QUINCY, Mass. (February 28, 2024) – The Sumpter brothers will be fighting on the same card for the first time in 21 months on the March 23rd “Pandemonium at the Palladium 3” card, presented on Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), at the famed Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.

“Pandemonium at the Palladium 3” will be streamed live on BXNGTV.com.

Fighting out of Pittsfield (MA), undefeated IBA Americas Super Middleweight Champion Steve “The Savage” Sumpter (9-0, 7 KOs) takes on Antonio Louis “Tony The Best” Hernandez (7-18-2, 4 KOs) in an eight-round, non-title fight, while his older brother, heavyweight Quintin Sumpter (6-2, 4 KOs), faces Zach Calmus (3-2, 2 KOs), of Gloucester (MA), in a four-round bout.

The Sumpters aren’t the only siblings fighting on this card as the fightin’ Whitley brothers, undefeated welterweight Denzel (13-0, 7 KOs) and junior welterweight Derrick Jr. (7-4-1, 0 KOs), will be fighting on the same card as professional boxers.

Junior North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Welterweight Champion Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley will make his first title defense in a rematch with Kenny “Lionheart” Larson (7-1-1, 5 KOs) in the 10-round main event. Last December 19th at The Palladium, Whitley captured the vacant Junior NABF title with a 10-round split decision over the previously unbeaten Larson, who fights out of Salem (MA), by scores of 99-90, 97-92, 92-97, also at The Palladium

Whitley’s older brother, southpaw Derrick, will be fighting former New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Bad Man” Ohan, Jr. (19-2, 9 KOs) in the 10-round co-featured event.

Steve Sumpter was scheduled to fight last week, but his opponent pulled out of the fight late, and he has been added to “Pandemonium at the Palladium 3” show. As Sumpter explained, the delay is only 30 days and he’s stayed in the gym training hard and sparred quality, experienced fighters from Canada, two-time world lightweight heavyweight champion Jean Pascal (36-7-1, 20 KOs) and two-time world middleweight title challenger Steven Butler (33-4-1, 27 KOs).

“It’s been a while since I fought on the same card as my brother,” Steve said. “We feed off each other. We’ve always supported each other whenever we fight whether it’s on the same show or not. We’re fighting not too far from home (Pittsfield, MA) and should have a good crowd there for us.

“I’ve watched my opponent fight on tape. He’s a tough opponent with a deceiving record. He’s fought a lot of good fighters. I never look past anybody because they all have a puncher’s chance. In 2024, I hope to be fighting on a bigger stage because I’m a grinder”

Quintin, who will be fighting on the same card as Steve for the fourth time as professionals, hasn’t fought since last August and he’s raring to go.

“It’s always better for us (brothers) to fight on the same card because we push each other and not nicely,” Quintin explained. “We talk trash but it’s good training. We pretty much have the same fans from Pittsfield, Springfield and New York (where he was born). I love fighting in Worcester; anywhere is good, but at the Palladium we want to perform extra good.

“I know my opponent is a bare-knuckles fighter. He works like a machine and brings a lot more offense than I’m used to. I was a little down after my last fight (controversial loss by decision), but I’ve been working on my offense since then.”

Card subject to change.

Tickets are priced at $50.00 (balcony), $90.00 (mezzanine), $125.00 (floor) and $650.00 (booth of 4) and available for purchase online at www.ThePalladium.net.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET, first bout at 7 p.m. ET.

INFORMATION:

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WORCESTER, Mass. (August 20, 2023) – In a rare battle of undefeated boxers, Steve “The Savage” Sumpter used his athleticism to defeat James “Pitbull” Perkins in the main event of last night’s “Pandemonium at The Palladium,” presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), at the famed Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.

“Our first show in Worcester was awesome and the Palladium is a great venue,” GCP President Chris Traietti remarked. “The fighters did a great job on a high-quality show in our first but not last show here.“

Sumpter never stopped moving, Perkins kept charging forward. Sumpter (9-0, 7 KOs), fighting out of Pittsfield (MA), Sumpter won an eight-round majority decision, albeit it on contrasting judges’ scoring – two judges had Sumpter winning each round ( 80-72) but the other had it a draw, 76-76 – for the vacant IBA Americas Super Middleweight Championship.

