Cappiello comes home this Saturday night
19.04 - BROCKTON ---- When he walks into the ring this coming Saturday night at the new Shaw's Convention Center, Rich Cappiello will finally feel like he has come home. It was seven years ago when Cappiello promoted his first boxing show. The show was in Brockton but the facility was not nearly as nice as the one where he will hold his next professional fight card.
"It was at the Brockton Armory," said Cappiello. "When I look back at it, I knew absolutely nothing about the boxing business. Everything I did was trial and error. I just winged it, I had watched others do it but I was still a rookie. It was fairly successful but when I look back at where I was and see what I am doing now, I have to laugh."
Cappiello, a well-known Brockton businessman, has found his true passion. The nephew of former heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano has become one of the nation's top fight promoters, using mainly New England talent which is not exactly a hotbed for boxing development. He has developed his own production company, Cappiello Promotions and has signed a deal with FoxSports New England to televise the Mohegan Sun Fight Night New England
The second of seven Mohegan Sun Fight Night New England Boxing series check this will take place on Saturday night as Peter Manfredo headlines the Cappiello card. The card also features Brockton middleweight Ian Gardner, a battle of Brockton middleweights featuring veteran Mike Culbert and Dave Hamilton and Taunton's Henry Rodrigues.
"The thing I like about dealing with Rich Cappiello is he is a no-nonsense type of guy," said well-known trainer Goody Petronelli. "With him 1+1=2, that isn't always the case with a lot of promoters. He is a guy you can reason with. He's a businessman and because of that he is always looking to get ahead, that is the nature of the business. But he will never sacrifice the well-being of a fighter to make a buck."
Cappiello has never far away from the business of boxing despite his other business interests. His brother, Mike, was one of New England's top professional boxers whose career extended over a decade. Cappiello saw his brother had a relatively successful career but had little financially to show for it.
The brothers decided nine years ago as Mike's professional career was winding down to stay in the game. Rich and Mike Cappiello decided to open Cappiello's Gym and dedicated it to the memory of their uncle.
Now, Cappiello is one of the more active boxing promoters in the nation. He returns to Brockton on Saturday with the second of seven Mohegan Fight Night New England cards in 2003. The main event will feature Rhode Island's Peter Manfredo who at 16-0 with seven knockouts is one of the fastest rising stars in boxing. Manfredo will fight veteran Ronnie Johnson of Fayetville, Arkansas who has 19 wins including 11 knockouts in his career.
There will be a strong hometown flavor to the Cappiello Promotions fight card. Ian Gardner, named Rookie of the Year by one boxing publication, will take his 10-1 record into the ring against Michael McFail. Gardner has been in impressive in his last two fights including an eight-round decision over former Brazilian champion Luis Dos Santos 72 hours after knocking out Joe Lorenzi at the first Cappiello Promotions Mohegan Sun Fight Night New England card on St. Patrick's Day.
The pride of Brockton will be on the line when Dave Hamilton (15-10-1) will battle veteran Mike Culbert (26-4-1). Culbert is a former Massachusetts middleweight champion and both fighters have fought often in the gym, this time it will be for real. Two other fighters will be making their professional debut as Eric Pinrretta of New Bedford will fight Wayne Johnson of Somerville. Taunton's Harold Rodrigues will also be on the card.
The doors open at 6 p.m. on April 26 and the first fight is scheduled for &:30. Ticket prices are $75 for gold ringside, $50 for ringside and $30 for general admission. For ticket information, call 508 587-5554 or 508 587-3370 or check out the website at www.cappielloboxing.com
