Often in sports, and even in life, you hear a name, and you instantly say to yourself, “I wonder if there is any relation to the famous…” Growing up around the boxing world, in the foot-steps of their famous fathers, world-renowned trainer Kevin Rooney and former world super featherweight and lightweight champion Joey Gamache, this is something Kevin Rooney Jr. and Steven Gamache, have experienced their entire lives. Looking to create their own images in the industry, the two 1-0, jr. middleweights will both be in action tonight at the Roseland Ballroom, on the undercard of Star Boxing’s ESPN “Friday Night Fights” headlined by the much anticipated jr. middleweight showdown between Delvin Rodriguez and Pawel “Raging Bull” Wolak.
Rooney’s story has been well-documented thus far. The full-time Publicist and Event Coordinator for Star Boxing, Rooney Jr. turned pro back in April of this year, on another Star Boxing promoted ESPN card. Rooney’s bout, which ended up being shown live on the “Friday Night Fights” telecast, saw him drop his opponent twice before going on to win a dominating four round decision. Now, Gamache, the Maine native, who now calls New York City his home, could have the opportunity to showcase his skills under the bright lights of ESPN.
“I’m very excited for the fight tonight,” stated Steve Gamache. “New York has been like a second home to me, and I have a lot of support here, so this is a huge deal for me, and big opportunity for me to showcase myself in front of a large audience and a big-time promoter like Joe DeGuardia (CEO and President of Star Boxing).”
While Gamache (1-0, 1KO) is excited for the fight, he does admit there is added pressure to perform.
“It’s a great feeling coming from a boxing family, my father has been very successful in this sport, so I know that it is in my blood. I do feel added pressure though. People expect more from me because of who my father is.”
Gamache’s father, at first didn’t exactly foresee boxing being the career path his son would choose.
“He would come to the gym with me when he was a kid, and he would always be messing around with his cousin, wrestling in the ring,” recalls Gamache. “If anything, I thought he was going to want to be a wrestler, then before I even knew it he was boxing.”
Gamache admits that being a father and trainer at the same time isn’t always the easiest thing in the world, but it is something he has embraced.
“It’s not always easy to watch him inside the ring, it’s always going to be tough serving the roll as father/trainer, but we know this is a business, and there is a job to be done. This was his decision to become a fighter, and as a father I knew if things were going to work, I was going to need to embrace it, and support him, and be there for him every step of the way.”
While, they might not always see eye to eye on everything in life; as is very common in a father son relationship; they do have the same exact goal for the sport of boxing.
“To become world champion,” echoed both Joe and Steve. “As long as we continue to work hard, stay determined, and continue to develop and grow, the sky is the limit.”
