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11/19/2003 Archived Entry: "New England Chatta"
New England Chatta
By J.D. Vena
Veteran prizefighter, John Scully of Windsor, CT realized a few things after going a couple of rounds with tall middleweight, Julio Cesar De La Cruz, a Dominican native, who is now living in Hartford, CT.
“Seeing how he is a middleweight and I am a light heavyweight, I took (Julio) lightly,” admitted Scully. “I just worked with him and after a couple of sparring sessions, I noticed that he was very cagey, very tricky and had better power than the average 160-pounder. Usually I can be out of shape and spar with guys no problem, but Julio methodically keeps the pressure on you and I’ve found that I have to be in better shape before I get in the ring with him.”
Being in good shape is usually not a problem for De La Cruz, who owns a knockout record of 14-3-1 with 13 KO’s. One of his biggest problems may have been mixing it with fighters in their home towns a little too early in his career, possibly an error on his former manager’s part.
After crushing Carlos Bojorquez in three rounds, De La Cruz was thrown in with veteran Augustin Caballero and was disqualified. Despite picking up a few more devastating knockouts, De La Cruz would find himself on the losing end of close decision losses to world ranked fighters, Angel Hernandez and Tito Mendoza. De La Cruz packed his bags and moved to Hartford, CT to collect himself and make for a new beginning. Friday night he makes his New England boxing debut at the Roseland Ballroom in Taunton in the inaugural Ten-Count Enterprises boxing event.
“You wouldn’t believe the list of guys who turned this fight down,” said matchmaker Mike Nosky. “Imagine, having an opportunity to fight a guy who hasn’t had a fight in almost two years. Maybe they know something that everyone else doesn’t know.”
Scully sure does.
“Julio is what I call a real pro,” said Scully. “He reminds me of Felix Trinidad and lets his hands go in similar fashion but moves better laterally than Tito. He trains about as hard as any professional boxer I have yet come across. He is a sharp puncher with a nasty double left hook that he throws to both the body and the head. I told (Nosky) that if he puts Julio in with a guy that will come right to him, Julio will just break him down.”
Lately, Scully has had a break from De La Cruz who has been away from his new home the past few weeks.
“I am friends with William Joppy and I had been telling him for weeks that I have a guy in my gym that would be perfect sparring for his fight with Hopkins. Julio can move on his feet like Hopkins but when he is inside, he reminds me of Tito. When William started training camp, I told him to invite him down to his camp and that he wouldn’t regret it. Since he brought him down, William has called me on more than one occasion since they’ve begun training together and to tell me that they ‘have been having great work together. He is perfect work, real good too.”
When De La Cruz returns this week, he’ll be facing a familiar face in the New England boxing scene. Dave Hadden of Fort Lauderdale has already faced rising prospects “Sir” Willie “The Gladiator” Gibbs (15-0/ 12 KO’s) who stopped Hadden in seven and Ian “The Cobra” Gardner (13-1/ 7 KO’s) who won an 8-round decision over him in August. In making his third New England appearance this year, Hadden will be matched with yet another dangerous middleweight in De La Cruz.
“I will be very curious to see how he looks in a real fight,” said Scully. “I have to assume that he will do well. After he shakes off the ring rust, Julio could step it up and look for fights that will set him up for a title shot down the road. If Julio can execute his punches and usual game plan and fight like he does in the gym I could see him matched up with Robert Allen and Howard Eastman in the very near future.
On the undercard, two of Taunton’s favorites will be showcased. Like De La Cruz, cruiserweight, Hector “The Pit Pull” Sanjurjo will also make his long awaited return when he faces dangerous Mark Doku, who is coming off a 6-round draw with undefeated Donnell Holmes last month. Lightweight Melvin Cumba (7-0/ 4 KOs), another Taunton local will also be appearing in a 6-rounder. Springfield’s Sal Zabian (4-1) faces rugged John Douglas (gotta love that name), who drew with knockout artist, Julian Letterlough a year ago in Dorchester. “Irish” Mike Culbert of Brockton and Reynaldo Rodriguez of Providence are also slated to appear in separate bouts. Tickets are $50 and $30 and can be purchased by calling 860-558-9919 or 508-587-5554. Doors open at 6:30 with the first bout scheduled for 7:45. For directions call 508-822-4008.
As you might have already heard, the planned Doug Pendarvis promoted card slated for next Friday has been moved to December 12th at the National Guard Armory (Lincoln St.) in Worcester. An opponent for New Bedford’s Ray Oliveira, who will headline the show, will be named in a matter of week. Women’s middleweight champ, Leticia Robinson (9-0/ 8 KO’s) of Chicago will battle No. 6 rated Yvonne Reis (3-1-1) of Ft. Lauderdale in the co-feature. Call Pendarvis Promotions to order tickets or for more information phone 617-592-2771.
A week earlier, promoter Rich Cappiello brings boxing back to the Roxy Night Club in Boston. Headlining will be popular Irishman, Kevin “The Clones Colossus” McBride (30-4-1/) of Brookline, MA versus trial horse, Marcus Rhode in another Fox SportsNet New England Boxing Series. Heavyweight Billy Mofford and lightweight, Eddie “The fighting Irish” Bishop will also appear on the show. For tickets phone 508-587-5554 or visit www.CappielloBoxing.com.
Promoter, Hank Touhy, the sports marketing guru who brought the exciting Richard Hall-Julian Letterlough slugfest and the Ray Oliveira-Bryon Mackie brawl to the Hyannis Cape Cod Melody Tent this past summer, intends to promote three shows next year.
"We're going to continue promoting our 'Battle Zone' boxing series and add celebrity golf fundraisers the day before the boxing shows. We've scheduled the first in March at Myrtle Beach, July 9 at the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis, and hopefully in October at a Boston venue."
For more information about Tuohy Sports & Entertainment call 888.334.4265/508.477.5355 or visit the TSE Web site at www.tuohysports.com.
