New opponent for comebacking 3-time, 2-division world champion Jose Antonio Rivera
WORCESTER, Mass. (August 15, 2018) – Three-time, two-division world
champion *”El Gallo” Jose Rivera* has a new opponent for his comeback fight
this Friday night in “Homecoming”, presented by Granite Chin Promotions
(GCP) in association with Rivera Promotions Entertainment (RPE), at The
Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.
The 45-year-old *Rivera* (41-6-1, 24 KOs), who was matched against *Ruben
“Modern Day Warrior” Galvan*, didn’t find out until yesterday (Tuesday)
that Galvan had broken a finger the night before. Texas veteran *Larry
“Slomoshun” Smith* (10-37-1, 7 KOs) is the late replacement for Rivera in
the eight-round main event.
“I am not a fan of late changes,” Rivera said, “but at this point it’s
either that or no fight, and I’ve trained too hard not to fight.”
Rivera last fought in 2011, taking an eight-round decision over *Paul
Mpendo*, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut.
The name of the event is “Homecoming” because five fighters in action are
from Worcester, including three who’ve never fought there before as
professionals.
Super middleweight *Kendrick Ball, Jr*. (9-1-2, 6 KOs) and junior
middleweight *Khiary Gray*(15-4, 11 KOs), both promoted by CES Boxing, will
be fighting at home in Worcester as pros for the first time in a pair of
six-round bouts. Ball faces Mexican Fabian “El Lobo” Valdez (2-3) in the
co-featured event, while Gray (15-4, 11 KOs) faces *Antonio Chaves
Fernandez* (9-33, 4 KOs), of Brockton, MA, in a rematch of a fight won by
Gray.
Also scheduled to fight on the undercard in four-round bouts are
Southbridge, MA welterweight *Wilfredo “El Sucaro” Pagan* (4-0, 2 KOs)
vs. *Engelberto
“Guarura” Valenzuela* (11-14, 3 KOs), Springfield’s (MA) pro-debuting
featherweight *Joshua Orta *vs. Worcester’s *Edwin Rosado* (1-7-1, 1 KO),
Worcester’s pro-debuting welterweight *Eslih Owusu*.vs. *Bryan “The Brick”
Abraham* (6-30-2, 6 KOs) and Springfield, MA welterweight *Jose Angel “KO”
Ortiz *(4-13-1, 1 KO) vs. Somerville’s (MA) *Patrick Leal* (0-4).
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $75.00 (ringside) and $45.00 (general admission), are on
sale and available to purchase at www.ThePalladium.net
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or
the Palladium box office (general admission only), or by contacting Jose
Rivera (elgallojar@gmail.com/508.864.6954), AJ Rivera (
anthoneerivera@gmail.com/774.272.2269) or any of the fighters.
Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first bout 7 p.m. ET.
Event sponsors include Lundgren Honda, Elm Wealth Group, Atty. Maria M.
Rivera-Cotto, Championsofhealth.USANA.com
<championsofhealth.usana.com/>, Chieftain Liquors, Centro Las
America, Baystate Savings Bank, Pamela Laporte Realty, Worcester Vocero,
ChrisFIT Xperience and Grille 57 (hosting the official weigh in and after
party).
A portion of the proceeds will go to Spina Bifida Association of Greater
New England.
