 New Rochelle, NY - Body slams and hip tosses are returning to Westchester County, this time with a unique presentation of an old-time classic, Professional Wrestling.
Millions of fans watch this form of sports entertainment on TV every week, but have you ever been to one of these events live and in person? If not, Saturday, April 5 in New Rochelle at New Rochelle High School, the New York State Wrestling Federation has a wrestling show planned that rivals anything you might see on TV. The event is being sponsored locally by LA Boxing in Mamaroneck.
For Devon Hughes, April 5 will serve as a homecoming for a young man who idolized Bruno Sammartino & Hulk Hogan during his childhood before learning the ropes himself. Known by fans as Brother Devon, Hughes will be in the main event with his Team 3D partner Brother Ray. Hughes was a graduate of New Rochelle High School and worked for the Postal Service in New Rochelle before joining the wrestling circuit on a full-time basis.
Along with Brother Ray, the duo formerly known as the Dudley Boyz had twenty reigns as world tag-team champions in WWE, WCW, ECW and the NWA. The team currently wrestles for TNA Wrestling on Spike TV.
Brother Devon wrestled on NYSWF Promoter Paul Sarachelli's first wrestling show in 1995 and he's excited to have his first hometown hero return to compete at New Rochelle High School.
"Devon will always be Devon," said Sarachelli. "He's a man of honor and true student of wrestling. He has lived and breathed this sport since he was young. I know that Devon’s going to want to kick it up a notch when he sees friends and former classmates and co-workers in attendance."
If seeing Team 3D was not enough, the night will also feature a "Boxer versus Wrestler Match". Wrestler Larry Sweeney issued an open challenge to any athlete in Westchester County and was expecting to hear from a fellow pro wrestler. That wasn't the case as former world boxing contender, Larry Barnes (44-3-0, 17 knockouts) decided to sign his name on the contract.
Barnes, who is currently employed as a fitness trainer by Forme Rehabilitation, assists in the training of the nationally ranked Mount Vernon High School basketball program and the Tuckahoe High School football program. While he has never competed in a wrestling ring, his training regimen for this match is similar to the one he was under when he fought Felix Trinidad Jr. in 1995.
"I still have the fire to compete," said Barnes. "I know this isn't a boxing ring, but I have been polishing up on my mat skills in case the match goes to the mat. This is like soccer versus football on the same field, but I'm the boxer, going for a knockout."
Outside of the ring during that unique match, former New Rochelle and White Plains High School Athletic Director Mario Scarano and Sam Roberts of The Opie & Anthony Show will serve as two of the three special guest judges, should the contest go the distance.
The show does not end there as former New Rochelle City Councilman & current New Rochelle Youth Tackle League President Joe Fosina will find himself wearing a referee's uniform. Fosina will be thrust into the spotlight as the special guest referee for the ladies match.
European Champion, John "Romeo" Roselli of West Harrison and Rye's Mark Ward, who competes under the name “Vic Devine” round out the card for a total of six matches.
The April 5 event in New Rochelle has a 7:30 p.m. bell time with doors opening at 6:00 p.m. to enable fans to meet and greet the wrestlers. Proceeds from this event will benefit Food Bank for Westchester.
A press conference with the wrestlers will take place on Thursday, March 6 at 1:00 p.m. at LA Boxing, 300 Waverly Ave. in Mamaroneck. For further information call (914) 235-4676 or visit www.nyswfwrestling.com.
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