PHILADELPHIA - On January 13th 2013 on the undercard of Rosado / Golovkin, Anthony Ferrante entered the theater of Madison Square Garden as an underdog from Philadelphia to lose against Isa Akberbayev. Akberbayev was an undefeated cruiserweight who held the IBO intercontinental title. Akberbayev was 10- 0- 7 KO’s, with 5 KO’s in his last six fights. Ferrante 12- 6, was virtually ignored by the press, and although the fight was for the IBO intercontinental title, he sat alone with his trainer during the weigh INS and title meetings because Akberbayev didn’t even think enough to show up after the weigh in.
Ferrante’s trainer Mike Cassell remarked after the fight, “at least 3 people I know in boxing, who will remain nameless, walked past me that night shaking their head, saying, you brought Ferrante here to get beat up? I smiled, because I knew that Isa was going to sleep. They thought we were both nuts. But I knew that night, and I know now, how good Tony can be”.
The night ended with Ferrante delivering a dramatic and utterly devastating knock out in the tenth and final round. For Ferrante it was vindication. He had been cutting over 35 lbs. to make the light heavyweight limit of 175lbs and had lost two fights in a row. Moving up to cruiserweight made him a much stronger puncher, and much better boxer. Nearly 2 months after the fight, Ferrante received notice that failed a post-fight drug test, which to this day Ferrante fights and denies the allegation.
“Something happened there said Ferrante, I don’t know what. But one thing is clear; I didn’t take anything before that fight. I fought 18 times across 3 states, including New York, and never had a positive test”.
After the New York decision to suspend and rule the Akberbayev fight a no contest, Ferrante got permission to fight anywhere else in the world. He fought and lost a disputed 10 round split decision to Anthony Caputo Smith, and a more devastating loss to journeyman Pedro Martinez. Ferrante looks back on those fights.
“I had to fight; I went through so much legal crap with the Akberbayev ruling. I thought I clearly proved my innocence getting blood work done through an independent lab, going to the hearings, just proving my innocence etc….. I was totally not in the right state of mind fighting Martinez. I mean, I was in the hospital with bi-lateral pneumonia days before the fight. I shouldn’t have fought. It was my fault, it was unprofessional, but I will never do that again”.
After the Martinez fight Ferrante decided it was time to either walk away from boxing, or get serious about his sport. Ultimately he chose to get serious and sit down with his team and make a real plan. His strength and conditioning is handled by Sean Thomson out of NO LIMIT GYM. His boxing coach Mike Cassell from ROCCO MMA/BOXING works on ring generalship and tactics. Ferrante seems to have regained a focus that was not there early this year.
On October 24th 2014, Ferrante went to Fort Washington Maryland to face Venroy July 16- 1, with his new plan and new focus. Ferrante, in a very matter of fact way, predicted a KO in video interview on against the ropes. Again, Ferrante was brought in as an opponent to basically lose. The results were a devastating knock out stoppage, but this time in round 2. Ferrante smiled about that night.
“We had a plan. I know Venroy July is a tough guy. But I also knew I was stronger. We set some traps, and took him out. I did what I needed to do in training and in gym and in the ring. That’s being a professional, and that’s my job, that’s who I am”.
Ferrante has rose dramatically in the US rankings, and is now facing another undefeated ranked contender at the Chase center on November 21st in Delaware. Alex Guerrero is 11-0 (5KO’s) and is a game fighter. The NABA cruiserweight title will be on the line. Ferrante is confident, but does not look past Guerrero. “He is undefeated and a good fighter. I take him very seriously and I will bring my A game. Nothing will be held back”.
Champs management in Delaware is presenting the card, and is doing a hell of job bringing real match-ups to Delaware. The main event is for the NABO welterweight title matching up the skilled Ray Robinson of Philadelphia against Daniel Sostre. Ferrante and Guerrero are the co-main event with the winner walking away with the NABA cruiserweight belt. Doors open at 6pm. Go to CHAMPSMANAGEMENT.COM or call 302-888-Blue for tickets. Or in NE Philadelphia call 267-994-0607 for local pick up.
