The Boston Butchers Begin Their 2025 Campaign Strong

MASHANTUCKET, CT – The Boston Butchers kick off the opening night of the Team Combat League’s third season this Friday, hosting the NYC Attitude. 

The action takes place at Foxwoods Resort Casino and will be televised live on Dr. Phil’s newly minted Merit TV channel beginning at 9pm EST.

Having reached the semi-finals in their inaugural 2024 season, the Butchers firmly believe that they have the roster to bring home the championship this year.

“We’ve put together a phenomenal team composed of a great mix of top contenders and prospects,” said Assistant General Manager Patrick Sullivan.  “With most of the team being from New England, we truly represent the City of Champions and we’re 100% focused on bringing another championship to Boston!”   

“The chemistry is great amongst the team,” adds General Manager Jimmy Burchfield, Sr.  “They say that steel sharpens steel, and I see everyone pushing their teammates to be the best fighters they can be.  I think we’re going to go all the way this year.” 

Below is the roster of the Boston Butchers who will compete on opening day 2025 under the tutelage of Head Coach Marc Gargaro:

1.        The Contenders

Rashidi Ellis (26-1, 17 KOs) from Lynn, MA
“Speedy” Rashidi Ellis led the Butchers all the way to the semi-finals last year, compiling a record of 11-1 and being named to the All-Star Team.  The charismatic Ellis, a top 10 ranked welterweight, is closing in on a world title shot in his individual pro career.

Abraham Nova (23-3-1, 16 KOs) from Albany, NY
“Supernova” is a new addition to an already stacked team.  The Puerto-Rican native, now living in Albany, is a 2-time world title challenger who brings lots of experience after facing the likes of Robeisy Ramirez and O’Shaquie Foster in his pro career.

Amelia Moore (2-0, 1 KO) from Colorado Springs, CO
Amelia Moore was a pivotal member of the 2024 Butchers, compiling a perfect record of 10-0.  The TCL All-Star and Rookie of the Year, originally from Oxford Hills, Maine, is also a 5-time US National Amateur Champion and is ranked in the top 10 of two world sanctioning bodies with only 2 pro bouts.

Irvin Gonzalez (16-5, 12 KOs) from Worcester, MA
Representing the fighting city of Worcester, MA is Irvin Gonzalez, a power-puncher of Puerto Rican descent who has shared the ring with the likes of Elijah Pierce, Toka Kahn, and Kevin Walsh in his 9-year pro career. 

Jahyae Brown (16-2, 12 KOs) from Schenectady, NY
A foe turned friend, New York’s Jahyae Brown joins the Butchers after a 2024 season with the Orlando Vipers.  Brown, who split fights with Rashidi Ellis last year, gives the team added depth at welterweight.

Stevie Jane Coleman (6-1, 2 KOs) from Columbia, CT
Connecticut’s Coleman was another top performer with the Butchers in 2024, going 5-2 and earning a Second Team All-Star nomination in the process. 

2.        The Prospects

Michael Fontanez (11-0, 7 KOs) from Nashua, NH
“Blessed Southpaw” is as articulate a boxer as you can find.  The 29-year-old of Puerto Rican heritage is fresh off the biggest win of his pro career in February, when he stopped Ray Oliveira Jr. in the 6th and final round of their jr. middleweight bout. 

Laurent Humes (11-0-1, 11 KOs) from Springfield, MA
The power punching Humes is a promising super middleweight contender from Springfield, MA.  Boasting a perfect KO record, the 31-year-old gives the Butchers some much-appreciated firepower as knockouts count for 2 points.

Steven Sumpter (10-1-1, 8 KOs) from Lawrence, MA
Steven Sumpter is one of two brothers on the team.  A heavy-handed light heavyweight, “The Savage” is coming off an impressive knockout win in February at this very venue.

Quintin Sumpter (7-3, 4 KOs) from Pittsfield, MA
No team is complete without a heavyweight, and Steven’s older brother Quintin fits the bill.  The Pittsfield native is a new addition to the team, bringing much-needed size to an already formidable squad. 

Camilla Panatta (7-2-1, 1 KO) from West Palm Beach, FL
Italian native Camilla Panatta is a newcomer to the team, making her US debut after a career fighting mostly in Mexico.  Panatta reinforces the team’s featherweight ranks.

Keno Luna (5-0, 4 KOs) from Worcester, MA
Unbeaten prospect Luna was a key player last year, posting 8 wins against the likes of Ryan Martin as Boston powered into the playoffs. 

Elijah Peixoto (4-0-1, 2 KOs) from Providence, RI
Coming off a fight of the year contender against fellow unbeaten prospect Anuel Rosa at Foxwoods, Peixoto returns to the team for a second season in the lightweight division. 

New Faces:

Rounding out the team on Friday are Orlando’s Issabel Vasquez, Chicago’s Brandi Robinson, Framingham’s Miguel Teo, and Texan Ronnie Mayberry

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.