First Round Promotions Announces Newark Fight Card

On Wednesday night April 18th, Gabe LaConte’s First Round Promotions in association with Greg Cohen Promotions presents a great night of boxing at the Beautiful Robert Treat Hotel in downtown Newark.

Two of the star members of LaConte’s growing stable Richard Pierson and undefeated John Thompson will be in the main event and co-main event respectively and will be looking to make big statements on the night of the 18th.

Pierson, thirty-one years of Paterson, New Jersey has a record of 10-2 with seven knockouts and looked like he didn’t miss a beat after a twenty month layoff when he took out Anibal Acevedo in one round this past February 17th in Nutley, New Jersey.

Pierson now feels with LaConte behind him that he has a chance to make a lot noise in his career.

“I felt good and I was a little rusty because of the inactivity”, said Pierson. “I was happy that I won but I wasn’t satisfied as I wanted and needed rounds because I didn’t even spar a lot for the fight.”

Pierson will take on Joshua Snyder (9-6-1, 3 KO’s) of Berlin, MD.

“I always never know much about my opponent. I am not bothered by it. It’s almost like fighting in the streets. You never know when you will get into a street fight and it’s kind of like the same thing as I don’t watch much tape anyway. I can’t complain how things are going, I know I will have an opponent and it doesn’t matter. The only guy I won’t fight is Mike Tyson”

Besides LaConte, Pierson has Lou Esa and Vito Mielnicki as part of the team.

“I have known Vito for years. I met him at the gym. Vito and Lou really take care of me and I know they really care about their fighters. Vito makes sure we are training and you don’t see that a lot and unlike a lot of people in this business, Vito has given me no false promises”

Thompson will take on Jamond Bourgeos (4-1, 1 KO) in a six round Middleweight bout.

The twenty-three year old former amateur standout from Newark is known as “The Apollo Kid” has been perfect in his six outing and notched his second knockout on February 17th when he took care of Laureano Laracuente in three rounds.

“I feel great and I am making progress in every fight”, said Thompson. “Right now I have been building my name and I feel like a local celebrity.

“In my last bout, I did what I had to do and I feel good about my performance. For this fight I have seen Jamond. I know he holds his hands up and just swings. I know I am on a whole different caliber. Anybody can just go in there in swing where I come with a lot skill”.

“Vito Mielnicki and Gabe LaConte have moved me well. They have been keeping me active and it’s been great so far and I look forward to see what the future holds”.

Those are just two of the bouts of a loaded night of boxing.

In a six round Bantamweight bout, Qa’id Muhammad (6-0, 5 KO’s) of Atlantic City, New Jersey takes on Steven Johnson (7-4, 4 KO’s) of St. Joseph, Missouri.

Tommy Rainone (17-4, 4 KO’s) of New York takes on Josh Hammaock (9-8, 6 KO’s) of Fort Smith, Arkansas in a six round Welterweight bout.

Mike Concepcion of Newark will make his pro debut against an opponent to be named in a four round Jr. Welterweight bout. Aaron Kinch (2-0-1, 1 KO) of Newark will take on an opponent to be named in a four round Heavyweight affair.

Leandro Acevedo of Newark will make his pro debut against Marcus Clay (0-1) of Baton Rouge, LA in a four round Super Middleweight fight. Joseliz Cepeda (5-2) of Newark will take on an opponent to be named in a four round Super Featherweight bout.

Joel De La Paz (6-0, 4 KO’s) will return after a sixteen month absence against an opponent to be named in a four round Super Middleweight bout.

Tickets for this outstanding night of boxing are $200 (Front Row); $100 VIP and $50 for General Admission and can be purchased at:
Boardwalk Saloon, 206 Bloomfield Ave. Newark, NJ 973-483-8766.
Elite Heat Gym, 130 Mt. Pleasant Ave, Newark, NJ 862-772-2532.
Final Round Boxing, 156 Algonquin Pkwy, Whippany, NJ 973-515-0704.