McBride another gem for Petronelli
06.03 - It was a Tuesday night and the gym on Petronelli Way is loaded with men and women with a dream. It was not long ago when a young Marvin Hagler walked into the same gym and would later make history by becoming the undisputed middleweight champion of the world.
Hundreds of fighters have followed Hagler into this gym where Goody Petronelli still clings to the dream of catching lightning in a bottle. Hundreds have followed, but none has reached Hagler's pinnacle. Petronelli has trained other champions Robbie Sims, Drake Thadzi and Steve Collins but none have reached Hagler's impact.
Kevin McBride is the latest such hopeful in Petronelli's stable, although McBride's heritage and boxing pedigree are much different from Petronelli's most famous student. Like Hagler, who two decades ago climbed the 39 stairs leading up to Petronelli Gym and found stardom, McBride has the same dream --- to be a champion, more than the IBC American Heavyweight championship McBride currently holds.
"If I didn't think this kid could be a champion, I wouldn't be wasting my time." said Petronelli. "He is the real deal. "He has the size (6-6, 260 pounds) and good quickness but more than anything I can see the fire in his eyes."
McBride will turn the Roxy into an Irish party on March 17 as the IBC American Heavyweight champion McBride will defend his title for the first time since winning the title last October. McBride will fight Najee Shaheed, who is no stranger to fighting title contenders and has his own aspirations. Shaheed's career highlight came in 1999 when he went nine-rounds with heavyweight title contender Henry Akinwande. Shaheed brings an 18-4-1 record into the McBride fight.
The McBride fight is the headline bout of the MSFNE fight card presented in conjunction with Cappiello Productions, the Mohegan Sun, the Holiday Inn Metro South Brockton and Guinness. There will be a neighborhood brawl at the Roxy on St. Patrick's Day as South Boston natives Jimmy "The Dream" LeBlanc fights Kevin "Cocky" Watts in a Massachusetts state eliminator bout. The winner of this fight will fight current New England Jeff "Hellraza" Fraza in May for both the Massachusetts and New England belts. Fraza will also be on the St. Patrick's Day card as he has an eight-round battle against Eugene Pratt.
There is another fight on the card with a strong Irish flavor as Pembroke native Ed McAlone fights Martin Moore of Ireland. Other fights on the card include Brockton's Ian Gardner battling South Boston's Tommy Attardo and James Clancy of Brookline will go against Jose Colon of Lawrence. Sir William "Gladiator" Gibbs will also be on the card against a yet to be determined title.
Tickets are $60 for gold ringside, $40 for ringside and $30 for general admission. For information call 508 587-5554 or 508 587-3370 or check out the website at www.cappielloboxing.com
