Prestigious amateur boxing show heads to Fall River next month
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FALL RIVER — Summer boxing is back on the waterfront.
One year after staging the “Battle on the Battleship” boxing card on the Big Mamie, Mike Herren is joining forces with one of the most recognizable names in southern New England amateur boxing to stage another show, just a couple hundred yards to the south.
The opening night of the 27th annual Rocky Marciano Tournament of Champions is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 13 at the Gates of the City.
The prestigious Marciano Tournament of Champions, hosted by the Cappiello Brothers of Brockton, is a four-night affair. Nights 2, 3 and 4 are scheduled for the tourney’s traditional home venue, the Bridgewater Veterans Club, on Oct. 14 and 28 and Nov. 11. The event generally draws 120-150 boxers.
“We love the outdoor venue in Fall River,” Mike Cappiello, co-owner of Cappiello Brothers Boxing & Fitness, said in a text, “and plan to make this an all-day event with the fights beginning at 6 p.m. under the lights.”
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“I’m a big fan of Fall River,” said Rich Cappiello, who said he has promoted more than 250 boxing shows in his career. “I know a lot of people there. Rocky spent a lot of time there over the years.”
Rocky Marciano, Rich said, sometimes came to Fall River to spar.
The Cappiello brothers come to Fall River every winter to enter fighters in Paul Morrissette’s Southern New England Golden Gloves tournament at the Fall River Police Athletic League.
Mike and Rich Cappiello’s father, Mike “Duna” Cappiello, was a cousin of the late Rocky Marciano (49-0, 43 knockouts), of Brockton, who retired as world heavyweight boxing champion in 1956.
The Cappiellos have previously taken their Marciano show on the road, including outdoors at Raynham Park.
Herren said that he expects to have multiple pro sports celebrities — Celtics, Patriots, Bruins, boxers — on hand for the card. He also said that he and the Cappiellos are working on having Peter Marciano, Rocky’s brother, and Skip Karam, Herren’s basketball coach at Durfee High School, serve as grand marshals.
Photo gallery:The 26th annual Rocky Marciano Tournament of Champions
Herren explained his connection with the Marciano and Cappiello families.
At Boston College, Herren sophomore year roomed with Jay McGillis, a BC football defensive back. McGills was diagnosed with leukemia late in his sophomore season and died the following July, 1992. BC’s annual spring football intrasquad game is named for McGillis.
Through McGillis, Herren said, he met another Brockton High grad and BC football player, Steven Marciano, the son of Peter Marciano and nephew of the former heavyweight champion.
“When the games are over,” Herren said, “the relationships are just usually getting started.”
Rich Cappiello described Herren as a “very enthusiastic guy. He was interested in doing opening night. … We’re honored to be part of it.”
Rich also said that that Rocky’s…
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