“The plan was for me to keep moving to tire him out,” Sumpter said after the fight. “My footwork was key because he couldn’t keep up with me. I’m bringing this belt home like I said I would.”

Styles make fights and last night’s main event was a perfect example. The first round found the athletic Sumpter moving circularly, the powerfully built Perkins going forward and applying pressure as he attempted to cut off the ring. There was a lot of feinting and little connecting from both fighters in the second or third rounds in the strategic match-up.

Sumpter went down right after the bell ending the third, ruled so by the referee, and both fighters started mixing it up in the fourth as Sumpter used his jab more effectively.

The fighters went toe to toe in fifth as the action accelerated, but neither was injured, and their boxing chess match continued into the sixth. Sumpter kept the hard charging Perkins off balance in the seventh, setting up a critical eighth and final round with the outcome still up in the air. Sumpter and Perkins let their hands go in the eighth round, leaving everything they had in the ring.

“I thought I had a pretty good performance,” Sumpter added. “It could have been a little more offensive. I started moving and he couldn’t keep up with me. When I was on the ropes, I spun off like I always do. I kept throwing my jab and moving. He was getting tired, and his hands started coming down. I want to keep fighting, keep progressing, and I’ll be right back in the gym.”

Denzel Whitley registered the quickest KO in Palladium boxing history

In the co-featured event, Undefeated Massachusetts Welterweight Champion Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (12-0, 7 KOs), of Holyoke (MA), added another title belt to his collection, defeating his Mexican opponent, Hector “El Gatito” Esnar Bobadilla (9-15-1, 4 KOs), for the vacant USBF Atlantic Welterweight Championship. A notoriously slow starter, Whitley needed only one punch – left hook to the body – to stop Bobadilla only 25 seconds into the opening round.

Springfield lightweight Carlos “El Gallo” Gonzalez (7-0, 7 KOs) extended his undefeated knockout streak to 7-0 with his seventh stoppage against transitioning mixed-martial-arts fighter Johnny “Cupcakes” Campbell (0-1) in the sixth round. Campbell was entertaining and tough, as usual, but Gonzalez was patient, finally catching Campbell in the last scheduled round. Campbell was trapped in his own corner as Cruz exploded with a barrage of punches. Campbell went down and the referee ruled that he was unable to continue.

“”I let good tonight,” Whitley commented. “I listened to everybody who has been telling me to start fast. I did…one punch and it was over. I was told that it’s the fastest knockout ever here (Palladium).”

“Sumpter and Perkins stepped up and did something a lot of fighters won’t do (two undefeated fighters in a fight),” Traietti concluded. “One of them had to win and it was Steve. He looked great, but this wasn’t a step down for Perkins, only a detour. Denzel has been listening to his (trainer) father and uncle. He only needed one punch tonight. The sky’s the limit for him.”

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Hometown favorite Eslih Owusu pleased his Worcester fan-base

The only hometown fighter on the card, Worcester junior middleweight Eslih Owusu (10-1, 5 KOs), simply brought too much into the ring for Texas journeyman Larry “Slo Mo” Smith (13-55-2, 9 KOs). A past World Boxing Council (WBC) World Youth title challenger, left-handed Owusu threw punches in bunches, sending Smith down in the fourth via a left hook. Owusu finished off Smith in the following round, trapping the Texan in the corner until Smith went down for the final time.

In his stiffest test to date, three-time New England Golden Gloves Champion Felix Parrilla (8-0, 7 KOs), of New Haven (CT), faced 2008 Ecuador Olympian Luis Porozo (16-8, 9 KOs) in a scheduled eight-round featherweight match. Parrilla displayed every punch in his vast arsenal, after breaking down Porozo with a steady diet of body shots, picking up the pace in the third round as the clear aggressor. At this point Parrilla was in complete control of the action, battering Porozo who suffered a flash knockdown in the fourth, and Porozo was penalized a point in the fifth for holding. The punishment Porozo had suffered showed in the sixth and when he unwisely turned his back to Parilla in a neutral corner, the referee had seen enough, and he quickly stopped the fight.

Cuban amateur star Dany Lafos Poll (1-0, 1 KOs), a 2021 AIBA Youth Champion, had an encouraging pro debut, blasting overmatched Jeremy Gregory (0-8-1) all around the ring until a vicious left to the body dropped Gregory. The referee waved off the fight at the 2:46 mark of round one.

“The Outlaw” Ryan Venable (2-13-1) upset previously undefeated lightweight prospect Calixto Cruz (2-1), of Springfield (MA), dropping Cruz with a stunning right hook in round one. Cruz came back strong, but he fell short on the judges’ scorecards, losing a four-round split decision.

Canadian lightweight Thomas Blumenfeld opened the show quickly, stopping Richard “Hard To Hit” Bernard (1-13-1) midway through the opening round. A 2020 Commonwealth Games silver medalist, southpaw Blumenfeld decked his opponent with a multi-punch combination, then moments later he closed the show with a sweet right-left combination.

Official results below:

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OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAIN EVENT – VACANT IBA AMERICAS SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Steve Sumpter (9-0, 7 KOs), Pittsfield, MA

WDEC8 (80-72, 80-72, 76-76)

James Perkins (12-1-1, 9 KOs), Lynn, MA

(Sumpter won IBA Americas super middleweight title)

CO-FEATURE – VACANT USBF ATLANTIC WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Denzel Whitley (12-0, 7 KOs), Holyoke, MA

WKO1 (0:25)

Hector Esnar Bobadilla (9-15-1, 4 KOs), Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico

(Whitley won the USBF Atlantic welterweight title)

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Eslih Owusu (10-1, 5 KOs), Worcester, MA

WTKO5 (0;53)

Larry Smith (13-55-2, 9 KOs), Mesquite, TX

Dany Lafos Poll (1-0, 1 KOs), Santiago, Cuba

WTKO1 (2:46)

Jeremy Gregory (0-8-1, 0 KOs), Auburn, NY

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Carlos Gonzalez (7-0, 7 KOs), Springfield, MA

WTKO6 (1:29)

Johnny Campbell (0-1), Plymouth, MA

Thomas Blumenfeld (3-0, 2 KOs), Springfield, MA by way of Canada

WKO1 (1:36)

Richard Bernard (1-13-1, 0 KOs) Waianae, Hawaii lbs.

Ryan Venable (1-13-1, 0 KOs), Roanoke, VA

WDEC4 (38-37, 38-37, 37-38)

Calixto Cruz (2-1, 0 KOs), Springfield, MA

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Felix Parrilla (8-0, 7 KOs), New Haven, CT

WTKO6 (1:11)

Luis Porozo (16-8, 9 KOs), Santo Domingo, Ecuador

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INFORMATION:

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Twitter: @Granite_Chin

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (November 20, 2022) –.Western Mass. was in the house last night for the

“Springfield Championship Boxing” Pro-Am card, presented by Granite Chin Promotions, at MassMutual Center in Springfield. All the action was streamed live on www.bxngtv.com.

Holyoke welterweight Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (10-0, 6 KOs) and Pittsfield light heavyweight Steve Sumpter (7-0, 6 KOs) captured the vacant Massachusetts State titles in front of a sold-out venue.

“I remember where Granite Chin was 5 years ago and where it is today,” Granite Chin Promotions president Chris Traietti commented. “This was unquestionably our greatest show to date. I’d like to thank our staff, Boston Boxing, sponsors, fans and, of course, all the fighters.”

A notoriously slow starter, Whitley evaluated his opponent, Fall River’s Kris Jacobs (5-2-1, 2 KOs), in the opening round and then took a methodical approach for the first few rounds, using his gloves-high defensive stance, effectively counter-punching in spurts.

In the eighth and final round, Whitley decked Jacobs with a right hook, but Denzel chased Jacobs from one side of the ring to the other, going for the knockout. It didn’t come but Whitley won a workmanlike 8-round split decision, surprising because one judge somehow scored, 75-75, despite the knockdown.

