Knocked Off

The Capital by Joe Gross February 23, 2002

Three Time Champ Falls in Brigade Boxing

The Tony Rubino Four-Time Brigade Boxing Champion Trophy was tucked away under the ring that was setup at Halsey Field House. It was there to be presented to T. Alford, who stepped up to the 132-pound division after having won the 125-pound championship in each of the last three years.

But Frank Parisi, a kid from the Bronx who is a huge fan of the “Rocky” movies, had other ideas. And so, the trophy that had gone to only nine boxers in the 61-year history of the event was never taken from its hiding place. Parisi, who watched tapes of “Rocky” movies and listened to tapes of the soundtrack before getting into the ring last night, was not awed by his opponent’s record. He knew it was possible for him to beat Alford. “Rocky lost to Apollo Creed in the movie I watched earlier, so I guess I came out better than he did,” Parisi said. “I had no doubt that it was possible for me to win, it was just a question of whether or not I would do it.” Parisi, who had several family members visiting from the Bronx to share his moment of glory, never got to the Brigade Boxing finals last year when he lost in the quarterfinals as a 139-pounder. He made up for that last night.

Parisi never hesitated in taking the role of aggressor as the two boxers went toe-to-toe from the moment they stepped into the ring. He bloodied Alford’s nose, which got the notice of the judges at ringside. And Parisi put Alford on the defensive as the two engaged in a slugfest. Before the night’s 11-bout card got started, while Parisi was watching the “Rocky” clips, Alford was relaxed, talking to friends, laughing at jokes and strolling around the venue. “I’m not nervous. I’ll focus on the fight when we step into the ring. And that’s when I’ll get nervous, too.” Alford said earlier in the evening. “I’d like to say I don’t get a little bit cocky before a fight, but you do sort of expect things to go your way.”

“I’ve looked at the guys that have been four-time champions, but they’re in a league of their own. I don’t think I really belong with them, but I definitely want to try to get up there with them.” Yet, when the blood was wiped from his face and his swelled nose and reddened cheekbone were treated, Alford made no excuses. “When I got into the ring it wasn’t about getting T, it was about me winning the fight,” said the victorious Parisi, who said he was surprised by the things Alford failed to do. “He wasn’t throwing the big hooks like he usually does. I was planning for that. I wanted to step in and get him to swing and try to slip in from there, but he wasn’t throwing. He was staying tight and jabbing and all I had to do was counter and work my way in on him. That worked pretty well for me,” Parisi said.

Both fighters had to endure a wait of nearly 25 minutes when the program was stopped as they entered the ring to allow for the arrival of academy superintendent Vice Admiral John Ryan, who watched the Navy wrestlers defeat Army before coming to the boxing event. Both boxers said it was difficult to maintain their focus during that wait.

Alford said he felt as if he had an advantage going into the ring, but when the boxers had to start over, he felt as if they were on more even terms. The flow of the fight, something Alford tries to use to his advantage, was disrupted by the “break” calls by referee Steve Rial. Those calls obviously irritated Alford, who said he likes to come back quick on breaks because he depends on keeping his opponents tired. The extended breaks ordered by Rial gave the boxers an opportunity to catch their collective breath. But Alford, the only defending champion to be beaten last night, would not use the referee’s style as an excuse.

“I’m glad to have won three championships,” he said. “I knew Parisi would be tough, but I thought that if I fought my best and he fought his best that neither of us could win. I fought hard, but he was right on the game.”

Other defending champions who won last night were Adam Mallo at 125, Steve Cobos at 139, Bobby Villenueva at 147, Rick Weil at 156 and Ben Zuber at 185. Other winners included Ahmad Ghaffar at 119, Nick Sidiropoulos at 165, Amir Shareef at 175, Jim Denicco at 195 and Jeff Watkins at heavyweight.

The 175-pound contest was the first in anyone’s memory between two plebes. Shareef and Chris Lonero, the brother of last year’s outstanding boxer in the same tournament, staged one of the best contests of the evening and sent the crowd of nearly 3,000 into a frenzy as both boxers earned standing ovations.