BOSTON (May 3, 2022) – Promising prospects Michael Fontanez and Anthony Cefalo will be making their professional debuts May on the “Mayhem at Mosley’s” card, presented by Vertex Promotions, Moseley’s On The Charles in Dedham.
Fontanez has fought at the national level as an amateur, while Cefalo experienced a more modest amateur career.
The 26-year-old Fontanez, fighting out of Nashua, NH, is a 2-time New England Golden Gloves Champion who has been nationally ranked in the top 10 for several years.
“My pro debut has been a long time coming,” Fontanez said. “This is the perfect time for me. I’ve been ready for two years, but I needed more experience and was chasing a national title before I was going pro. I was supposed to fight in last December’s USA Boxing National Championships, but I got COVID, and I took that as a sigh from God to go pro. Everything is good. No more waiting.”
Fontanez drives 45-minutes to an hour to training with Alex Rivera in Somerville (MA). The travel is simply part of the process for Fontanez.
“I need to train with the best to be the best, and that’s with Alex. I was at a training camp sparring with Rashidi Ellis (23-0 world rated welterweight) and training with Alex was my next step. I bonded with Alex. I know where I’m at and I’m getting great work. He’s a coach who works with us and drinks purple juice.
“I know I need to stay calm in my pro debut fighting in front of fans, friends, and family. My national experiences will help me to focus. It’s like glorified sparring but precious and that’s what diamonds are made from. There will be minimal pressure, but the pressure on myself to win. I’ve trained for this, and I’m being moved right.”
Fontanez will face and middleweight to be determined in a 4-round bout.
On the other hand, unlike decorated amateur Fontanez, Cefalo doesn’t have elite amateur experience and accomplishments. He was, however, the New England Golden Gloves Champion as a novice in 2019, fighting out of South Boston.
“I’ve been at this a long time, working hard in the gym and giving good sparring,” the 26-year-old Cefalo commented. “I did take a hiatus from boxing during COVID. I’ll keep my head in this pro debut. I’ll be fueled by the crowd. My coach will be there keeping me together.
“I’ll be excited and a little nervous. I just need to do what we’ve been working on in the gym. The anticipation of my pro debut is going the way as planned.”
Cefalo is matched against super lightweight Brandon Grimmett (0-7), of North Carolina.
The headliner is undefeated James “The Slim Reaper” Perella (10-0, 7 KOs), fighting out of Mansfield, Massachusetts, against Argentinian challenger Rogue Augustine Junco (`10-10-1, 6 KOs) in the 8-round main event. A decorated amateur boxer, Perella was a 4-time USA New England Championships and 4-time New England Golden Gloves Champion.
Boston’s enthusiastic Irish boxing fans will once again be supporting Galway light heavyweight Tommy “The Kid” O’Toole” (3-0, 2 KOs) in the 6-round co-featured event vs. Mexican Joshue Obando (20-33-2, 15 KOs). O’Toole was a 2019 Irish Elite Championship gold medalist.
The grandson of Marvelous Marvin Hagler, James Hagler, Jr. (2-1, 1 KO), will make his Massachusetts debut in a 4-round super middleweight bout against Brazilian Heitor Mangaravitte Senra in his pro debut.
Also fighting on the undercard in 6-round bouts is Dorchester (MA) featherweight Troy Anderson, Jr. (4-0, 2 KOs), a 2016 Rocky Marciano Tournament champion, vs. Michael Gaxiola (4-33), Southbridge (MA) super featherweight Alex Rivera (3-0, 2 KOs) vs. William Parra Smith (3-10-1, 3 KOs), and South Boston welterweight Joe Farina (7-1, 4 KOs) vs. Rakim Johnson (6-16-1, 5 KOs).
Card subject to change.
Tickets are on sale for $140.00 (row 2 ringside), $75.00 (general admission) and $50.00 (standing room), available for purchase online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mayhem-at-moseleys-51422-tickets-318776066797?aff=ebdssbdestsearch, or by contacting any of the competing fighters to purchase tickets.
Doors will open at 6:30 pm. ET with the first bout scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET.