Etikedaj Arkivoj: Massachusetts

Best & Most Popular Northeast boxers to be Showcased on “Oceanside Prize Fights” card

James Perkins vs. Anthony Andreozzi title fight, plus undefeated prospects Shea Willcox & James Perella #A?gusto 16 at Oceanside Events Center in Revere, MA
QUINCY, Amaso. (August XX, 2025) – Some of the best and most popular boxers in the Northeast will be showcased August 16th on the stacked “Oceanside Prize Fights” card, presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), at Oceanside Events Center (formerly the Wonderland Ballroom) in Revere, Massachusetts. All the action will be streamed on www.BXNGTV.com.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Quincy Firefighters Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide unwavering support to firefighters and their families as they face the challenges of occupational cancer, ensuring they receive the care, resources, and assistance they need. Go to www.quincyfirecancerfoundation.com for information.

“Promoting in the North Shore has been something that was always in the works, but all the pieces had to be there to put on a great event,” GCP promoter Chris Traietti explained. “You only get one chance to make at making a good impression. I am incredibly pleased with how this card turned out. It will be an awesome night of the area’s most popular fighters and Granite Chin will once again be raising money for a great cause, the Quincy Fore Cancer Foundation. At the end of the night a new WBC U.S. Silver Champion will be crowned, Shea Willcox will make his home debut, and the local fight scene will come together to support our local firefighters.”

Throwback fighters James “Pitbull” Perkins (13-3-1, 9 KOs) Kaj Anthony “The Gentle Savage” Andreozzi (7-4, 3 KOs) will clash in the 8-round main event for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) USA Silver Light Heavyweight Championship.

Perkins vs. Andreozzi is a terrific match-up of entertaining fighters. The 32-year-old Perkins, A gravedigger from nearby Lynn (MA), is a powerfully aggressive puncher who doesn’t mind taking a few punches to land one damaging shot, while former Massachusetts Middleweight ChampionAndreozzi, of Swansea (MA), is a grinder who enjoys exchanging punches from start to finish.

Two of the most popular and promising prospects in New England, Everett (MA) juna veltero “Showtime” Shea Willcox (3-0, 3 KOs) and Mansfield (MA) junior middleweight James “The Slim Reaper” Perella (19-0, 13 KOs), will provide chief support.


The 23-year-old Willcox, a member of two Everett High’s Super Bowl, Division One football championship teams, is arguably the most popular pro boxer in the Northeast. A standout amateur boxer, he was also selected as the “Most Outstanding Boxer” at last year’s New England Golden Gloves Championships, in addition to being a 2018 Rocky Marciano Tournament Champion. He will throw down in a 4-round co-featured event against Aldimar Silva (22-28, 14 KOs), de Brazilo.

Perella, 32, was a celebrated amateur career (120-20)who captured 3 New England Golden Gloves titles, as well as a silver medal at the prestigious National PAL Tournament. The gifted fighter with one of the best nicknames will take on former FECARBOX Welterweight Champion Saul “Navajo” Corral (31-24, 20 KOs) in the 8-round Special Junior Middleweight Attraction.

Batalis sur la subkarto, all in 4-rounders, are Hyde Park (MA) junior featherweight Jennifer Perella (2-1, 1 KO), La 2024 New England Golden Gloves silver medalist, #Kontra?. Sarah “Switch Kick” Click (2-10-1, 0 KOs); unbeaten Springfield (MA) Welterweight Eric “The Gladiator” Goff (7-0, 5 KOs) #Kontra? “Jabbin” Joe Wilson, Jr. (3-8, 0 KOs), #La?renco (MA) junior middleweight Dimas “Jimmy” Colon makes his pro debut versus Javonni Bennett (0-2), and South Boston cruiserweight Charlie “The City Point Sicilian” LoGrasso (1-0, 1 KO) Renkontas Erick Alves.

Karto ŝanĝebla.

Tickets are reasonably priced (including service fees) #?E $150.00 (Reserved Ringside), $100.00 (General Seats), Kaj $60.00 (Ĝenerala Agnosko) are available for purchase at www.Granite-Chin-Promotions.ticketleap.com.

Porda turniro #?e 6:00 P.M. ET, first bout at 7 P.M. ET.



INFORMO:
Facebook.com/GraniteChinPromotions-GCP

Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be boxing’s best kept secret in 2026

SPRINGFIELD, Amaso. (Julio 10, 2025) ? Nun, unbeaten junior middleweight Anthony “ATV” Velazquez (19-0-1, 14 KOs) may be boxing’s best kept secret, but the plan is for him to make a major jump from prospect to title challenger in 2026.

Fighting out of Springfield, Massachusetts, the 29-year-old Valezquez has flown under the radar, never fighting a world rated opponent or showcased on a marquee event. His manager, Gunther Fishgold, has set the stage for a breakout 2026 for his talented Puerto Rican-American fighter.

The plan calls for Velazquez, who is a promotional free agent, to fight three times, starting July 19Th ĉe Mohegan Suno, plus two more times in 2025 or next January, to position him to be world rated and fight on larger stages by the first quarter of 2026.


