25.10.06 – Undefeated Hartford, Connecticut junior-featherweight Mike “Machine” Oliver (16-0, 7 KO’s) challenges for the vacant USBA title Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun Casino, when he squares off against California’s Adam Carrera (18-1, 8 KO’s) in the evening’s main event. For Oliver, who first entered a Hartford boxing gym at the tender age of 5, Saturday night is the next big step in his ultimate quest to becoming a world champion. “When I beat Carrera Saturday night, I’m bringing the USBA title to Hartford, my hometown!
Then I want to fight for the world title right here in Hartford, right in front of my people. I’m not overlooking this fight, but my lifelong goal has been to win a world title. When I do that, I want to have that belt wrapped around my waist for all the people of Hartford to see,” states Oliver!
Oliver’s bout with Carrera is one of the biggest fights for a Hartford fighter in recent history, and promoter Rich Cappiello (President – Cappiello Promotions) wants to be certain that everyone is aware of the magnitude of Saturday’s bout. ” “This is an enormous fight,” states Cappiello! “You have the #3 and #4 ranked fighters in the USBA taking each other on, and the #1 and #2 spots are vacant, as is the title. So, you basically have the two best junior featherweights in the country fighting for the USBA title, and one of them is from right here in Hartford. With a win Saturday, Mike may soon be fighting for a world title. Hartford may soon have one of the world’s best fighters right in their own back-yard!”
Carrera, a native of Cathedral City, California enters the evening riding an eight fight win streak, to include NABF and WBC Fecarbox titles, and an eight round shut out win over Angel Mata to avenge the only loss on his professional record. He has an impressive professional record (18-1, 8 KO’s), which has earned him his #3 ranking by the USBA. “Carrera is definitely going to be Mike’s toughest opponent of his career, thus far, ” Cappiello states. ” Carrera can flat out fight, but, this is what Mike Oliver was born to do. He’s a fighter, that’s all there is to it! He’s a quiet young man, but he definitely does his talking in the ring. He’s dynamic! He’s one of the most exciting fighters to watch, he’s all action, and Saturday night he’s going to show everyone why he deserves a world title shot!”
Oliver honed his boxing skills during a stellar amateur career which consisted of over 300 fights, to include a trip to the national finals in the Police Athletic League tournament, a feat only three other Connecticut natives have accomplished. It was during that amatuer career that Oliver first got a glimpse of his upcoming opponent. “I saw Carrera back in 1996, in a national tournament. He actually fought a friend of mine, but I was a little bit heavier than him back then. From what I remember he fights a lot like Castulo Gonzalez, who I beat back in February.”
Since turning professional in 2001, the southpaw Oliver quickly became one of New England’s brightest boxing prospects, and in an effort to further his advance in the professional ranks, Oliver linked up with Hartford’s own John Scully.
Scully, a former world title challenger in the light heavyweight division, is quickly becoming one of the sports best trainers, and most recently coached Worcester, Massachusetts’ Jose Rivera to the WBA junior middleweight title. Though the two only began working together full-time in January, Scully has worked with Mike numerous times during his amateur career. “I’ve known Mike since he was about four years old,” states Scully. “I worked on and off with him during national tournaments, and I think that’s really made us working together very easy. I’ve known Mike a long time, and I just know what to do to motivate him. I know what buttons to push to give him the drive to work harder.”
When Oliver began looking to team up with a new trainer, he says the decision was a rather simple one. ” I’m very glad to be with Scully. I’ve seen a lot of changes, in the time we’ve been together. Scully coached me all the way to the national finals as an amateur, and he is the type of trainer who really pays a lot of attention to his fighters.”
Both Scully and Oliver believe the bond that they’ve developed over the years has played an intricate role in their ability to click together, and the changes Scully has seen in that once young child have given him a more than favorable impression on his potential. “Just in the short time we’ve been together, I’ve been very impressed with Mike. He trains hard and picks up new things very fast. Mikey is very strong, and extremely fast! I don’t know if you could find a 122 pound fighter out there that is faster than Mike. Plus, he hits hard! If he continues to work hard, he’s a force to reckon with in the super bantamweight division.
Since his first fight with Scully working his corner(2-18-06), Oliver is 5-0 with 2 knockouts. His three other non-knockout victories all came via unanimous decisions.
Tickets to Saturday’s USBA headlined, ten-bout card are still available. For ticket information go to Ticketmaster.com or call 508-587-3370 or 860-886-0070, or go to www.cappielloboxing.com for more information on the event.
Mike Oliver
Professional Record:
16 Wins – 0 Losses – 7 KO’s
2006
9-23 W UD 6 Oscar De La Cruz Hartford, CT
7-27 W UD 6 Jose Hernandez Uncasville, CT
6-29 W UD 8 Julio Coronell Miami, FL
6-17 W TKO 8 Terry Lantz Uncasville, CT
2-18 W TKO 9 Castulo Gonzalez Uncasville, CT
2005
12-10 W UD 4 Gilberto Bolanos Uncasville, CT
11-18 W UD 6 Paulino Villalobos New Haven, CT
7-29 W TKO 7 Darby Smart Brockton, MA
7-08 W UD 4 Yamin Mohammad New Haven, CT
4-01 W UD 4 Dave Drouin Uncasville, CT
2003
5-30 W TKO 5 Hassan Wasswa Mashantucket, CT
1-31 W TKO 1 Margaro Senquiz Atlantic City, NJ
2002
8-02 W TKO 3 DeMario Crittenden Mashantucket, CT
7-12 W TKO 1 Jhovany Collado Hampton Beach, NH
5-18 W UD 4 Dave Drouin Hartford, CT
2001
9-09 W SD 4 Jose Espinal Springfield, MA