By Vivek Wallace: The state of New York has given the world of boxing everything one could possibly imagine. From the the superbly tremendous to the odd and contentious, few personalities escape the long list of templates offered from a state that gives no benefit to those who finish in second place. Carrying the torch and eager to step into the spotlight comes another son of the state who many consider to be driven, yet by a different nature. Absent is the typically found rough edges, while present is a more laid back demeanor. Absent is the over-hyped ego, while present is the hunger for more. Gone are the days of wanting center stage, because present is the rare opportunity to seize that very moment. For Long Island native, Tommy Rainone, that opportunity has never been more evident than it appears now, and with failure losing its battle to stay on the list of potential results, there can only be one conclusion. Victory…at all cost..
Rainone, (12-2, 4KO’s), who last fought to victory back in December of 2008 is presently in the gym preparing for his next assignment. There are no solid names at the moment, but there’s one that may gain strength at some point in the not so distant future. When asked which opponent would he like to secure for a future date, the name DeMarcus ‘Chop-Chop’ Corley came up as Rainone spoke of his previous tenure as a champion, commending him while openly viewing him as a perfect gauge to test his mettle in the sport. Whether that fight eventually comes to past or not is unknown, but one thing for certain, the determined Rainone appears set on reaching the pinnacle of the sport at a measured pace, one goal at a time.
For Rainone, his journey in the sport started many years ago, stemming from a ring connection that paired a mad love for both Wrestling and the sport of boxing. Watching an invincible “Iron” Mike Tyson take the sport by storm, coupled with complete admiration for the movie “Rocky”, there was little question in his mind relative to what his future would hold. Decades and many blood, sweat, and tears later, his dream of competing in the same sport with some of the men whose talent he adores today has come full circle. When asked about his thoughts on todays sport of boxing, Rainone was quick to point out that his favorite fighters to watch also dwell in the same neck of the woods that he plans to eventually campaign at – the loaded 140lb division. Despite being a competitor, his fan side was pretty evident when asked about the pending showdown between the two men whose talent he admires the most – Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton. Rainone chimed “I love everything about Manny Pacquiao because he’s a helluva talent, but you have to respect a guy like Ricky Hatton”. He then added, “Hatton earned my respect when he fought Mayweather because he came to win. He could have taken the safe route and let it go to the score cards, but with the fight hanging in the balance, he got aggressive and tried to take the fight. He went out on his back, but it was because he played to win and you have to totally respect that”.
Rarely do we see fighters who are equally bigger fans, but that’s one of the things that sets the laid back Rainone apart and actually connects him with the common man. A trait that few athletes have in this ego driven era of sports.
With the women waiting by the droves and a city that never sleeps whispering his name, this determined fighter has something else on his mind. Most determined New Yorkers set a goal and say “No Sleep til’ Brooklyn”, but for this Long Island native, it all goes back to that New York state of mind. Doubters can try serving him “Whisky in the Jar” to make him “Stone Cold Crazy”, but his preferred goal is simply to be “Better Than You”, which may soon make him number “One”. And by the way, yes, he is a Metallica fan, in case you haven’t noticed!
(Drop by and show some love to Tommy Rainone at www.myspace.com/tommyrainone)