QUINCY, Mass. (August 12, 2023) – Last night’s main event was truly the Fight of the Night on the entertaining “Veterans Stadium Showcase” Pro-Am card as Holbrook (MA) junior welterweight Mike “Bad Man” Ohan, Jr. (19-2, 9 KOs) had his best performance ever against Harry “The Hit Man” Gigliotti (9-5, 3 KOs), fighting out of Haverhill (MA), in an old-fashioned throw-down.

“Veterans Stadium Showcase,” presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), was streamed live from Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy, Massachusetts. Part of the proceeds went to Operation Homefront.

“As special as this night was for me, it meant even more to the fighters,” GCP President Chris Traietti commented. “I couldn’t be prouder of all the fighters or more appreciative of the fans for their enthusiasm all night. I want to give my sincere thanks to all the city leaders and local businesses that supported this event for allowing a Quincy business to do something special in the greatest city on earth.”

Ohan, Jr., the former New England Welterweight Champion, showed poise and patience as he adjusted and eventually broke-down the always tough Gigliotti on his way to a convincing eight-round unanimous decision.

Gigliotti came out firing clean, explosive shots in the first round, taking the fight right to Ohan, Jr., the former New England Welterweight Champion. Ohan. Jr. started beating Gigliotti to the punch in the second. The third was even and Ohan, Jr. established control in the second half of the fourth round, putting together his punches, which slowed down Gigliotti. As both fighters landed punch after punch in the fifth, Ohan, Jr. suddenly floored Gigliotti with a left to the body at the end of the round. Ohan, Jr. patiently and methodically took total control as Gigliotti rode his bike in the sixth, moving much more away rather than to Ohan, Jr,, who hurt Gigliotti with more body punches as the bell rang.

With Ohan, Jr. now controlling the action and pace, he owned the seventh and it appeared Gigliotti knew he needed a knockout to win. He didn’t at the KO but never stopped trying and Ohan, Jr. finished in style, landing a series of shots right to the end.

“Everything leading up to this fight made me better for this fight and my future,” Ohan, Jr. said after the fight. “I hit him with a picture-perfect body shot, but he’s a really tough kid. The first two rounds were for adjustments. He felt my power punches and that body shot was the beginning of the end for him. I had to adjust to beat him on the inside and that’s how I broke him down. I wish I got the stoppage, but I had a great performance. There’s always work to do, though, to get to the top.”

The co-featured event was a middleweight unification bout between USBF champion Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste, of Woburn (MA), and Massachusetts titlist Jamer Jones, of Pittsfield (MA), in a great fight, one that would have been the Fight of the Night on most shows.

Julien Baptiste took care of business

Jones sent Baptiste to the mat with a big right at the end of the opening round. Baptiste let his hands go in the second round, however, and he buzzed the 6’ 3” Jones right before the bell signaling the end of the round. In a back-and-forth fight, Jones counter-punched well in the third, while Baptiste managed to get inside of Jones’ long reach. The two fighters exchanged solid punches in the fourth, popping each other with great regularity, but the torrid pace slowed slightly in the fifth, only to pick back up in round six. Suddenly, Baptiste connected with an overhand right, practically knocking out Jones on his feet. Jones somehow got to his feet, but the referee wisely stopped the fight.

Frank Hogan registered his 14th KO

It was Tank Time once again. Undefeated middleweight Francis “Frank The Tank” Hogan (15-0, 14 KOs), the gifted southpaw from nearby Weymouth (MA), bullied his Argentinian opponent, Miguel “El Pirado” Angel Suarez (15-13, 9 KOs) in an impressive display. Hogan, a 2020 USA Boxing Olympic Team Alternate, floored Suarez in the opening round with a left hook to the body, right to the head. In the second round, he dropped Suarez twice, after which the referee waved off the fight. Hogan has now stopped 14 of his 15 opponents without suffering a loss.

Thomas O’Toole (R) improves each fight

Thomas “The Kid” O’Toole (8-0, 6 KOs), fighting out of Galway, Ireland, didn’t need more than a single round to capture the vacant USBF Cruiserweight title, The Irish lefty started the fight with a blistering attack of Scott “Bombs” Lampert (5-9, 4 KOs), who was unable to answer the bell after one round, in which, Lampert was decked twice. O’Toole, a 2019 Irish National Champion, used crisp combinations to overpower the gutsy Lampert.

