O’Shaquie Foster retained the WBC Super Featherweight world title with a 12-round split decision over Abraham Nova at The Madison Square Garden Theater.

Foster scored a knockdown in the last 20 seconds of the contest.

Foster, 130 lbs of Orange, TX won by scores of 116-111 and 115-112 with Nova taking a 114-113 card.

Foster is now 22-2. Nova, 129 lbs of Albany, NY is 23-2.

Cortes Stops Chevalier in 4

Andres Cortes remained undefeated with a fourth round stoppage over Bryan Chevelier in a 10-round junior lightweight bout.

Ringside doctors checked on Chevalier before round four began.In that round, Cortes battered Chevalier all over the ring until the corner stopped the fight at 2:17.

Cortes, 130 lbs of Las Vegas is 21-0 with 12 knockouts. Chevalier, 129 lbs of Bayamon, PR is 20-2-1.

Carrington Obliterates Torres in 4

Impressive Bruce Carrington scored a spectacular fourth round stoppage over Bernard Torres in a 10-round featherweight bout.

In round four, Carrington landed a perfect right hand that put Torres down face-first in the canvas and the fight was stopped at 2:59.

Carrington, 125.6 lbs of Brooklyn is 11-0 with seven knockouts. Torres, 125.6 lbs of The Philippines is 18-2.

Guido Vianello destroyed Moses Johnson in the opening round of their eight-round heavyweight bout,

In round one, Johnson dropped Johnson with an overhand right. The punch was ruled on the back of the head. Seconds later, Vianello dropped Johnson with a right hand. Johnson was sent down again with a hard right hand. Johnson was wobbly, but still was let to continue. Vianello dropped Johnson for a third time yet Johnson was forced to continue. Finally Vianello ended things when he decked Johnson again and the fight was waved off at 2:59.

Vianello, 242.2 lbs of Rome, ITA is 12-1-1 with 10 knockouts. Johnson, 248.4 lbs of Huntington, NY is 11-2-2.

Isaah Flaherty won a six-round unanimous decision over Julian Baptiste in a middleweight bout.

Flaherty, 158.4 lbs of Elmont, NY won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 7-0. Baptiste, 158.2 lbs of Annesbury, MA is now 6-4.

In round one, Flaherty was cut on the top of the head from a head clash.

Ofacio Falcon remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Edward Ceballos in a junior lightweight bout.

Falcon, 130 lbs of Bronx, NY won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 11-0. Ceballos, 129.6 lbs of Phoenix, AZ is 11-5-1.

Tiger Johnson was impressive in stopping Paulo Galdino in the opening round of their eight-round junior welterweight bout.

In round one, Johnson landed blistering a right hand that set up a perfect left uppercut that put Galdino down. With Galdino hurt, Johnson landed a hard right that sent Galdino back on the ropes and the fight was stopped at 2:49.

Johnson, 140.4 lbs of Cleveland is 12-0 with six knockouts. Galdino, 141.8 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is 13-8-2.

Euri Cedeno stopped Antonio Todd in round five of their eight-round middleweight bout.

Cedeno, 159 lbs of La Romanoa, DR is 8-0-1 with seven knockouts. Todd, 158.6 lbs of Atlanta is 16-10.

Arnold Gonzalez won a six-round unanimous decision over Charles Stanford in a welterweight bout.

Gonzalez, 150 lbs of Harlem, NY won by scores of 59-55 twice and 58-56 and is now `4-0. Stanford, 147.6 lbs of Cincinnati, OH is 7-5.

QUINCY, Mass. (January 16, 2024) – Two members of the growing Quincy, MA.-Granite Chin Promotions (GCP) stable of boxers, middleweights Antonio Todd (16-9, 9 KOs) and Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste, will make their Madison Square Garden debuts in separate bouts on the February 16th Top Rank card.

Todd, fighting out of Atlanta, faces 2020 Dominican Republic Olympian Euri Cedeno (7-0-1, 6 KOs), while Baptiste takes on hometown favorite Isaah Flaherty (6-0, 3 KOs). These two fights will be streamed on ESPN+ live from The Theater in New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden.

“Fights like these and fighters like Antonio and Julien are what I am continuously trying to make Granite Chin all about,” GCP president Chris Traietti commented. “Fighters who will fight anyone, anywhere. It has been a pleasure working with these two and watching their careers develop. We have been together through highs and lows, but we stuck together and continue to achieve everything we can out of this rugged sport. Neither guy has ever shied away from a tough fight and now in February they are getting their just reward, fighting at the Mecca of Boxing. A lot of guys in boxing pretend to be ‘professional fighters’ but break out in hives when asked to step up. Not these two!”

