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04/06/2004 Archived Entry: "New England Chatta"
New England Chatta
By J.D. Vena
Cappiello Has Big Plans
There’s a good reason why the opponent for Ian “The Cobra” Gardner for Friday night at the Roxy in Boston is nicknamed, “The Spoiler.” Last Friday in Cincinnati, OH, the hometown of Olympian Ricardo Williams, Manning “The Spioler” Galloway (59-17-1/) 13 KO’) soured the homecoming party by outpointing Williams over 8 rounds. Throughout his career, Galloway has had a knack of pulling off big wins, including ones that were for the WBO welterweight title, which he wore in his heyday during the late 80’s and early 90’s.
Promoter Rich Cappiello is familiar with these spoiler types and has showcased them on his shows, but he’s confident that his latest project of developing Ian Gardner, who’s only blemish was a split decision loss to highly touted Peter Manfredo, Jr., of Providence in only his third bout, is a different breed of fighter.
“If you ask me, Ian is the best kept secret in boxing right now,” said Cappiello, also a nephew of the great Rocky Marciano. “He’s just so fast, he punches from all angles and he’s just very hard to beat. It’s going to take a very special fighter to beat a guy like Ian.”
Shortly after losing to Manfredo, who had 8 fights under his belt, the 22 year old Gardner moved from Toronto, Ontario to his new home in Brockton, MA and has racked up an impressive record of 15-1 with 7 KO’s. According to the confident Cappiello, after Gardner defeats Galloway as expected, he’ll be matched with New Haven’s “Bad” Chad Dawson, the WBC Youth Middleweight Champion, in the co-feature of the highly anticipated Manfredo-Bonsante clash at the Rhode Island Convention Center on May 14th.
Dawson (left) to meet Gardner on May 14th
“We as a company (Cappiello Promotions) are looking for bigger and better things,” said Cappiello. “We just put this fight together today and I think Gardner-Dawson is not only a great fight for New England boxing, but a great fight.”
Speaking of a great fight, Cappiello will also bring ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights to the Shaw’s Convention Center on April 23rd to promote the exciting rematch between Dorian Beaupierre (11-1-1/ 5 Ko’s) and Daniel “The Haitian Sensation” Edouard (15-0-1/ 8 KO’s). In a close, fierce battle, Edouard and Beaupierre battled to a 10-round draw on ShowBox on March 18th. In the co-feature, undefeated prospect Willie “The Gladiator” Gibbs, of Brockton via Philadelphia will face an opponent to be announced.
“We’re very excited to bring ESPN to Brockton because it’s historical and it’s a real treat for the fans” said Cappiello. “Hopefully, it will open a lot of opportunities for our boxers and it’ll show the networks, who the real promoters are in boxing. The plan is to have the winner (of Beaupierre-Edouard) fight Willie Gibbs in June on ESPN2,” said Cappiello.
So far, the undercard for Friday night pits Randolph heavyweight Billy “The Kid” Mofford (7-1/ 2 KO’s) with Dorchester’s Pepe Muniz (11-4/ 3 KO’s). 5-Time Amateur Irish National Champion James Clancy (2-0) battles the tough Willie Barnes in a battle of Dorchester heavyweights. Also slated are match-ups of Springfield light heavyweight Saleh Zabian (4-1) versus unbeaten Anthony Russell and Adam Moses of Goffstown, NH (3-1) against Canadian, Dave Nash and a third fight between Eddie McAloney versus Ireland’s Marty Moore, who has defeated McAloney in their previous two bouts.
All of Friday’s bouts will be taped and televised on CN8, the Comcast Network on Sunday, April 17th at 5:00 P.M. It’ll be the first of seven “Fight Night USA” television events for this year. According to a release, the CN8 boxing series will air network wide, to 6.2 million homes from Maine to Maryland and on the web at www.cn8.tv.
Tickets can be purchased for the Friday night’s event and the April 23rd event by calling 888-490-2900. Friday’s fights will begin at 7:30 P.M. with the doors opening at 6: For directions to the Roxy or Shaw's Covention Center in Brockton, MA visit www.cappielloboxing.com.
Photo by Emily Harney edubbs33@yahoo.com
