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02/28/2005 Archived Entry: "Gibbs Returns April 1st on ESPN2"
Gibbs Returns April 1st on ESPN2
Former World Welterweight Champ Tony DeMarco to be honored
Uncasville,CT- Sir William "The Gladiator" Gibbs will be returning to the ring for the first time since his ESPN2 fight of the year candidate with Daniel Edouard. In August, Gibbs and Edouard engaged in a brutal back and forth slugfest that ended in a fourth round TKO for Edouard.
On April 1st, the 29 year old Gibbs, 17-1 14 kos, will be taking on Julio De La Cruz, 15-4-1 14 ko's, in the main event of the ESPN2 Friday Night Fight card at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT. In a special presentation, Cappiello Promotions will be honoring former world Welterweight Champion, "The Flaming Fury," Tony DeMarco. In 1955 DeMarco won the world Welterweight Title with a 14th round KO of Johnny Saxton as April 1st will mark the 50th aniversary to the day. "When I won the title over Saxton it was in a time where their were only eight divisions and one undisputed champ in each," said Demarco by phone from his Massachusetts home. "I recall Jake LaMotta and Rocky Marciano being the middleweight and heavyweight champs when I was the weltereight champ." DeMarco and Marciano, who was from nearby Brockton, MA, would meet while the two were training at separate camps in the Catskill Mountains. "Rocky, myself, and our training camps would get together for dinner occasionally while we were training for fights in the montains," added Demarco. "I knew Rocky well, he was a classy guy. DeMarco would lose his welterweight title to Carmen Basilio in a fight that was voted by Ring Magazine as it's fight of the year in 1955. The fight is often referred to as the fight of the century. "I have a lot of respect for Tony DeMarco and want to acknowledge him on April 1st," said the events promoter, Richie cappiello. "He is defintely one of the best fighters to ever come out of New England." Tickets for the April 21st boxing event at The Mohegan Sun Casino can be purchased beginning Tuesday March 1st by logging on to ticketmaster.com or by going to the Mohegan Sun box office. Tickets are priced at $50 and $40. More details about the main event and undercard will be made available shortly.