“I want to be the best and I’m going to prove myself,” Valezquez remarked. “I’m boxing’s best kept secret, but everybody is going to know who I am very soon. I like this pace (fighting every 2-3 Monatoj) because I’m always in the gym. No vacations; just the gym and home. This is my job and I’m working hard to keep my skills sharp. I get good work at our gym because my coach, Hector Bermudez, always has fighters in from around the world. I’ve sparred a lot with (world-rated welterweight) Rohan Polanco (16-0, 10 KOs), the Dominican Olympian, and I spar bigger guys, Tro, like super middleweight Steven Butler (36-5-1, 30 KOs) – ‘Bang Bang’who was there getting ready for his fight (Junio 27, WKO4 vs. Jose de Jesus Macias). The work I get in the gym definitely helps me. It feels good fighting different people because they all have different styles.”
Team Velazquez hasn’t targeted any fighter in particular, but a natural foe is fellow New EnglanderChordale “The Gift” Booker (23-2, 11 KOs), of Stamford, Konektikuto. Booker recently had his first world title shot, losing his challenge to unified (WBC & WBO) Super Welterweight World ChampionSebastian Fundora (21-1-1, 14 KOs) by way of a stoppage in round 4. One non-New Englander on Velazquez’ hit list for 2026, eble, is welterweightAlexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-1, 16 KOs), who is currently world rated at No. 1 (WBO), Ne. 5 (IBF) Kaj Ne. 9 (WBC), but only if he decides to move up to the junior middleweight division.Velazquez is at training camp preparing for his July 19Th return in an 8-round bout vs.Terry Chatwood(12-3-1) at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Konektikuto, which is only a 1 ½ hour drive from Velazquez’ home in Springfield.
“I know Chatwood likes to box off his back foot and he’s tough,” Velazquez said, “but he has nothing I’m concerned with. I’m going to break him down and get him out of there. I’m comfortable in the ring. My defense and confidence have improved. And I enjoy fighting at Mohegan Sun because of its history in boxing and how close it is to Springfield. It’s like my second home (this will be his third fight there).?


Anthony Velazquez is ready to make moves in 2026.
INFORMO:Facebook: /AnthonyVelazquezInstagram: @anthonyvelazquez_

WBC U.S. Silver Light Heavyweight title fight James Perkins & Anthony Andreozzi Headlines “Oceanside Prize Fights”

Undefeated prospects James Perella &

Shea Willcox to be featured

#A?gusto 16 at Oceanside Events Center in Revere, MA

QUINCY, Amaso. (Julio 8, 2025) – Old-school boxing returns on August 16Th KielJames “Pitbull” Perkins (13-3-1, 9 KOs) KajAnthony “The Gentle Savage” Andreozzi (7-4, 3 KOs) square off in the 8-round main event on a stacked “Oceanside Prize Fights” card, presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), por la vaka Monda Boksa Konsilio (WBC) USA Silver Light Heavyweight Championship.

All the action will be streamed onwww.BXNGTV.com live from the Oceanside Events Center (formerly the Wonderland Ballroom) in Revere, Massachusetts.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Quincy Firefighters Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide unwavering support to firefighters and their families as they face the challenges of occupational cancer, ensuring they receive the care, resources, and assistance they need. Go towww.quincyfirecancerfoundation.com for information.

“It’s been long overdue that Granite Chin did an event on the North Shore,” promoterChris TraiettiDirita. “Oceanside Events Center is a beautiful venue, and they have been a pleasure to work with. This event will be an incredible night of fights with a new WBC Silver U.S. Champion crowned. Supre de tio, we will be raising money for the Quincy Firefighters Cancer Foundation, which as a member of the Quincy Fire Department, hits home for me. The foundation does amazing work and provides critical support for our fellow firefighters at a time of need.”

Perkins and Andreozzi are throwback fighters who could fight in a proverbial phone boothproviding non-stop action in an entertaining, competitive encounter for a regional title.

A gravedigger from nearby Lynn (MA), the 32-year-old Perkins was a solid hockey player at St. Mary’s High School in Lynn, who also had another intensive labor job working on a lobster boat. He is a strong, aggressive puncher who has successfully transitioned from the super middleweight division to light heavyweight.

Andreozzi, of Swansea (MA), who is a former Massachusetts Middleweight Champion, has overcome a serious injury to become a title challenger. He broke his lower leg that resulted in 2 major surgeries that kept him sidelined for a full year. Andreozzi is back, hungry and ready for Perkins.

“Sometimes, as a promoter, you must get creative selling a fight, but this isn’t one of those,” Traietti added. “This fight sells itself. James and Tony are two guys who refuse to take a step backwards, for better or worse, coming forward and bringing non-stop pressure. Getting both guys to agree to fight was one of the easiest things I have done all year. They were chomping at the bit. This fight is a can’t miss regional main event.”

Two of the most popular and promising prospects in New England, Marshfield (MA) WelterweightJames “The Slim Reaper” Perella (19-0, 13 KOs) and Everett (MA) juna veltero“Showtime” Shea Willcox (3-0, 3 KOs), will provide chief support.

Perella, 32, had a celebrated amateur career (120-20), capturing 3 New England Golden Gloves titles, in addition to a silver medal at the prestigious National PAL Tournament. He will face former FECARBOX Welterweight ChampionSaul “Navajo” Corral (31-24, 20 KOs) in an 8-round fight.

Willcox, 23, was a member of two Everett High’s Super Bowl, Division One football championship teams. He was also selected as the “Most Outstanding Boxer” at last year’s New England Golden Gloves Championships, as well as a 2018 Rocky Marciano Tournament Champion. He will be in a 4-round match vs.Aldimar Silva (22-28, 14 KOs), de Brazilo.

Traietti concluded, “On top of a great main event, SHEA WILLCOX IS COMING HOME! Getting Shea a fight in his home area was paramount this year. We plan to make it a recurring theme. He is a terrific talent with a loyal fan base that traveled twice to Bridgewater to support him. Now he is coming to the North Shore where he belongs, and the sky’s the limit.”

Additional matchups will soon be announced.

Karto ŝanĝebla.

Tickets are reasonably priced (includes service fees) #?E $154.00 (Reserved Ringside), $103.00 (General Seats), Kaj $62.20 (Ĝenerala Agnosko) are available for purchase atwww.Granite-Chin-Promotions.ticketleap.com.

Porda turniro #?e 6:00 P.M. ET, first bout at 7 P.M. ET.

