Fighter Mike Tiberi Takes Next Step on Road to Championship Dec. 3 at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino
Dover, DE, December 01, 2010 --(PR.com)-- The Tiberi name has been synonymous with the sport of boxing in Delaware since the mid 1970s. Today, the family boxing legacy remains strong with 22-year-old “Mighty” Mike Tiberi of Smyrna, Del., a middleweight with an impressive record of 14 wins (7 by knock out), 1 loss. Mike Tiberi will appear on Dec. 3 in the Rollins Center for Dover Downs Hotel & Casino’s Friday Night Fights to continue his road to the championship. Mighty Mike’s father, Mario Tiberi is his trainer, and his uncle, Nick Tiberi is the match maker for the Dec. 3 card.
Mike Tiberi’s interest in boxing began early on when his father, Mario Tiberi trained Mike’s uncles in the family garage. “I’ve been around boxing my whole life, sharing a lot of time with my brother, dad and Uncles Nick, Gene, and Vince,” said Mike Tiberi. Mario Tiberi also trained his own brother Dave, who in 1992 fought James Toney for the IBF Title.
“As a kid, Mikey came into the garage to watch and hung around the gyms with us,” said Nick Tiberi, who has been match making fights since age 23. “He wanted to be involved and would ask his dad why he did this or that.” Mike started boxing at age 5 and began competing a couple years later as a junior. “Mikey had the taste of wanting to do it and the know-how,” said Nick Tiberi. “There is competitiveness and a one-on-one in the sport that he was interested in. I see Mikey as very advanced, very intelligent, and having grown into the sport. He keeps his hands up high, looking for openings. It’s hard to explain what a fighter’s thinking, but anyone with an eye for the sport can see he’s well schooled, had a lot of experience coming up.”
Mike Tiberi said his greatest strengths are his willingness to train and his determination. “I put one hundred percent into every fight and training camp to become a better fighter,” he said. “I am willing to fight anyone my team puts in front of me.” Mike attributes this attitude, in part, to boxer Joe Calzaghe. “He always fought hard from the first bell to the last and he always gave his fans the show they paid to see.”
Not surprisingly, Mike’s biggest support and inspiration comes from his family. “They have never missed a fight and support me not just for the fight but through the hardships of training and cutting weight as well,” said Tiberi. “My fans and the many people who support me give me inspiration, especially my nieces Bella, Giada, Dimiana, and Lauren.”
Like most boxers, Mike Tiberi does have his sights on a world title, but insists he fights for personal enjoyment and for his fans. “I want everyone who buys a ticket to walk out with a smile on their face. I want them to have as much fun watching me as I do entertaining them. I plan on fighting until I climb through the ropes and don't have fun doing what I do.” Uncle Nick sees Mike going all the way. “The kid has the talent for what it takes to be champion. He has the balance, great hand speed, good power. He wants it and that’s the main thing.”
Friday Night Fights at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino is like a family reunion, where one may see most of the clan including Mike’s father Mario (also a corner man), Uncles Nick, Dave, Joe, Poncho, Gene, Phillip, and cousins Joey, Jr., Dominic, Mario III (corner man), Brandy (ring card girl) and Shannon Tiberi who sings the National Anthem at the events.
Tickets are $35 - $125. To purchase, call VIP Services at 800-711-5882 or log on to www.doverdowns.com. The first bout begins at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and will call will be open from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
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Mike Tiberi’s interest in boxing began early on when his father, Mario Tiberi trained Mike’s uncles in the family garage. “I’ve been around boxing my whole life, sharing a lot of time with my brother, dad and Uncles Nick, Gene, and Vince,” said Mike Tiberi. Mario Tiberi also trained his own brother Dave, who in 1992 fought James Toney for the IBF Title.
“As a kid, Mikey came into the garage to watch and hung around the gyms with us,” said Nick Tiberi, who has been match making fights since age 23. “He wanted to be involved and would ask his dad why he did this or that.” Mike started boxing at age 5 and began competing a couple years later as a junior. “Mikey had the taste of wanting to do it and the know-how,” said Nick Tiberi. “There is competitiveness and a one-on-one in the sport that he was interested in. I see Mikey as very advanced, very intelligent, and having grown into the sport. He keeps his hands up high, looking for openings. It’s hard to explain what a fighter’s thinking, but anyone with an eye for the sport can see he’s well schooled, had a lot of experience coming up.”
Mike Tiberi said his greatest strengths are his willingness to train and his determination. “I put one hundred percent into every fight and training camp to become a better fighter,” he said. “I am willing to fight anyone my team puts in front of me.” Mike attributes this attitude, in part, to boxer Joe Calzaghe. “He always fought hard from the first bell to the last and he always gave his fans the show they paid to see.”
Not surprisingly, Mike’s biggest support and inspiration comes from his family. “They have never missed a fight and support me not just for the fight but through the hardships of training and cutting weight as well,” said Tiberi. “My fans and the many people who support me give me inspiration, especially my nieces Bella, Giada, Dimiana, and Lauren.”
Like most boxers, Mike Tiberi does have his sights on a world title, but insists he fights for personal enjoyment and for his fans. “I want everyone who buys a ticket to walk out with a smile on their face. I want them to have as much fun watching me as I do entertaining them. I plan on fighting until I climb through the ropes and don't have fun doing what I do.” Uncle Nick sees Mike going all the way. “The kid has the talent for what it takes to be champion. He has the balance, great hand speed, good power. He wants it and that’s the main thing.”
Friday Night Fights at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino is like a family reunion, where one may see most of the clan including Mike’s father Mario (also a corner man), Uncles Nick, Dave, Joe, Poncho, Gene, Phillip, and cousins Joey, Jr., Dominic, Mario III (corner man), Brandy (ring card girl) and Shannon Tiberi who sings the National Anthem at the events.
Tickets are $35 - $125. To purchase, call VIP Services at 800-711-5882 or log on to www.doverdowns.com. The first bout begins at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and will call will be open from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
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Contact
Dover Downs Hotel & Casino
Lisa Butler
302-857-3725
www.doverdowns.com
Lisa Butler
302-857-3725
www.doverdowns.com
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