Fighting at MSG – The Mecca of Boxing — for the first time has opposite meanings for the two GCP fighters; it’s just another fight for the battle-tested Todd, and a dream-come-true return home for Baptiste.

“I’ve fought in New York City before (Sony Hall), but this will be my first time fighting at Madison Square Garden,” Todd said. “It’s really no big deal for me, but it is for my coach. At this stage, nothing overwhelms me anymore. I do appreciate Chris getting me this opportunity.”

Antonio Todd

“It’s surreal for me to be fighting so quickly on a big stage like this,” Baptiste countered. “I remember speaking to Chris when my contract first started, and I said I wanted to fight at least once in New York City. In Madison Square Garden is above and beyond that and I’m so grateful to him for this opportunity.”

Julien Baptiste (R)

(picture by Emily Harney/Fightography)

Todd is a true throwback fighter who has fought all across the country, usually in his opponent’s backyard, and many feel that he’s a middleweight gatekeeper, which makes him feel that he’s disrespected in boxing.

“I do feel disrespected being called a gatekeeper,” Todd explained. “They (promoters/managers) want to see what their fighters have, and we’ll see that again in this fight. I’m the hitman at 160 (pounds). They keep sending them to me because I’m a tough test and I’m going to keep beating them. If they beat me, they suddenly go up in the ratings, but if I beat them I don’t get any respect.

“I just fight, I love it. Everybody wants to be king of the jungle, but nobody understands the hyena. I like riding the bull and being an underdog and that’s what drives me. I’m comfortable being uncomfortable. I can go anywhere to fight anybody, literally, and I’ll keep doing it until I get what I want….respect!

Todd, who will face Cedeno in an eight-round bout, has won his last two fights, including an impressive eight-round unanimous decision this past December, upsetting 15-1 Jaylon Pridgeon. Cedeno reached the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics, losing to the eventual silver medalist, and he’s coming off an eight-round unanimous decision last December over previously undefeated Yoanki Urrutia (13-0).

Baptiste is a native New Yorker who grew-up in the Huntington area but relocated several years ago to Woburn, Massachusetts. The reigning Mass. Middleweight Champion turned his career around two fights ago, when he worked hard to overcome performance anxiety in the ring.

“It’s very satisfying to go out there and do what I can do,” Baptiste spoke about his performance anxiety. “God gave me this talent and it’s that simple for me on the performance end.

“I started boxing when I lived in New York. I’ll have family and friends there and maybe some other fans who will be there watching (Mass-based Abraham) Nova fight (the ESPN headliner vs. O’Shaquie Foster for the WBA Junior Lightweight title).”

Baptiste captured the Mass. Middleweight title last August in his last fight, in which he knocked out defending champion Jamer Jones in round six. Baptiste’s opponent in a six-round match, Queens resident Flaherty, is 6-0 but he has never fought an opponent with a winning record until now.

“He’s very tough, strong, and he’s fought some good guys during his career,” Baptiste added, “but I am going to go out there and show the world what I’m made of. Training camp has been very, very tough for this fight, but it’s worth it because I am getting ready for him.”

INFORMATION:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

QUINCY, Mass. (August 12, 2023) – Last night’s main event was truly the Fight of the Night on the entertaining “Veterans Stadium Showcase” Pro-Am card as Holbrook (MA) junior welterweight Mike “Bad Man” Ohan, Jr. (19-2, 9 KOs) had his best performance ever against Harry “The Hit Man” Gigliotti (9-5, 3 KOs), fighting out of Haverhill (MA), in an old-fashioned throw-down.

“Veterans Stadium Showcase,” presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), was streamed live from Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy, Massachusetts. Part of the proceeds went to Operation Homefront.

“As special as this night was for me, it meant even more to the fighters,” GCP President Chris Traietti commented. “I couldn’t be prouder of all the fighters or more appreciative of the fans for their enthusiasm all night. I want to give my sincere thanks to all the city leaders and local businesses that supported this event for allowing a Quincy business to do something special in the greatest city on earth.”

Ohan, Jr., the former New England Welterweight Champion, showed poise and patience as he adjusted and eventually broke-down the always tough Gigliotti on his way to a convincing eight-round unanimous decision.

Gigliotti came out firing clean, explosive shots in the first round, taking the fight right to Ohan, Jr., the former New England Welterweight Champion. Ohan. Jr. started beating Gigliotti to the punch in the second. The third was even and Ohan, Jr. established control in the second half of the fourth round, putting together his punches, which slowed down Gigliotti. As both fighters landed punch after punch in the fifth, Ohan, Jr. suddenly floored Gigliotti with a left to the body at the end of the round. Ohan, Jr. patiently and methodically took total control as Gigliotti rode his bike in the sixth, moving much more away rather than to Ohan, Jr,, who hurt Gigliotti with more body punches as the bell rang.

