LaMontagne fights for world title at alma mater
“Homecoming” Feb. 22 in Everett, Mass
06.02 - PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Model. Actor. Philanthropist. Professional boxer Richie “The Mountain” LaMontagne is all of the above. He been the feature model in several high-profile advertising campaigns, acted alongside Robert DeNiro in the movie, Flawless, and his KO Foundation has battled autism for several years. More than anything, though, he wants to be a world champion.
The tall, dark 33-year-old with the Hollywood looks squares-off Saturday afternoon, February 22 against former world cruiserweight champion Uriah “Bossman” Grant for the vacant International Boxing Union world cruiserweight title in the 12-round main event on the “Homecoming” boxing card.
The “Homecoming” is promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, in association with Mohegan Sun, and will be held at LaMontagne’s alma mater, Everett High School, in Massachusetts.
“My modeling and acting has been put on hold,” LaMontagne said. “I’m focusing 100-percent on boxing right now. I’ll have some time to dabble in other things after I win a world title. This is a very important fight to me because I’ll be fighting in my hometown for a world title. Most of my Everett fans haven’t seen me fight live because they haven’t been able to travel. They’re going to love this show. I’m going to turn on a lot of people to boxing.”
Now ranked No. 9 by the World Boxing Council, LaMontange (27-4-1, 22 KOs) has won his last five fights, eight of nine, and his 11th round knockout of former U.S. Olympian Michael Bennett in his last fight (Aug. 2) was one of the top KOs of 2002.
“We’re excited about bringing this fight to Everett,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield added. “I’ve never heard of an athlete in any sport returning to his old high school for a world championship match. We also have a great co-feature (Tim Flamos-Roy Payne), one of the top women fighters in the world (Jaime Clampitt), the best amateur I’d seen in 20 years (Josh Beeman), an up-and-coming Latino prospect (Angel Torres), a former NFL player (Jevon Langford) fighting as a heavyweight in a championship football city like Everett, and a bout between two young fighters (Bobo Starino-Bobby McAndrews) who really want to fight each other.”
Massachusetts cruiserweight champion Tim “The Hammer” Flamos (16-2-1, 7 KOs), a licensed carpenter from Brockton (MA), faces Worcester’s Roy “House of” Payne (15-11-4, 6 KOs), in the 10-round co-feature for Flamos’ Mass. and the vacant EBA cruiserweight titles. Flamos and Payne are rated No. 14 and No. 15, respectively, by the NABA.
The undercard features Providence (RI) super lightweight “Steamin’” Josh Beeman (1-0), the 2000 Eastern Olympic Trials gold medallist; four-time Puerto Rican national amateur champion and featherweight prospect, Angel “Gee Roc” Torres (10-2, 4 KOs), of Manchester (CT); unbeaten heavyweight and former Cincinnati Bengals’ pro football player, Las Vegas-based Jevon “J Roc” Langford (4-0, 4 KOs), great grandson of Boxing Hall of Fame heavyweight legend Sam Langford; middleweight Bobo Starnino (2-0), of Providence, against Worcester’s Bobby McAndrews (1-1-1, 1 KO). Also in a special attraction female bout is two-time national amateur champion and the world’s No. 3 rated female fighter, Narragansett (RI) super lightweight Jaime Clampitt (9-2, 2 KOs).
All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
Ticket prices are $100.00 (limited) Platinum, $50.00 Gold (rows 1-4), $30.00 Silver (rows 5-8), and $15.00 bleacher seating/general admission. Tickets are on sale in Everett at Everett Sporting Goods (617.387.6530), and American Nutrition Center (617.394.0678), Everett Advocate (617.387.2200) and Boston Harley Davidson (617.389.8888), as well as World Gym in Somerville. Call CES to order tickets or for more information at 401.724.2253/401.724.2254 or its Mass. Office at 617.567.1705. Doors open at 2 p.m, first bout at 3 p.m.
