Tag Archives: Jose Antonio Rivera

boxing, Rivera Promotions

Prospect Irvin Gonzalez continuing Worcester boxing tradition Jan 19th

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Inaugural “New England’s Future” series event in Worcester
WORCESTER, Mass. (January 11, 2017) – Fast rising featherweight prospect Irvin Gonzalez (4-0, 4 KOs) will continue Worcester’s rich boxing tradition Thursdaynight, January 19, headlining the inaugural “New England’s Future” series event against Mexican invader Israel “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, among others, pro and amateur standouts such as multiple national amateur champion Bobby Harris, Sean “The Irish Express” Sean Fitzgerald and Edwin Rodriguez.
Arguably the greatest Worcester fighter in the past 50 years is three-time, two-division world champion Jose Antonio “El Gallo” Rivera, who is promoting “New England’s Future” 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, a 2015 New England Golden Gloves champion, 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.  I’m excited.  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, as a 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) light 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 Ranse Andino 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 (CT) pro-debuting light heavyweight Richard “Popeye The Sailor Man” 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 Gloves champion Anthony Laureano (1-0), of East Haven (CT), 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), of Philadelphia, Saugus (MA) light 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).
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $65.00 (ringside), $45.00 (preferred seating) and $35.00 (general admission), are on sale and available to purchase at www.ThePalladium.net or the Palladium box office (general admission only), or by contacting 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.
INFORMATION:  
Facebook.com/RiveraPromotionsEntertainment
Twitter: @RiveraPromoEnt @joseriverachamp
boxing, Rivera Promotions

49-year-old pro boxer “Irish” Chuck Shearns Hanging up gloves January 19th

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
REMINDER:  The deadline to apply for a media credential is Jan. 12th

WORCESTER, Mass. (January 5, 2017) – Auburn (MA) junior middleweight “Irish” Chuck Shearns will become the second-oldest professional fighter in Massachusetts boxing history on Thursday night, January 19, in his farewell performance at the Worcester Palladium, marking the first pro boxing event in Worcester, located in Central Mass., in more than five years.
The inaugural “New England’s Future” series event is being presented by Rivera Promotions Entertainment (RPE), which is owned and operated by one of Worcester’s all-time greatest boxers – 3-time, 2-division world champion Jose Antonio “El Gallo” Rivera – and his son, Anthonee “AJ” Rivera.
 