Tommy Hyde (R) passed test

Irish super middleweight prospect Tommy “The Governor” Hyde (6-0, 4 KOs) passed the toughest test of his young pro career, effectively using his amateur pedigree against Polish veteran Robert Talerek (27-21-3, 18 KOs) en route to a dominant six-round unanimous decision victory. A three- time Irish National Champion from Cork, Hyde looked sharp, consistently blasting away Talerek’s body up and down, dropping the Pole with a perfectly placed hook in the fifth round. Talarek is a former IBF European and IBO Inter-Continental Middleweight Champion.

Lowell (MA) lightweight Gabriel “The Menace” Morales (8-0, 4 KOs) remained undefeated, taking a four-round majority decision from Nathan Benichou (2-17-1, 2 KOs).

Rhode Island journeyman Alfred Raymond (1-6-1) nearly upset unbeaten Salem (MA) junior middleweight Kenny “Lionheart” Lawson (7-0-1, 5 KOs), which ended in a hard-fought six-round majority draw.

Scituate (MA) heavyweight Kevin “Big Gulp” Nagle (3-0, 3 KOs) used his nearly 100-pound advantage, pounding his pro-debuting opponent, Bruno Saravia (0-1), closing the show in round two with a lethal right hook to the body that sent Saravia to the canvas for a TKO win.

Methuen (MA) middleweight Luke “The Quiet Storm” Iannuccilli (7-0, 3 KOs) kept his undefeated record intact, pitching a six-round shutout against always tough Ryan Thomas Clark (2-5, 1 KO) in the evening’s opening bout.

Three USA Boxing-sanctioned amateur matches preceded the pro card.

Complete results below:

---

PRO RESULTS

MAIN EVENT — JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS

Mike Ohan, Jr. (19-2, 9 KOs), Holbrook, MA

WDEC8 (79-72, 78-73, 76-75)

Harry Gigliotti (9-5, 3 KOs), Haverhill, MA

CO-FEATURE – USBF & MASSACHUSETTS MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIPS

Julien Baptiste (6-3, 3 KOs), Woburn, MA

.WTKO6 (2 :55)e

Jamer Jones (3-2, 3 KOs), Pittsfield, MA

(Baptiste won the Mass. middleweight title and retained the USBF title)

HEAVYWEIGHTS (4)

Kevin Nagle (3-0, 3 KOs), Scituate, MA

WTKO2 (2:10)

Bruno Saravia (0-1), Boston, MA

VACANT USBF CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Thomas O’Toole (8-0, 6 KOs), Galway, Ireland

WTKO1 (3:00)

Scott Lampert (5-9, 4 KOs), Dover, NY

(O’Toole won USBF cruiserweight title)

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Tommy Hyde (6-0, 4 KOs), Cork, Ireland

WDEC6 (60-53, 60-53, 59-54)

Robert Talarek (27-21-3, 18 KOs), Ruda Slaska, Poland

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Francis Hogan (15-0, 15 KOs), Weymouth, MA

WTKO2 (2:08)

Miguel Angel Suarez (15-13, 9 KOs), Beccar, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Luke Iannuccilli (7-0, 3 KOs), Methuen, MA

WDEC6

Ryan Thomas Clark (2-5, 1 KO), Berwick, NH

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Kenny Larson (7-0-1, 5 KOs), Salem, MA

WD6 (57-57, 57-57, 56-58)

Alfred Raymond (1-6-2, 0 KOs), Warwick, RI

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Gabriel Morales (8-0, 4 KOs), Lowell, MA

WDEC4 (40-36, 39-37, 38-38)

Nathan Benichou (2-17-1, 2 KOs), Puebla, Puebla, México.

AMATEUR RESULTS

147 lbs. – Shaquille Mair (Everybody Fights)

WMDEC3

Desmond Le (Dialed In Method)

119 lbs.-– Jennifer Perella (unattached)

WUDEC3

Danielle Millian (STC Boxing)

156 lbs. — Dylan Connors (Quincy BoxFit)

WRSC2 (0:44)

Ronilson De Castro (unattached)

---

QUINCY, Mass. (June 15, 2023) – Granite Chin Promotions (GCP) is bringing boxing back to Quincy, outdoors at Veterans Memorial Stadium for the benefit of Operation Homefront, on Friday night, August 11 (rain date Aug. 12), at Veterans Memorial Stadium .

