Boxing returns on September 5th at the Presque Isle Downs Casino in Erie, PA

By Ken Hissner, Dog House Boxing (Sept 4, 2015)

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On September 5th in Erie, PA, Ernie Bizzarro will promote a fight card. He is but one of the Ten Fighting Bizzarro’s having one fight in 2001 scoring a knockout! Best known was Johnny Bizzarro, 56-11-2 (25), who challenged both Flash Elorde for his WBA and WBC super featherweight titles in February of 1963 going the full 15 rounds in the Phillipines. He then challenged IBHOF inductee Carlos Ortiz for his title and was stopped in the 12th round only behind by a point apiece on two cards and 2 points on the other! This was held at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. Johnny fought from 1958 to 1968.

Lightweight Lou Bizzarro, 31-2 (9), once challenged Roberto “Hands of Stone” Duran when he was at his best for his WBA lightweight title in May of 1976, some 39 years ago this month. He was stopped with one second to go in the 14th round in June of 1966 to Duran who was 55-1. It was held at the County Field House in Erie, PA. Both Johnny and Lou were born in Marcianese, Italy. Lou fought from 1964 to 1982.

Then there was Johnny Boy (Junior) Bizzarro who was 38-9-3 (12) fighting from 1983 to 2001. He was the IBO welterweight champion until he lost to Roger Mayweather over 12 rounds.

Super lightweight Lou Bizzarro, 24-3 (2), fought from 1996-2004. The two Bizzarro’s who fought out of Italy were super welterweight Procolo Bizzarro, 6-4 (1) fighting from 1980 to 1992 and lightweight Angelo Bizzarro, 18-4-2 (3), who fought from 1978 to 1986.

Welterweight Paul Bizzarro, was 3-0 (2), and fought from 1964-65 and passed away in May of 2013. Middleweight Joe Bizzarro was 4-1 (3) from 1984 to 1993. Lightweight Angelo Bizzarro was 8-3 (6) from 1992 to 1994. It’s been said that legendary matchmaker Don Elbaum matched all of the Bizzarro’s at one time or another.

Let’s get behind the September 5th show at the Presque Isle Downs Casino, in Erie, PA. Kurt Wolfheimer will be doing the Public Relations work. Matchmaker is Chuck Bayley. Headlining is Cleveland, OH, bantamweight Antonio “Carita” Nieves, 12-0-1 (5) against South Korea’s Tae Woong Jung, 3-2-2 (3) in an 8 round match. Other unbeaten boxers on the show are Cleveland’s Ramiro Hernandez, 5-0 (5) against southpaw DeWayne Wisdom, 6-24-1 (3) of Indianapolis in a 4 round welterweight match and Toledo’s Wesley Tucker, 9-0 (7) meets Wilfredo Acuna 15-17 (12), of Nicaragua in a 6 round bout. There are 9 scheduled bouts. On June 6th they had their debut promotion which was a big success. A November show is planned.

Please send all questions and comments to Ken Hissner at: Kenhissner@gmail.com