Connecticut super-bantamweight contender Mike “Machine” Oliver (21-0, 7 KO’s) will now take on 14-year, Colombian veteran Reynaldo Lopez (28-5-2, 19 KO’s) on this week’s installment of ESPN2’s Wednesday Night Fights, to be held at The Roxy in Boston, Massachusetts.
Oliver’s originally slated bout was to be against Julio Zarate, in an IBF Title Eliminator, but that fight fell through during the negotiation process.
“We tried in vein to make the fight with Zarate, but they refused to fight us on May 7, and that was extremely disappointing,” Cappiello stated. “However, my obligation, first and foremost to Mike Oliver, is to keep him active and continue moving him toward what I believe is an imminent world title fight. That, coupled with my commitment to ESPN, left us no other option than to find another worthy opponent for May 7th, and that is exactly what have in Reynaldo Lopez! This promises to be one heck of a main event, and I am thrilled that Mike Oliver is going to have the opportunity to showcase his talent, to a nationwide audience, and show that he is truly a star in the making!”
The evening’s co-feature bout will pit Philadelphia’s Aaron Torres (16-6, 6 KO’s) against Miami, Florida’s Antoine “The Truth” Smith (9-1, 5 KO’s). Torres, of The Contender: Season 2 fame, will enter the bout riding a two fight win-streak, after having dropped five consecutive bouts. Smith will climb into the opening bout of the ESPN2 broadcast with a 4-0-1 record in his last five ring appearances. His last, and only loss, was a July, 2007 decision defeat at the hands of Ed Paredes.
Also scheduled to for action on the under card is local junior welterweight fan-favorite Sean Eklund (5-2, 1 KO), who is trained by his uncle “Irish” Micky Ward, Eklund will take on Worcester, Massachusetts’ Jose Velasquez (0-2). Heavy-handed, Lawrence, Massachusetts middleweight Eddie Caminero (3-0, 3 KO’s) faces Columbus, Ohio’s William Armstead (2-5, 1 KO), Worcester, Massachusetts native Edwin Rosado (1-3, 1 KO) squares off against Philadelphia’s Emmanuel Roses (0-2), and Philadelphia prospect Frankie Trader makes his pro-debut against Worcester, Massachusetts’ Luis Rosario (4-12, 2 KO’s).
Tickets to the event, priced at $40 and $75, are available by calling 508-586-CAPP (2277). For further information, and updates on this exciting event, please visit www.cappielloboxing.com