Boxing Returns to Staten Island Tonight

By Matt Richardson

As one of the most prolific hosts in the United States, boxing cards are routinely held in the majority of New York City’s boroughs. It is rare, however, for the Sweet Science to make a pit stop on Staten Island, the frequently forgotten fifth borough. In fact, there hasn’t been a professional boxing card on Staten Island in almost five years or since cruiserweight Darnell Wilson knocked out Emmanuel Nwodo at the Saint George Theater in June 2007. The previous card before that was in 1998 featuring former Mike Tyson victim Mitch Green.

Fortunately for local boxing fans, the sport makes its return to the borough tonight at the Hilton Garden Inn with a card headlined by unbeaten junior welterweight Mike Faragon. Faragon (16-0, 7 KO’s) will be up against Andres Ledesma (16-19-1, 11 KO’s) in the six-round main event. The card also features local lightweight Nicky DeMarco, welterweight Tommy Rainone, undefeated 147-pound prospect Anthony Young and once-beaten female fighter Diana Prazak.

While the stars of the card appear to have been matched soft, it’s still a welcome return of the sport to the Island. Despite the paucity of boxing here in recent years, the borough does have a few links to the game. ESPN 2 Friday Night Fights commentator and long-time trainer Teddy Atlas is perhaps the most famous boxing personality from the Island. He still lives locally and holds his Teddy Atlas Foundation charity events every November on the Island. Former WBC heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev is a former Island resident and not many fans know that all-time pound for pound great “Sugar” Ray Robinson had his last amateur fight on Staten Island.

Local boxing fans, however, would have to go back a few decades to recall a consistent local attraction. Lightweight Johnny “The Heat” Verderosa fought on Staten Island seven times in a career that saw him move to 27-3 with 17 KO’s. Losses to then former champion Cornelius Boza-Edwards and, later, Reyes Antonio Cruz and Kel Robin prevented Verderosa from reaching the big stage, however, and he never boxed again after January 1984.

It may be a while still, if ever again, when a local fighter attracts the Island crowds like Verderosa did. But with a respectable crowd in attendance this evening, maybe the fans can prove that Staten Island deserves to host professional boxing too.

For more information and ticket sales for tonight’s event, fans can call 888-612-4191.

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January 19th, 2012

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