LaMontagne’s “Homecoming” KO’d - Cut forces cancellation of Feb. 22nd fight in Everett

14.02 - PROVIDENCE, R.I. – World cruiserweight contender Richie “The Mountain” LaMontagne suffered a serious cut over his eye last night in a sparring session, forcing the cancellation of the February 22nd “Homecoming,” scheduled at LaMontagne’s alma mater, Everett High School (MA).

LaMontagne was slated to battle Uriah Grant in the 12-round main event for the vacant IBU world cruiserweight title. At last night’s workout in Brockton, LaMontagne’s sparring partner unintentionally butted Richie above the eye, opening a cut that required four stitches. LaMontagne cannot spar for a minimum of one month.

“I feel terrible,” a devastated LaMontagne said. “I worked so hard for a world title fight at my old high school. How many athletes ever have that opportunity? I never cut, either. My sparring partner came off the ropes and boom; I was cut over the eye. I got stitched up at the hospital and the doctor said I’d be as good as new, but not for at least three or four weeks.”

Promoter Jimmy Burchfield is exploring options to have most of the other boxers on the card fighting in a few weeks on another show at a different site in the Boston area. “We’re all upset, none more than Richie,” Burchfield explained. “The reason for putting on the fight in Everett was having Richie in the main event. But, unfortunately, things like this happen in boxing. Without him on the card it doesn’t make sense having the fight in Everett. We had to cancel. Most of the other boxers have been training five or six weeks and I’m looking into putting on another show in a few weeks. We can move the co-feature up to the main event because (Tim) Flamos (Mass. state cruiserweight champion) against (Roy) Payne for the EBA and Mass. titles is a great fight.”