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(R) New Mass. State Light Heavyweight Champion Steve Sumpter

In a rare match-up of two undefeated prospects, Steve Sumpter and New Bedford’s Edet “Papito” Mkpanam put their perfect pro records on the line for the vacant Massachusetts State Light Heavyweight Championship.

A southpaw, Sumpter was the crowd favorite of the Western Mass. crowd. Both fighters were cautious in the opening round with Sumpter opening up in the second. The third belonged to the more aggressive Sumpter. Both fighters let their hands go in the fourth, ending as they pounded each other.

More of the same for Sumpter in the fifth and he cruised from there for a decisive 8-round unanimous decision to improve to 7-0 (6 KOs), going the distance for the first time, winning all 8 rounds on one judge’s card, 7 on the other two. Mkpanam (8-1, 7 KOs)had trouble throughout the fight getting off as Sumpter was a more potent sharpshooter.

(L) Steve Sumpter

“I went with the game plan to jab, jab, jab,” Sumpter said after the fight. “Once I realized he couldn’t stop my jab, it opened up other things because he was looking for the jab. I feel great, I can’t really explain it. Bringing this (touching his Mass. state title belt) back to Pittsfield is great.”

“Denzel had a real breakout fight,” Traietti added. “Whitley wanted to be tested and Chris Jacobs did. He fought better as the fight went along.

“I’m so proud of Steve and Edet. Not a lot of guys around here would have taken the fight (2 unbeaten prospects). They went for it and took it to another level.”.

Promising junior middleweight prospect Carlos Castillo (6-0, 4 KOs), of Holyoke, MA, passed the stiffest test of his young career against veteran Tyrone “Hands of Steel” Luckey (16-19-4, 12 KOs), who failed to answer the bell for round five.

Carlos Castillo (L) is a fighter to watch

Castillo, 24, was too powerful for Luckey, taking early control and never letting up. Castillo cracked Luckey with a right hook that put the New Jersey fighter on the seat of his trunks. Obviously hurt and near the end of the round, the always game Luckey was done.

Undefeated lightweight prospect Isiah Cruz (5-0, 3 KOs), of Springfield, cruised to his fifth win when Mexican Pablo Batres suddenly went down as he was back-pedaling in the opening round, failing to beat the referee’s 10-count

Springfield welterweight Ian “Dinamite” Garcia (2-0-1, 1 KO) overpowered Ronny Arana (0-7) en route to an opening round victory. Arana took a knee, got dropped by a body shot, and then Garcia unleash a barrage of punches in the red corner. He went down again right before the end of round one and referee Melissa Kelly stopped the bout.

Hometown favorite “The Gladiator” Carlos Gonzalez (3-0, 3 KOs) got the pro card rolling with a third-round technical knockout of pro debuting Mathew McGee (0-1). With a large Springfield contingent rooting him on, Gonzalez, a Springfield lightweight, patiently boxed in the first two rounds, but in the third he caught McGee with a left-right combination, dropping McGee in the blue corner. Referee Jackie Morrill halted the match at that point.

Five amateur matches featuring boxers from throughout New England opened the show.

Official results are below:

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PRO RESULTS

VACANT MASSACHUSETTS STATE WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Denzel Whitley (10-0, 6 KO), Holyoke, MA

WDEC10 (79-72, 78-73, 75-75)

Kris Jacobs (5-3-1, 2 KOs), Fall River, MA

(Whitley won vacant Mass. State welterweight title)

VACANT MASSACHUSETTS STATE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Steve Sumpter (7-0, 6 KOs), Pittsfield, MA

WDEC8 (80-72, 79-73, 79-73)

Edet Mkpanam (8-1, 7 KOs), New Bedford, MA

(Sumpter won vacant Mass. State light heavyweight title)

SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS

Carlos Castillo (6-0, 4 KOs), Holyoke, MA by way of Dominican Republic

WTKO4 (3:00)