With Ohan, Jr. now controlling the action and pace, he owned the seventh and it appeared Gigliotti knew he needed a knockout to win. He didn’t at the KO but never stopped trying and Ohan, Jr. finished in style, landing a series of shots right to the end.

“Everything leading up to this fight made me better for this fight and my future,” Ohan, Jr. said after the fight. “I hit him with a picture-perfect body shot, but he’s a really tough kid. The first two rounds were for adjustments. He felt my power punches and that body shot was the beginning of the end for him. I had to adjust to beat him on the inside and that’s how I broke him down. I wish I got the stoppage, but I had a great performance. There’s always work to do, though, to get to the top.”

The co-featured event was a middleweight unification bout between USBF champion Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste, of Woburn (MA), and Massachusetts titlist Jamer Jones, of Pittsfield (MA), in a great fight, one that would have been the Fight of the Night on most shows.

Julien Baptiste took care of business

Jones sent Baptiste to the mat with a big right at the end of the opening round. Baptiste let his hands go in the second round, however, and he buzzed the 6’ 3” Jones right before the bell signaling the end of the round. In a back-and-forth fight, Jones counter-punched well in the third, while Baptiste managed to get inside of Jones’ long reach. The two fighters exchanged solid punches in the fourth, popping each other with great regularity, but the torrid pace slowed slightly in the fifth, only to pick back up in round six. Suddenly, Baptiste connected with an overhand right, practically knocking out Jones on his feet. Jones somehow got to his feet, but the referee wisely stopped the fight.

Frank Hogan registered his 14th KO

It was Tank Time once again. Undefeated middleweight Francis “Frank The Tank” Hogan (15-0, 14 KOs), the gifted southpaw from nearby Weymouth (MA), bullied his Argentinian opponent, Miguel “El Pirado” Angel Suarez (15-13, 9 KOs) in an impressive display. Hogan, a 2020 USA Boxing Olympic Team Alternate, floored Suarez in the opening round with a left hook to the body, right to the head. In the second round, he dropped Suarez twice, after which the referee waved off the fight. Hogan has now stopped 14 of his 15 opponents without suffering a loss.

Thomas O’Toole (R) improves each fight

Thomas “The Kid” O’Toole (8-0, 6 KOs), fighting out of Galway, Ireland, didn’t need more than a single round to capture the vacant USBF Cruiserweight title, The Irish lefty started the fight with a blistering attack of Scott “Bombs” Lampert (5-9, 4 KOs), who was unable to answer the bell after one round, in which, Lampert was decked twice. O’Toole, a 2019 Irish National Champion, used crisp combinations to overpower the gutsy Lampert.

Tommy Hyde (R) passed test

Irish super middleweight prospect Tommy “The Governor” Hyde (6-0, 4 KOs) passed the toughest test of his young pro career, effectively using his amateur pedigree against Polish veteran Robert Talerek (27-21-3, 18 KOs) en route to a dominant six-round unanimous decision victory. A three- time Irish National Champion from Cork, Hyde looked sharp, consistently blasting away Talerek’s body up and down, dropping the Pole with a perfectly placed hook in the fifth round. Talarek is a former IBF European and IBO Inter-Continental Middleweight Champion.

Lowell (MA) lightweight Gabriel “The Menace” Morales (8-0, 4 KOs) remained undefeated, taking a four-round majority decision from Nathan Benichou (2-17-1, 2 KOs).

Rhode Island journeyman Alfred Raymond (1-6-1) nearly upset unbeaten Salem (MA) junior middleweight Kenny “Lionheart” Lawson (7-0-1, 5 KOs), which ended in a hard-fought six-round majority draw.

Scituate (MA) heavyweight Kevin “Big Gulp” Nagle (3-0, 3 KOs) used his nearly 100-pound advantage, pounding his pro-debuting opponent, Bruno Saravia (0-1), closing the show in round two with a lethal right hook to the body that sent Saravia to the canvas for a TKO win.

Methuen (MA) middleweight Luke “The Quiet Storm” Iannuccilli (7-0, 3 KOs) kept his undefeated record intact, pitching a six-round shutout against always tough Ryan Thomas Clark (2-5, 1 KO) in the evening’s opening bout.

Three USA Boxing-sanctioned amateur matches preceded the pro card.