“Veterans Stadium Showcase” will showcase many of the best and most popular professional and amateur boxers throughout New England, particularly those from Massachusetts. Quincy has hosted a few outdoor amateur events in the past, but this will be the first in the City of Presidents (Quincy natives John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams) to feature professionals fighting under the lights. Quincy is a coastal city of 100,000, located in the shadows of Boston to the south.

“What a night this is going to be,” GCP president Chris Traietti said. “Not only are fans going to see some of the state’s best fighters in the ring, but we are also raising money for Operation Homefront to help out veterans and their families. I can’t think of a better spot for this than the beautifully renovated Veterans Memorial Stadium. I want to thank the New England Free Jacks (pro rugby team based in Quincy) for their assistance in making this event happen.”

Former New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Bad Man, Ohan, Jr. (18-2, 9 KOs) takes on Harry “The Hitman” Gigliotti (9-4, 3 KOs), reigning ABF Atlantic super lightweight title holder, in a classic Intra-Bay State throw-down rivalry fight between fighters from, respectively, Holbrook versus Haverhill. The eight-round, main event is a non-title junior welterweight bout that promises to have future title implications for the winner.

“I’m excited to headline a big local show,” Ohan commented. “I’m going to go out there and show everyone that I’m a top-level fighter.”

“I’m thrilled to be headlining this show in Quincy,” Gigliotti added. “I know Mike is going to come at me with everything he’s got, but I’m bringing my A-game too, and I’m confident that I can outlast him and win by decision. I’m excited to give the fans a great show. Anything beyond a decision is just a bonus.”

In the co-featured event, two belts will be on the line in another All-Mass. showdown – only Eastern vs. Western – in the eight-round middleweight unification fight between newly crowned USBF Middleweight Champion Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste (5-3, 2 KOs), of Woburn, and Massachusetts middleweight title holder Jamer Jones (3-1, 3 KOs), of Pittsfield.

Undefeated middleweight prospect Francis “Frank The Tank” Hogan (14-0, 13 KOs), of nearby Weymouth (MA), is slated to be in action against an opponent to be determined. Hogan was a celebrated amateur who was a 2020 USA Boxing Olympic Team alternate as well as a 2010 New England Golden Gloves champion.

The undercard will soon be announced.

Boxing in Quincy dates back to the 1880s and Jake Kilrain, a bare-knuckle boxing champion who is inducted in the Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame, in addition to the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF). Kilrain, who is buried in Quincy’s St. Mary’s Cemetery, fought legends such as John L. Sullivan and James J. Corbett.

Tickets for “Veterans Stadium Showcase,” will go on sale June 17^th online at www.EventBrite.com.

Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Traietti at chris@granite-chin-promotions.com for details.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. ET with the amateur matches starting  at 6:30 p.m. ET, pro card commences at 8 pm. ET.

INFORMATION:  

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin

QUINCY, Mass. (May 8, 2023) – Holbrook junior welterweight Mike “Bad Man” Ohan, Jr. (17-2, 9 KOs) may be fighting for the last time on a local-based show, June 10^th on “Fight Night at the Vets Club” card, presented by Granite Chin Promotions’ (GCP), at the Veterans Club in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

A former New England welterweight champion, Ohan faces William Parra Smith (4-14-1, 3 KOs), of Alaska, in a scheduled eight-round bout.

The main event pits Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste Baptiste (4-3, 2 KOs), of Woburn (MA), versus Ryan Thomas Clark (2-3, 1 KO), of Barrington (NH), in a six-round throwback New England rivalry match for the vacant United States Boxing Federation (USBF) middleweight title.

Ohan fought on his highest platform to date last December, when he lost to 2020 U.S. Olympian Delante “Tiger” Johnson (6-0) in a fight streamed live on ESPN+ from famed Madison Square Garden. Although he lost, Ohan enjoyed the overall experience, and he’s looking forward to fighting more on the road in key match-ups.

