Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first bout starts at 7 p.m. ET.
Sponsors include Hot 93.7 FM, Hartford Boxing Center, Foster Buddies Network and HBC ProShop.
INFORMATION;
Facebook: /hartfordboxingcenter
Twitter: @hartfordboxing
Instagram: @hartford.boxing.center/
You Tube: /c/HartfordBoxingCenter