By Ken Hissner: Philadelphia promoter Rodney Rice, a Philly resident, keeps the city of “Brotherly Love” active with two upcoming events on July 23rd and July 24th at the 2300 Arena in South Philly.
There will be a total of seven shows in 2021, with three more scheduled in August, September, and October.
Rice made his professional promotional debut in March of 2020, followed by an event in November, both at the 2300 Arena.
In January of 2021, he had an event at the Elevations Event Center in nearby Chester and in March at the Sportsplex in nearby Feasterville. The latter will have an event there in August. All of his other promotions have been at the 2300 Arena.
Rice’s main boxers have been Sicklerville, NJ, Lightweight Nahir Albright, 12-1 (6), who headlines on the 23rd against Jeremy Hill, 15-1, and Philly Welterweight southpaw Mark Dawson, 8-0-1 (3), who headlines on the 24th against Ivan Pandzic, 13-0-1. So you can see Rice doesn’t put them in soft.
Other boxers he has used or is scheduled in the future shows are as follows:
- Bantamweight Dylan Price, 13-0 (10)
- Super Lightweight southpaw Donald “No Love” Smith, 12-1 (8)
- Welterweight Shinard Bunch, 15-1 (13)
- Heavyweight Joey “Tank” Dawejko, 21-8-4 (12)
- Super Lightweight Rashiem Jefferson, 6-0 (1)
- Welterweight Liberian Sam “Tsunami” Teah, 17-4-1 (9)
- Light Heavyweight Benny ”Jewish Bulldog” Sinakin, 6-1 (3)
- Super Featherweight southpaw Rasheem Brown, 9-0 (6)
- Heavyweight Paul “The Machine” Koon, 4-0 (1), all from or train in Philly on occasions.
Rice has nine boxers listed on www.boxrec.com that he promotes who are Philly’s Albright and Dawson, along with Heavyweight Joel “Quiet Storm” Caudle, 8-5-2 (5), Bantamweight southpaw Edgar Joe Cortes, 8-6-1 (1), out of Millville, NJ, Super Lightweight Isaiah Johnson, 1-0 (1), Nigerian Light Heavyweight Afunwa King, 3-1 (1), out of the Bronx, NY, Super Lightweight Dieumerci “Elephant” Nzau, 11-14 (8), from Dem Rep of the Congo and out of Silver Springs, MD, Super Middleweight Josue “Chiquilin” Obando, 20-29-2 (15), out of Guadalajara, MEX, and southpaw Derrick Whitley, Jr., 6-1-1 (0), out of Springfield, MASS.
On Oct 9th Rice will have Super Lightweight Damon Allen, 16-1-1 (5), who is with Split-T who trains in Philly headlining along with Donald Smith at 2300 Arena and on September 17th Sam Teah against Ireland’s Larry “Lethal” Fryers, 11-4, along with Super Middleweight contender Philly’s Jesse “Hard Work” Hart, 26-3 (21) at 2300 Arena.
On August 28th, Rice has Heavyweight Joey “Tank” Dawejko headlining in nearby Feasterville.
Rice agreed to answer some questions for BoxingNews24.
KH: First, I want to thank you for keeping boxing alive in Philly this year.
RR: I appreciate that.
KH: Where do you operate out of?
RR: My home office.
KH: Prior to promoting, what is your boxing background?
RR: When I was a kid, I sparred at the Marian Anderson Gym in South Philly. After the Army, I helped my cousin Rev. Thompson helping out with amateurs and learning from trainers like Jimmy Arthur.
Some of the first boxers I worked with were Maurice “Freight Train” Byarm, Garrett “Ultimate Warrior” Wilson. One of my mentors was Rev. Thompson, James Shuler Gym owner Buster Custus, and the now late Naazim Richardson.
KH: Who does your matchmaking?
RR: Nick Tiberi, Rigo Lopez, and myself.
KH: How has attendance been considering the Pandemic?
RR: We always met what the city capacity allowed.
KH: Is there anything you would like to say to your fans?
RR: The fans of the events are my first allegiance for how they spend their hard-earned money I put on competitive shows and want to keep them safe while watching.
KH: I want to thank you for taking the time to answer questions and wish you nothing but success in the future.
RR: I appreciate that.
After talking with Rice, he mentioned not getting involved to make money, nor did this writer in doing several shows way back but a love for the sport.
Please support his upcoming events. Newly inducted Atlantic City HOF publicist Marc Abrams works with Rice for his events.