Danbury’s Collado steals the show
DANBURY — It was an action-packed night of amateur boxing at the Summer Sizzler II at the Danbury War Memorial Saturday night — and Danbury’s own Cesar Collado stole the show.
Collado, representing Champs Boxing Club of Danbury, won the final bout of the event by technical knockout at 1:26 of the third and final round over Giovanni Rosano of Champs Boxing in New Rochelle, N.Y.
The 27-year-old Collado, a 2008 Danbury High School graduate, was happy he could send the local fight fans home with a victory.
“It was tough because the gym, our guys didn’t really get the victories like we had hoped we would,” Collado said moments after exiting the ring. “I’m just glad we pulled it out.”
After a back-and-forth first round, Collado took control in the second round, landing a series of punishing combinations. That continued into the third round, which ultimately led to the stoppage and drew a roar of approval from the several hundred fans in attendance.
“Just composure,” Collado said of his strategy. “Keep it together, just stick to the game plan and stick to the training. All the work was done in the gym, and I’m happy we were able to put it out here tonight.”
Having grown up in Danbury, Collado is well versed in the city’s rich boxing history, from the old Hat City Boxing Club, to the Harambee Center, and now to Champs.
“I was happy we were able to get a gym like Champs and a manager and promoter who’s dedicated like A.J. Galante,” Collado said. “He’s dedicated to bringing boxing back to Danbury.”
Also from Champs of Danbury, Luis Espinal lost by decision to Malachii Lesane of LDR Boxing; Phil Serva lost by technical
knockout at 1:13 of the third and final round to Raymond Sierra of the Hartford Boxing Club; and Armando Alba lost by decision to Joe Lascaibar of Champs of New Rochelle.
Other winners included Demani Williams of Charter Oak Boxing Academy, Donovan Garrell and Stevie Theoharidis of Floyd Patterson’s Boxing Club, Carlos Bermudez, Marc Solis and Anthony Rojas of Boxing in Faith, Elvis Cardenas of Champs of New Rochelle, and Josh Orta of Old School Boxing.
For some, amateur events such as this are stepping stones to careers in the ring. The 22-year-old Orta, who hails from Springfield, Mass., plans to turn pro in August.
“Boxing is my whole life,” said Orta, a New En- gland Golden Gloves champ. “I put everything on the line.”