Complete results below:

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PRO RESULTS

MAIN EVENT — JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS

Mike Ohan, Jr. (19-2, 9 KOs), Holbrook, MA

WDEC8 (79-72, 78-73, 76-75)

Harry Gigliotti (9-5, 3 KOs), Haverhill, MA

CO-FEATURE – USBF & MASSACHUSETTS MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIPS

Julien Baptiste (6-3, 3 KOs), Woburn, MA

.WTKO6 (2 :55)e

Jamer Jones (3-2, 3 KOs), Pittsfield, MA

(Baptiste won the Mass. middleweight title and retained the USBF title)

HEAVYWEIGHTS (4)

Kevin Nagle (3-0, 3 KOs), Scituate, MA

WTKO2 (2:10)

Bruno Saravia (0-1), Boston, MA

VACANT USBF CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Thomas O’Toole (8-0, 6 KOs), Galway, Ireland

WTKO1 (3:00)

Scott Lampert (5-9, 4 KOs), Dover, NY

(O’Toole won USBF cruiserweight title)

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Tommy Hyde (6-0, 4 KOs), Cork, Ireland

WDEC6 (60-53, 60-53, 59-54)

Robert Talarek (27-21-3, 18 KOs), Ruda Slaska, Poland

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Francis Hogan (15-0, 15 KOs), Weymouth, MA

WTKO2 (2:08)

Miguel Angel Suarez (15-13, 9 KOs), Beccar, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Luke Iannuccilli (7-0, 3 KOs), Methuen, MA

WDEC6

Ryan Thomas Clark (2-5, 1 KO), Berwick, NH

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Kenny Larson (7-0-1, 5 KOs), Salem, MA

WD6 (57-57, 57-57, 56-58)

Alfred Raymond (1-6-2, 0 KOs), Warwick, RI

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Gabriel Morales (8-0, 4 KOs), Lowell, MA

WDEC4 (40-36, 39-37, 38-38)

Nathan Benichou (2-17-1, 2 KOs), Puebla, Puebla, México.

AMATEUR RESULTS

147 lbs. – Shaquille Mair (Everybody Fights)

WMDEC3

Desmond Le (Dialed In Method)

119 lbs.-– Jennifer Perella (unattached)

WUDEC3

Danielle Millian (STC Boxing)

156 lbs. — Dylan Connors (Quincy BoxFit)

WRSC2 (0:44)

Ronilson De Castro (unattached)

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QUINCY, Mass. (June 27, 2023) – Newly crowned  United States Boxing Federation (USBF) Champion Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste (5-3, 2 KOs) and Massachusetts titleholder Jamer Jones (3-1, 3 KOs) both believe two title belts are better than one.

Baptiste vs. Jones will be the eight-round, co-featured event on the August 11^th (Aug. 12 rain date) “Veterans Memorial Showcase” Pro-Am card, presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), for their aforementioned middleweight titles. The outdoor show will be held at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy, Massachusetts, for the benefit of Operation Homefront.

“This fight makes too much sense for both guys,” GCP president Chris Traietti said. “Both are looking to establish themselves as the best middleweight in Massachusetts and after August 11^th, one of them will be able to say that. It will be such a contract in styles, which typically leads to an action-packed fight.”

Baptiste, of Woburn, Pittsfield’s Jones both believe that the winner will move on to fight outside New England in the near future.

Baptiste had to overcome performance anxiety issues in his last fight, in which he captured his USBF crown with an impressive six-round unanimous decision over Ryan Clark this past June 10^th.

“Winning that title was me staying on course in my pro career,” Baptiste said. “I really want to progress and fight my way out of New England. I worked on some mechanisms in camp for my last fight (to get past his performance anxiety). We did some exercises and it all happened in the ring. I made some adjustments, and everything went according to plan. I did feel the difference and I had a lot of support.

“I don’t know too much about my opponent. I know he trains at the same gym as Steve Sumpter and that he’s a game opponent. I know he’s tall with a long reach, but I’ll adjust as we go along. We will see what the future holds.”  

Jones also won his strap in his last fight, taking a first-round TKO win against defending champion Anthony Andreozzi, who suffered a leg injury in their February 18^th fight.

“I usually keep a distance and work everything off my jab,” the 6’ 3” Jones explained. “I have a 75” reach and throw straight punches. My jab is my most important punch. I’ll see what he does, whether he slips, backs up, or goes forward. I’ll use distance to see how my opponent moves.

“I’ve always believed in my skill set. Now, I’m proving to others that I have a lot of talent and potential. He (Baptiste) is a decent fighter with decent skills, but he doesn’t have anything that can give me trouble. I’ll figure out a way. I want to fight on bigger platforms, not local shows, and need to win this fight.”

Former New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Bad Man, Ohan, Jr. (18-2, 9 KOs), of Holbrook, takes on Haverhill’s Harry “The Hitman” Gigliotti (9-4, 3 KOs), reigning ABF Atlantic super lightweight title holder, in the eight-round, non-title, main event in an old-fashioned All-Bay State showdown.