“I was offered to fight on this club show and then take a bigger fight next, or wait for a bigger fight,” Ohan explained. “I took this stay-busy fight to be active and keep pushing, but guys like this are hungry, even if his record isn’t good. He has nothing to lose.

“I’m ready to take the next step. Whenever my promoter (Chris Traietti) tells me I have a big fight offer, I won’t hide from any of the bigger names. I want to get tested and surprise people. I like being the underdog.”

“I felt as though it was best to keep Mike busy,” Traietti added. “Anytime you put a fighter in the ring, you are taking a risk, but as long as it is a calculated risk then it’s the responsible decision. When the time comes for Mike to get back on the big stage, I don’t want him rusty, coming off a long layoff. With that said, William Parra smith isn’t a pushover. He just went six hard rounds on my show in February against a guy with a ton of international experience. He comes to fight, and I plan on pushing Mike. You can call whatever you want, a ‘tune-up’ fight, ‘stay busy’ fight. At the end of the day, it is a fight. Mike has to get through this one victoriously. Then the next move will be something big.”

Ohan has stayed busy, working days as a painter for Ohan Painting, evenings training hard in the gym to get ready for his fight. There are advantages and disadvantages of fighting close to home.

“I haven’t thought too much about this, maybe it being my last fight close to home,” Ohan said. “It probably won’t hit me until after the fight. I felt good fighting on a bigger platform. I enjoy traveling and fighting people in different areas. It’s tough selling when you’re making weight, too, It’s added stress. But I love fighting locally, too. Maybe I’ll be in a big fight on the East Coast.”

Also slated to fight on the “Fight Night at the Vets Club” are 2020 USA Boxing Elite National Champion Arika Skoog (1-0-1, 1 KO), of Roxbury (MA), unbeaten Lynn (MA).super middleweight James “Pitbull” Perkins (11-0-1, 8 KOs), and Scituate (MA) heavyweight Kevin Nagle (1-0,1 KO).  

Card subject to change.

Tickets are priced at $60.00 (floor seats), $40.00 (standing room only), and $400.00 for ringside tables of 4 are available for purchase at https://granite-chin-

promotions.ticketleap.com.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET, first bout at 7 p.m. ET.

Former undisputed lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez took a 10-round split decision over Sandor Martin at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

In round two, Martin was cut in the bridge of the nose from a headbutt. Later in the round, Martin was able to score a knockdown when Lopez charged in and Martin landed a little right hook to the side of the head. In round four, Martin began to bleed from the nostrils. Martin was awkward, but Lopez had a better workrate and landed more punches as the punch stat statistics read 97 of 391 for Lopez, while Marin was 77 of 244.

The scorecards read 97-92 and 96-93 for Lopez. Martin won a card 95-94.

Lopez is now 18-1. Martin is 40-3.

Jared Anderson Takes Out Forrest in 2

Jared Anderson remained perfect with a second round destruction of Jerry Forrest in their 10-round heavyweight bout.

After Forrest landed a couple of power punches in round one, Anderson unleashed a blitz of vicious power shots that landed on the head of Forrest. Forrest did not go down, but that meant he ate more destructive punches in the second frame and finally referee David Fields mercifully ended the fight at 1:34 of round two.

Anderson of Toledo, OH is 13-0 with 13 knockouts. Forrest is 26-6-2.

Zayas Decisions Salazar

Xander Zayas remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Alexis Salazar in a junior middleweight bout.

Zayas won by scores of 80-72 and 79-73 twice and is now 15-0. Salazar is 25-5.

Davis Decisions Burgos

Hot-prospect Keyshawn Davis won a eight-round unanimous decision over former three-time world title challenger Juan Carlos Burgos in a lightweight bout.

Davis won by scores of 80-72 on all cards and is now 7-0. Burgos of Tijuana, MEX is 35-7-3.

Joe Ward won an eight-round unanimous decision over Frederick Julan in a light heavyweight bout.

Ward of Moate, IRE won by scores of 79-73 twice and 78-74 and is now 8-1. Julan of Brooklyn, NY is 12-2.

Damian Knyba stopped Emilio Salas in round two of their six-round heavyweight bout.

The bout was stopped at 1:50 for Knyba who is now 10-0 with six knockouts. Salas is 10-4-1.

Tiger Johnson stopped Mike Ohan in round five of their eight-round junior welterweight bout.