Tyrone Luckey (16-19-4, 12 KOs), Galloway, NJ

WELTERWEIGHTS

Ian Garcia (2-0-1, 1 KO), Springfield, MA

WTKO1 (3:00)

Ronny Arana (0-7), New York, NY

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Carlos Gonzalez (3-0, 3 KOs), Springfield, MA

WTKO3 (1:18)

Mathew McGee (0-1, Fairfield, ME

Isiah Cruz (5-0, 3 KOs), Springfield, MA

WKO1 (3:00)

Pablo Batres (10-23-1, 3 KOs), Nogales, Sonora, Mexico

AMATEUR RESULTS

119 lbs. – Michael Gadreau, Jr. (MTM Boxing) UD Antonio Torres (Ortiz Boxing)

139 lbs. – Dajon Padilla (Whitley Bros.) SD Adrian Valdez (Ortiz Boxing)

139 lbs (females) – Alexendra Mencia (Private Jewels) SD Chysanthe Coulouras (Central City)

154 lbs. – Deabian Adorno (Cherry Street Boxing) RSC Matthew Nguyen (Central City)

176 lbs. – Joel Vega (Alston Boxing) SD John Morton (Rolfe Boxing)

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INFORMATION:

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Twitter: @Granite_Chin

QUINCY, Mass. (October 11, 2022) – It’s extremely rare in boxing for two undefeated prospects to fight each other. Rather than take the so often traveled easy route to build fighters’ records, Steve Sumpter (6-0, 6 KOs) and Edet “Papito” Mkpanam (8-0, 7 KOs) will square off November 19^th on “Springfield Championship Boxing,” presented by Granite Chin Promotions, at Mass Mutual Center  in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Granite Chin’s inaugural show in Springfield will feature a Tripleheader of Western Massachusetts’ top prospects such as the undefeated trio of Sumpter, fighting out of Pittsfield (MA), Holyoke welterweight Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (9-0, 6 KOs), and Holyoke super welterweight Carlos Castillo (5-0, 3 KOs).

Sumpter vs. Mkpanam is a scheduled 8-round bout for the vacant Massachusetts State Light Heavyweight Championship.

Sumpter, 29, has stopped all six of his professional opponents to date, primarily campaigning as a super middleweight, while Mkpanam was a 2018 New England Golden Gloves silver medalist.

“I want to fight the best,” Sumpter explained why he accepted this fight. “I never take any opponent lightly, especially an undefeated one. I’m excited, but I’m taking it as just another fight. I’m not going to let the title mess with me. That’s the way I’m going into this fight.”

“Every fight is big,” Mkpanam said. “I feel that I fight like all my fights are for a title. This fight will come down to skills not size being the deciding factor. November 19^th is going to be a helluva show, I’m taking home the belt!”

Whitley is matched with Fall River’s (MA) Kris Jacobs (5-2-1, 2 KOs) in an 8-rounder for the vacant Massachusetts State Welterweight title.

A hot prospect and potential rising star, Whitley is trained by former pro fighters and brothers, his father Derrick and Uncle Darrin.

Jacobs has defeated three previously undefeated opponents, including 2-0 Ryan Thomas Clark in his last fight by way of a 6-round split decision.

“The two state title fights on this show are what local championship fights should be,” Granite Chin Promotions president Chris Traietti commented. “Edet and Steve are two strong, skilled guys who are hungry to take the next step. They both know the quickest way to get there is through the other guy. Neither guy hesitated at the opportunity and the business end of this fight was wrapped up fairly quickly. New England fans should be grateful for throwback fighters like the guys in this fight and honestly throughout the whole show. The fighters on this show are taking the kind of fights that a lot of ‘fighters’ wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pole.”

The Western Mass. tripleheader also includes a 6-round throwdown between 24-year-old Castillo and  Revere (MA) welterweight Travis Gambardella (7-2-2, 3 KOs). Castillo is a skilled boxer who is stepping up in competition to fight Gambardella, who has won 5 of his last 7 fights and his two draws could have easily been victories.

