The Paramount's longest-running event series still a hit

Boxer David Malul, of Jamaica, Queens, had a memorable debut at The Paramount in Huntington in 2024. Known as "King David," Malul, who stands 5 feet, 7 inches, he got knocked down twice in the first round but got up and KO'd his challenger, Lucien Hannah,6 feet, 2 inches tall, in only 2 minutes and 38 seconds.

"His reach was insane. They even announced it as a David vs. Goliath matchup," says Malul, 23. "It was a wild fight and it proved to me that I belong. It felt cinematic, like it wasn’t even real. But once I step in that ring, I’m ready for anybody."

The Paramount opened in 2011. Since the beginning, promoter Joe DeGuardia, from Star Boxing, has put on "Rockin’ Fights," making it the venue’s longest-running series. On Feb. 28, DeGuardia is holding his 53rd boxing card. with no signs of slowing down.

"This is a venue that is compact and tight, filled with fans that know the sport," DeGuardia says. "The fighters feel like they are in a pressure cooker and it fills the room with excitement. There’s something special and unique about The Paramount. It’s our home."

BOXING FORMAT

Known for showcasing music and comedy, The Paramount rearranges the layout for a "Rockin’ Fights" night. A boxing ring is set up in the center of the dance floor with rows of reserved seats all around, as well as VIP seating on the stage. The mezzanine and loge balcony sections offer a clear view of the ring.

"Fight nights are electric. You can feel the buzz in the room when the matches are taking place," says Adam Ellis, regional marketing manager for Live Nation. "The fighters have their friends, family, coaches and support staff in the stands watching their fight, so they are personally invested in the outcome and cheer them on loudly with every punch."

LOCAL HEROES

Two Long Island-based champions have emerged from the "Rockin’ Fights" series: Chris Algieri was the World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight world champion in 2014 and Joe Smith Jr. the WBO light heavyweight world champion from 2021-22.

Algieri, who grew up in Huntington, was a huge draw from the beginning because he had a successful pro kickboxing career before becoming a professional boxer.

From his first fight at The Paramount in 2011, Algieri drew massive attention when he defeated Bayan "The Mongolian Mongoose" Jargal in a 10-round unanimous decision that was nationally televised on Azteca América.

"This was a big step-up fight for me because he was the best opponent I had fought until that point," recalls Algieri, 41. "The crowd was amazing as always at The Paramount. It’s a really intimate venue."

When asked what it was like to fight at The Paramount, Algieri says, "You feel completely entrapped by the audience. They are so loud and right on top of you. I fought for my world title at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, which holds 19,000 and The Paramount felt like it was more people."

HOW IT WORKS

A "Rockin’ Fights" night starts at 7:30 and runs until 11 p.m., showcasing four to seven fights, which go four, six, eight or 10 rounds. Bouts can last 30 seconds or up to 40 minutes and are won by knockout or by decision. Sometimes matches are declared a draw.

"Fans get to see competitive fights with real action. This is something we have prided ourselves on," DeGuardia says. "The crowd gets to witness all these different types of fighters, which have real connections to their communities. Sometimes they wave flags or wear T-shirts supporting the fighters. It’s a real experience to see it live."

NEW LOCAL TALENT

Coming up on the "Rockin’ Fights 53” bill are local boxers who are making their Paramount debuts: Ralph Clemente, 25, of Ronkonkoma and Peter Latorre, 28, who grew up in Elmont.

Clemente, who is a super middleweight (168 pounds) with a 2 wins-0 losses record, is a rising star. "If I land a straight right-hand punch, you are going down," Clemente says.

Meanwhile, Latorre, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, is a welterweight (147 pounds) with a 5-0 record, where every win was a knockout.

"My coaches call me a throwback fighter and molded me as a boxer-puncher," Latorre says. "I have the ability to knock people out but also use distance and speed, allowing me to adapt to whoever is across the ring from me."