The Mountain’s Tip-Top

April 7: Boxer Richie LaMontagne jumps rope in the ring during his nightly workout at the Broadway Boxing Club. He is preparing for a fight in the summer. (Photo By Jim Mahoney)

By Lorenzo Recupero

According to a well-known mountain in Everett, ‘there’s no quitting boxing’.

That mountain – not to be confused with the Whidden hill – is, none other than Everett native and boxing champion Richie “The Mountain” LaMontagne.

At 52 years of age, he’s back in the ring doing what he does best and showing no signs of stopping.

“I love to fight,” said LaMontagne, who is preparing for his fourth professional bout since returning to the ring in October of 2021. Since returning to the pro ranks, he is 3-0 including two knockouts.

Prior to October, LaMontagne fought last in 2005, a World Boxing Union cruiserweight title fight with Enzo Maccarinelli. Now why would a man his age want to get punched still, you ask? It’s all about the thrill of the fight.

“It just feels real good to punch, and the fear of being punched, It’s living on the edge for me,” said LaMontange, who remains entrenched in his love for boxing.

And although he may not have competed professionally for nearly two decades, the will and desire never left.

“I never left the ring,” said LaMontagne. “Anyone that knows me knows I’ve been doing this since I was a kid. I grew up with punching bags in my cellar. I’d wake up every day and first thing I would do is walk down there and hit the bags and I still do. I’m not lying on my a** doing nothing. I push myself to my limits,” he said.

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The sweet science

Broadway Boxing Club trainers Dennis Wilcox (thumb up) and Joe Ricciardi (center) surrounded by the many boxers training for free at the new boxing center at the old Everett High School building. (Contributed photo)

Broadway Boxing Club open to interested fighters

By LORENZO RECUPERO

If you’ve ever dreamed of climbing in the ring, get your gloves and inner fight readyas a first-of-its-kind boxing center is now open for all Everett residents to attend — free of charge.

Whether you’re 13, 30, or maybe older, the Broadway Boxing Club at the site of the old Everett High School, is welcoming all to train with certified USA Boxing trainers and former amateur boxers, Dennis Willcox and Joe Ricciardi, who have been running the club together since it opened to residents in May.

“Both Joe and Myself were amateur boxers and he had a gym in Saugus. He would train professional boxers and we talked about getting together to offer it to the youth of Everett and that’s how it came to be,” Said Willcox, who said he presented the idea to the city and was offered the space at the former site of the Wellness Center.

“The free program is offered for all ages, but the best time to get started with boxing is between the ages of 12-13. So we really want to encourage all the interested youth in the city to get involved,” said Willcox.

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