'The Odd Couple': Morrissette, Herren puts together boxing card in Fall River

FALL RIVER — It should be a delightful, Spindle City mixed-bag experience for the West Point Cadets.

First, they'll be treated like royalty. And then, a few hours later, they'll be exchanging punches with men and women they had just dined with.

The boxing team from the United States Military Academy, aka the West Point Cadets, return to Fall River and the Police Athletic League on Saturday to face the Southern New England Golden Glovers team.

Tickets ($30) may be bought at the door or by calling Morrissette at 508-491-6151. Doors are scheduled to open at 5:30 p.m. with bell time slated for 7 p.m.

Last year's show, the Cadets' first visit to Fall River, was well received.

Paul Morrissette and Mike Herren, Fall River's new dream team, aim to make Round 2 of this boxing competition bigger and better. The longtime Southern New England Golden Gloves promoter, Morrissette has turned over the promotional side of this show to Herren's Hurricane Promotions. Morrissette, the licensee, retains the boots-on-the-ground boxing organizational chores.

More: Eight bouts set the stage at the Rumble in the River event

“I needed help,” Morrissette said. “I am just not as technically learned or intelligent. I saw past performance of what Herren advertising has done. So we should end up with a great show.”

Describing himself and Morrissette as “The Odd Couple” — Herren claims the Oscar Madison role — Herren said this collaboration of two stubborn guys should produce a smash hit, “if Paul and I don't kill each other first.”

Last year's show drew about 300 fans to the PAL hall. The goal this year is a sell-out of approximately 500.

Herren promoted his own and very successful amateur boxing show on the Battleship Massachusetts in the summer of 2022. He liked what he saw when, in the following November, Morrissette brought the West Point Cadets to town. Herren responded in the positive when Morrissette asked for his help — attracting sponsors, blasting the word out via social media — with this year's show.

“I thought it was doable,” Herren said. “I've known Paul long time. He was very friendly with my dad for a long time. The Morrissette family footprint in boxing speaks for itself. I thought with us involved, we could take it to another level, and that we will this year. I'm a proud Fall Riverite. I think I could help put Fall River's best foot forward with this event.”

Jerry Hart, a retired lieutenant colonel with the U.S. Army, is the West Point Cadets coach. A West Pointer himself (Class of 1993), Hart is also a graduate of Fall River PAL boxing. He and his twin brother Chris (West Point Class of 1991), then from Westwood, both trained under PAL coach Libby Medeiros and were New England Golden Gloves champions and GG nationals competitors. Jerry Hart teaches the required freshman year boxing curriculum at West Point.

He said his boxing team “absolutely loved” last year's visit, seeing the gym where their coach trained, appreciating the enthusiastic fans. “I think Fall River is the center of the Massachusetts amateur boxing universe, outside of Lowell, where they hold the New Englands,” Hart said. “Libby Medeiros helped make us (Jerry and Chris, retired colonel) who we are today.”

This Saturday, after weigh-in and before the show, the Cadets and the Southern New England Golden Gloves team, are scheduled to be treated to a tasty meet and greet right across Franklin Street at the historic Belmont Club building.

It's part of Herren's game plan to properly welcome the Cadets to Fall River and to support the SNEGG team. Herren announced on Facebook that Fall River native David Gauvin, a 1984 U.S. Olympic Trials finalist and ex-pro boxer, will serve as the Fall River ambassador for the “TASTE OF FALL RIVER” meet and greet, which, Herren said, will feature Fall River cuisine.

The West Point Cadets won last year's team competition at PAL. Last spring, the West Point Cadets won the female title and took second in the male division at the National Collegiate Boxing Association (NCBA) National Championships. In 2022, the Cadets had taken a first place (men) and third (women) at the nationals.

The dozen or so bouts this Saturday, Morrissette said, will be fought under NCBA rules – two-minute rounds, 12-ounce gloves.

“Which is fine because I'm very safety oriented,” he said. “One of the things I pride myself on is I would never do anything that is not safe, for the boxers or the crowds.”

The Southern New England Golden Glovers latest roster includes Fall River independent Mikey Gaudreau, ranked second nationally by USA Boxing at 119 pounds. He's matched against West Point's Dylan Sheriff, a former NCBA champion, in a bout at 128 pounds.

Also scheduled to compete for the Golden Glovers are Leah Hayes; Dave's Gym, Middleboro; Brand Kinsford, Steel Curtain Boxing, Warwick R.I.; Bryan DeJesus, independent, Providence; Jenn Perella, Cyr Boxing, Quincy; Mike Alves, Fall River PAL; Allyson Desrosiers, On the Ropes, Warwick, R.I.; Aiden Baletto, Baletto's Boxing, Cranston, R.I.; Emily Jones, Cyr Boxing, Quincy; Ismael Presume, Bishop's Boxing, West Bridgewater; Josh Parker, Love's Boxing, Fall River; Avant Hazard, Fall River PAL.

Hart said another of his standouts is Emanuela Ebiuwhe at 175 pounds female.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: A dozen bouts scheduled for Saturday at Police Athletic League