The undercard will soon be announced. Card subject to change.

Tickets for “Veterans Stadium Showcase,” are on sale and available for purchase online at www.EventBrite.com.

Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Traietti at chris@granite-chin-promotions.com for details.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. ET with the amateur matches starting  at 6:30 p.m. ET, pro card commences at 8 pm. ET.

INFORMATION:  

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (June 11, 2023) – Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste turned in the best performance of his pro career last night, capturing the vacant United States Boxing Federation (USBF) Middleweight Championship, defeating Ryan Clark (2-4, 1 KO) by way of a convincing six-round unanimous decision.

Baptiste vs. Clark headlined “Fight Night at the Vets Club,” presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), at Bridgewater Veterans Club in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

Baptiste, of Woburn (MA), had worked in training camp on overcoming performance anxiety in the ring. It was apparent from the start that he had accomplished his goal. He came out firing in the opening round as Clark charged forward, setting the stage for an all-action match. Baptise took control in the second landing numerous left hooks and right crosses. A straight right dropped Clark in the second, but the gutsy New Hampshire fighter responded in the third, aggressively going punch-for-punch with his gifted opponent.

In the fourth round, Baptiste consistently beat a tiring yet still dangerous Clark to the punch, as the latter’s face showed visible signs of Baptiste’s onslaught. The two went toe-to-toe in the fifth to set up the sixth and final frame, in which neither fighter let up right to the final bell.

“I’m incredibly proud of Julien through all the adversity and heartaches he’s dealt with during his journey in and out of the ring,” GCP president Chris Traietti said. “He dug deep and pulled it off to keep his career going. Stay tuned for August!”

Celebrated amateur Arika Skoog (2-0-1, 2 KOs) was too much for Orlando lightweight Sara “Switch Kick” Click (1-5-1) to handle. Skoog patiently boxed and established command, trapping Click in the corner and an accumulation of punches resulted in a third-round stoppage.

Skoog, of Roxbury (MA), won a gold medal at the 2020 USA Boxing Elite National Championships in addition to being a 2020 USA Olympic Boxing Team alternate and multiple New England Golden Gloves champion.

Arika Skoog (L) stopped Sara Click in the third round

Former New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Bad Man” Ohan, Jr. (18-2, 9 KOs), of Holbrook (MA), outclassed game Alaskan welterweight William Parra Smith (4-15-1, 3 KOs) by way of a one-sided unanimous decision. After a “feeling out” first round, Ohan started throwing his sharp counterpunches, up and down on Smith, and Ohan’s devastating boxy attack weakened his opponent. Ohan’s left hook to the body broke-down Smith, who took a knee in the sixth and faded after that moment.

“Ohan was as sharp as I’ve ever seen him,” Traietti noted. “He’s getting better each fight. He’s ready for the deep end of New England boxing and he’s going to do exactly that next.”

Lynn (MA) gravedigger James Perkins (12-0-1, 9 KOs) kept his unbeaten streak intact, knocking out Texas journeyman Larry “Slo Mo” Smith (13-54-2, 9 KOs) in the fourth round. The heavy-handed Perkins throws each punch with bad intentions, closing the show with a pair of knockdowns in the fourth. First, he caught Smith with a right to the temple, but “Slo Mo” was able to beat the count. He followed with a straight right, which landed right on the button, sending Smith to the canvas where he was counted out.

The opening bout only lasted one minute as Scituate heavyweight Kevin Nagle (2-0, 2 KOs), fighting out of Scituate (MA), knocked out Brazilian heavyweight Reinaldo Da Costa Souza (0-2). The 272-pound Nagle decked Souza with a crisp left hook and the end came soon after, when Nagle connected with left hook, right upper cut combination

Complete results below:

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OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAIN EVENT – VACANT USBF MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Julien Baptiste (5-3, 2 KOs), Woburn, MA

WDEC6 (59-54, 58-54, 58-55)u.