Rising junior lightweight prospect, 2015 New England Golden Gloves champion Irvin Gonzalez (4-0, 4 KOs), will be fighting at home in the 6-round main event against Mexican invader Oscar Eduardo Quezada (2-1, 1 KO), while Springfield (MA) light heavyweight Reinaldo “Bazooka” Graceski (4-0, 2 KOs) meets Worcester’s Ralph Johnson (2-9, 1 KO) in the six-round co-feature.
The 49-year-old Shearns (2-1, 1 KO), who is the general manager of Lundgren Honda in Auburn, will take on Shavonte Dixon (0-1), of Philadelphia, in a four-round bout.  The state record, set in 2011 by then 53-year-old Joe Siciliano, is safe because Jan. 19th will definitely be Shearns’ last fight.
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for all boxers in terms of what they go through to be able to perform at their best in the ring,” promoter Jose Antonio Rivera said. “Chuck is doing it at 49 years old! That takes a lot of sacrifice and courage to put your body through that rugged training. I wish him the best and I am glad I can provide him with the opportunity to be able to say goodbye to boxing on his own terms.”
Shearns made his amateur debut at the age of 29, 10 years later he made his professional debut.  “I grew up watching boxing with my father (John), who boxed in the Navy, and my grandfather (John),” Shearns explained. “My grandfather was a club fighter, so, boxing was in my blood. I only had four amateur fights and one day I met “Fitzy,” who is now one of my closest friends. (Sean Fitzgerald, one of Worcester’s all-time best boxers, who is Shearns’ head trainer.)  I told him I wanted one pro fight and asked him to train me.”
Why, though, at the age of 49 does he still put himself through such extensive training, while working fulltime during the holiday season, to fight an opponent half his age?
“Boxing was the ultimate hobby for me and I just got carried away with it,” Shearns admitted. “I’m a novelty, not a real pro boxer.  I’m fighting January 19th because I was given this opportunity and decided to accept it but, honestly, I’m sure that this it!  Maybe I just wanted a chance to go out with a win because I lost my last one?  I don’t know.  Sometimes I wake up asking myself, ‘What am I doing?’  And ‘Fitzy’ is working me so hard for this fight – I don’t know if it’s my age or what – but I’ve hated every minute of it.  I lost my father in March.  He was always in my corner and this fight I’ll have RIP on my trunks in his honor.”
Lately, Shearns’ typical day has been, well, in a word, unordinary, to say the least.  He reports to work at 5 a.m., exercises and runs on the treadmill for an hour in a small gym at work, catches up with “Fitzy” at Anytime Fitness to hit the heavy and speed bags, and after work “Fitzy” trains Shearns at Camp Get Right.
Shearns has the complete support of his family and co-workers, who will all be at the Worcester Palladium supporting him Jan. 19.  “My wife (Karen) and two daughters (Kayla and Olivia) have always been there for me,” Shearns noted.  “My wife supports me and has jokingly said, ‘We’re getting divorced if you lose this fight.’  I’ve worked at Lundgren Honda for about 20 years and most of the 100-plus employees there will be at my fight.  I did want to fight one more time before I turn 50.  When Jose asked me to fight, how could I pass up this final opportunity?”
Also fighting on the undercard in 4-round bouts are Worcester junior lightweight Ranse Andino in his pro debut vs. Lowell’s (MA) Jonathan Perez (2-0-1, 2 KOs), pro-debuting Worcester heavyweight Felix Martinez vs. Dorchester’s (MA) Brian Richardson (0-8), Hartford’s (CT) pro-debuting light heavyweight Richard “Popeye The Sailor Man” Rivera vs. Brockton’s (MA) Huston Crayton (1-8, 0 KOs), pro-debuting Southbridge (MA) boxer Wilfredo Pagan vs. Puerto Rican Alexander Picot (1-1-1, 0 KOs) at a 145-pound catchweight, pro-debuting Springfield (MA) junior featherweight Luis “Pancho” Santiago vs, Mexican Jonathan Ramos (1-2, 0 KOs), 2016 N.W. Golden Gloves champion Anthony Laureano (1-0), of East Haven (CT), vs. Boston junior welterweight Rafael Francis (0-8), Saugus (MA) light heavyweight Brandon Montella (5-0, 4 KOs) vs. Mexican veteran Roberto El Viejo” Valenzuela (69-73-2, 56 KOs) and unbeaten Lawrence (MA) heavyweight Jean Pierre Augstin (7-0-1, 3 KOs).
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $65.00 (ringside), $45.00 (preferred seating) and $35.00 (general admission), are on sale and available to purchase at www.ThePalladium.net or the Palladium box office (general admission only), or by contacting 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.
INFORMATION:  
Facebook.com/RiveraPromotionsEntertainment
Twitter: @RiveraPromoEnt @joseriverachamp
Inaugural “New England’s Future” series event in Worcester
boxing, Rivera Promotions

Professional Boxing returns Jan. 19 to Worcester Junior lightweight prospect Irvin Gonzalez headlines Inaugural “New England’s Future” series event

