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Denzel Whitley vs. Kenny Larson Headlines "Pandemonium At
The Palladium 2" Dec. 9
Old-time boxing returns Friday night, December 9, in
Worcester (MA), as Granite Chin Promotions (GCP) presents
“Pandemonium at the Palladium 2,” featuring a roster of
legitimate fighters in real fights.
Undefeated Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (12-0, 7 KOs) and
unbeaten Kenny “Lionheart” Larson (7-0-1, 5 KOs) will
headline in the 10-round main event for the vacant Junior
North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Welterweight
Championship in a rebirth of a longtime Bay State rivalry.
Whitley, of Holyoke, represents Western, Massachusetts,
Salem’s Larson is from Eastern, Mass. It’s also a fight
between a legacy fighter, Whitley, who is trained by his
father Derrick and uncle Darrin, who were solid pro fighters
during the 1990’s into the first decade of the 21st century;
Larson is a throwback fighter who only asks who, where and
when he’s fighting.
And Whitley and Larson, as rare as it may be among
contemporary boxers, are unbeaten prospects fighting each
other, which is a sure sign of old-time boxing.
“This is a critical fight for both fighters at this stage in
their career,” GCP president Chris Traietti commented. “The
winner moves on to legitimate prospect status, while whoever
falls short will have to regroup and rebuild a little bit.
It is about time these two guys finally get into the ring
with each other and give local boxing fans an exciting main
event. The styles of each guy contrast perfectly Denzel is
more of a boxer, Kenny is a pressure fighter; this is a
can’t miss entertainment with the Junior NABF title on the
line.”
Whitley is the reigning Massachusetts and United States
Boxing Federation (USBF) Atlantic Welterweight Champion,
although neither of his two regional titles will be on the
line versus Larson.
Whitley vs. Larson was supposed to happen a few times, but
they have not met in the ring yet. They are both anxious to
take care of unfinished business on Dec. 9 in Worcester.
This showdown will also mark the first scheduled 10-round
fight for both combatants.
“I can’t say it (delay) will necessarily help me,” said
Whitley, who was known as a notoriously slow starter until
his most recent fight (August 18, 2023) at The Palladium,
when he needed only 25-seconds to stop Hector Esnar
Bobadilla. “I was ready before and now for this fight. It’s
my first 10-round fight and I’ve gotten more rounds to be in
my best shape. I’m on a belt run and want to add my third
title. My style was to get in rounds to get the proper feel
and adapt in the ring. My father and uncle have wanted me to
start faster, and I did in my last fight.
“I don’t know much about my opponent. He likes to fight, I
like that. We do have unfinished business and we’re finally
getting that now. I need to get him out of the way and move
on to the next fight. He comes forward, an old-fashioned
fighter, and that will make for a good fight. When I capture
this belt, I hope to move up in the rankings and it helps
get me a big shot in a big venue against a big name.”
Larson, who was a 2016 New England Golden Gloves silver
medalist, registered the most significant victory of his
career last July, when he won an eight-round split decision
over highly respected Brandon Higgins (10-3). But he came
back less than a month later to fight Alfred Raymond, which
ended in a six-round split decision.”
“A relief,” Larson expressed his feelings about finally
fighting Whitley. “This is what I want and I’m glad to get a
chance to prove myself. (The delay) Helped me a little
because of the experience I’ve gained. I know I wasn’t at my
best, but I had just fought Higgins in the fight of my life.
I didn’t get a rest to recover from the fight with Higgins.
Since then, though, my mind frame was clear in training camp
because I had a vacation after my last fight.
“Denzel has a good record. I’m looking to prove myself
against the best. He’s the best…..right now. I’m going to
fight my fight at my pace. I don’t care about fighting him
in Worcester. My fans travel no matter where I fight. I’m a
throwback who is a rough kid that can fight.”
Also fighting on the loaded “Pandemonium at the Palladium
2,” card is undefeated International Boxing Association (IBA)
Americas Super Middleweight Champion Steve “The Savage”
Sumpter (9-0, 7 KOs), who will face an opponent to be
determined in the 10-round co-featured event. Sumpter,
fighting out of Pittsfield (MA), is one of the hottest
prospects in the Northeast, coming off an impressive
performance against previously unbeaten James “Pitbull”
Perkins (12-0-1, 9 KOs) by way of an eight-round majority
decision in the main event this past August at The
Palladium.
Also scheduled to be in action are a pair of Worcester
fighters, light heavyweight Kendrick “Peppa” Ball, Jr.
(21-1-3, 12 KOs) and super welterweight Khiary “Too Sharp”
Gray (17-6, 13 KOs). Ball is a former New England
Middleweight and WBC USA Super Middleweight Champion, who
will be fighting in a 10-rounder for the vacant USBF title.
Pitts will be in his first fight in two years.
Card subject to change. Additional fights and fighters will
soon be announced.
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