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New York Rivalry Returns In Classic
Italian vs. Irish Throwback On June 27
Long before television contracts, social media followers,
and worldwide pay-per-view events, Irish and Italian
fighters filled New York's boxing clubs and arenas, creating
some of the sport's most memorable rivalries. From Madison
Square Garden to neighborhood fight clubs throughout the
city, Irish and Italian boxers battled for pride,
opportunity, and local bragging rights, helping build boxing
into America's most popular sport.
On Saturday, June 27, that proud tradition returns to Long
Island when Brooklyn-rooted Italian-American Micky Scala
(13-1, 7 KOs) faces Long Island's own Irish-American Zay
Flaherty (8-1, 4 KOs) in a featured attraction at Joe
DeGuardia's Rockin' Fights 54 at The Paramount in
Huntington.
While separated by heritage, both fighters have become
fixtures of the Rockin' Fights series and have earned
reputations as crowd-pleasing action fighters willing to
test themselves against quality opposition. Now, they meet
in a matchup that feels like a throwback to boxing's golden
era.
Scala enters the bout riding the momentum of a spectacular
first-round knockout victory last time in the ring in his
home state of Arizona. Though he grew up in Arizona, Scala
proudly carries his Brooklyn roots into every fight and has
become one of the Rockin' Fights series' most popular
returning fighters thanks to his aggressive style and
willingness to take on all challengers.
"These are the kinds of fights I want," said Scala. "Zay is
a good fighter, a tough fighter, and I know he's going to
come ready. That's what makes this exciting. We're both
coming to win and give the fans a great show."
Standing across the ring will be Flaherty, a proud New
Yorker who has built a loyal following at The Paramount
through a series of gritty and entertaining performances.
Flaherty will have the support of a passionate hometown
crowd as he looks to add another memorable chapter to his
growing career.
"This is exactly the type of fight I asked for," said
Flaherty. "Micky has the momentum heading toward the 27th,
but this is New York and this is my home. I plan on putting
on a performance and entertaining all at the Paramount."
For Star Boxing President Joe DeGuardia, the matchup
represents more than just another exciting fight. "There's
something special about this one," said DeGuardia. "For
generations, Irish and Italian fighters helped shape boxing
in New York. The backgrounds may be different today, but the
pride, toughness, and determination are exactly the same.
Micky and Zay are both fan favorites because they bring
everything they have every time they step into the ring.
This is the kind of matchup that Rockin' Fights was built
on."
Neither fighter is willing to take a step backward in
pursuit of bigger opportunities, making this one of the most
compelling matchups on the June 27 card. With hometown
pride, momentum, and future positioning all on the line,
fans can expect an atmosphere reminiscent of the great
neighborhood rivalries that once defined New York boxing.
On June 27, two modern-day warriors will add their names to
a tradition that stretches back generations, proving that
while boxing continues to evolve, some rivalries never go
out of style.
The Scala-Flaherty showdown is just one of many reasons fans
are eagerly anticipating Rockin’ Fights 54. The June 27
event is headlined by the return of Deer Park School
District bus driver and reigning IBF/USBA Junior
Middleweight Champion Wendy Toussaint, whose remarkable
journey from driving his daily route to facing top contender
Austin “Ammo” Williams under the bright lights of Madison
Square Garden on just one day’s notice created a real-life,
made-for-the-movies boxing moment.
Also appearing on the card are undefeated U.S. Marine Corps
veteran and Hofstra graduate student Peter LaTorre and
fellow undefeated knockout artist Ralph Clemente, both of
whom have ended every professional victory inside the
distance, along with Wyandanch veteran Terrell Bostic and
several of the region’s top rising prospects. Together, they
promise another unforgettable night of world-class boxing at
The Paramount.
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