The undercard showcases undefeated lightweight prospect RayJay “The Destroyer” Bermudez (16-0, 11 KOs), of Albany (NY), and gatekeeper Tyrone “Hands of Stone” Luckey (15-18-4, 11 KOs) in an 8-round match. Bermudez is trained by his uncle Hector Bermudez, who owns and operates a gym in Springfield.

Also fighting on the undercard in 4-rounders is Springfield super featherweight Isiah Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs) vs. TBA, as well as Springfield lightweight Carlos Gonzalez (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. pro-debuting Mathew McGee, of Fairfield, Maine.

Card subject to change.

Tickets range between $203.00 and $48.00 and are available to purchase online at https://www.massmutualcenter.com/events/detail/springfield-championship-boxing

Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first bout at 7 p.m. ET.

INFORMATION:  

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Twitter: @Granite_Chin

QUINCY, Mass. (October 5, 2022) – “Springfield Championship Boxing,” presented by Granite Chin Promotions, will showcase the top Western Massachusetts pro boxing prospects in legitimate fights, November 19th, at Mass Mutual Center  in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Granite Chin’s inaugural show in Springfield, “Springfield Championship Boxing at Mass Mutual Center, will feature a Tripleheader of undefeated prospects such as Holyoke’s Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (9-0, 6 KOs) Pittsfield’s Steve Sumpter (6-0, 6 KOs), and Carlos Castillo (5-0, 3 KOs).

“This is the kind of show that will not only draw-in fight fans from Western Massachusetts, but from all over New England as well,” Granite Chin president Chris Traietti remarked. “From top to bottom, all of these fights are evenly matched and are going to bring non-stop action. I want to congratulate all of the fighters for being eager to step up and put on a great show for local boxing fans.”

Whitley, the latest pugilist from Holyoke’s fightin’ Whitley family, meets his toughest opponent to date in Fall River (MA) welterweight Kris Jacobs (5-2-1, 2 KOs). Whitley is a red-hot prospect  trained by former pro fighters and brothers, father Derrick and Uncle Darrin. Jacobs has defeated three previously undefeated opponents, including 2-0 Ryan Thomas Clark in his last fight by way of a 6-round split decision.

“I’m excited,” Whitley said. “I fought there as an amateur in the semifinals and final of the Western New England Golden Gloves. This will be my first time fighting there as a pro. I know I’m packing Mass Mutual with all my people. I’m fighting close to home, basically in my hometown. I love the support I get from my city. I’ve been asking to fight on a bigger card and now I am. My people followed me on the road. Imagine what it’s going to be like so close to home? I look forward to fighting at home; it makes me feel good.”

“I had no reservations about fighting there (in his opponent’s home base), because I’m used to it,” Jacobs explained. “It’s not an issue. I fought two other guys in their backyards – Harry Gigliotti and Brandon Higgins — and beat them. I’m not worried about fighting him in his backyard, I’m going there to win the fight.”

Granite Chin’s best overall show pits a pair of undefeated prospects in an 8-round bout for the vacant Massachusetts Light Heavyweight Championship, Sumpter vs. New Bedford’s Edet “Papito” Mkpanam (8-0, 7 KOs).

Sumpter has stopped all six of his professional opponents to date campaigning as a super middleweight, while Mkpanam was a 2018 New England Golden Gloves silver medalist.

“This is my first time fighting at Mass Mutual,” Sumpter commented. “I’m excited about that but it’s just another fight. I’ll have a lot of people there supporting me. I love that. There’s nothing better than having a bunch of support. It’s not a big deal for me to move up to light heavyweight after fighting as a super middleweight, but my first two pro fights were at light heavyweight. Super middleweight is probably where I’m going to make my home.”

“I’m not concerned about fighting in his backyard,” Mkpanam commented. “Honestly, it’s part of boxing and I’ve got to do it. I’m an old-school fighter and boxers need to fight on the road. Now, it’s my time. I felt it was time to take a step up like in the old days. Today a lot of guys fight guys with losing records, no tests, and people know who will win before the fight starts. I accepted this test to fight another undefeated fighter. Steve’s undefeated and we are going to put on a great fight for the fans.”

