Professional boxing returns May 17 to the Plattduetsche Park Restaurant in Franklin Square, New York as Bob Duffy’s Ring Promotions, in association with Winner Take All Productions, presents “Bombs Away On Long Island,” showcasing many of Long Island’s most popular and promising prospects.
Long Island-based boxers on the card include Joe “The Irish Bomber” Smith, Jr. (9-1, 9 KOs), Cletus “The Hebrew Hammer” Seldin (7-0, 5 KOs), Ronson Frank (16-0, 8 KOs), Tommy “The Razor” Rainone (17-4, 4 KOs) and Mike “Lefty” Brooks (6-0, 1 KO).
“I am really looking forward to fighting on Long Island again,” Brooks spoke on behalf of all the Long Island boxers. “This group of fighters came up through the ranks together. Fans are going to see the best boxing that The Island has to offer.”
Former nationally ranked amateur boxer Brooks, fighting out of Oceanside, returns to the ring for the first time in two years against Ohio lightweight Calvin “The Gladiator” Pritchard in a six-round bout.
“Bombs Away On Long Island,” sponsored by Westbury Jeep and Westbury Fiat, marks the return of promoter Bob Duffy, who has been on a two-year hiatus from boxing as a promoter due to his work as president of Ring 8 and founding the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame. He is teaming up with Winner Take All Productions, owned and operated by David Schuster, who is the Executive Producer of the critically acclaimed off-Broadway play, “Kid Shamrock.”
“We look forward to bringing a highly entertaining, competitive card to Long Island,” Duffy remarked. “There is a rich boxing tradition here and some of these kids are going to be writing their own chapters in Long Island’s boxing history. I was going through a transition period the past few years and I’m very happy to be back promoting, especially working on this show with David Schuster and his staff. I’m confident that this is the first of many shows in New York that we’ll be working together on.”
The main event is an eight-round match featuring undefeated light welterweight Emmanuel Lartei “Bukom Joe” Lartey (12-01, 7 KOs), a former African and Ghanaian champion now living in New York City, against USA Mid-American welterweight title-holder Boyd Henley (9-1-1, 8 KOs), who fights out of Kansas City, Missouri.
Guyana-native Frank (16-0, 8 KOs), who lives in Rosedale, is rated No. 7 by the North American Boxing Federation (“NABF”) and No. 15 by the North American Boxing Organization (“NABO”). The younger brother of past world title challengers Steve and Raul Frank, undefeated light heavyweight prospect Ronson takes on former WBF US cruiserweight champion Chris Eppley (10-2, 9 KOs) in the six-round co-feature.
Former New York Golden Gloves champion Smith, a cruiserweight from Shirley, Brooklyn welterweight Seldin, and Plainview welterweight Rainone all face opponents to soon be determined in six-round fights
Also fighting on the undercard in four-round bouts are former National amateur champion Adam Willet (2-1-1), of Willett, vs. New Jersey cruiserweight Elvin “KoKo” Sanchez (4-2, 3 KOs), New Hyde Park welterweight Rich “Kid Brazil” Neves (3-0-1, 2 KOs) vs. Jose Angel Ortiz (4-7-1, 1 KO), Hicksville welterweight Anthony Karparis makes his pro debut vs. welterweight Barrington Douse (0-3), and hard-hitting Bronx light middleweight Skender Halili (4-0, 4 KOs) vs. Brian Meadows (0-2-2). All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets are priced at $150.00 (VIP pre-party and ringside), $75.00 (ringside) an $40.00 (general admission) and available to purchase at the Plattdeutsch Park Restaurant (1132 Hempstead Turnpike in Franklin Square) or by calling 516.313.2477 or 516.354.3131. Doors open for the VIP pre-party at 6:00 PM/ET, 7:00 PM/ET for the general public. The first bout is scheduled to start at 7:30 PM/ET.