INFORMO:

Facebook.com/GraniteChinPromotions-GCP

“Granite Chin Box Off” to launch May 11th 4-fighter, 1-night super middleweight tournament “Rumble at the Rink” at Quincy Youth Arena in Quincy, MA

“Granite Chin Box Off” to launch May 11Th

4-fighter, 1-night super middleweight tournament

“Rumble at the Rink” at Quincy Youth Arena in Quincy, MA

poster.jpg

QUINCY, Amaso. (Marto 26, 2024) – Granite Chin Promotions (GCP) has announced the launching of its innovative one-night tournament, “Granite Chin Box Off,” on Saturday night, Majo 11, featuring a quartet of throw-back super middleweight fighters from New England headlining theRumble at the Rink” pro boxing card, at Quincy Youth Arena in Quincy, Massachusetts.

The quartet of super middleweights will fight in three-round bouts (4Th round of sudden death if needed in case of a draw) early in the evening and the two winners will advance to the five-round main event (6Th round of sudden death in the event of a draw) to determine the champion of what promoter Chris Traietti plans to be an annual tournament, which has been sanctioned by the Massachusetts Boxing Commission.

All four fighters are aggressive and gutsy who come to fight, which translates into a memorable evening for fans.

“This tournament has been an idea I have been flirting with since 2021,” GCP president Chris Traietti said. “I didn’t want to pull the trigger on it until I felt as though I had some of the initial concerns worked out and I had the right four guys. It has all come together now! There is no combination of fights with these four that won’t be action-packed right from the opening bell. This is something Granite Chin plans to do annually, so once this inaugural tournament is complete, we will assess it to see if any improvements are needed to get one ready for 2025. Thank you to the fighters for their passion in being part of something special like this and the Massachusetts Commission for all its help in navigating me to getting all the safety issues addressed and handled so it could be sanctioned.”

Here is a breakdown of the four “Granite Chin Box Off” challengers:

James “Pitbull” Perkins (13-1-1, 9 KOs), Lynn, MA

Perkins is the pre-tournament favorite based on his pro record and quality of opposition. A gravedigger during the day, Perkins suffered his lone loss last August to Steve Sumpter (9-0, 7 KOs), losing an eight-round majority decision for the vacant IBA America Super Middleweight Championship.

“I’m really looking forward to this event. I’ve always wanted to fight in a tournament because I never fought in the Golden Gloves or any amateur tournaments. I decided to turn pro after my sixth amateur fight. It’s even better that the event is being held at a hockey rink because I grew up my whole life playing hockey. I started skating at two years old and played all the way through high school (St. Mary’s of Lynn).

“I’m prepared to deal with whatever comes at me. I know who all the fighters are, but I know Clark a lot more than the other fighters. Me and Clark have fought on the same card a number of times. I like Clark and he’s a tough guy, but if we end up in the ring together, it will be all business. We won’t be friends when we are in there. At the end of the night, I’m very confident I’ll be the winner of the tournament.”

Anthony “The Gentle Savage” Andreozzi (5-3, 2 KOs), Swansea, MA

A former Massachusetts Middleweight Champion, Andreozzi has recovered from a brutal leg/ankle injury suffered more than a year ago, returning this past February 24Th within a second-round knockout of Igor Pessoa.

“It’s (tournament) breaking boundaries for sure. It’s the type of tournament where emotional control will be important. You can’t blow your load in the first round of the first fight and still expect to succeed. I have a few hundred wrestling matches and over a dozen karate matches. I’m used to the emotional control necessary to effectively do violence twice in one night. Mi ne povas atendi!

“Ryan Clark is a great guy. We’ve done rounds before my fight with Kyle Cusick (Aprilo 22, 2022). Perkins went six hard rounds with a former teammate of mine. Bernard seems like a good dude, so nothing personal against him.”

Bernard Joseph (6-1, 4 KOs), Dorchester, MA

Joseph has won his last two fights and has been active with four fights in 2023 and this will be his second of 2024. The 33-year-old will also have a hometown advantage fighting in nearby Quincy.

“It is different (tournament format), but it comes down to the way we train. I do a lot of sparring and that will be good for me. It comes down to training and getting my body used to the break like in sparring. I could be fighting four rounds and then six.

“I’m a pro now, fighting six rounders, but not with a long pause between fights like in this tournament. It will give me time to rehydrate and get ready for the second fight of the night. I’ve seen video of all the other fighters and I’m not bad-mouthing anybody, but I can’t not feel that I’m the favorite to win it all.”

Ryan Clark (4-5, 2 KOs), Barrington, ME

A natural middleweight, Clark is moving up the most weight in the tournament, something he is well aware of but not overly concerned. Another action-packed fighter, Clark’s record is misleading because he’s as tough as they come and capable of defeating any of the other three challengers.

“It’s (tournament) is a great idea. Chris (Traietti) is a smart guy, and this tournament will provide entertainment for the fans, and it’ll be a challenge for the fighters. I applaud his idea. I typically fight at 160 and this tournament has me fighting in a little bigger weight class. I like the challenge.

“I know Tony and Perkins and I respect them. They’re talented. #Tio ?i (tournament) is similar to sparring. I spar five or six rounds, hang around talking, get in some other training, and then get back in the ring to spar again. This isn’t too different.”

Additional matches will soon be announced.

Karto ŝanĝebla.

Tickets are on sale to purchase atwww.granite-chin-promotions.ticketleap.com.

Porda turniro #?e 6:00 P.M. ET, first bout at 7 P.M. ET.

INFORMO:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Steve “The Savage” Sumpter Predicts James Perkins fight won’t go the full distance on August 19th in Worcester, MA

lltptlmy.jpeg

R - S Sumpter.JPG

Steve Sumpter

(picture by Emily Harney / Fightography)

QUINCY, Amaso. (Julio 12, 2023) – Undefeated super middleweight prospect Steve “The Savage” Sumpter (8-0, 7 KOs) has never turned down a fight. Neither has his next opponent, James “Pitbull” Perkins (12-0-1, 9 KOs), and that’s why the two undefeated fighters will throw-down August 19Th.

