WORCESTER, Missa. (Gener 20, 2017) – Boxing returned to Worcester last night (Dijous) 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 “Futur de Nova Anglaterra” sèrie, presentat per Rivera Promocions Entreteniment, featured 10 baralles plenes d'acció, 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,” dit promotor José Antonio Rivera, the former 3-time, 2-campió del món de la divisió. “We working on our second show in March, per descomptat, 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, Israel “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 Diumenge 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.

El invicte Rayo “bazuca” Gracewski (5-0, 3 KOs), fighting out of Springfield (Massachusetts), 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.

pro-debutant de Hartford Richard “Popeye el mariner” 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, qui era un 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, favorit local Ranse Andino‘s pro debut resulted in a hard earned victory, by way of a four-round unanimous decision, over Lowell’s (Massachusetts) previously unbeaten Jonathan Pérez (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), 1 2016 campió dels Guants d'Or de Nova Anglaterra, 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-gossera Bobby Favors (0-4), gairebé 60 pounds but Favors was unable to continue after the first round.

Southbridge, Massachusetts Wilfredo “el Sucaro” pagà 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-anys d'edat “Irlandès” 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. Marina Brandon Montella, fighting out of Saugus, MA., va millorar el seu rècord a 6-0 (5 KOs), as his light heavyweight Mexican veteran Roberto “El Vell” Valenzuela (69-74-2, 56 KOs) suffered an injury early in the second round.

SPONSORS: Pesos pesats – Lundgren Honda, Llic. Michael H. Erlich, Llic. Maria M. Rivera-Cotto, USANA Health Services; Lightweights – TKO Auto Repair, Llic. Stephen W. Debs.

Facebook.com/RiveraPromotionsEntertainment

Refilo: @RiveraPromoEnt @joseriverachamp, @KingRivera_

ABOUT RIVERA PROMOTIONS ENTERTAINMENT (RPE): Fundat el 2016, Rivera Promotions Entertainment is owned and operated by one of Worcester’s all-time greatest boxers – 3-temps, 2-division world champion Jose Antonio “El Gall” 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.