World champion boxer Shawn Porter returns to Shore for Ocean City boxing event
Richard Pollitt
Get ready to rumble boxing fans — ‘The Baddest Son-O-The-Beach Fight Fest’ is coming to Ocean City Friday night.
Hosted by Main Street Gym, the event is set to feature nearly a dozen bouts — two that showcase female boxers — and spotlight some of the best up-and-coming boxers in the region.
The fight serves as a homecoming for two-time world champion Shawn “Showtime” Porter who made his pro debut at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center just over 10 years ago.
He later went on to fight four more times in Salisbury and currently holds a 29-2-1 overall record which includes 17 knockouts.
Main Street Gym coach and trainer Hal Chernoff said the fight is expected to feature five boxers from his facility, including Eric Acosta in the 132-pound division and Marquise Hines in the 152-pound division. Boxers from the Ocean City Fight Club, Mack Lewis’s Gym of Baltimore and Baltimore Boxing are also scheduled to attend.
The fight is sponsored by Pohanka of Salisbury and will be held at the convention center in Ocean City. Doors open at 7 p.m. with bouts beginning an hour later.
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Multiple celebrity boxers are also scheduled attend, including former Baltimore Ravens running back turned boxer Walter Sanders. He is set to fight a Salisbury University student who trains with Chernoff.
Vinny “The Paz” Pazienza who battled back from a severe neck injury to become a five-time world champion will join Porter as a spectator. The former boxer held titles at lightweight and middle lightweight.
When Pazienza hung up his gloves in 2004, he had compiled a 50-10 overall record.
Both men will be available for photos and autographs, according to Chernoff.
An “After Fight Party” is scheduled to be held at Buxy’s Salty Dog Saloon on 28th Street following the final blow.
IF YOU GO
The Baddest Son-O-The-Beach Fight Fest
When: Friday, Oct. 12, 2018 | 8 p.m. (Door open at 7)
Where: Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 40th Street, Ocean City
Ticket Info: Call 410-289-2800
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