Brandon Berry’s professional boxing career takes a step forward Thursday night in Manchester, N.H.
When Berry fights Theo Desjardin in a junior welterweight bout in the 13th Annual Fight to Educate at the Verizon Center, it will be the first fight of Berry’s career scheduled for six rounds.
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“I know I’ve been saying I want a six rounder for a while,” Berry said. “I’m just glad I’m finally in one.”
“We’re excited about that,” Berry’s trainer, Ken “Skeet” Wyman said of the longer match. “We need to have something to gauge (Berry) by.”
Berry’s fight is one of four professional matches on the card, which also includes a handful of amateur fights. Proceeds from the event benefit SEE Science Center, the Bobby Stephens Fund For Education, and New Horizons for New Hampshire. The first fight is expected to begin at 8 p.m.
Also fighting in the event is Portland’s Russell Lamour, who is 9-0. Lamour will take on Dennis Ogboo in a light heavyweight match.
Berry improved to 6-0 with a TKO win over Moises Rivera at the Portland Expo on June 14. A fight planned for Bangor in August was cancelled.
“I was upset about (the cancellation) very briefly,” Berry said. “I’ve been training and getting ready for this fight. I feel great.”
Desjardin, of North Attleboro, Mass., is 0-3 as a professional boxer. Berry and Desjardin have no common opponents, and Desjardin lost his last two fights via TKO, most recently on April 20 to Greg Vendetti in Derry, N.H.
“I really don’t know anything about (Desjardin),” Berry said.
This is Berry’s second appearance at the Fight to Educate. Last year, he defeated Jesus Javier Cintron when Cintron was disqualified for low blows in the third round. Berry didn’t feel he fought his best that night.
“I’m not happy with my last two performances at the Verizon Center, so that’s on my mind a little,” Berry said.
“We’ve had a steady diet of sparring. Everything is right on track. Brandon’s looking good. He’s in excellent shape,” Wyman said.
Thursday’s fight kicks off a busy time for Berry. His next scheduled fight is Oct. 11 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston. The opponent for that fight has yet to be determined.
“I’ve just got to win and get ready for the next one,” Berry said.
Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242
Twitter: @TLazarczykMTM
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