Rounding out the tripleheader of the Western Mass. power base in a 6-round bout is 24-year-old Castillo against Revere (MA) welterweight Travis Gambardella (7-2-2, 3 KOs). Castillo is a skilled boxer who is stepping up to fight Gambardella, who has won 5 of his last 7 fights and his two draws could have easily been victories.

“I’m really excited for this one,” Castillo admitted. It’s going to be a pretty good fight. I really want to put on a show for the city. I fought there as an amateur a few times at the Western New England Golden Gloves. I reached the finals in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Every year there was a sold-out crowd. It’s only 10 minutes away from Holyoke. This will be my first fight there as a pro and I’m sure it is going to be crazy. I don’t feel any pressure fighting at home. It’s my job and I will do what I got to do. I’m just excited to put on a show for the people.”

“Not at all,” Gambardella answered a question about being concerned about fighting in his opponent’s backyard. “It’s part of boxing and I understand what I’m getting into. I don’t talk about it, just fight my fight. I’m an active fighter who keeps moving forward; Mexican style but I move my head a lot.”

Topping the undercard is an 8-rounder between undefeated lightweight prospect RayJay “The Destroyer” Bermudez (16-0, 11 KOs) and gatekeeper Tyrone “Hands of Stone” Luckey (15-18-4, 11 KOs) in an 8-round match. Bermudez is trained by his uncle Hector Bermudez, who owns and operates a gym in Springfield.

Also fighting on the undercard in 4-rounders is Springfield super featherweight Isiah Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs) vs. TBA, as well as Springfield lightweight Carlos Gonzalez (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. pro-debuting Mathew McGee, of Fairfield, Maine.

Tickets range between $203.00 and $48.00 and are available to purchase online at https://www.massmutualcenter.com/events/detail/springfield-championship-boxing

Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first bout at 7 p.m. ET.

INFORMATION:  

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Twitter: @Granite_Chin

QUINCY, Mass. (June 13, 2022) – The undefeated Sumpter brothers, super middleweight Steve (5-0, 5 KOs) and heavyweight Quintin (4-0, 4 KOs), are making up for lost time in professional boxing.

Fighting out of Pittsfield (MA), the two members of Granite Chin Promotions’ growing stable got a relatively late start in boxing, both turning pro June 26, 2021, in Derry, New Hampshire. They have fought together two times and will do so once again June 25^th on “Road 2 Stardom,” presented by Granite Chin Promotions, on the first day-night professional boxing doubleheader in Massachusetts history. It’ll mark the first time the Sumpters have fought together in the Bay State as professionals.

Boxing fans will be to watch both shows via live stream, from the Sheraton Hotel in Framingham, Massachusetts, at BXNGTV.COM for only $24.99.

“When Gunther Fishgold (the Sumpter brother’s manager) called me last year saying he had these two brothers from Pittsfield that I should take a look at,” Granite Chin president Chris Traietti said, “I didn’t hesitate because Gunther has been around the sport a long time and he has an eye for talent. I was immediately impressed with both guys and was eager to have the, be part of Granite Chin. They have been a blast to promote. Neither wants to be spoon fed, they want to hunt. They want bigger and bigger fight each time out, which as a promoter, makes my job a lot more enjoyable. They are hungry, humble, and they just get it. To make meaningful money in boxing, fighters need to take on meaningful fight. The future is bright for these guys.”

Steve is headlining for the first time, in his initial scheduled 8-round bout, against Florida veteran Manny “Shake Em’ Up” Woods (17-6-1, 6 KOs) on the matinee card. “I feel good about it and I’m ready to step up,” Steve said about headlining in his first scheduled 8-rounder. “We’ve talked about 10-rounders. We’ll see how this goes and from there see what happens.

“I’ve seen him fight and I’m not worried about anything. He may have more experience, but that’s not going to work. He’s just another obstacle for me to get past. I’m more patient since my pro debut. I was a little frantic, too eager, and now I’m more selective. There’s always room for improvement, though, offensively, defensively, all-around. I want to keep improving in every way.”

