The popular Dropkick Murphys Celtic punk band will have an interesting opening act when they play at Mohegan Sun tomorrow evening in Connecticut.
Rather than another band warming the crowd up the Murphys will promote a seven-bout boxing card filled with local New England fighters who will compete to move up the rankings in pursuit of future title opportunities. The entire card will be produced by Linacre Media for the live streaming Fightnight Live series on Facebook.
In the main event, Light Heavyweight Chalres Foster (14-0, 8 KOs) will put his unbeaten record on the line against Louisiana’s Justin Thomas (19-3, 5 KOs). The winner will be awarded the vacant NABA regional title and for the Connecticut native Foster a win can propel him into the top 15 ranking of the WBA in the very rich Light Heavyweight division.
Foster’s little brother, William will also appear on the card in a six round Junior Lightweight bout against Mexico’s Jesus Zunan Ramirez (4-2). The younger Foster (5-0, 4 KOs) was a standout amateur star in Connecticut appearing in over 400 bouts.
In Heavyweight action Ireland’s Niall Kennedy (10-0, 6 KOs) and Aaron Chavers (8-3-1, 3 KOs) in a six round bout. Kennedy, who works full time as a police officer back home in Wexford, Ireland has fought more half of his fights in the United States including an upset victory over Alexis Santos last year.
Rounding out the card are knockout artists Abraham Nova (9-0, 8 KOs) and Carlos Gongora (10-0, 8 KOs) in separate bouts. Also, there will be a compelling crossroads bout for popular Connecticut welterweight Omar Bonilla (3-3-2). Bonilla is dedicating this bout to his lifelong friend Luis Rosa who was a popular prospect from Connecticut who tragically lost his life in a car accident last year.
Since the start of the Fightnight Live series on Facebook nine months ago, over one million viewers have tuned in to watch exciting action in a way previously unavailable to hardcore fans.
“We’re excited about Saturday, and also to begin a two-fight promotion with Murphy’s Boxing,” said Mark Fratto from Linacre Media. “The card is filled with undefeated up-and-comers with international appeal and Facebook is a terrific medium to deliver these great fights and outstanding athletes to a global audience.”
Murphy Boxing’s Ken Casey is ecstatic that his fighters are getting exposure in ways that most boxers simply do not.
“Times are changing for boxing just like streaming changed music,” said Casey who also fronts the bank Dropkick Murphys. “With the built-in audiences we have we are reaching a higher viewership with our streams than many of the televised fights these days. We are proud of the fights we are putting on and the audiences we are drawing.”
