Paragon Casino’s co-feature shapes up to be a real battle.
By Mike Indri
Retired Boxers Foundation
 
Even though Saturday night’s main event features "Bad" Chad Broussard, (52-4, 38 KO’s), defending his IBU Intercontinental welterweight title; and a win could propel the thirty-five year old Lafayette native to a future, first ever, world championship fight; all eyes seem to be fixated on the fight card’s co-feature bout which pits hometown hero Bobby "The Bayou Bomber" Aucoin against the determined and dangerous Travis Hartman.

The extremely popular and talented Aucoin, (14-0-1, 6 KO’s), looks to remain undefeated against Hartman, a St. Joseph’s, Missouri native whose very deceiving 5-2-1 (4 KO’s) professional record may lull Aucoin into thinking he has an easy fight on his hands. 
 
"It’s going to be a tough fight, Bobby (Aucoin) is very tough," stated Jason Redmond, manager of twenty-two year old Hartman, adding "Travis has all the tools and the potential, he will be a name in the lightweight division for years to come!"

When questioned about his fighter’s last two bouts (both which resulted in losses for Hartman) Redmond was quick to answer, "the last fight was a bad call by the referee (10/01/2005: Jeff Hinds DQ 4), Travis was winning the fight and got warned for a shot on the beltline, after that he did catch him low and was disqualified right away - in his hometown!"

Redmond, who also manages veteran heavyweight contender Rob Calloway,  spoke about Hartman’s fight against the sizzling hot prospect Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. (04/22/2005 TKO by 3), "Travis was sick with the flu vs. Chavez, we would love to have that fight again."

Redmond, realizing he was bringing his young fighter into the lions den facing Aucion in the hometown fighter’s backyard, the beautiful Paragon Casino & Resort, in Marksville, La. where "The Bayou Bomber" will have his legion of fans - in the thousands - cheering him on.

"This is a good opportunity for Travis, whatever happens it won’t push him back; yet a win is big for us," rationalized the business savvy manager.

The likeable Hartman, who compiled an awe-inspiring amateur record of 156 wins, with only 13 losses, earning three national titles in the process, sees it a bit differently.

"This is do or die for me!" exclaimed Hartman, who has been fighting since the age of six.  "This would be my third loss in a row; I’ve never even lost three fights in a year fighting amateurs, I can’t have that now; I‘m coming to win."

A tough, strong fighter with fast hands and good power, Hartman was likened to Oscar De La Hoya during his younger years, and says his brand of fighting these days is an incorporation of many styles.  
 
Aucoin, also enjoyed a stellar career during his "punch for no pay" days; winning most of his 90+ amateur bouts.  Since turning pro in 2002, Aucoin has always been kept very busy.  After lacing up the gloves six times in ’04, "The Bayou Bomber" has fought just once this year; on June 17th, winning a six round decision against thirty-six year old career opponent, Jeff Williams (5-33-2), a loser of his last nineteen straight fights!
The twenty-nine year old Aucoin, who is still being considered to take part in Sylvester Stallone & Sugar Ray Leonard’s "The Contender" boxing reality television show, which can be seen on ESPN later this year, didn’t appear fazed when speaking at a recent press conference, "He (Hartman) is going to make a mistake early, and when he does the fight becomes mine," explained the gifted Scott, La. native, who envisions challenging current WBC & WBO World Lightweight Champion Diego Corrales in the not-too-distant future. 
 
The Rivas Warrior Boxing Promotions "FIGHT NIGHT" fightcard appears to be an action packed night of crowd pleasing boxing.  Tickets for this Saturday (Nov. 26th) are priced at $100 for Ringside and $30 General Admission and can be purchased by calling the Paragon Casino & Resort at 1(800)WIN-1-WIN or online at www.paragoncasinoresort.com.