By James Slater: “Real-Life Rocky” Vinny Maddalone, 34-7(25) will fight for the first time in almost seven months on May 2nd , as promoter Joe DeGuardia hosts another show at Russo’s on the beach in New York. Maddalone, now aged 38, will go in against experienced journeyman Chris Koval.
29-year-old Koval, known as “Special K” and sporting a 25-8(18) ledger, last fought in November of last year, and he has lost five of his last seven. The 6’2” heavy whose weight has fluctuated over the years (he weighed just 229 for his last bout, a four-round points loss, yet he scaled 277 for his 2007 TKO loss to Tye Fields) won his first eleven fights upon turning pro, but a number of KO defeats soon saw his unbeaten record take a pounding. Loser of six out of his last eight fights, Koval has been stopped six times in all (by Thomas Hayes, Shannon Briggs, Fields, Skyler Anderson, Bowie Tupou and Travis Kauffman.)
Maddalone will look to get a keep-busy win, as he hopes to land another big fight later in the year. Having been in with everyone from Evander Holyfield to Jean Marc Mormeck, and Denis Boytsov to Tomasz Adamek, the big win has thus far eluded the likeable slugger from Queens. Still, win lose or draw (actually, Vinny has never boxed to a draw!), the fans always know they will get one thing when Maddalone rumbles: action.
Last time out, back in October of 2011, Vinny belted out a quick, 1st-round win over Mike Sheppard. In light of how many times Koval has been stopped, I think Maddalone may well have himself another relatively early night on May 2nd.
Also on the card will be light-welterweights Mike Arnaoutis against Broderick Antoine, in a scheduled eight-rounder. It will be the heavyweight fight that gets the most fan attention though. Set for ten-rounds, I can see Maddalone pounding out a win well before the halfway stage. Then, maybe, Vinny will get another shot at a big name. On numerous occasions, when he’s been kind enough to grant me an interview, the New Yorker has said it is one if his goals before he retires to box in England. I don’t know about you, but I’d still really like to see Maddalone test the mettle of a certain Tyson Fury.