Pandemonium at The Palladium 2,” brought to you by Granite Chin Promotions, is lining up to be the most thrilling boxing event of 2023 in New England. This event is packed with fierce and engaging fights, showcasing some of the most admired and skilled fighters across the six-state region.
The whole spectacle will be broadcast live on BXNGTV.com, straight from the renowned Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts. Granite Chin Promotions is collaborating with Project New Hope, a local charity dedicated to supporting veterans and their families.
The 10-round main event features the battle for the vacant Junior North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Welterweight Championship. This sees Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (12-0, 7 KOs) going head-to-head with Kenny “Lionheart” Larson (7-0-1, 5 KOs), from Salem, Massachusetts. This clash, possibly named “Unfinished Business,” has been on the cards before but never materialized until now.
Whitley, hailing from Holyoke, Massachusetts, holds the Massachusetts and United States Boxing Federation (USBF) Atlantic welterweight titles. He is up against his most challenging opponent yet in Larson, a silver medalist from the 2016 N.E. Golden Gloves.
Local Worcester favorites are also in the ring, including Kendrick “Peppa” Ball, Jr. (21-1-3, 12 KOs). He’s set against Heber Rondon (20-5, 13 KOs) from Venezuela, battling over eight rounds for the vacant USBF Light Heavyweight Championship.
Ball, previously holding the N.E. Middleweight and WBC Silver super middleweight titles, faces Rondon, a former WBA Fedelatin super welterweight champion.
In a potential show-stealer, Worcester junior middleweight Khiary “Too Sharp” Gray (17-6, 13 KOs) faces New Haven veteran Jimmy “The Quiet Storm” Williams (18-13-2, 6 KOs) in a six-round thriller. Gray, runner-up in the 2012 N.E. Golden Gloves, takes on Williams, a former WBC USA Welterweight and ABF USA and UBO International super welterweight champion.
Keno Luna, a four-time N.E. Golden Gloves Champion from Worcester, makes his pro debut against welterweight Moises Rivera in a four-round fight.
Steve “The Savage” Sumpter (9-0, 7 KOs) from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, risks his perfect record against Ronald Montes (19-19-1, 17 KOs) from Colombia in a six-round match. Sumpter, the IBA Americas Super Middleweight and Massachusetts Light Heavyweight Champion, faces Montes, a former Colombia Welterweight Champion.
Carlos “El Gallo” Gonzalez (8-0, 7 KOs) from Springfield, Massachusetts, another undefeated lightweight, squares off against Nathan Benichou in a four-round bout.
The undercard features several four-round fights: Joe Bush from Marshfield, Massachusetts, making his professional debut against Tymar Miles (0-1), Douglas (MA) junior middleweight Robert Degaetano (1-0, 1 KO) against Devon Grant (0-6), Scituate heavyweight Kevin “Big Gulp” Nagle (4-0, 4 KOs) versus Tadeu Costa, Cuban junior middleweight Danny Lafos Poll (1-0, 1 KO) against Byran Goldsby (5-19, 0 KOs), New Jersey junior welterweight Tyrone “Hands of Stone” Luckey (16-22-4, 12 KOs) versus Carlos Marrero III (5-9-3, 0 KOs), 2019 New York Golden Gloves Champion Famous Wilson (2-0, 1 KO) against middleweight Nata Gomes (0-2), Haitian junior welterweight Edwine Humaine (2-0, 2 KOs) versus Terrence Richardson (pro debut), and Cuban welterweight Raidel Rodriguez (1-0, 1 KO) against Jemorean Smith (0-1).
Note: The card is subject to change.
Tickets for this electrifying event are up for grabs at www.ThePalladium.net. The doors swing open at 6:30 p.m. ET,