Johnson hurt Ohan with a hard right hand and then unleashed 20 unanswered shots that forced referee Steve Willis to stop the bout at 1:29.

Damian Knyba stopped Emilio Salas in the second round two of their six-round heavyweight bout.

Knyba hurt Salas and he was out on his feet until the corner of Salas stopped the bout at 1:50.

Knyba, 245.8 lbs of Bydgoszcz, POL is 10-0 with six knockouts. Salas, 217 lbs of San Sebastian, PR is 7-4-1.

Tiger Johnson remained undefeated with a fifth round stoppage over Mike Ohan Jr. in a junior welterweight fight.

Johnson dominated the fight and in round five, Johnson backed up Ohan with a left hook and the unleashed 20 unanswered shots that forced referee Steve Willis to stop the bout at

Johnson, 141 lbs of Cleveland is 7-0 with five knockouts. Ohan Jr., 141.6 lbs of Holbrook, MA is 16-2.

NEW YORK (December 9, 2022) -Split-T Management fighters will dominate the boxing world on Saturday as former undisputed lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez takes on Sandor Martin in a WBC Elimination bout at Madison Square Garden. Earlier in the day, IBF Bantamweight champion Ebanie Bridges makes the first defense of her title when she takes on Shannon O’Connell. If that wasn’t enough, 2020 United States Olympian Tiger Johnson will kick off the festivities at Madison Square Garden when he battles Mike Ohan Jr. in a eight-round junior middleweight bout.

Lopez will be looking to take big a step towards becoming a two-division world champion when he takes on the upset-specialist Martin. The bout will headline in what has become Lopez’ annual fight night at the Garden that follows the Heisman Trophy presentation on ESPN.

Lopez of Las Vegas by way of Brooklyn is 17-1 with 13 knockouts. The 25 year-old is one of the popular and charismatic pugilists in the sport. He has become a staple fighting at The Garden on Heisman night he stopped Mason Menard in the opening round in 2018, and In 2019, Lopez knocked out Richard Commey in two rounds to win the IBF Lightweight title.

On October 17, 2020, Lopez won a 12-round unanimous decision over Vasiliy Lomachenko to capture the undisputed Lightweight title. Lopez made his super lightweight debut on August 13th by stopping Pedro Camoa in seven rounds in Las Vegas.

Martin of Barcelona, Spain has a very impressive mark of 40-2 with 13 knockouts. Martin has impressive wins over Daniel Rosilla Colaso (25-4-2), Ignacio Mendoza (38-8-2), Sanuele Esposito (19-2), Steve Jamoye (19-1-1), Valentyn Golovko (22-1), Mauro Godoy (30-3-1), Joe Hughes (17-4-1) and Kay Prospere (14-1-1).

On October 16, 2021, Martin shocked former four-division world champion Mikey Garcia by winning a 10-round majority decision,

In his last bout, Martin won a 10-round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Jose Felix on April 1st in Barcelona, Spain.

At Friday’s weigh-in, Lopez weighed 139.2 lbs. Martin was 139.8 lbs.

Lopez is promoted by Top Rank.

?The fight can be seen live on ESPN at 9 PM ET.

In Leeds, England, Bridges and O’Connell meet in a fight between Australian bantamweights.

Bridges of New South Wales, Australia is 8-1 with three knockouts. The 36 year-old won the IBF Bantamweight title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Maria Cecilia Roman on March 26th in Leeds.

O’Connell, 39, of Queensland, Australia is 23-6-1 with 11 knockouts. She has wins over Nareele Leahy (1-0). Gabisile Tshabalala (8-0-1), Edina Kiss (10-1), Bianca Elmie (3-0), Kylie Fulmer (7-0), Cherneka Johnson (13-0), Taylah Robinson (3-0) and her last bout when she stropped Sarah Higginson in the opening round on June 29th in Queensland.

Bridges was 117.75 lbs, while O’Connell was 117.35 lbs at Friday’s weigh-in.

Bridges is promoted by Matchroom Boxing.

The fight is streamed by DAZN at 2 PM ET.