Ryan Clark (2-4, 1 KO), Berwick, NH

(Baptiste won the vacant USBF middleweight title)

HEAVYWEIGHTS (4)

Kevin Nagle (2-0, 2 KOs), Scituate, MA

WKO1 (1:00)

Reinaldo Sa Costa Souza (0-2), Boston, MA by way of Brazil

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

James Perkins (12-0-1, 9 KOs), Lynn, MA

WKO4 (2:15)

Larry Smith (13-54-2, 9 KOs), Mesquite, TX

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS

Mike Ohan, Jr. (18-2, 9 KOs), Holbrook, MA

WDEC8 (80-70, 79-72, 79-72)

William Parra Smith (4-15-1, 3 KOs), Anchorage, AK

FEMALE LIGHTWEIGHTS

Arika Skoog (2-0-1, 2 KOs), Roxbury, MA

WKO3 (1:59)

Sara Click (1-5-1, 0 KOs), Orlando, FL

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INFORMATION:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin

QUINCY, Mass. (May 3, 2023) – Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste has been suffering performance anxiety in the ring, which has left him in a precarious position heading into his June 10^th main event fight headlining ”Fight Night at the Vets Club”, presented by Granite Chin Promotions’ (GCP) at the Veterans Club in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

Baptiste (4-3, 2 KOs), of Woburn (MA), is matched against Ryan Thomas Clark (2-3, 1 KO), of Barrington (NH), in a throwback New England rivalry match, in the six-round, main event for the vacant United States Boxing Federation (USBF) middleweight title.

Baptiste is a solid all-around boxer, but “head games” have taken its toll during his pro career, and now he’s in a crossroads fight.

“It’s just one of those things,” Baptiste explained his performance anxiety, “but it’s time to go. I need to beat my performance anxiety in this fight. I’ve been aware of it because it’s shown in my performances. I’ve been dealing with performance anxiety since I was a kid and it’s been more evident in my last few fights. I need to get past this. We’ve been training differently and I’m feeling very confident about what’s to come.. I’m getting a different view from my coach, Brandon Montella.”

Baptiste and Clark are familiar with each other. In fact, they split a pair of amateur matches. “Black Dragon” won a split decision in 2016, lost a unanimous decision in 2015.

“The last time I saw Ryan was in the amateurs,” Baptiste remembered. “He won the first, I won the second. It’s seven/eight years since we last met in the ring. I hope he’s been training during that time because I have been in the gym every day since we fought. I just need to perform. I hope he’s ready because I will.”

Last November in his most recent fight, also contested at the Vets Club, Baptiste lost a six-round majority decision to Tony Andreozzi for the Mass. state middleweight title.

?

“That fight was very disappointing,” Baptiste admitted. “He had a great game plan and executed it. I lost, he won; I’m moving forward. An impressive win will get me moving in my career, possibly getting me another shot at a big fight. It is for a title. I need to keep training hard and listen to my life coach and Brandon.”

“Julien is a great guy, and he has a TON of potential,” GCP president Chris Traietti commented. “Everyone who knows him agrees on both counts. He’s just been inconsistent with his in-ring performances. In all of his fights he shows his toughness and resilience, regardless of what is going in his head he never gives up and continues to give it hell. His losses speak for that, two split decision losses and a majority decision loss. We are all hoping 2023 is his year to win the mental battle going on in his head and perform to the level he is capable of. It is not too late at all for him to turn the ship around and it could be quite the opposite. Who doesn’t love a comeback story, especially when it involves one of the most personable, humble fighters you will ever meet.”

Also slated to fight on the “Fight Night at the Vets Club” are former New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Bad Man” Ohan, Jr. (17-2, 9 KOs), of Holbrook (MA), 2020 USA Boxing Elite National Champion Arika Skoog (1-0-1, 1 KO), of Roxbury (MA), unbeaten Lynn (MA).super middleweight James “Pitbull” Perkins (11-0-1, 8 KOs), and Scituate (MA) heavyweight Kevin Nagle (1-0,1 KO).  

Card subject to change.

Tickets are priced at $60.00 (floor seats), $40.00 (standing room only), and $400.00 for ringside tables of 4 are available for purchase at https://granite-chin-promotions.ticketleap.com.

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

QUINCY, Mass. (April 24, 2023) – Granite Chin Promotions (GCP) returns to the Bridgewater Veterans Club on Saturday night, June 10^th, with “”Fight Night at the Vets Club” in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

The six-round main event pits former Massachusetts Middleweight title challenger Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste (4-3, 2 KOs), of Woburn (MA), against Ryan Thomas Clark (2-3, 1 KO), of Barrington (NH), in an old-fashioned New England rivalry match.

Baptiste and Clark split a pair of amateur matches: “Black Dragon” won a split decision in 2016, lost a unanimous decision in 2015.

In his most recent pro fight, Baptiste lost a six-round majority decision, also contested at the Vets Club, to Tony Andreozzi for the state title. Clark’s most notable pro victory was a six-round unanimous decision over Kris Jacobs.

“We are excited to be returning to the Bridgewater Vets Club,” GCP president Chris Traietti said. “It is a great venue to host local boxing and this card will be highly competitive from top to bottom. Julien and Ryan have taken on all comers in New England and this fight has all the makings of getting the crowd on its feet. In his last fight, Julien and Tony (Andreozzi) put on one of the best local slugfests of 2022 and June 10^th won’t be any different.”

