Gary “Tiger” Balletto gets another ESPN2 shot May 30
14.05 - PROVIDENCE, R.I. – IBU world lightweight champion Gary “Tiger” Balletto (27-1-2, 24 KOs) gets a rare chance for full redemption May 30 when he fights Frank Houghtaling (17-8-5, 4 KOs) in the ESPN2 Friday Night Fights 10-round co-feature at Foxwoods Resort Casino.
In his only other nationally televised match, Balletto suffered his first and only loss as a pro October 25 2002 -- on ESPN2 and at Foxwoods – via a 10-round decision to Michael Clark.
“This fight is special because it’s on national television and at Foxwoods,” Balletto said. “If I lose two nationally televised fights, I should start doing something outside of this sport. I’ve been working at improving my style, using my jab more to control the ring and set-up my opponent. I used to be just a brawler. I’m gaining experience and improving with every fight. I’m not where I want to be, yet.”
Houghtaling, fighting out of Albany, is the reigning IBC Americas light welterweight champion. He holds a victory against former world champions Livingstone Bramble and went the distance in a loss to ex-WBA light welterweight champion Sharmba Mitchell.
“Houghtaling’s a fighter,” Balletto noted. “He punches all 10 rounds and this is going to be an exciting fight. The only guys who’ve been a problem for me, though, have been boxers.”
Gary rebounded from his lone loss three months later with an impressive second-round knockout of former world champion Juan Polo Perez. In his last match, March 21 at Foxwoods and broadcast on New England Sports Network, Balletto captured the IBU world lightweight championship with an electrifying performance against Johnny Walker “Black.” Gary applied pressure from the opening bell and Walker didn’t have an answer for Balletto’s relentless attack. Using punishing body punches, Gary forced his opponent to the ropes where a barrage of powerful punches knocked Walker out of the ring and onto the announcer’s table – practically in former five-time world champion Vinny Paz’ lap -- at 2:49 of the opening round.
“This is the most important fight of Gary’s career,” his promoter Jimmy Burchfield explained. “He’s coming off two smashing wins, the last earning him the IBU world lightweight title, but the last time he fought on national television was the loss to Clark. I believe ‘Tiger’ Balletto is the hardest hitting lightweight in the world today. He’ll have an opportunity to show that to a national audience May 30.”
Balletto, who turns 28 this Friday, is rated No. 9 by the NABF, No. 15 in the NABA and NABO. Kurt Reader is his head trainer.
Neither Balletto’s IBU nor Houghtaling’s IBC Americas belts are on the line in their non-title match. The May 30th main event pits Kasim Ouma (16-1-2, 11 KOs), of West Palm Beach, against Angel Hernandez (25-3-1, 6 KOs), of Chicago, in the IBF eliminator and for the USBA title.