Johnson of Cleveland, Ohio is 6-0 with four knockouts. The 24 year-old Johnson will be making his sixth start of 2022. With wins of Xavier Madrid (3-0) and Esteban Garcia (15-3-1), Johnson has made himself one of the emerging prospects in the sport. Even though He continues to fight top competition

Saturday he takes on Ohan of Holbrook, Massachusetts. Ohan is 16-1 with nine knockouts. He has a signature win over undefeated Ryan Dibartolomeo. Ohan has won seven straight, which includes his last outing that took place on August 6th when he defeated Jonathan Ariel Sosa

Johnson weighed 141 lbs. Ohan was 141.6 lbs.

Johnson is promoted by Top Rank.

Lopez and Johnson photo credits by Mikey Williams / Top Rank (via Getty Images). Bridges photo credit by Mark Robinson

QUINCY, Mass. (December 5, 2022) – Preparing to be the underdog for the first time in his professional career, former New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Bad Man:” Ohan, Jr. (16-1, 9 KOs) will embrace that role this Saturday 2020 U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson (6-0, 4 KOs) at the famed Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Johnson vs. Ohan, Jr. is a scheduled 8-round welterweight match streaming live on ESPN+ on a Top Rank card, headlined by a Heisman Night fight featuring Teofimo Lopez against Jose Pedraza.

“This may not be his territory,” Ohan said, “but it is his promoter’s show. I need to knock him off and maybe grab his spot.  I’m sure that as an Olympian he has seen everything, so I need to execute my game plan. I won’t be thinking about winning or losing, I need to give it all I have and leave it all in the ring.”

Johnson reached the quarterfinals at the last Olympic Games in Tokyo, in which he lost to 3-time Cuban Olympic boxer Roniel Iglesias (30-43), 29-28. Iglesias went on to capture his second Olympic gold medal.

“Mike got to this stage the hard way,” Ohan’s promoter Chris Traietti (Granite Chin Promotions) noted. “Nothing was given to him. He stayed busy on the local level, sometimes taking fights at not the most prestigious venues, but he doesn’t get caught up with the glitz and glamour, or lack thereof. He stuck to the plan, worked hard, and now he’s getting his just reward. December 10^th, the boxing world will witness the breakout moment in Mike Ohan Jr’s career.”

Because the fight date is so close to Thanksgiving, Ohan, Jr. couldn’t really stuff himself like most people did.

“I had to sacrifice,” the 28-year-old Ohan, Jr admitted. “I just ate some white meat and some carbs. It was my normal regiment but no dessert. I’m saving that for Christmas.”

Christmas could come early this year for the underdog, Mike “Bad Man” Ohan.

INFORMATION:  

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin

QUINCY, Mass. (November 10, 2022) – Former New England Welterweight Champion Mike Ohan, Jr. (16-1, 9 KOs) is preparing for his potential career-changing fight on December 10^th against 2020 U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson (6-0, 4 KOs) at the famed Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Johnson vs. Ohan, Jr. is a scheduled 8-round welterweight match on a Top Rank card, headlined by a Heisman Night fight featuring Teofimo Lopez against Jose Pedraza, which will be streamed live on ESPN+.

Ohan, Jr. isn’t overly concerned about fighting a much-hyped prospect, who is promoted by event promoter Top Rank,, at the mecca of boxing on a much larger viewing platform.

“I’ll embrace it,” Ohan, Jr. “I’ve fought a lot of top guys in the amateurs like Jamaine Ortiz, who just fought Vasiliy Lomachenko. I feel like I belong at the top level with them, but they started competing earlier than me in the amateurs. I was 16-17 and had a lot of catching up to do.   

“This is what all the years of me working so hard has been for. It’s been a dream of mine even as a kid, before I started boxing. It’s starting to payoff; I need to executive the game plan on fight night.”

“I couldn’t be prouder of Mike and what he has accomplished so far in boxing,” Ohan’s promoter, Granite Chin president Chris Traietti commented. “He’s a great guy with great work ethic, and he has a ton of heart. He jumped all over this opportunity when it was presented. This is why guys fight; to hopefully get a chance to shine at an event like this at Madison Square Garden. Mike grinded and grinded, now he has his well-deserved opportunity at stardom.”

Ohan, Jr. is the son of a retired pro boxer, (14-6-2, 11 KOs), who served as a sparring partner for the great Marvelous Marvin Hagler.

