Granite Chin Promotions has announced its final two events of 2022, both in Massachusetts, scheduled for November 19th in Springfield, and Thanksgiving Eve (Nov. 23rd) in Bridgewater. The Springfield show will take place ” at Mass Mutual Center, will showcase two pair of undefeated boxers in an eight-round bout for the vacant Massachusetts light heavyweight championship: Pittsfield’s Steve Sumpter (6-0, 6 KOs) vs. New Bedford’s Edet “Papito” Mkpanam (8-0, 7 KOs). Sumpter, who has knocked out all six of his professional opponents to date, has been campaigning as a super middleweight, while Mkpanam captured a silver medal at the 2018 New England Golden Gloves Tournament.
In another eight-round matchup, Holyoke’s Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (9-0, 6 KOs) takes on Fall River welterweight Kris Jacobs (5-2-1, 2 KOs). Whitley is trained by former pro fighters, his father Derrick and uncle Darren. Jacobs has defeated three previously undefeated opponents, including 2-0 Ryan Thomas Clark in his last fight by way of a six-round split decision.
Rounding out the tripleheader of Western Massachusetts pro boxing power will be Carlos Castillo (5-0, 3 KOs vs. Travis Gambardella (7-2-2, 3 KOs), of Revere, in a six-round welterweight fight. The 24 year-old Castillo is a gifted boxer who is stepping up in terms of his level of opponents versus Gambardella, who has won 5 of his last 7 fights and his two draws could have easily been victories.
“With a lot of the Granite Chin fighters progressing in their careers,” Granite Chin president Chris Traietti said, “I feel like it is on me to progress with my events to showcase the fighters and propel them onto much bigger stages. After the August 6th event, I felt like it was time to recharge the batteries for a few weeks, then gear up to close out the year strong. I am psyched to be finally out in the Springfield area putting on a stacked card from top to bottom at a great venue like Mass Mutual Center. A huge thank you to my partner in this show, Gunther Fishgold, for tirelessly helping out behind the scenes to help make this happen. A few days later we are going back to Bridgewater to honor the late, great Jimmy Farrell in what will be a great night of Pro-Am boxing.”
Topping the undercard is lightweight RayJay “The Destroyer” Bermudez (16-0, 11 KOs), who puts his perfect pro record on the line against battle-tested Tyrone “Hands of Stone” Luckey (15-18-4, 11 KOs) in an eight-round match. Bermudez is trained by his uncle Hector Bermudez, who owns and operates a gym in Springfield. Luckey has become a gatekeeper who has tested numerous prospects.
“This show is going to soon be the talk of Massachusetts boxing,” Traietti commented, “if it isn’t already. All the fighters thus far have been awesome to deal with. The six guys in the tripleheader portion jumped on their chance to step up and see where they are at. This is just the start of a bunch of powerhouse local shows Granite Chin is going to be a part of. As a promoter, shows like this are easy to promote, fights like these sell themselves.”
The second show, Nov. 19th, will be the inaugural Jimmy Farrell Fight Night is in memory of the late Jimmy Farrell, a popular New England trainer who recently passed away. Granite Chin will donate to Old Colony Hospice for its care of Farrell. Jimmy Farrell Fight Night will be a Pro-Am card showcasing some of New England’s best amateurs on a card that will soon be announced. The pro card is headlined by a six-round main event between Swansea’s Anthony “The Gentle Savage” Andreozzi (3-2, 1 KO) and Woburn’s Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste (4-2, 2 KOs) for the vacant Massachusetts middleweight title. The Andreozzi-Baptiste title fight was supposed to happen August 6th at the same venue, however, Andreozzi became ill in the locker room during fight night, canceling their fight.
The grandson of the great Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Atlanta-based James “Savage” Hagler, Jr. (3-1, 1 KO), will fight Scott “Bombz” Lampert (3-6, 2 KOs) in a four rounder. Hagler, Jr. will be fighting close to where his late grandfather fought out of in Brockton.
Also scheduled to fight in separate four-rounders are Providence (RI) junior welterweight Rob “TNT” Nolette (1-2, 1 KO), as well as a pair of Brockton fighters, heavyweight Kirk Wilmont (1-0, 1 KO) and pro-debuting junior welterweight Stephen Davis.
“Jimmy loved all aspects and levels of boxing, so it is only fitting to do a Pro-Am in his memory and raise some money for a great organization in Old Colony Hospice,” Traietti concluded. “It will be a fun night with great fans, plus some of Jimmy’s closest friends and family. The Andreozzi- Baptiste and the Hagler-Lampert fights are going to be fireworks. These are two legit 50/50 fights with completely contrasting styles. We have Melissa Kelly matching up the amateurs and nobody knows the amateur scene around here like her. I have all the confidence in the world that those fights will be awesome. This will be a great way to kick off Thanksgiving weekend.”
