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12/03/2003 Archived Entry: "New England Chatta"
New England Chatta
By J.D. Vena
Photos by Emily Harney
A Colossal Return
McBride posing with Micky Ward.
He usually makes some noise when he climbs into a ring. Then again there ain’t many heavyweights, aside from the ones that carry the last name ‘Klitschko’ who share his immense size. He just hasn't been nearly as successful as the big Ukranian giants. Overall, Irishman Kevin “The Clones Colossus” McBride, has fared well against the men he’s been fighting. Unbeaten in nearly two years, McBride now 30-4-1 with 25 KO’s has won 5 straight since losing to the last credible heavyweight he had faced in DaVarryl Williamson.
Since the set back, he’s been on a rebuilding process with trainer Goody Petronelli and promoter Rich Cappiello who has fixed McBride with some of the names that usually help build confidence and skills. For if he had such qualities that mirrored his tremendous 6’6, 270 pound frame, he would be getting the kind of chances the Klitschko’s have been afforded.
Tomorrow night at the Roxy Night Club in Boston’s popular theater district, McBride, who has been living in Brookline, MA since emigrating from Clones, Ireland, will hope to not only make some more noise but dispatch his selected opponent, Marcus Rhode. Rhode is the same Rhode that has helped such noted contenders like Vitali Klitschko, Tommy Morrison and Shannon Briggs, pave their way and position them to not only make some noise, but make some green.
The Cobra awaits some Poison
On the undercard, rising middleweight prospect, Ian “The Cobra” Gardner (14-1 with 16 KO’s) will face dangerous Kenyan Joshua "Poison" Oyango (11-6 with 10 KO’s). Don’t let Oyango's 6 losses fool you. All of Oyango’s conquerors have been undefeated fighters. Also on the show will be an exciting heavyweight rematch between Dorchester’s Mike Beverly (2-0) and Taunton’s Harold Rodriguez (4-5 with 1 KO). Beverly won a close but convincing decision over Rodriguez over the summer but Rodriguez wasn’t very convinced. In another heavyweight match-up, Randolph’s Billy “The Kid” Mofford (6-1-2 with 1 KO) will face the experienced Willie Kemp of Syracuse. Eddie “The Fightin Irish” Bishop, a popular undefeated welterweight from Stoughton, MA was to have originally appeared on the card but withdrew with a neck injury in sparring with Taunton’s Melvin Cumba. For more information on tomorrow night’s show or to order tickets call 888-491-2900 or visit www.cappielloboxing.com. Doors open at 6:00 P.M. with the first bout scheduled to begin at 8:00.
De La Cruz Cruisin’
For two years, Dominican middleweight Julio De La Cruz had been inactive. Now living in Hartford, De La Cruz 15-3-1 with 14 KO’s made his triumphant return to the ring nearly two weeks ago in Taunton when he knocked out journeyman “Dangerous” Dave Hadden in 4 rounds. Now after shaking off the ring rust, De La Cruz will now appear on Vinny Vecchione’s Saturday night card at Plymouth Memorial Hall. De La Cruz will face journeyman Bruce Corby in a 6-rounder. De La Cruz isn’t the only fighter on that show making a quick return. Atlanta’s Jerald Lowe, who lost an 8-round unanimous decision to Mike Culbert of Brockton will face Weymouth’s Geoff Yalenezian (11-1 with 7 KO’s) in the show's main event.
Yalenezian hasn’t fought since his lone loss in 1997 to former Olympic Gold Medal winner and former jr. middleweight champ, David Reid. There’s more, Ghanian, Mark Doku (5-3-1 with 3 KO’s) who upset Taunton’s Hector Sanjurjo will fight the unpredictable John “The House of Rain” Rainwater (9-9 with 3 KO’s) of Worcester. Rainwater has won 4 of his last 5 fights but has only fought once in over three years. The one loss was to then rising Joe Mesi, who Rainwater appeared to hurt with his right hand. Rainwater also owns two victories, one by knockout over current Mass cruiserweight champ, Tim Flamos. Fitchburg featherweight Elio Rodriguez is also expected to appear on the show. For ticket information, call 508-746-5711 or 781-826-5773.
Press Release
Tuohy Sports clenches F.I.S.T. July 8-9 golf fundraiser & pro boxing show on Cape Cod
Tuohy Sports & Entertainment (TSE) presents the inaugural Outback Steakhouse Celebrity Golf Challenge, benefiting Fighters’ Initiative for Support and Training (F.I.S.T.), July 8 at the Hyannis Golf Course (MA), TSE president Hank Tuohy and F.I.S.T. chairman Gerry Cooney jointly announced today.
Tuohy, in association with Outback Steakhouse and Davidoff Cigars, will promote “Battle Zone At The Tent,” a nationally televised professional boxing show, the following night (July 9) at the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis. TSE will donate $1.00 to F.I.S.T. for each ticket sold to every pro boxing show it promotes, including “Battle Zone At The Tent.”
“Unlike some other boxing promoters who just take from boxers,” Tuohy explained, “I want to give something back to them and I’ve chosen to do it this way through F.I.S.T. I’ve been fortunate to develop a strong relationship with Gerry Cooney and his wonderful staff. It’s going to be a star-studded two days with many active and former athletes participating in the golf tournament and attending the fights. We believe that this will be the start of something special between Tuohy Sports and F.I.S.T.
”We have envisioned three ESPN shows and are still committed to promoting at least three fights next year. I have to see how the ESPN situation evolves (ESPN will no longer pay a $50,000 rights fee per fight to promoters starting Feb. 1). Because we are not in the business of signing fighters, we want to work with the best boxing promoters around to have cost effective, competitive shows. Our advantage is our reputation for bringing in first-class sponsors and promoting positive shows.”
The golf tournament will commence at 10 a.m., followed at 3:30 p.m. by dinner and awards presentations at Outback Steakhouse in Hyannis. The weigh-in for Friday night’s boxing show also will be held there (Outback), starting at 6 p.m., and open to the public.
”Historically, fighters have been ignored after their ability is gone,” Cooney noted. “F.I.S.T. is all about giving them a hand-up, not a ‘hand out.’ We want to help them help themselves.
”I was very impressed with Hank’s presentation and we’re exited about working with him. As a promoter, he is the first person to volunteer a $1.00 donation from every ticket sold for his fight cards. This venture with Hank Tuohy hopefully will set the stage for other promoters.”
Full two-night, all-inclusive packages -- hotel accommodations, car rentals, golf, and boxing tickets – are available by contacting Tuohy Sports & Entertainment: (toll free) 888.334.4265, (phone) 508.477.5355, (fax) 508.477.4955, hank@tuohysports.com (email). Visit TSE’s Web site for more information at www.tuohysports.com. To learn more about F.I.S.T call 888-765-FIST or visit their web site at www.helpboxers.org.