Also slated to fight on the “Fight Night at the Vets Club” are former New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Bad Man” Ohan, Jr. (17-2, 9 KOs), of Holbrook (MA), 2020 USA Boxing Elite National Champion Arika Skoog (1-0-1, 1 KO), of Roxbury (MA), unbeaten Lynn (MA).super middleweight James “Pitbull” Perkins (11-0-1, 8 KOs), and Scituate (MA) heavyweight Kevin Nagle (1-0,1 KO).  Their opponents will soon be announced.

Card subject to change.

Tickets are priced at $60.00 (floor seats), $40.00 (standing room only), and $400.00 for ringside tables of 4 are available for purchase at https://granite-chin-promotions.ticketleap.com.

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

QUINCY, Mass. (October 20, 2022) – There are legitimate reports that the Thanksgiving Eve (Nov. 23) main event has bad blood brewing between the camps, largely because  Anthony “The Gentle Savage” Andreozzi resents how one of Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste‘s coaches harassed him after he was forced to pull out of their originally schedule fight last August due to illness.

The two fighters were originally slated to fight for the vacant Massachusetts Middleweight Championship, but Andreozzi was too ill to fight, but their match will now headline “Jimmy Farrell Fight Night”, presented by Granite Chin Promotions, at Bridgewater Veterans Club in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

Granite Chin’s Pro-Am card will honor the late Farrell, the highly respected trainer from Quincy (MA), who recently passed away after a long battle with cancer. A share of the proceeds will be donated to Old Colony Hospice.

Andreozzi (3-2, 1 KO) has been training for this fight since May. He’s so serious that he quit his job in order to have additional time to train. “Moving the fight date didn’t disrupt my training,” Andreozzi explained. “My medical issue disrupted our fight. I was throwing up before I got there (venue). I have a delicate stomach and that resulted in an infection in my lower stomach, causing a volatile scenario. . I have a form of colitis and have dealt with it my whole life. I took more medication but kept throwing up. I took 4 different medications. The combination of cutting weights – only 3-4 pounds of water the day of the fight – and taking antibiotics gave me stomach poisoning. The doctor said it was a ‘perfect storm.’ I learned my lesson and that won’t happen again.

“I was thrown a curveball, but I’m used to that. His coach said some horrible stuff to me while I was still puking-up blood in the parking lot. There’s bad energy here. That gave me motivation to train 2 or 3 times a day. I started boxing two years ago on the B side. No amateur background and now I’m fighting for the state title. I want to let him (Baptiste’s coach) know that I’m not scared and shouldn’t have been talked about like that.”

Baptiste (4-2, 2 KOs), of Woburn (MA), has been training 8 weeks for this fight and he’s eager to go. He never questioned Andreozzi for pulling out of their originally scheduled fight.

“I’m ready to go,” Baptiste remarked. “I’ve trained longer and gotten stronger to prove I’m better than him. We were set to fight, but right before it, he wasn’t well. He was throwing up. I’ve never had anything like that happen in the pros. It did happen before in the amateurs. That was my first experience as a pro. I took it as a learning experience. I hope he’s well and there’s no animosity (on his end). I’m sure he’s trained hard for this fight like I have. I need to go into the ring and prove I’m better than him.”

“I am excited that this fight is finally happening in November,” Granite Chin Promotions president Chris Traietti noted. “What happened to Anthony was unfortunate. When I saw him outside the venue, I knew there was no way he was fighting. He was trying to wait it out to see if his stomach pain passed, but I told him he would have to report to the ringside doctor and get cleared before I would consider letting the fight happen. I remember breaking the news to Julien and I had an awful pit in my stomach. I sincerely just felt horrible for both guys for different reasons. But that is in the past, Thanksgiving Eve the fans in Bridgewater are in for a great night of boxing. The main event won’t be short of action and there is going to be a new Massachusetts Middleweight Champion crowned.”

In the 4-round co-feature, Atlanta light heavyweight James “Savage” Hagler, Jr. (3-1, 1 KO), the grandson of the late, great Marvelous Marvin Hagler, takes on entertaining New York light heavyweight Scott “Bombz” Lampert (3-6, 2 KOs).

Fighting on the pro undercard in 4-round bouts is Brockton heavyweight Kirk Wilmont (1-0, 1 KOs) vs. Aquilla Prote (0-1), and Brockton pro-debuting junior welterweight Stephen Davis meets an opponent to be determined.

Additional pro matches, as well as the amateur portion of the card, will soon be announced.

Card subject to change.

Tickets are priced at $60.00 (floor seats), $40.00 (standing room only), and $400.00 for ringside tables of 4 are available for purchase at  https://granite-chin-promotions.ticketleap.com.