Before Steve steps into the ring for the main event, Quinton will already have fought in his first scheduled 6-round bout versus Tracey “The Titan” Johnson (4-10-6, 0 KOs), the brother of world champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade.

The 33-year-old Quinton, who is 4 years older than Steve, is coming off an upset victory against highly touted Timothy Hatfield (3-0), the 2-time New England Golden Gloves runner-up from Rhode Island, via a 4-round majority decision.

“I felt disrespected,” Quinton explained. “I felt like they looked at film and felt he could beat me. They chose me out of everybody. We were both undefeated and I fought in him his backyard. I stepped up for the fight. I’m a smaller heavyweight, 225 to 230 pounds (Hatfield is 6’ 7”, 240 lbs.), but once he felt my power in the first round, he became timid, and when he threw his jab, I countered. I love being the underdog.”

Quinton enjoys fighting on the same card as his brother, too. They were teammates on sports teams growing up, which competitively drove them to succeed, more recently as pro boxers.

“It’s good,” Quinton spoke about being one-half of the Sumpter brothers act. “We’ve competed with each other all our lives. We’ve been on the same teams. We haven’t faced adversity, neither of us have lost. We’re embracing it. I’m more than happy with the way I’ve been moved. Pittsfield is going to be in the house June 25^th.”

Hometown favorite, Framingham welterweight Raphael Torres (1-0, 1 KO) faces Brazilian cruiserweight Igor Pessoa (0-2) in the matinee’s 4-round co-featured event.

Also fighting on the matinee undercards, each in 4-round matches, are Swansea (MA) junior middleweight Anthony “The Gentle Savage” Andreozzi (2-2, 1 KO) vs. 62-fight veteran Rynell Griffin, New York cruiserweights Andrew “Hard Body” Nolan (2-5, 2 KOs) vs. Scott “Bombz” Lampert (0-4), Methuen (MA) junior middleweight Luke Iannuccilli (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Robert Bricks (0-10), and Florida light heavyweight Carlos Arredondo vs. Michael Medeiros (0-1).

Undefeated Holyoke (MA) welterweight prospect Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (8-0, 6 KOs), headlines for the first time in the 6-round main event on the evening card against Maycon Oller Da Silva (1-4, 1 KO).

Intra-state rivals Nathan Balakin (3-1, 1 KO), of Tyngsboro, and Attleboro’s Bryan Urday (2-1) throw-down in the 6-round co-featured event for the vacant Massachusetts Welterweight Championship.

Undefeated Floridian welterweight Josniel “TG” Castro (8-0, 6 KOs), a promising prospect with a solid New England fan-base, faces Bryan Goldsby (5-16) in a 6-round bout.

Warwick (RI) junior middleweight Alfred “Keenan” Raymond (1-2) meets Woburn’s (MA) Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste (3-2, 2 KOs) in a rematch. Raymond won a 4-round split decision last November, but this fight will be contested over a slated 6-rounds.

In another 6-rounder, undefeated Lowell (MA) welterweight Nicholas “Saint Nick” Molina (9-0, 3 KOs) outs his undefeated record on the line versus upset-minded Argentinian Jose “El Chino” Aubel (8-10, 7 KOs).

Brockton’s (MA) pro-debuting welterweight, a 2020 New England Golden Gloves champion, takes on Rakim Johnson (6-17-1, 5 KOs) in a 4-round bout.

Providence junior middleweight Rob “The Golden Child” Nolette (1-1, 1 KO) opens the evening card in a 4-round fight against DeWayne Wisdom (7-61, 3 KOs).

Both cards are subject to change.

Separate admission tickets are available for purchase at tickerriver.com (Search: Road2Stardom): day – $45.00 (general admission), $60.00 (ringside) and $750.00 for a table of 10; night – $50.00 (general admission), $75.00 (ringside) and $1,000 for a table of 10.

Doors open at 1:00 pm ET and 7 p.m. ET, respectively, with first bouts at 1:30 p.m. ET and 7:30 p.m. ET.

INFORMATION:  

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