Sumpter vs. Perkins headlines “Pandemonium at The Palladium”, presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), in an eight-round showdown for the vacant International Boxing Association IBA) Americas Super Middleweight Championship..

“Pandemonium at The Palladium” will be streamed live onwww.bxngtv.com from the famed Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.

“This fight is one of the best main events Massachusetts has seen this year,” GCP president Chris Traietti commented. “What more can you ask for? Two undefeated guys with knockout power going for it all for a chance to elevate their careers to the next level. The spectators better take their bathroom and concession breaks before this one starts. It could end at any moment!?

More than a belt is at stake, more like Bay State (MA) bragging rights for the winner of this potentially “lights-out” fight between these Western (Sumpter, Pittsfield) and Eastern (Perkins, Lynn) Amaso. rival fighters.

Sumpter, 29, leaped at the opportunity to fight another undefeated fighter because of the upside for his career that an impressive victory will make within New England boxing circles.

“’ll be better known after this fight,” Sumpter said. “I don’t care about my opponent’s record or anything else. This is the type of fight that will establish me as one of the better boxers around. This fight will open up a lot of doors for me, when I come out on top. More people will start taking notice of me and I’ll be getting calls for bigger fights.

“We are both explosive fighters. I don’t think he’s going the full distance. It’ll come down to skills. I’ve seen some things from him I’ll exploit. Nobody studies me better than me. I’m sure he has watched me, ankaŭ. ”

Pittsfield is 100 miles to the west of Worcester, but Sumpter, who is the reigning Massachusetts Light Heavyweight Champion, is confident his fans will travel in force.

“I’ll feel good traveling,” Sumpter added. “This will be the second card I’ve headlined. I have a solid fan-base and it’s growing with each win. Kaj, like I said, he’s not going the distance.”

En la ko-prezentita okazaĵo, undefeated Massachusetts Welterweight Champion Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (11-0, 6 KOs) takes Hector “El Gatito” Ednar Bobadilla (9-14-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round bout for the vacant United States Boxing Federation (USBF) Atlantic welterweight title.

Other fighters expected to be in action on the “Pandemonium at The Palladium” undercard include another Holyoke boxer, super welterweight Carlos Castillo (7-0, 4 KOs), unbeaten Springfield super featherweight Isaiah “Baby Warrior” Cruz (6-0, 4 KOs), and New Haven (CT) featherweight Felix Parrilla (7-0, 6 KOs).

Karto ŝanĝebla. Tickets are on sale and available for purchase online atwww.ThePalladium.net.

Porda turniro #?e 6:30 P.M. ET, first bell at 7:30 P.M. ET.

INFORMO:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Pepi: @Granite_Chin

Undefeated Irish Light Heavyweight Prospects Tommy “The Governor” Hyde & Thomas “The Kid” O’Toole Fighting again in adopted home“Veterans Stadium Showcase” Outdoors on August 11th in Quincy, MA

The Poster.jpg

QUINCY, Amaso. (Julio 10, 2023) – Like some of his fellow countrymen in the past, undefeated Irish light heavyweight prospects Tommy Hyde (5-0, 3 KOs) and Thomas “The Kid” O’Toole (7-0, 5 KOs) have traveled across “the pond” from their native Ireland to Boston in order to enhance their professional boxing careers.

They will both be fighting on the August 11Th (Aug. 12Th rain date) on the “Veterans Stadium Showcase” Pro-Am card, presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Quincy (MA), a suburb of Boston only 10 miles to the south of the Massachusetts capital.  

“This card wouldn’t be complete without some Irish flair to it,” GCP president Chris Traietti said. "Kun kiu diris, I didn’t want just any Irish fighters on the show. I wanted two of the hottest prospects. Working with both guys has been a pleasure. Their teams have been great. Their fan-bases are in for a treat come August 11Th.?

They’ve built solid fanbases of Irish natives who now live in the United States, as well as Irish American boxing fans, just like their predecessors from the Emerald Isle, world champion Steve Collins and Mike Tyson-conqueror Kevin McBride.

Although Hyde and O’Toole will be fighting in separate six-round bouts this could be a prelude to a showdown between the Irish light heavyweights. They fought twice as amateurs with each winning one and in the future, they could be matched against each other once again, only this time as professionals.

Tommy Hyde.jpg

Tommy Hyde (L) ? (picture credit: Garreth Croke

The 24-year-old Hyde is a three-time Irish National Champion who had an 80-26 Amatora rekordo. His father, Gary Hyde, is an international matchmaker who has represented numerous world champions.

“I am delighted to be fighting in Boston again,” Hyde said. “It’s like a second home now. I have a lot of family and friends living there and they all show me great support when I’m fighting there. It’s a big boxing city and it’s great to be following in the footsteps of Steve Collins and Kevin McBride who I really admire.

“I fought all over the world as an amateur in 2019. I fought outdoors in a multi-national tournament in Odessa, Ukrainio. It was a really good experience, so I’m really looking forward to fighting outdoors in a Boston stadium.

“This will be the second show we shared since we’ve been pros and it probably won’t be the last. A fight between us could be big down the line in Boston or Ireland. He’s an Irishman like me, so I’ll be supporting him until we fight just like any other Irish boxer.”

Hyde faces an opponent to be determined.

O'Toole.jpg

Thomas O’Toole (R) ? (photo credit: Emily Harney / Fightography

O’Toole, 25, is another celebrated Irish amateur boxer who captured top honors in the Haringey Box Cup and Irish Elevate final, in which he decisioned Hyde. “The Kid” won 51 De 60 amatoraj matĉoj. Ten Years ago, O’Toole fought outdoors for the first and only time in an amateur show at Boston City Hall, arranged by then- Boston Mayor Marty Walsh.

