Palmer climbs back in the ring for 40th pro fight
Eric Palmer is definitely a road warrior, but the Albert Gallatin graduate will compete in his 40th professional boxing match just an hour from home on April 19 at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows in Washington.
The nine-card event is presented by Integrity Fighter Management Pro Boxing and entitled, āThe Racetrack Road Brawl.ā The action will be held inside the Hollywood Event Center just outside the casino, and the show is for all ages, but fans under the age of 21 must enter the Hollywood Event Center through the North Garage entrance. The doors will be open at 6 p.m., and the fights start at 7.
Despite being one of the closest fight venues to his home and having 39 prior professional bouts, the eight-round super lightweight (140 pounds) bout will be Palmerās debut at The Meadows.
āThis will be my first time fighting at The Meadows, but I have been to many events there,ā Palmer said. āI am bringing a lot of fans, which is very different for me because I mostly go on the road. I feel fine when Iām on the road because I donāt have any pressure on me, and can just go out and fight.
āMy fans expect me to put on a show, and thatās what Iām going to do. The pressure is there to do well, but fighting in front of a big crowd is really helpful, especially in those later rounds when I may be getting a little tired. When you hear people chanting your last name and encouraging you, that can provide you with a second wind, which you donāt get on the road.ā
The matchmakers worked to get Palmer a fight against an opponent of lesser talent to increase his chances of victory, but in what has been a trademark of the former Colonial, he asked for a solid opponent, which he was granted in Anthony Bizzarro, who enters the fight with a 10-0 record, including six by knockout.
Bizzarro also has youth on his side, as he is 11 years younger than Palmer.
āPeople can pad their records, but this kid is pretty tough and comes from a boxing family,ā Palmer said. āI have fought a lot of undefeated guys, and almost every time Iām in their hometown and the underdog. I fought a guy that was 10-0 on ESPN and upset him. I think the odds on the betting sites were 99 percent in his favor. This is nothing Iām not used to.ā
Palmer hasnāt seen a huge amount of Bizzarroās fights, but he did watch one, and is confident in his abilities heading into the bout.
āI found either his second or third pro fight, and he fought someone that wasnāt very good, honestly,ā Palmer said. āThe kid caught him a few times, and he ended up stopping him, but it looked like the kid laid down and didnāt want to be there.
āHe is long and lanky, and Iām sure he is going to try and box, as opposed to brawling. I am going to apply pressure, and see what he can handle. I like to challenge myself, and I think Iām going to be his biggest test yet.ā
Palmer competes and trains while working a full-time job, raising a family of three with his wife and also operating Throwback Fitness in Uniontown where holds boxing classes.
āI am always busy,ā Palmer said. āI also coach softball for one of my daughters, which is completely different after being involved in combat sports all my life. My family worries for me, but boxing is what I love to do.ā
Palmer somehow found time to bring in Cody Wilson to spar with him. Wilson, who fights out of Fairmont, W.Va., is also fighting on the card.
āHe (Wilson) fights at 154 pounds and is 12-4, so I brought in a good guy to spar with,ā Palmer said. āWe did nine rounds, and I felt pretty good, especially sparring against a bigger guy.ā
Throughout his pro career, which began in 2012, Palmer has been in many fights where he was the underdog and considered a stepping stone for his opponent, but that plan has not always come to fruition.
āI keep saying, āOne more fight and Iām done,ā but we will take it fight-by-fight,ā said Palmer. āI have been called a stepping stone for a lot of guys. Sometimes, it works for them, and sometimes it doesnāt, but they always know that I come to fight, and Iām not going to lie down. I am fully prepared for this fight.ā