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

INFORMATION:  

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Twitter: @Granite_Chin

QUINCY, Mass. (July 19, 2022) – In a crossroads fight that will determine the future careers of the participants, Anthony “The Gentle Savage” Andreozzi and Julien “The Black Dragon” Baptiste will fight August 6th in the 6-round. co-featured event on “The Next Chapter,” presented by Granite Chin Promotions, at Bridgewater Veterans Club in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

At stake will be the vacant Massachusetts Middleweight Championship, as well as bragging rights for the eventual victor.

Andreozzi (3-2, 1 KO), fighting out of Swansea (MA), is excited about the opportunity to fight for a title belt at this early stage of his pro career.

“Fighting for a title is surreal,” Andreozzi said. “This time two years ago, I had little more than a few BoxFit classes under my belt, and to get here from there in this time frame has been a wild ride. This win could be a huge launching point for my career. I didn’t follow the traditional path most fighters take. I don’t have the years of Golden Gloves or any amateur experience, nor do I pick and choose my opponents. Coach and I had the same mindset since my pro debut. It won’t be easy but, 10 toes in and punch our way through the rankings. This title will open doors for me to be on my way.

“I’ve seen Baptiste fight a few times. He’s a clean boxer with a strong physical presence. He can throw his hands and move his head well. But in the shows I’ve seen him get beat up by welterweights, one of whom is my teammate. Styles make fights is always a big talking point in our camp. My style is very fluid. I don’t stick to one stance, guard, mindset, or anything for that matter. Julien is a more traditional boxer. He has a nice rhythm and smooth strikes. I always say my first goal is to take their strengths and nullify them, followed by exposing and then capitalizing on their weaknesses. I like to play a lot of head games in the ring and set traps.

“We’d all like to say we’re going to knock him out, but he’s a big guy for this weight class, and I’m not even in this weight class. So, I’m not looking to waste my energy knocking him out. I think it will be a competitive fight the first few rounds, followed by me taking over the last four and torturing him for a decision win. If I clip him along the way that’s great, but I’m not chasing it.”

Baptiste (4-2, 2 KOs), of Woburn (MA), understands the implications of this fight regarding his immediate future.

“This is just another day at the gym, another win under my belt,” the 33-year-old Baptiste said. “It can change the outcome of my career, what will come out of it in the end. I’ve been doing everything right. In my life. I’ve sacrificed and I’m in great health. It’s my time!

“I know my opponent is tough. I didn’t watch him fight on the cards we were both on. I heard he presses to get the action started. We’ll see what August 6th brings. I’ll know what adjustments are needed to make to capitalize on his weaknesses once we’re in the ring. I’m not going to rush to put pressure on him for a quick knockout. I’ll do what I have to do to win,”

“This is a great local matchup that will provide non-stop action,” Granite Chin president Chris Traietti commented. “Both guys have contrasting styles, and both are in a crossroads situation. The winner of this will be on a major undercard by year’s end, the other will have to rebuild locally for a bit. I am proud of both guys for stepping up and taking this fight.”

Former New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Bad Man” Ohan, Jr., fighting out of nearby Holbrook (MA), takes on Argentinian junior welterweight Jonathan “Yoni” Ariel Sosa (7-13-2, 4 KOs) in the 10-round main event.

There’s another Massachusetts title fight on tap as Raphael Torres (2-0, 2 KOs), of Framingham (MA), and Fall River’s (MA) Jonathan Gruber (3-1, 2 KOs) battle for the vacant Massachusetts Cruiserweight Championship in a 6-round bout.

New Bedford (MA) light heavyweight prospect Edet “Papito” Mkpanam (7-0, 6 KOs), the 2018 New England Golden Gloves runner-up, meets veteran Texas fighter Larry “Slo Mo” Smith (13-50-2, 9 KOs) a 6-rounder.

Promising Brockton (MA) welterweight David “The Blessed One” Ribeiro (1-0, 1 KO) meets 71-fight veteran DeWayne Wisdom in a 4-round match. The 25-year-old Ribeiro was a decorated amateur who captured a gold medal at the 2020 New England Golden Gloves Championships.

Also slated to fight in a 4-round bout is Methuen (MA) junior middleweight Luke Iannuccilli (2-0, 2 KOs).

Card subject to change.

Tickets are available for purchase at GRANITE-CHIN-PROMOTIONS.TICKETLEAP.COM or www.ticketriver.com (Search: The Next Chapter) for $45.00 (standing room), $60.00 (floor seats), $80.00 (VIP stage seats) and $40.00 for a table of 4.

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

INFORMATION:

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Twitter: @Granite_Chin