Who is Joe Cusumano?
Facts you need to know about Daniel Dubois’ next opponent Joe Cusumano
British heavyweight star Daniel Dubois (16-1, 15KOs) clashes with Italian-American Joe Cusumano (19-3, 17KOs) in his 18th fight and first appearance abroad in the States on August 29.
As it’s his first fight in the US, BBN decided to find out some little-known facts about the home fighter Dubois faces next, right here:
Early Life
Juiseppe Angelo Cusumano was born in Carini, Sicily and was raised there for a few years until his family moved to New York when he was still just a child.
His father, Angelo, owned restaurants which led them to moving all the way down the east coast to Danville, Virginia.
Proud of his Italian roots, Joey has a tattoo on his upper left arm dedicated to his place of birth, Sicily.
Influences
Joe’s boxing idol was Mike Tyson, and his dad’s favourite was Evander Holyfield, so that was clearly a household divided at times! He also confesses to being a big fan of legendary heavyweight Rocky Marciano too. Joey counts himself as a big boxing fan who loves watching fights, and has admitted to watching nearly all of Daniel Dubois' fights.
His favourite active heavyweight is Tyson Fury because, in his own words, "You've never seen a heavyweight that big move like that, so I believe he's probably the harder fighter to beat right now in the heavyweight division. He is such a great fighter, he's a boxer, he's technical, he knows how to move".
Amateur Career
Young Joe started boxing around eight or nine and had 20 amateur bouts and won them all. His trainer was Robert 'Machine' Matney, who was a Chief Petty Officer in the US Navy. Robert was a big influence in Joe's early boxing career and he sadly passed away unexpectedly in 2014.
The Cusumano Crew
Joe has two children, Luciano and Farryn, with his wife Ryan. His son Luciano walked him to the ring when he was just nine and even got to stay in the corner with his team for the entire fight.
He has an elderly step-father that he cares for, now in his 70s, of which he says, “He looked after me when I was kid, so it’s only right I look after him now.” His parents split, so his father Angelo is now married to Joey's stepmother, Sylvia. The family are religious and like to always be in touch with God.
Sparring Stories
He lists Deontay Wilder as the biggest name he has ever sparred with, claiming to have shared up to 25 rounds together. He has also shared rounds with world title contender Bryant Jennings from nearby Philadelphia.
Alias
Joe is known to fans as the ‘Sicilian Nightmare’.
Team Joe
Joe is signed to CES Boxing, a promotional outfit headed by veteran boxing promoter Jimmy Burchfield Sr., who have been operating for over 30 years and have managed the likes of five-time world champion Vinny Paz, three-time world titlist Chad Dawson; IBO World middleweight champ Peter Manfredo Jr.; NABF champ Ray Olivieria and many more.
The aforementioned Vinny Pazienza, known as the ‘Pazmanian Devil’ during his career, has cornered and mentored Joe in the recent past. Vinny said of Joe, “He has a heavy hand and a punch. Joey is marketable Joey ko’d some guy in fourth round with one shot after I told him what to do. He is a bit of an animal.”
Joe is also good friends with unbeaten Baltimore boxer Cassius Chaney (21-0, 14KOs).
Pro Bow
Joe entered the ring for his pro debut, aged 22, on August 14, 2010, in Norfolk, Virginia, and he KO’d North Carolina’s Marcus Patterson in round one. It was Patterson’s fourth fight and fourth first-round KO in a row and, needless to say, his last ever professional contest!
On that same show, promoted by Jack Fulton, was heavyweight Hasim Rahman in his 57th contest, most famously known throughout the world for knocking out Lennox Lewis in five rounds in what was The Ring Magazine ‘Upset of the Year 2001’.
Pro Career
During his 11-year boxing career, Joe Cusumano has amassed a respectable 19-3 record with 17 KOs. He is the reigning WBC United States heavyweight champion, which is a title formerly held by the likes of ‘The Rainman’ Ray Austin; former world champion Bermane Stiverne; world title contenders Eric Molina, Chris Arreola, and Mike Perez. In his February 2019 TKO6 win over Brendan Barrett, h won the NBA Championship, which is title formerly held by his hero Rocky Marciano, as well as legends Jack Dempsey and Joe Louis.
Iron Mike
CES Boxing once offered Mike Tyson $1,000,000 to fight their boxer Joe Cusumano over six or eight rounds in 2020. Classic Entertainment and Sports veteran boxing promoter Jimmy Burchfield Sr. offered the million-dollar pay packet to Tyson plus a percentage of closed circuit proceeds to whatever charity Mike’s wife prefers.
KO Count
He has knocked out 17 of his 19 victims, which totals up to a fearsome 89.47% KO ratio.
Style
Joey's favourite punch is the jab and he says of himself, "I'm a fighter, I grew up loving fights, watching fights, I just love to fight! So I get in there and I do what I gotta do to survive and to land some big punches."
Rankings
WBC #39
IBO #65
BoxRec (US) #8
BoxRec (World) #47
What are the fighters saying?
DANIEL DUBOIS: “This is my U.S. debut, so I want to look good and win in devastating fashion. I’m a seek and destroy fighter and that’s what I’m bringing again. This guy is right for me and I’m ready for the fight. It’s going to be a spectacular debut and I’m going to announce my presence with a lot of power and skill.”
JUISEPPE CUSUMANO: “We are both big power punchers and we’re exciting fighters. We like to fight and bang on the inside. There’s going to be a lot of punches thrown for as long as this lasts . That’s what we’re going to come out and do. It’s the heavyweight division. It only takes one punch. That’s what people love about this division. I can’t wait to get in the ring on Sunday night.”
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