PRESS RELEASE- Promoter Richie Cappiello, in association with the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame of New England, has announced that the new main event for the October 7, 2005 boxing card at the Shaw's Convention Center in Brockton, Massachusetts will match Mike Culbert and Tommy Attardo
for the vacant state super middleweight title. The original main event between Rasheem Brown and Danny Neal was shelved when Brown suffered a cut over his left eye in a bout last Wednesday night in Philadelphia. The cut, which Brown needed six stitches to close, occured in the last round of a six round decision win over Anthony Greeley.
"It's something that happens often in boxing (losing a fight due to
unforeseen happenings)," Cappiello said this week. "So we just move on and, in this case, I think we are giving the fans a fight they have wanted to see for a few years. Mike and Tommy are going to bring their loyal, vocal crowds with them because they know that suffering a loss at this point, basically ends their careers.
"That's a lot of motivation coming into a fight. They aren't fighting for a world title, or a million dollars - they are fighting for career survival. I would expect that you are going to see both guys at their highest levels and the fans are going to end up benefitting."
Culbert, 29-4-1 (6), is a former two-time Massachusetts champion and held the super middleweight crown after his decision win over Carlos DeJesus back in 1994.
Attardo has fought some of the best fighters in the world, including Jose Rivera, Peter Manfredo, Yuri Forman, Anthony Thompson and current IBF super middleweight titlist Jeff Lacy. Since turning pro nine years ago, he is one of the true fan favorites in Massachusetts. His record is 10-14-1 (2).
The undercard is taking shape with a six round light heavyweight bout between Anthony Russell and North Carolina's Mike Williams and a six round lightweight bout matching the comebacking Melvin Cumba and veteran spoiler Shakha Moore. A rematch of a heavyweight fight between J.D. Reber of Lenox and local favorite Harold Rodriguez has been added to the card and a lightweight four rounder between Eddie McAloney and William Foster has been signed. Opponents are still being sought for cruiserweight Chris McInerney and welterweight Eddie Bishop.
Tickets are available by calling 1-508-587-5554 or 1-888-491-2900. Tickets are priced at $35 for General Admission and tickets for kids under 12-years-old are only $10. Doors will be opened at 6:30 p.m. with the first bell of the night scheduled for 8:15 p.m.
