Boxing
Ian Gardner takes center stage

23.07 - BROCKTON --- The rumblings have already begun. It started first in this city where boxing was once king. It is now starting to spread throughout the New England region. It is only a matter of time before the story of Ian Gardner becomes a national or even international story.

The next chapter in the Gardner ascension in the middleweight division will be Saturday, August 9 at the Brockton Fairgrounds as Cappiello Productions returns with its fourth Mohegan Sun FightNight New England card of the season. Gardner will be fighting Kevin Hadden and while Gardner refuses to look beyond this fight, the buzz is out.

There is a proud boxing tradition in this city termed "The City of Champions". Gardner is looking to become part of that tradition and those who know a thing or two about Brockton boxing think he has a very good chance to do so.

"He has all the tools," said well-known boxing trainer Goody Petronelli who trained Marvelous Marvin Hagler and who is now in Gardner's corner. "He has a huge future ahead of him. He is climbing the ladder faster than most of us expected he would but make no mistake, he has the talent to make a statement very soon."

Gardner, who was voted as the New England Boxing Rookie of the Year in 2002 by one New England boxing publication, has the same trainer as Marvelous Marvin Hagler and has some of the same mannerisms. He has yet to reach Hagler's lofty status yet but the man who would know best thinks Gardner has what it takes to climb in the middleweight division.

Gardner has a sparkling 13-1 record and his most impressive effort to date was
March when he beat Brazilian champion Luis Dos Santos. Gardner's opponent in that fight was a favorite and had won 15 of his 17 professional bouts by knockout. Gardner controlled the fight from the beginning and won all eight rounds on all three judge's scorecards to pick up his 10th career win. He has added three wins to the total since.

The fight card at the Fairgrounds in Brockton on August 9 promises to be an exciting one for boxing fans and those who are just acquiring a taste for the sweet science. IBC American heavyweight champion Kevin McBride returns to the ring for the first time since St. Patrick's Day against a yet to be named fighter. There will also be two Brockton area grudge matches as heavyweight Danny Sheehan will battle Randolph's Billy Mofford and supermiddleweight Mike Culbert of Brockton will give Dave Hamilton of Hanson one more chance at revenge. Culbert, former Massachusetts title holder, beat Hamilton six years ago and the Hanson supermiddleweight has been waiting since for his chance at redemption.

Other local fighters on the card include Melvin Cumba of Brockton, Jimmy LeBlanc of South Boston, and Willie Gibbs of Brockton.

The doors open at 6 p.m. on August 9 and the first fight is scheduled for 7:30. Ticket prices are $75 for gold ringside, $40 for ringside and $30 for general admission. The price of the ticket for anyone under the age of 14 is $10. There will also be a festival-type atmosphere at the Fairgrounds. Details on the entertainment beside boxing is forthcoming. For ticket information, call 508 587-5554 or 508 587-3370 or check out the website at www.cappielloboxing.com

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