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10/21/2003 Archived Entry: "New England Boxing News"
New England Chatta
By JD Vena
Tired of playing the waiting game, Worcester’s newly crowned WBA welterweight champion, Jose “el Gallo” Rivera has begun training to fight his mandatory challenger, Thomas Damgaard of Denmark. There are just a few loose ends to tie up before their anticipated match actually takes place.
For one it needs a venue, two it needs a date and thirdly, it needs to be announced. That’s right. There have been no plans to schedule this match even though Rivera is supposed to defend his crown 120 days from winning the title he won gallantly on September 12th in an upset over previously undefeated Berliner, Michael Trabant. But according to Team Rivera, the hold-up is on the part of Damgaard, who Team Rivera believes is looking at different options. And if that’s the case, Rivera is hoping he can land another fight.
“Damgaard has never fought outside of Denmark,” Rivera’s manager Steven “Tank” Tankanow said, “so we’ve offered several times to fight him over there. It appears that he is afraid to fight Jose for the WBA crown. Our passports are current and our bags are still packed from our German trip.”
“We’d really like the Mayorga-Spinks winner, but the fight against Damgaard was mandated by the WBA. If he doesn’t want to fight Jose it’s time for us to move on. Jose’s willing to fight (Antonio) Margarito, (Vernon) Spinks…anybody in the top 10, although Jose has already beaten (Teddy) Reid. We’re willing to fight anybody, anyplace, as long as it’s a good deal. Jose Rivera waited a long time to be world champion and now all he wants is to be a fighting champion.”
Though Rivera, a native of Puerto Rico is training and having a difficult time getting a fight, fellow New Englander John “The Quietman” Ruiz, the former WBA heavyweight champion has begun training for his scheduled WBA eliminator with former champ, Hasim “The Rock” Rahman. Ruiz has been inactive since his humbling, one-sided defeat to Roy Jones, Jr. in March and recent divorce, The Quietman is hoping to make more noise in the division on Don King’s mammoth December 13th extravaganza at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
“It’s time for me to re-establish myself in the boxing world,” Ruiz said. “This is a great opportunity for me. I’m ready. The heavyweight division is wide open and I want to get back on the top where I was. We’ve come back to train where we came from.”
Ruiz, of Las Vegas, came from the streets of Chelsea, MA, which he ran to help make him a world champion. He’s back at the Somerville Boxing Club but there is one missing ingredient. Longtime trainer, Gabe Mari has retired from the game and the responsibilities have been passed to Ruiz’ longtime supporter and manager Norman “Stoney” Stone.
Tickets for the Ruiz-Rahman bout, which will be headlined by Bernard Hopkins-William Joppy and will feature a highly anticipated unification welterweight title fight between Ricard Mayorga and Cory Spinks are being priced at $600, $400, $250, $150, $100 and $50. In New England contact Ann Cooper (617.797.2582) to order tickets. Elsewhere call DKP Tickets (1-800.589.4860), TicketMaster (1.800.736.1420) or visit www.ticketmaster.com. HBO Pay-Per-View will distribute “Back-to-Back-to-Back.”
With the postponement of 10-Count Enterprises Debut boxing event at Stage East in Hartford Friday night, New England boxing fans won’t have to choose between the two shows that were penciled for the same night. The one taking place is scheduled to take place at the Center of New Hampshire in Manchester Holiday Inn. Headlining the card will be undefeated local middleweight Jason “The Hammer” Le Houllier (8-0, 5 KO’s) of Dover, NH. Le Houllier, a former New England Golden Gloves Champion is being matched against James Lowery of Philadelphia.
On the undercard (all four-round matches) is former New England Golden Gloves champion, super welterweight Lester Bryant, Jr. (2-1, 1 KO), of Nashua (NH), who faces Bernard “Swift” Robinson, of Pittsburgh.
Another former N.E. Golden Gloves winner, featherweight Denise “Mighty” Moses (1-0, 1 KO), of Lawrence (MA), is matched against Anita Parks, of Philadelphia. Converted kick-boxer, Hudson (NH) heavyweight Scott “The Skull Crusher” Jones, owner of Tattoo America in Seabrook and Nashua, meets Jose Colon (1-1), of Lawrence (MA).
Perhaps the best fighter on the card will be unbeaten lightweight Melvin Cumba (6-0, 4 KOs), of Brockton via Puerto Rico who faces debuting Joey Ortega of Lowell. Ortega used his mother’s name, Lazarda, as an amateur.
“Pro Boxing’s Back in Manchester,” is being promoted by Candia Road Smoke as a benefit dinner show for the Manchester Memorial High School football team and Farmington Gridiron Club. Tickets are priced at $100.00 for VIP (includes dinner and ringside seat), $50.00 ringside, $35.00 reserved, and $25.00 general admission. Tickets are available at Candia Road Smoke, Uptown Tavern and Black Brimer.
Doors for the VIP dinner open at 5 p.m. for a cocktail hour followed by dinner between 6-7. The general public will be allowed to enter at 7 p.m. with the first bout slated for 8 p.m. For additional information call 603-669-6565.
The CBZ would like to extend its condolences to the family and friends of former Quincy heavyweight favorite, Steve "The Tunnel Rat" Scigliano. Scigliano, 34, was found dead by his sister at his home in Quincy last Wednesday. Though many, including your writer never had the opportunity to have met him or seen him fight, you have to admit, the 7-3 construction worker carried and unforgett moniker. RIP Tunnel Rat.