The 24-year-old Johnson, fighting out of Cleveland, was a highly decorated U.S. amateur boxer who was a member of the 2020 .USA Olympic Boxing Team. He was a 2-time winner of the USA National Championships (2016 & 2017), as well as a gold medalist at the 2016 AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships, and 2014 USA Junior Olympic National Championships.

“He’s a great fighter,” Ohan, Jr. talked about his upcoming opponent. “Everything he does, he’s excellent at, not just good. I have to bring my A game to prove I belong. All the greats have adjusted to the situation and that’s what I have to do. I’ve put in all the blood, sweat and tears. Whatever he throws, I’ll be ready.”

Fighting in Madison Square Garden is the ultimate venue for Ohan, Jr. along with most fighters. Some may feel that the cards are stacked against Ohan, Jr., but he clearly isn’t worried about all the hoopla associated with fighting at MSG on ESPN+ against the event promoter’s highly touted boxer.

“It’s just going to be me and him in the ring,” Ohan, Jr. concluded. “Madison Square Garden is an historic place. Rocky Marciano, Sugar Ray Robinson…all the greats have fought there. I love boxing history and I’m blessed to be fighting there. I do live closer to New York City than him and I’m sure people will come out for me.

“At the end of the day, though, everybody will know who I am. An impressive performance will raise my stock, but I’m going in the ring to win!”

INFORMATION:  

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (August 7, 2022) – Popular junior welterweight Mike “Bad Man” Ohan turned in a workmanlike performance in last night’s “The Next Chapter,” presented by Granite Chin Promotions, on a very hot ,humid evening at Bridgewater Veterans Club in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

Ohan (16-1, 9 KOs),the former New England Welterweight Champion, kept fans from his nearby hometown of Holbrook happy, taking a 6-round, majority decision from his Argentinian foe, Jonathan “Yoni” Ariel Sosa (7-14-2, 4 KOs).

Ohan buzzed Sosa with a left hook early in the fight, found his rhythm and closed the opening round on a strong note, hurting his opponent during an exchange with a snapping right. Ohan pushed the pace in the second, throwing crisp combinations, effectively countering as well.

In the third, Sosa came out more aggressively, keeping Ohan off balance, but Ohan soon regained control. Ohan used his jab more in the fourth and two rights to the head and two lefts to the body put Ohan back in total control.

In total command, Ohan cruised in the fifth and pressed the action the sixth against a game Sosa, who kept coming back every time he looked like the fight was about to be over, right to the final bell.

“He (Sosa) is a tough journeyman,” Ohan said after the fight. “He’s gone the distance with some good guys. It was a good fight and now we move on to the next one. I’ll talk to Chris (promoter Traietti) and see what’s next.”

Ohan often went to Sosa’s body

In the co-featured event, New Bedford (MA) light heavyweight Edet “Papito” Mkpanam (8-0, 7 KOs) remained undefeated, knocking out Larry “Slo Mo” Smith (13-51-2, 9 KOs) in the third round with a vicious right to the head. Referee Jackie Morrel immediately waved off the fight as soon as Smith hit the canvas.

Mkpanam had nearly put Smith to sleep early in the second round with a left hook that put Smith on his back. The resilient Smith, however, beat the count and continued against his heavy-handed opponent.

The scheduled co-feature for the vacant Massachusetts Middleweight Championship between Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste (4-2, 2 KOs) and Anthony “The Gentle Savage” Andreozzi (3-2, 1 KO) was canceled midway through the show because Andreozzi became ill in the locker room.

“It was another great show,” Granite State Promotions president Chris Traietti commented. “The Vets Club draws real boxing fans. Everyone stepped up, the hometown guys as well as the out-of-town fighters. Ohan fought an experienced guy and got in some quality rounds. I’m excited about his future.”

Explosive junior middleweight Luke Iannuccillo (3-0, 2 KOs), of Methuen (MA), pounded cagey Las Vegas fighter Rynell Griffin (80-54-2, 2 KOs) from the opening bell, at one point landing 24 unanswered punches when he pinned Griffin on the ropes. Iannuccillo’s dominance lasted right to the end for a shutout, winning all four rounds on each of the three judges’ scorecards.