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WORCESTER, Mass. (December 29, 2016) — Rivera Promotions Entertainment (RPE) held a press conference yesterday to formally announce its inaugural show, “New England’s Future,” Thursday night, January 19, at the Worcester Palladium.  It will mark the first professional boxing event in Worcester, located in Central Mass., in five years.
Rivera Promotions Entertainment is owned and operated by one of Worcester’s all-time greatest boxers – 3-time, 2-division world champion Jose Antonio “El 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.
“It’s all about the fighters,” RPE CEO Jose Antonio Rivera said.  “I’m in a unique position as a promoter because of my boxing background.  I hard it is for local fighters to get fights, which is why we have so many with less than six pro fights and five pro debuts fighters on this card.  They are why we’re here today. I never had a press conference until I was much more established in my career. This is about them showcasing their skills.
“After my son graduated from Johnson Wales University with a degree in Sports Management, he told me he was ready to form Rivera Promotions Entertainment, as we had discussed, and promote shows.  I lost a lot of money promoting a show in 2008, so I told him to put a plan together first and within a week he did.  He had gotten his feet wet in the business as an intern for a boxing promoter.  We went over the plan ad decided that we can do this.   We’re not signing fighters, right now, we’re helping them build their careers.  We do a lot of hard work behind the scenes that the public doesn’t see; the fighters work in the gym.  I’m really excited about January 19th.  Irvin Gonzalez is a future world champion.”
Tickets, priced at $65.00 (ringside), $45.00 (preferred seating) and $35.00 (general admission), are on sale and available to purchase at www.ThePalladium.net or the Palladium box office (general admission only), or by contacting 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.
“We appreciate the support being given to us and the fighters who give their blood, sweat and tears for you,” RPE president A.J. Rivera added.  “I got into the business side of boxing as an intern working for CES.  In Worcester, we have 11 active fighters, all on the rise, and to bring boxing back to Worcester is special, Teamwork makes dreams work. I also want to note that none of these fighters turned down a single opponent we offered.”
Promising junior lightweight prospect, 2015 New England Golden Gloves champion Irvin Gonzalez (4-0, 4 KOs), fighting out of Worcester, will be showcased in the 6-round main event against Mexican invader Oscar Eduardo Quezada (2-1, 1 KO).
“I’m very excited to be fighting in my hometown for the first time as a pro,” Gonzalez commented. “I fought here as an amateur but that’s not the same as fighting in the main event and my first 6-rounder.  Don’t take your eyes off the ring when I fight.  I’m going to be 5-0 with five knockouts on January 19th.”
In the 6-round co-feature, light heavyweight Reinaldo “Bazooka” Graceski (4-0, 2 KOs), of nearby Springfield (MA), faces Worcester’s Ralph Johnson (2-9, 1 KO).
Fighting on the undercard in 4-round bouts are Worcester junior lightweight Ranse Andino in his pro debut vs. Lowell’s (MA) Jonathan Perez (2-0-1, 2 KOs), 49-year-old Auburn (MA) junior middleweight “Irish” Chuck Shearns (2-1, 1 KO) in his retirement fight vs. Philadelphian  Shavonte Dixon (0-1), pro-debuting Worcester heavyweight Felix Martinez vs. Dorchester’s (MA) Brian Richardson (0-8), Hartford’s (CT) pro-debuting light heavyweight Richard “Popeye The Sailor Man” Rivera vs. Brockton’s (MA) Huston Crayton (1-8, 0 KOs), pro-debuting Southbridge (MA) boxer Wilfredo Pagan vs. Puerto Rican Alexander Picot (1-1-1, 0 KOs) at a 145-pound catchweight, pro-debuting Springfield (MA) junior featherweight Luis “Pancho” Santiago vs, Mexican Jonathan Ramos (1-2, 0 KOs), 2016 N.W. Golden Gloves champion Anthony Laureano (1-0), of East Haven (CT), vs. Boston junior welterweight Rafael Francis (0-8), Saugus (MA) light heavyweight Brandon Montella (5-0, 4 KOs) vs. Mexican veteran Roberto El Viejo” Valenzuela (69-73-2, 56 KOs) and unbeaten Lawrence (MA) heavyweight Jean Pierre Augstin (7-0-1, 3 KOs) vs. TBA.
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
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.
INFORMATION:
Facebook.com/RiveraPromotionsEntertainment
Twitter: @RiveraPromoEnt @joseriverachamp
boxing

USA BOXING NEW ENGLAND TO HONOR 5 RETIRED N.E. PRO BOXING CHAMPIONS Awards dinner Nov. 8 in Malden, Mass.

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Vinny Paz, Micky Ward, Joey Gamache, Jose Antonio Rivera & John Ruiz
BOSTON (Oct. 21, 2015) — USA Boxing New England, established in 1880 as the official governing body of amateur boxing in the region, will honor five former amateur standouts, who went on to become World Champions as professional boxers, Sunday, November 8 at Anthony’s in Malden.
Vinny Paz (Cranston, RI), Micky Ward (Lowell, MA), Joey Gamache (Lewiston, ME), Jose Antonio Rivera (Worcester, MA) and John Ruiz (Chelsea, MA) will receive awards for their outstanding accomplishments in the world of boxing.
USA Boxing New England will also present its inaugural Skeets Scioli Lifetime Achievement Award. Scioli served as President of USA Boxing New England, off and on, during an iconic 70-year period. He passed away in 2010 at the age of 97.
The Skeets Scioli award will be presented to referee/judge Mike Ryan (Tyngsboro, MA) and coach Carlos Garcia (Worcester, MA) for their long time contribution to the sport of amateur boxing.
Al Bernstein, Showtime Championship Boxing commentator and International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, will serve as event emcee. “This is a tribute to some of boxing’s best,” Bernstein said. “New England has played a major role in boxing, not only here in America, but globally. I am thrilled to participate in this event and I am looking forward to connecting with the boxing fans in that region.”
USA Boxing will also pay tribute to current athletes and members. The event is a fundraiser to assist young amateur athletes with travel expenses to regional and national tournaments.
The event starts with cocktails at 2 p.m., followed by dinner at 3 p.m. Live and silent auctions along with raffles will take place.
Limited tickets are still available to purchase by calling USA Boxing New England at 781-329-9577.