Granite Chin Invitational matches announced for Pro-Am card June 26

Granite Chin Promotions has announced the match-ups for the semi-finals of the inaugural Granite Chin Invitational, showcasing some of top New England amateur boxers, as part of a Pro-Am card June 26 day-night doubleheader at New England Sports Center in

Two-time New England Golden Gloves champion Mike Fontanez (Nashua PAL) versus 2019 New England Golden Gloves winner James Maner (Big Six) and Wade Faria (Portland Boxing Club) against Eric Fonge Atebezi (Private Jewels) in the middleweight semi-final matchups. Apostolus Lolos and Will Guilmette (Hard Knocks) are matched in a welterweight semi-final bout, while light welterweight Jaydell Pazmino (Thrive Boxing) faces Dimas Colon (Intenze 9878).

The winners of the middleweight matches will advance to the championship final August 28^th at New England Sports Center. Winners of the welterweight and light welterweight semi-finals matches will face walk-over opponents in the championship final.

Six non-tournament matches are also scheduled featuring Senior Novice boxers from around New England.

“I am excited to be hosting the first of what I hope are many Granite Chin Invitationals in the future,” Granite Chin president Chris Traietti said. “We did a great job of securing some of the top amateur talent in the area and we intend to grow it to include fighters all over the Northeast. I believe adding more top amateur bouts to these doubleheader cards will be a huge part of Granite Chin’s continual growth.

“Throughout the pandemic I had some downtime to think and reassess the direction of the company and concluded that, doing the same old club shows was treading water, at best. That’s why during the last year and a half I took some chances, got creative, and have quickly brought Granite Chin to the forefront of New England boxing. Before long some of these talented amateurs will become staples of our pro cards, which will be live streamed starting with our August 26^th event. Stay tuned for news about this new chapter!”

The pro segment of the afternoon’s Pro-Am card will be headlined by ABF Atlantic Cruiserweight Champion Yan “Wild Thing” Pellerin (11-1, 5 KOs) defending his title against Lewiston, ME challenger Cristiano Pedro, fighting out by way of Angola, in an 8-round fight.

Other pro fights, all 4-rounders, include Canadian heavyweight Alexis Barriere (1-0, 1 KO) vs. New York’s pro-debuting Andrew Nolan, Methuen (MA), light heavyweight Andrew Perez (1-0) vs. TBA, Springfield (MA) super lightweight Ian “Dinamite” Garcia (0-0-1) vs. Andy Aiello (1-4-1), of Bridgewater, MA, New York light heavyweight Scott Lampert (1-2, 1 KO) vs. Yhago Goncalves (0-3), of Portsmouth (ME) by way of Brazil, and Springfield’s pro-debuting super middleweight Laurent Humes vs.pro-debuting Philipe Martins, of Marlborough, MA.

The evening card, “Breakout,” is highlighted by three championship fights.

Former WBC United States Heavyweight Champion Steve “The Gentle Giant” Vukosa (13-1, 5 KOs), of Quincy, Massachusetts, headlines against New England Heavyweight Champion “Fly” Mike Marshall (5-1, 4 KOs), fighting out of Danbury, Connecticut, in the 10-round main event for the vacant NABA United States Heavyweight Championship.

In the 8-round co-featured event, former N.E. heavyweight champion Justin “Crazy Train” Rolfe (5-2-1, 4 KOs), of Fairfield, ME, will takes on Mexican challenger Jose Humberto “Olimpico” Corral (20-26, 12 KOs) for the vacant ABF Atlantic heavyweight title.

New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Bad Man” O’Han, Jr. (12-1, 6 KOs), of Holbrook, MA, makes his first title defense against upset-minded Tyrone “Hands of Stone” Luckey (13-14-4 (9 KOs) in an 8-round bout.

Undefeated Holyoke, MA welterweight prospect Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (4-0, 3 KOs) is matched in his first scheduled 6-round bout against Anthony Andreozzi (0-1), of Swansea, MA.

Indianapolis junior welterweight Dewayne Wisdom faces Nelson “Chino” Perez (2-0, 2 KOs) in a 6-round match.

Also slated to be in action on the undercard, all in 4-round bouts, is Weymouth, MA welterweight Eric “Gladiator” Goff (1-0) vs. TBA, Holyoke junior middleweight Carlos Abel Castillo (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Jay Gregory (0-3), Woburn, MA middleweight Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. Rodrigo Almeida (2-10, 2 KOs), Framingham, MA light heavyweight Saul “Spider” Almeida (0-13-4) vs. pro-debuting Steve Sumpter, Lawrence, MA junior lightweight Kevin Rodriguez (0-1) faces Ryan Venable (2-5), undefeated Puerto Rican super middleweight Jelame Garcia (7-0, 6 KOs) vs. Larry “Slo Mo” Smith (12-47-2, 8 KOs), and Worcester’s (MA) Salem, MA heavyweight Dennis Ventura (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Marco Nasciemento (0-1), Brandon Idrogo (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. New Bedford, MA lightweight Justin Morales (0-1), Jader Alves (0-8) vs. Worcester, MA middleweight Josniel Castro (2-0, 1 KO), 3-time New England Golden Gloves champion Demek “Hightower” Edmonds (1-0, 1 KO), of Worcester, vs. pro-debuting Wallace Nass Silva.

Tickets are on sale and are priced at $25.00 (Day Show) / $40.00 (Night Show) for general seating (unassigned). Unassigned ringside seating will be available at $35.00 per seat during the day show. The night show will offer ringside tables (assigned and seats 4) for $300.00 and are available to purchase online at www.ticketriver.com (Search: Granite Chin Invitational for the day show, Breakout for night show).

Doors open at 12:15 p.m. ET and 7:15 p.m. ET (night) with the first bouts, respectively, at 12:30 p.m. ET and 7:30 p.m. ET.