Brooklyn, CT - Former New England amateur standout Paul Iannuzzi is set to break a world record as the oldest male or female to ever make their professional boxing debut.
On July 15th, Iannuzzi will step into the ring at 52 years, 10 months and four days old breaking Dewey Bozella's 11-year old record. In 2011, Bozella won a unanimous decision over Larry Hopkins at 52 years and four months old. However, Iannuzzi has no plans to surpass former world heavyweight champion Jack Johnson as being the oldest American fighter to ever compete as a pro.
"This is a one and done for me," said Iannuzzi. "Ten years ago I made a promise to my six-year old daughter Grace Iannuzzi that I would break Dewey's record, and I kept my word."
Whether or not Iannuzzi will be the oldest ever to win his professional debut is a question left to be answered. His debut is at Junior Middleweight (154lbs) and his opponent is slated to be Lucinei Santos, a professional MMA fighter from Brazil, who is winless in three fights as a boxer. Santos has a 17-year age advantage over his elder but the age gap means nothing to Iannuzzi.
"I expect Santos to come forward and try to hammer me like a nail but he'll realize quickly that it's gonna take more than just a hammer to beat me," said a confident Iannuzzi. "Even though I've been training for 34 years, I feel like I'm 35. There is nothing he can bring that I haven't seen before."
Shortly after graduating from LaSalle Academy in Providence, Iannuzzi, from Smithfield, RI started competing on the New England amateur circuit in the late 1980's.
"I first walked into Grundy's Boxing Gym in Central Falls, RI on December 13th, 1987," recalled Iannuzzi. "Less than a month later, my trainer Billy "Bing Bing" Bento put me in the Golden Glove Tournament in Fall River, MA. I won my first fight" Not only did he win his first fight, Iannuzzi went on to win the tournament beating Angel Maserati for the Southern New England Golden Gloves Championship.
He obtained a Bachelor's Degree from Providence College in '95' before marrying his first wife and reluctantly gave up his dream of becoming a prizefighter.
Iannuzzi's biggest accomplishment as an amateur, was in the 118 lb division, where he beat former Liberian Olympian and accomplished professional boxer Sammy Stewart two of the three times they met. "Sammy and I had some wars," said Iannuzzi. "He was a great fighter. Back then it was different, there were sanctioned amateur bouts all over New England every Friday night." Stewart is now a trainer under Freddie Roach at the world renown Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, CA. Film buffs will know Stewart more for his villainous role in the movie franchise Fast & Furious.
Years ago, Iannuzzi got divorced and found himself back in the boxing gym.
"At first, training was just a way to stay active but the skills came back pretty quick," stated Iannuzzi. "I was in my 40's and started competing in the master's division of amateur boxing. I've always been of the belief that it's not over til you say it's over - your mind is in control of your body."
Paul Iannuzzi won several Masters Division world championships including the 2019 Willie Pep International Boxing Federation Masters box-off in Windsor Locke, CT.
Paul Iannuzzi, who now resides in Brooklyn, CT, and his wife Jill are not only partners in life, but the couple also runs a prospering business out of their gym, Rude Dog Boxing. Paul and Jill turned Rude Dog Boxing into the largest international Masters boxing promoter in the world.
In 2019, boxers from 13 countries around the world competed in a Masters Tournament promoted by Rude Dog.
As much as Rude Dog Boxing has thrived, the couple is most proud of having created "Life in balance," a program that is curtailed toward a client's specific disability including Parkinson's Disease, stroke and general elderly strength and balance deficiencies. "The Life and Balance program that Paul and I created is being used by other gyms and wellness centers around the world," said Jill Iannuzzi. "Some neurologists have adopted our drills such as Toy Soldier, a diagnostic test that can detect a deficiency between the left and right sides of the brain. We have dozens of clients at our Brooklyn facility ranging from age 52 to 101."
If interested in learning more about Rude Dog Boxing, the Life in Balance program or want to purchase tickets to the July 15th boxing event at the Worcester Palladium headlined by a New England Super Middleweight championship fight, Kendrick Ball (18-1-2, 12 ko's) vs Angel Camacho Jr. (16-0, 5 ko's) email rudedogboxing@yahoo.com or call 860-771-1343. The event is promoted by Rivera Promotions Entertainment.
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