A southpaw, O’Toole lives in nearby Braintree (MA). Six of his seven pro matches have been held in Greater Boston, the lone exception in Manchester, Nov-Hampŝiro. “The Kid” is moving up one division to fight Massachusetts cruiserweight champion Scott “Scottie Bombs” Lampert (5-8, 4 KOs) for the vacant United States Boxing Federation (USBF) cruiserweight crown.

“Fighting outdoors does make a difference,” O’Toole commented, “especially if it’s hot and humid. I couldn’t prepare for fighting outdoors here in the summer if I was training in Ireland. We don’t have hot and humid weather there. I’ve been training here in this weather. It’s amazing how the weather can zap your strength. It did have an effect on me when I fought in Boston outdoors as an amateur.

“Tommy and I have gone our separate ways as pros, but our paths may grow down the line. We haven’t seen much of each other when we fought on the same card here. He is coming on very well in the pro ranks. He has a good man behind him in his father, Gary, and I think Tommy can go far. He’s said that a fight between us can easily be made if it makes sense. I agree. We both have big fan bases. This is going to be an amazing, fun night.”

Irish eyes will certainly be smilin’ Aug. 11Th in Quincy.

In the eight-round, Ĉefa evento, former New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Bad Man, Ohan, Jr. (18-2, 9 KOs), of Holbrook, and Haverhill’s Harry “The Hitman” Gigliotti (9-4, 3 KOs), reigning ABF Atlantic super lightweight title holder, will throw-down in a non-title fight.

United States Boxing Federation (USBF) Champion Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste (5-3, 2 KOs), of Woburn, and Massachusetts titleholder Jamer Jones (3-1, 3 KOs), of Pittsfield, are in a middleweight unification bout for their titles in the eight-round co-featured event.

Gigliotti’s stablemates, undefeated Lowell lightweight Gabriel “The Menace” Morales (7-0, 4 KOs) and unbeaten Methuen middleweight Luke “The Quiet Storm” Iannuccilli (6-0, 3 KOs) will also be in action, Respektive, versus Nathan Benichou (2-16-1, 2 KOs) and Ryan Thomas Clark (2-4, 1 KO).

Also fighting on the undercard is undefeated middleweight prospect Francis “Frank The Tank” Hogan (14-0, 13 KOs), of nearby Weymouth (MA), Estos en ago, as well as Scituate heavyweight Kevin Nagle (2-0, 2 KOs), #Kontra?. TBAs. Hogan was a celebrated amateur who was a 2020 USA Boxing Olympic Team alternate as well as a 2010 Nova Anglio Golden Gloves ĉampiono.

Karto ŝanĝebla.

Tickets for “Veterans Stadium Showcase,” are on sale and available for purchase online atwww.EventBrite.com.

Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Traietti atchris@granite-chin-promotions.com Por detaloj.

Porda turniro #?e 5:30 P.M. ET with the amateur matches starting at 6:30 P.M. ET, pro card commences at 8 Pm. ET.

INFORMO:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Pepi: @Granite_Chin

Salem’s Kenny “Lionheart” Larson challenges Mass. Welterweight Champion Denzel Whitley in battle of undefeated prospects on March 11th at MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA

kenny larson.jpg

Kenny “Lionheart” Larson

(photo by Emily Harney / Fightography)

QUINCY, Amaso. (Februaro 27, 2023) – Styles make fights and a potential instant classic is on tap March 11Th in the “Springfield Championship Boxing 2” main event, when undefeated Kenny “Lionheart” Larson (6-0, 5 KOs) challenges defending card Massachusetts State Welterweight Champion Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (10-0, 6 KOs) in the 8-round headliner, at MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.

“Springfield Championship Boxing 2”, presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), will be streamed live on BXNGTV.com.

“This fight has all the makings to be one of those local fights that people talk about for years,” GCP president Chris Traietti commented. “You have a hyper aggressive guy like Kenny going up against a slick counterpuncher like Denzel. Both guys are undefeated and there’s a state title on the line. Kudos to both guys for taking this fight, one that nobody will want to miss.”

Larson, 33, is an ultra-aggressive fighter who constantly applies pressure on his opponent; Whitley’s an intelligent counterpuncher that breaks down the other guy in the ring. It figures to be an exciting showdown to determine who fights his fight. It’s so rare for a pair of undefeated prospects to fight each other so early in their professional careers.

“We are looking to showcase that we are both serious,” Larson explained. We both want to make statements! As long as I do what I’m supposed to do, fighting like I do in the gym, it doesn’t matter that I’m fighting him in his neck of the woods. (Whitley is from Holyoke, which is only 8 miles from the Springfield venue.) One night a fan said to me, ‘You fight with the heart of a lion.’ I couldn’t think of a better nickname for me. Li (Whitley) beat Kris Jacobs (WMDEC8) in his last fight (to capture the vacant Mass. welterweight title) and I knocked out a guy (Ryan Clark) in the first round who defeated Jacobs.

“We’ll see what happens when the kitchen starts getting heated up (#Kontra?. Whitley). Everybody has a plan going into a fight. Anyone who knows me knows my assets and what I have for him. I’ve watched him (Whitley) on tape and saw a few things that interested me. I was kind of amused by what he had to say. Let the cards lay where they may and we’ll see what it comes down to. I’ll have people there for me. I’ve always had a huge crowd behind me since I was an amateur because of my fan-friendly style.”

Larson was a hockey player who didn’t pick up boxing until he was in high school. He started at a gym that wasn’t, as he described, super serious about boxing, more for fitness, and one day a friend suggested that he go to train at the Somerville Boxing Club., where he changed his life,  both in and out of the ring.  

“Everything there was serious,” Larson reported. “Things clicked and I had focus and direction. I had a substance abuse problem, drinking, but I changed addictions from drinking to boxing for the last 10 Jaroj. #Hodia?, I have no days off from boxing.”

Larson now trains out of Broadway Boxing in Everett (MA) with Joe Riccardi as his head trainer.

A native of Salem (MA), Larson was a 3-time Central New England Golden Gloves runner-up, as well as a 2016 New England Golden Gloves champion in the novice division.

The O must go for either Larson or Whitley. Fans will be the biggest winner!

The Cruz brothers, lightweight Isaiah (5-0, 3 KOs) and super lightweight Calixto (1-0), fighting out of Springfield, will both be in action in front of fans, Familio, Kaj amikoj. In the 6-round co-featured event, Isaiah “Baby Warrior” Cruz will face Akeem “Action Action” Jackson (6-5, 5 KOs) in the 6-round co-featured event, while Calixto meets Luis “Broccoli” Gerardo Avila (8-22-3, 5 KOs) En 4-ronda vico.

Also schedule to be in action are unbeaten Dominican welterweight Carlos Castillo (6-0, 4 KOs), of Holyoke (MA); Puerto Rican super lightweight Ian “Dinamite” Garcia (2-0-1, 1 KO), of Springfield; Springfield super featherweight Carlos Gonzalez (4-0, 4 KOs), and Springfield super lightweight Liz Humphries (0-1-1)

Karto ŝanĝebla.

Tickets range between $203.00 Kaj $48.00 and are available to purchase online athttps://massmutualcenter.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventInfo?ticketCode=GS%3AMMC%3AMMC22%3AEX031123%3A&linkID=mmc&shopperContext=&pc=&caller=&appCode=&groupCode=CHIN&cgc=&dataAccId=224&locale=en_US&siteId=ev_mmc  or from any of the participating boxers.

Porda turniro #?e 6 P.M. ET, first bout at 7 P.M. ET.

LOGO.JPG

INFORMO:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Pepi: @Granite_Chin

Mike Ohan, Jr. lands dream fight vs. Usono. Olympian Tiger Johnson

Dec. 10 #?E Madison Kvadrata #?ardeno


Mike “Bad Man” Ohan, Jr. (L) is ready for Tiger Johnson
(photo by Emily Harney / Fightography)

QUINCY, Amaso. (Novembro 10, 2022) – Former New England Welterweight Champion Mike Ohan, Jr. (16-1, 9 KOs) is preparing for his potential career-changing fight on December 10Th Kontraŭ 2020 Usono. Olympian Tiger Johnson (6-0, 4 KOs) #?E la fama Madison Kvadrata #?ardeno en Nov-Jorka Urbo.

Johnson kontraŭ. Ohan, Jr. is a scheduled 8-round welterweight match on a Top Rank card, headlined by a Heisman Night fight featuring Teofimo Lopez against Jose Pedraza, which will be streamed live on ESPN+.

Ohan, Jr. isn’t overly concerned about fighting a much-hyped prospect, who is promoted by event promoter Top Rank,, at the mecca of boxing on a much larger viewing platform.

“I’ll embrace it,” Ohan, Jr. “I’ve fought a lot of top guys in the amateurs like Jamaine Ortiz, who just fought Vasiliy Lomachenko. I feel like I belong at the top level with them, but they started competing earlier than me in the amateurs. Mi estis 16-17 and had a lot of catching up to do.

“This is what all the years of me working so hard has been for. It’s been a dream of mine even as a kid, before I started boxing. It’s starting to payoff; I need to executive the game plan on fight night.”

“I couldn’t be prouder of Mike and what he has accomplished so far in boxing,” Ohan’s promoter, Granite Chin president Chris Traietti commented. “He’s a great guy with great work ethic, and he has a ton of heart. He jumped all over this opportunity when it was presented. This is why guys fight; to hopefully get a chance to shine at an event like this at Madison Square Garden. Mike grinded and grinded, now he has his well-deserved opportunity at stardom.”

Ohan, Jr. is the son of a retired pro boxer, (14-6-2, 11 KOs), who served as a sparring partner for the great Marvelous Marvin Hagler.

The 24-year-old Johnson, fighting out of Cleveland, was a highly decorated U.S. amateur boxer who was a member of the 2020 .USA Olympic Boxing Team. He was a 2-time winner of the USA National Championships (2016 & 2017), as well as a gold medalist at the 2016 AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships, Kaj 2014 USA Junior Olympic National Championships.

“He’s a great fighter,” Ohan, Jr. talked about his upcoming opponent. “Everything he does, he’s excellent at, not just good. I have to bring my A game to prove I belong. All the greats have adjusted to the situation and that’s what I have to do. I’ve put in all the blood, sweat and tears. Whatever he throws, I’ll be ready.”

Fighting in Madison Square Garden is the ultimate venue for Ohan, Jr. along with most fighters. Some may feel that the cards are stacked against Ohan, Jr., but he clearly isn’t worried about all the hoopla associated with fighting at MSG on ESPN+ against the event promoter’s highly touted boxer.

“It’s just going to be me and him in the ring,” Ohan, Jr. concluded. “Madison Square Garden is an historic place. Rocky Marciano, Sugar Ray Robinson…all the greats have fought there. I love boxing history and I’m blessed to be fighting there. I do live closer to New York City than him and I’m sure people will come out for me.

“At the end of the day, Tamen, everybody will know who I am. An impressive performance will raise my stock, but I’m going in the ring to win!?

INFORMO:
Facebook.com/GraniteChin
Pepi: @Granite_Chin
Mike “Bad Man” Ohan, Jr. (L) is ready for Tiger Johnson(photo by Emily Harney / FightographyQUINCY, Amaso. (Novembro 10, 2022) – Former New England Welterweight Champion Mike Ohan, Jr. (16-1, 9 KOs) is preparing for his potential career-changing fight on December 10Th Kontraŭ 2020 Usono. Olympian Tiger Johnson (6-0, 4 KOs) at the famed Madison Square Garden in New York City. Johnson vs. Ohan, Jr. is a scheduled 8-round welterweight match on a Top Rank card, headlined by a Heisman Night fight featuring Teofimo Lopez against Jose Pedraza, which will be streamed live on ESPN+. Ohan, Jr. isn’t overly concerned about fighting a much-hyped prospect, who is promoted by event promoter Top Rank,, at the mecca of boxing on a much larger viewing platform. “I’ll embrace it,” Ohan, Jr. “I’ve fought a lot of top guys in the amateurs like Jamaine Ortiz, who just fought Vasiliy Lomachenko. I feel like I belong at the top level with them, but they started competing earlier than me in the amateurs. Mi estis 16-17 and had a lot of catching up to do.    “This is what all the years of me working so hard has been for. It’s been a dream of mine even as a kid, before I started boxing. It’s starting to payoff; I need to executive the game plan on fight night.” “I couldn’t be prouder of Mike and what he has accomplished so far in boxing,” Ohan’s promoter, Granite Chin president Chris Traietti commented. “He’s a great guy with great work ethic, and he has a ton of heart. He jumped all over this opportunity when it was presented. This is why guys fight; to hopefully get a chance to shine at an event like this at Madison Square Garden. Mike grinded and grinded, now he has his well-deserved opportunity at stardom.” Ohan, Jr. is the son of a retired pro boxer, (14-6-2, 11 KOs), who served as a sparring partner for the great Marvelous Marvin Hagler. The 24-year-old Johnson, fighting out of Cleveland, was a highly decorated U.S. amateur boxer who was a member of the 2020 .USA Olympic Boxing Team. He was a 2-time winner of the USA National Championships (2016 & 2017), as well as a gold medalist at the 2016 AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships, Kaj 2014 USA Junior Olympic National Championships. “He’s a great fighter,” Ohan, Jr. talked about his upcoming opponent. “Everything he does, he’s excellent at, not just good. I have to bring my A game to prove I belong. All the greats have adjusted to the situation and that’s what I have to do. I’ve put in all the blood, sweat and tears. Whatever he throws, I’ll be ready.” Fighting in Madison Square Garden is the ultimate venue for Ohan, Jr. along with most fighters. Some may feel that the cards are stacked against Ohan, Jr., but he clearly isn’t worried about all the hoopla associated with fighting at MSG on ESPN+ against the event promoter’s highly touted boxer. “It’s just going to be me and him in the ring,” Ohan, Jr. concluded. “Madison Square Garden is an historic place. Rocky Marciano, Sugar Ray Robinson…all the greats have fought there. I love boxing history and I’m blessed to be fighting there. I do live closer to New York City than him and I’m sure people will come out for me. “At the end of the day, Tamen, everybody will know who I am. An impressive performance will raise my stock, but I’m going in the ring to win!? INFORMO:  Facebook.com/GraniteChinTwitter: @Granite_Chin

2-time Dominican Olympian Leonel de los Santos Shipping up to Boston

Alex Rivera _ Santos.jpg
BOSTON (Majo 4, 2022) – Two-time Dominican Olympian, lightweight Leonel de los Santos (6-0, 5 KOs), may be settling in the Boston area to enhance his professional boxing career. In fact, he recently spent a month there preparing for his last fight, which resulted in a win by way of a 6-round decision this past March in his native Dominican Republic.


Santos’ manager, Ryan Roach, lives in Boston and he introduced his undefeated lightweight to trainer Alex Rivera, and that paid immediate dividends in terms of improvement.


Santos, 26, trained at the Somerville Boxing Club under Rivera, who trains 26-0 welterweight Rashidi Ellis, who Santos sparred with several times, and US Olympian Rashida Ellis, Rashidi’s sister.


“The conditions at our training camp in Boston were very good,” Santos said. “I learned a lot of new things about professional boxing from Alex in just a short time, especially my defense about dodging smaller boxers. He really helped my performance in my last fight.
Rivera only worked with Santos two weeks, but the two connected right away.


“Leonel is a good boxer with a lot of experience,” Rivera remembered. “He has speed and power. We worked on making him more technically sound. It’s about hitting without being hit. He is very tall for his weight class – 5’ 8’ or 5’ 9” – with a good reach. We got along right away, and it was like we had been working together for a long time. I think he can make some noise with his amateur background. He has all the tools. Reminds me a little of Ryan Garcia: tall and strong for his weight class. Leonel has what it takes.


“I wasn’t with Leonel for his last fight, but I did watch some highlights. The guy he fought (Andres Bens Zapata) could really take a punch. Leonel’s hands were swollen after the fight from hitting his opponent so much. Leonel hit him with everything he had. I noticed how his defense and distance had improved. That’s what we worked on. He kept his distance and had a clean fight.”


Santos, who has relatives living in nearby Lawrence, MA, is applying for a work visa to train with Rivera.


“I think training with Alex vastly improved Leonel’s boxing and timing,” Santos’ manager Roach added. “Alex worked a lot on distance, which will lead to more power behind his shots. I saw big changes in Leonel’s last fight. He applied the skills he learned with Alex, and I look forward to more.”


Fighter Locker’s growing stable of gifted boxers also includes California super flyweight Rocco “So Cal Kid” Santomauro (21-1, 6 KOs), New York’s ABF American West super lightweight Ray Jay “The Destroyer” Bermudez (16-0, 11 KOs), Connecticut’s ABF USA super welterweight Jimmy “Quiet Storm” Williams (18-5-2, 6 KOs), Colorado’s ABF American West super middleweight champion “The Amazing” Shawn McCalman (10-0, 6 KOs), Massachusetts super lightweight Adrian “Tonka” Sosa (12-0, 9 KOs), Florida super bantamweight Daniel “The Dedication” Bailey, Jr. (10-1, 5 KOs), Massachusetts featherweight Troy Anderson, Jr. (4-0, 2 KOs), 2-time Brazilian Olympian & 2016 Olympic silver medalist Yuberjen Martinez, Brazilian Olympian Jorge Vivas, Dominican cruiserweight Roki “Rocky” Berroa (2-0, 1 KO), Dominican super welterweight Juan Solano Santos (1-0, 1 KO), Georgia super middleweight James Hagler, Jr. (2-1, 1 KO), Dominican featherweight Orlando Perez Zapata (10-0, 8 KOs), Dominican lightweight Isaelin Florian Henriguez (8-1, 4 KOs), Florida light heavyweight Robert Daniels, Jr. (6-0, 5 KOs), Irish light heavyweight Tommy “The Kid” O’Toole (3-0, 2 KOs), Texas super lightweight Miranda “La Alacrana” Reyes (5-1-1, 2 KOs), Massachusetts super featherweight Alex Rivera (3-0, 2 KOs), Kansas brothers, welterweight Marcus (3-0, 3 KOs) and super lightweight Marcell (1-0), and Utah brothers, ABF American West lightweight champion Ignacio Chairez (9-0-1, 5 KOs) and lightweight Gabriel Chairez (4-0-1, 2 KOs).


INFORMO:


RETEJO: fighterlocker.com, punch4parkinsons.com
FACEBOOK: /batalantoŝlosilo
TWITTER: @RoachRyan
INSTAGRAM: @ RyanRoach82

Undefeated light heavyweight New Bedford Edet Mkapanam battling back from surgeries Granite Chin’sHometown Royaltythis Saturday in Bridgewater, MA (see attached with pictures)

Edet Mkapanam.jpeg
Edet Mkapanam
(Picture courtesy of Jess Marie Photography)

QUINCY, Amaso. (Majo 3, 2022) – Undefeated New Bedford (MA) light heavyweight prospect Edet Mkapanam (6-0, 5 KOs) is battling back from retina and shoulder surgeries that sidelined him 16 months before his successful ring return this past March.


The 27-year-old Mkapanam faces Scott “Bombz” Scott on the May 7Th Hometown Royalty” card, presented by Granite Chin Promotions in association with Cappiello Boxing Promotions and Shearns Boxing Promotions, at Bridgewater Veterans Club in Bridgewater, Massachusetts (85 Cottage St.), marking the first professional boxing event ever held in that town.


Raised in Brockton, known as the “City of Champions, Mkapanam had an abbreviated amateur career (8-3), although he was a heavyweight winner in the 2017 Turniro de Rocky Marciano, as well as runner-up a year later in the prestigious New England Golden Gloves Championships.


Mkapanam had back-to-back surgeries, starting with a torn ligament in his shoulder, followed by surgery to repair his retina in the right eye.


“I didn’t have much of an amateur career and I’ve been learning on the job (as a pro),” Mkapanam explained. “I learned in the gym sparring with some of the top fighters in New England like Peter Manfredo, Jr. and Mark Deluca. En mia menso, I wanted to continue fighting and I kept working hard in the gym while recovering. Some doctors said I shouldn’t fight again, so I upped my intensity in the gym, and when I was examined again the doctors said my eye was a lot better and I was cleared to fight. I had a tough training camp before my last fight, the first after my surgeries, and I wasn’t even thinking about my eye during that fight.”


Mkapanam looked relatively sharp in his March 19Th comeback fight, stopping pro debut fighter Igor Pessoa in the third round of their fight in Derry, Nov-Hampŝiro.
Nun, Edet is on a mission to make up for lost time.


“I’ve been working on my jab and some other things," li diris. “My goal is to fight on bigger stages, which is one of the reasons I signed with (Granite Chin promoter) Chris Traietti. I respect Scott Lampert, but I’m on a whole different level in New England boxing, and I’m going to prove it this fight. I know Chris is going to get me opportunities to fight on bigger stages.”


“Edet was somebody I was interested in working with in the past, but then his injuries happened before we could formally get a deal together,” Granite Chin president Chris Traietti explained. “Once he reached out and told me he was cleared to fight again, I wasted no time making him an offer to sigh with Granite Chin. Edet is a great guy who works hard and wants to fight. We talked about a game plan for his career. We are both on the same page and you will be seeing him on a big stage in the very near future.”

Former New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Bad Man Ohan, Jr. (14-1, 8 KOs), of Holbrook, MA, headlines “Hometown Royalty” in the 8-round main event against Argentinian opponent Jose “El Chino” Aubel (8-9, 7 KOs).


Quincy (MA) lightweight Ryan “The Polish Prince” Kielczweski (30-6, 11 KOs), oni 2008 National Golden Gloves silver medalist and 2-time New England Golden Gloves Champion, faces another Argentinian, Mario Lozano (18-5-1, 9 KOs), in the 8-round co-featured event.


Brockton welterweight prospect David Ribeiro makes his pro debut in a 4-round bout versus Joshua Zimmerman (0-8). Ribeiro was a celebrated amateur having won gold medals at the 2020 New England Golden Gloves, 2019 King de la Ringo, and the regional Mike Tyson Tournament.


Fall River (MA) welterweight Damon Towns (4-0, 3 KOs) meets Robert Bricks (0-9) En 4-ronda vico.


Karto ŝanĝebla.


Tickets are on sale, $60.00 standing room and $40.00 floor seats, and available for purchase at www.TicketRiver.com (Serĉo: Hometown Royalty).

INFORMO:
Facebook.com/GraniteChin
Pepi: @Granite_Chin