Since August 14th, I have been waiting to witness the next Rivera Promotion's Entertainment Event. New England's Future 7 was my first ever boxing event. I can't explain how this all happened but it's no coincidence and I'm officially in love with the sport. People say eventually it just comes to you and it has. This sport, man. My whole life I've been dawned as sensitive because I care a bit too much, believe a bit too much. Square peg in a round hole. The boxing family is probably where I belonged my entire life. I understand them all. I understand why they fight. I understand the hardships, the relationships. I've always respected dedication. I've always respected people that believe. I've always respected people that would give their all to get their family's back, where family isn't always blood. And even more so when it is. The stories, the plights, the failure, the success. All of it. On every piece of Shamrock Sports marketing, we make sure we emphasize Heart, Respect, Loyalty. The Boxing Family is the mecca of all three. Last night in Webster, Ma at the town hall, all of that and more were on display. Check the full vid here.
The headline picture that I used was no accident. The story of Oscar Bonilla caught my heart the minute I researched it. I reached out to have him on the podcast last week. The story itself really got to me but when I got to know this kid, just fucking wow. Humble. Respect. Loyalty. I got a real soft spot for warriors that keep it to themselves. This kid has fought a war in his head no doubt since July when his brother was tragically murdered. Kevan Bonilla. Olympic hopeful with a big brother he looked up to in the boxing game. First thing everyone thinks when they hear Bridgeport is gang activity, drugs, but this wasn't the case. Sound familiar Worcester? I watched Oscar's interviews from earlier in his career and it stuck out in my head that he mention pre fight in 2015/16 that his little brother looked up to him, and that he does this for his family. That was pre-tragedy. So for someone who had to experience the tragedy him and his family have with that mindset, I can't gauge the respect I have for what he did last night. It's so easy to quit, to slow down, shut down...Oscar Bonilla's heart said no, we go now. He chose to keep being the role model Kevan looked up to. that's about as real as it get's. Sometimes a boxing match isn't about winning or losing, it's a different agenda sometimes just to make it to that ring. Oscar took home a phenomenal win last night, but it was much, much more than that. His crowd was loud and proud and filled with emotion. Much respect to the woman in the balcony that held Kevan's tribute poster from bell ring to bell ring without that thing moving. I always pay attention to small details and that was flat out amazing. I tell you guy's all the time that money doesn't mean a thing. Honored to be a part of that last night, and I want to thank and offer respect and condolences to the Bonilla Family. Looking forward to Oscar's Journey! (R.I.P. Kevan Bonilla!)
(R.I.P. Kevan Bonilla!)
On an extremely emotional night, we knew the ending we were already waiting for. Anyone who watched the first Pagan/Marrero match knew what we were in for. Those that heard about it, know what we were talking about now if they watched the rematch last night. Wilfredo "El Sucaro Jr" Pagan vs Carlos "Talented" Marrero. The first 6 round slugfest back in August left the crowd stunned. Controversial draw decision. New England Fight Of The Year candidate...Shamrock Sports dubbed this fight a continuation. It was basically Round 7-12 continued from the first bout. Absolute slugfest. Check the full fight vid here. https://youtu.be/h1hYRWD_fmU
We have been very close to this fight. We had all the main players for this fight on BeanTown Boxing Banter and Bullshit to keep the wheels spinning for this rematch. TeamMarrero manager Nate Torres has done a phenomenal job with Carlos. Carlos is and will be a great boxer. He has all the tools. He has all the heart. The story is the age gap here. Wilfredo Pagan showed up last night in marathon shape. He managed the fight very well, defended very well, countered extremely well. I do believe the only gap in this fight was experience. Wilfredo Pagan is a different animal. Not just in boxing but in life. The man puts his entire soul into everything he does. He is the epitome of competitor. Shamrock Sports 508 predicted a Pagan win on the the knowledge that you may have to kill him to win. It turned out to be another draw which we are fine with. Kudos to both of you. Amazing once again. Best part of this is that on the last episode of BeanTown Boxing Banter and Bullshit, AJ Rivera said if it ended in a draw, he would be giving me the belt and naming me New England PodCast Champion! Well....
(COME GET SOME!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!)
The third fight of the night I wanted to touch on was a battle. Through researching Oscar, I came across Luis Rosa. This dude is an absolute legend and was a pleasure to meet him at that show and he agreed to sit and chat with Shamrock Sports in the near future. Luis has a stable of boxers right now that are no doubt, about to make some noise themselves in New England. Anuel Rosa came to the ring last night with a some serious power. At the weigh in these two blatantly were ready. AJ had to step between the two, but we knew at that point this would be a great fight. Team Rosa had a crowd man. It seemed at times the entire balcony section were all invested. Absolute slugfest and you could tell when these two were finished they gave it their all. Young Anuel backed up his confidence firing some haymakers that would have ended the night. With experience, I believe this kid is going to rattle some cages on his path.
(Luis Rosa and Anuel Rosa before the battle)
Bobby Harris III turned in a solid performance. His opponent just couldn't handle the the body blows and that was the theme for the early fights. Joey Edmonds is eventually going to hurt someone bad, so I'm not disappointed that he crushed his opponent again early And last last but not least is my guy TG Castro. Josniel's story is documented on Shamrock Sport's everything. Shout to Chuck Shearn's first of all for being a phenomenal human being, and getting TG's back for life. Chuck plays humble, but he has a giant heart and it's invested here for sure. Between him and the legendary Derik Santos, Kendrick Ball Sr, TG will no doubt in my mind be a World Champion one day. 8-0 and rolling baby. The work this kid has put into his craft is amazing and he will be rewarded eventually greatly. One of my favorite guys, heart of a Gorilla and overall an amazing success story. More than boxing with this team for sure. I hope this kid gets what he deserves and that is the absolute top.
(Gorilla Time in Webster! Congrats TG on another Victory!)
(Big Bobby and Little Bobby before the battle, the potential here is rocket ship)
(My guy Richie "Popeye The Sailorman" Rivera before the show looking sharp)
(Worcester Sports Journal, Tiff Williams and Jonathan Burgos)
So listen. Boxing is about to explode here in New England. The sport of boxing is making a comeback because the world needs to bring back heart, loyalty, courage in a positive way. Boxing is discipline that every human needs. I'm not saying it'd the only way but honestly, the world needs discipline and respect from an early age to survive. Football has always been my mindset because of the brotherhood and what the coaches instill in their player's last a lifetime. Boxing is identical. Recent times have shown us school shootings, and things we may be able to correct in humanity with discipline. These kids need a fair shot. Get your kids into something that will bring them discipline and allow them to learn the right way to comepete. With heart, sportsmanship, honor, loyalty...These coaches and programs are out there. You want your kids to turnout like one of these guys I've spotlighted tonight? Get them involved. We have all been touched by Covid by now one way or another..The world seems to be spinning backwards maybe? But when I attend these events, I see what it used to be like and I see how it should be. Shamrock Shout to all the coaches, trainers, fighters, that look beyond the almighty dollar and know what's important! Much thanks to everyone I have encountered along this journey and cannot ever put a price on what any of this means to me. #HEARTOVEREVERYTHING #508FOREVER #SHAMROCKSPORTS508
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