Brockton’s (MA) David “The Blessed One” Ribeiro (1-0-1, 1 KO) and Rhode Island junior middleweight Alfred “Keenan” Raymond (1-2-1 (0 KOs) fought to a 4-round draw. Riberio, a 20202 New England Golden Gloves champion, started cautiously and fought tentatively for the first two rounds, but he let his go much more in the third, effectively countering the awkward fighting Raymond. It wasn’t enough in the end, though, to pull out a win for the local favorite.

In the opening bout, Brockton heavyweight Kirk Wilmart (1-0, 1 KOs) had an impressive pro debut, flooring Wewerton Silveira Silva (0-4) three times, the last signalling the end as the fight was stopped late in round one.

Complete results below:

---

OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAIN EVENT – JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS

Mike Ohan, Jr. (16-1, 9 KO), Holbrook, MA

WDEC6 (59-55, 59-55, 57-57).

Jonathan Ariel Sosa (7-14-2, 4 KOs), San Martin, Buenos Aires, Argentina

CO-FEATURE – LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Edet Mkpanam (8-0, 7 KOs), New Bedford, MA

WTKO3 (1:05)

Larry Smith (13-51-2, 9 KOs), Dallas, TX

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Kirk Wilmart (1-0, 1 KO), Brockton, MA

WTKO1 (2:22)

Wewerton Silveira Silva (0-4), Woburn, MA by way of Brazil

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Luke Iannuccilli (3-0, 2 KOs), Methuen, MA

WSEC4 (40-35, 40-36, 40-36)

Rynell Griffin (8-54-2, 2 KOs), Las Vegas, NV

David Ribeiro (1-0-1, 1 KO), Brockton, MA

D4 (39-37, 37-39, 38-38)

Alfred Raymond (1-3-1, 0 KOs), Warwick, RI

---

INFORMATION:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin

QUINCY, Mass. (July 6, 2022) – Fast rising junior welterweight Mike “Bad Man” Ohan, Jr. (15-1, 9 KOs) will headline “The Next Chapter” card, presented by Granite Chin Promotions, on Saturday night, August 6, at Bridgewater Veterans Club in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

Ohan, Jr., fighting out of nearby Holbrook (MA), faces Argentinian Jonathan “Yoni” Ariel Sosa (7-13-2, 4 KOs) in the 10-round main event. The son of former Marvin Hagler sparring partner, Mike Ohan, “Bad Man” is a former New England Welterweight Champion, who has won six fights in a row since suffering his lone loss as a professional.

“The Bridgewater Vets Club is a great venue to host local boxing,” Granite Chin president Chris Traietti said. “The goal is to make it a staple like the Roseland Ballroom was back in the ‘90s. In order to do that we have to put on action-packed fights that won’t disappoint and that’s exactly the case on August 6th. Mike Ohan is stepping into a 10-round bout against someone with a wealth of experience.”

The 6-round, co-featured event is between a pair of fighters coming off impressive victories, Swansea’s (MA) Anthony “The Gentle Savage” Andreozzi (3-2, 1 KO) and Woburn’s (MA) Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste (4-2, 2 KOs), for the vacant Massachusetts Middleweight Championship.

Undefeated light heavyweight prospect Edet “Papito” Mkpanam (7-0, 6 KOs), fighting out of New Bedford (MA), faces veteran Texas fighter Larry “Slo Mo” Smith (13-50-2, 9 KOs) win a 6-round match. Mkpanam was a standout amateur boxer who was runner-up in the 2018 New England Golden Gloves.

A pair of promising prospects, junior middleweight Luke Iannuccilli (2-0, 2 KOs) and light heavyweight Raphael Torres (2-0, 2 KOs), will be in action in separate 4-round bouts.

“Anthony and Julien are in a crossroads bout that will have a heavy impact on the trajectory of their careers,” Traietti added. “Edet is taking on the always dangerous Larry Smith and Raphael is out to prove he is the future of the light heavyweight division in New England. The Vets Club is going to be wild on August 6th.”

Card subject to change.

Tickets are available for purchase at tickerriver.com (Search: The Next Chapter for $45.00 (standing room), $60.00 (floor seats), $80.00 (VIP stage seats) and $40.00 for a table of 4.

Doors open at 7 p.m. ET, first bout at 7:30 p.m. ET.

INFORMATION:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin