By: Mark Daniels
World Championship Fighting promoter Joe Cavallaro wants to put on fights that matter.
Judging by the amount of fighters that have gone on to bigger shows after fighting in his promotions it seems to be the case. And tomorrow’s event in Wilmington should be no different.
Win or lose, headliner Rick Hawn (5-0) is already pay-per-view-bound with Shine Fight Promotions after his bout with Tom Gallicchio (12-4). For Gallicchio, who trains out of New York with Team Bombsquad, it makes the bout even more attractive with his opponent bound for a bigger stage.
The 23-year-old Gallicchio has been fighting professionally since 2006 and this fight with Hawn, 33, could have ramifications on a higher level.
“These are the type of fights I want to put on — fights that matter in New England but nationally, too,” Cavallaro said.
There’s nothing new about WCF fighters having an impact at higher levels.
The Ultimate Fighter 11, set for March 31, will feature two local fighters — Greg Rebello and Woody Weatherby — who have fought for the WCF. Now fighting in the UFC, both Dan Lauzon and Jon Jones also came through the Shriners Auditorium. Mike Campbell and John Franchi also fought for Cavallaro before taking on opponents in the WEC.
“I hate to see them go but I love guys to have the opportunity to do that,” said Cavallaro. “I think that when the UFC and pay per view companies see guys that fought for us they know that we’re not putting on (expletive) fights and these guys are getting tested. That adds something to what we’re doing.”
John Benoit, who fights out of Renzo Gracie’s in N.H., comes into his bout with Noah Weisman as one of the top lightweights in the region. The 26-year-old, with a record of 8-2, has a wrestling base and ran through the local scene winning his first seven bouts. The 30-year-old Weisman comes in with a Brazilian jiu-jitsu base and has stopped his opponents, in two amateur and two professional bouts, within the first round.
Though Benoit is coming off a loss, from what Cavallaro has seen, he has the talent to take it to the next level.
“Benoit is guy who can make it,” said Cavallaro. “He’s just had a couple of bad things happen to him in a row.”
Dan Bonnell, who has shown to be one of the area’s top 145 pounders, steps up to take on Cesario de Souza. Bonnell, who is also the matchmaker for the Global Fight League, has a record of 8-6. His opponent, de Souza, comes in with a 7-5 record and a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt to boot.
WCF 9
At Shriners Auditorium
Start Time – 7:30
Rick Hawn vs. Tom Gallicchio
John Benoit vs. Noah Weisman
Dan Bonnell vs. Cesario de Souza
Mike Zichelle vs. Stephen Stengel
Jamie Campbell vs. Colin Schrader
Buster Crandell vs. Robby Roberts
Matt Martin vs. Peter Cole
Nelson Gaipo vs. Matt Johnson
Carlos Lovato vs. Jerry Spiegel
Joel Ly vs. Steve Beck
Aniss Alhajjajy vs. Kevin Roddy
