Brian Macy, a poker dealer at Foxwoods Resort Casino, dealt out some hands on Friday night. However, they were hands of a different sort.  Pete Guthy can tell you. He endured some great shots to the body prior to being obliterated with a left hook to the chin in the second round of a scheduled four-rounder. Guthy, who made the trip from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, eventually got to his feet but was in no shape to continue. Referee Danny Schiavone waved the fight off at the 1:34 mark.

"I was throwing bigger punches earlier in the bout but I started to loosen up and get my rhythm and that’s when the knockout came," said Macy after his pro debut. "It goes back to the old adage, ‘You can’t look for a knockout. They just come.’ "
Note to poker players: don’t try to steal any chips when Macy is your dealer. Trying to pull one over on him may have worse consequences than dealing with security personnel.

Macy is a jack-of-all-trades. In addition to being a card dealer and a pro fighter, he is also an aspiring rapper. He came out to his own entrance music Friday night and showed he can rock heads as well as rock crowds.

Macy, who had a solid amateur career, is no dummy. As much as he has always wanted to be a professional fighter, he didn’t turn pro until after graduating from college. He graduated this past semester with a degree in general studies from the University of Connecticut (UConn), a great school best known for all the NCAA championships its men’s and women’s basketball teams have won over the last 13 years.

As an amateur, Macy won a Junior National PAL championship, came in second in the National Junior Olympics in 1999, won at the Ohio State Fair boxing tournament in 2001 and was second in the under-19s at 178 pounds in 2000. "I was on the junior elite team in 1999 with Andre Ward, Andre Berto, Nonito Donaire and Lorenzo Reynolds," said Macy. In addition, Macy defeated current WBC light heavyweight champion "Bad" Chad Dawson back when both were amateurs.

The Foxwoods Casino, which is situated in Ledyard, Connecticut, is often considered a "hometown" venue for a lot of Connecticut-based fighters. For Macy though, it really is a hometown venue. Macy played football at Ledyard High (Class of 2001) and remains a Ledyard resident. His connection to the casino is a strong one. Macy, who recently became a proud papa, lives with a Mashantucket Pequot tribal member and is able to run and swim at the Pequot community center. As far as his boxing training, Macy puts in his time at the Strike Zone gym in New London, a well-known mixed martial arts facility.

Former light heavyweight world title challenger John Scully, a big supporter of amateur boxing, first worked with Macy when Macy was 11 years old. Years later, Scully was in Macy’s corner when Macy won the Ohio State Fair tournament. Scully said Macy is in a tough weight class [super middleweight] but added that he can go far "if he can find the time to really dedicate himself to pro boxing. He has potential. He’s good defensively. He’s got good boxing skills. He’s a smart kid."

Macy is also a humble young man. In fact, he felt a little uncomfortable when his promoter told him to jump on the ropes after the victory. "Usually stuff like that is not my style," said Macy. "I prefer to have a more humble demeanor. When I went over there though, the crowd response was crazy. I felt truly blessed for the support I received." 

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