Rematch with Gary Stark on hold
Recently, Boxingtalk caught up with Rich Capiello, promoter of Mike Oliver, 18-0 (7 KOs), who is coming off a highly controversial split-decision victory over prospect Gary “Kid” Stark, 18-1 (8 KOs), for a regional super bantamweight title. According to Capiello, Oliver will be fighting on May 4, 2007 on NESN, against an opponent to be named later. You don’t want to miss what else Capiello had to say about the fight, the possibilities of a rematch, and what’s next for the undefeated Oliver.
BT: Rich, lets have your reaction to Oliver’s performance against Stark.
RC: “You know I really don’t understand what all the fuss is about. We beat Stark, end of story.”
BT: Many spectators seem to believe this decision was controversial. Is there a chance we will be seeing a rematch?
RC: “Listen, I’m sure that these two fighters will meet again somewhere down the line, but as of right now, a rematch with Stark is not on the horizon. Oliver will be fighting on May 4, on Nessen, against an opponent to be determined.”
BT: If there’s no opponent yet, why not offer the rematch to Stark?
RC: “We already beat this kid. We are looking for something along the lines of a world title or an eliminator to put us in place of a world title. A rematch with Stark means nothing. What do we benefit from another fight with Stark? I didn’t benefit the first time either. Stark is not even rated, and Oliver was the more established, highly regarded fighter coming into the first fight. Right now we are looking for a world title, not a rematch that means nothing.”
BT: Is there anyone particular you have in mind to face Oliver in May?
RC: “We are looking for an opponent as we speak. The rematch with Stark is just simply too premature at this point. Let both guys go off and fight some good opposition, let the fight get bigger. This is a fight that makes a lot of sense down the road, but not right now, unless some astronomical amount of money is offered to us, which I doubt will happen.”
BT: Thank you Rich, is there anything you would like to say in closing?
RC: “Mike (Oliver) is grateful for all of his fans out there. He will be returning to the ring May 4 on Nessen. Give me a call next week and I should have an opponent set.”
