Rematch Features Men of Different Minds
“And judge Martin Dalida scores it…
38-38. We have a draw this evening!”
As the crowd burst into jeers of indignation at the final outcome of the four-round middleweight bout between Daniel Roach and Antonio Scaringi, the wheels were already turning on a rematch.
The two pugilists stood in the ring, chatting about the outcome, while promoter Tyler Buxton applauded what many would later consider the fight of the night.
The following day confirmed it: A rematch, under the same bright lights of Brampton’s CAA Centre, signed between the two men.
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Under the proverbial hood, Daniel Roach is a man who inhabits many worlds.
The 27-year-old Torontonian is somebody who not only eschews stereotypes — he actively eviscerates them.
Boxer, restaurant cook. Construction worker, jazz enthusiast. Bouncer, avid reader.
“I love working with my hands, period,” explains Roach, a man with five professional fights to his name who reads voraciously, carefully considers his words and cherishes his Toronto museum pass. “I’m a bouncer, I like catching shows and love bands, period. I’m always in the museums.”
He fell in love with the sport wholly by accident — a co-op placement at Bloor Street Fitness, some well-placed editions of RING Magazine. The rest is history.
“I started watching HBO when I was 16, and they had all these really good fights — Chocolatito versus Estrada the first time, seeing Triple G on his rise, it made me want to do it,” continues Roach, who lives in Little Italy. “I liked those fights and magazines, and it kept me in the gym.”
His dreams quickly centred on boxing — “meaningful” fights on the world stage — and a drive to reach his potential.
“I wanted to fight fighters with meaningful wins, respected fighters, have a good resume,” says Roach, who gained attention with a road win in his Jan. 2020 professional debut down in Bermuda. “Today, I’m in a place where I’m just thinking about the year in front of me and winning the fights I have in front of me this year.”
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An hour and change down the QEW, Antonio Scaringi lives a life comprised of decidedly fewer parts.
The portrait of a classic Italian boxer — square jaw, cocked high, confident — he works full-time at the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, and has since he was 20 years old. After hours, his holy trinity is training, family and friends.
“Everyone here in Niagara Falls is tuned in, half of the guys from my job came to the fight and loved it,” says Scaringi, whose red trunks and genuine nature elicit inevitable Rocky Balboa comparisons. “My friends bought tables, made t-shirts — it makes fighting that much easier when you know you have the support behind you.”
Beyond boxing, he’s a passionate football fan.
“If I’m not talking boxing I’m talking football — and usually get yelled at by my girlfriend, because I’m not paying enough attention to her,” grins the affable man they call ‘The Animal’. “I’ve got a close group of friends and family, and a supportive girlfriend (Mackenzie) who stays on top of things, and is there for me through everything.
“It’s a simple life, but a good one,” summarizes Scaringi. “I’m very blessed.”
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Regardless of the outcome of February’s fight — or May’s rematch, for that matter — both Roach and Scaringi are somewhat unique as young men with a strong sense of purpose.
They also recognize and appreciate the opportunity offered by United: It’s not every day you get to fight at the CAA Centre and before worldwide audiences on DAZN.
“It was an inspiring night,” reflected Roach. “Having my gym mates, friends from high school, all of them come out in a venue like that was amazing.”
A strong travelling contingent turned out for Scaringi, who received messages of support on Instagram from across the globe following February’s energetic draw.
“Not only did I impress my friends, but I impressed the people who needed to be impressed,” said the Niagara native. “I’m happy everyone enjoyed the show, it was such a great experience and I know we both can’t wait to do it again.”
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Rare is the undercard bout that earns a rematch, let alone a place in the card’s initial announcement alongside two IBO title clashes.
But everybody who watched Daniel Roach and Antonio Scaringi square off in February was entertained — and left wanting more.
“Tyler (Buxton) had the contract ready the next day,” smiles Scaringi. “Everyone gets to see two more rounds of that war, so why not?”
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Daniel Roach (2-1-2, Toronto, Ont.) and Antonio Scaringi (1-0-1, Niagara Falls, Ont.) re-enter the ring on May 27 to take care of February’s unfinished business, as an opening act on the jam-packed Singh vs. Narwat, Phinn vs. Young card at Brampton’s CAA Centre. With two IBO titles on the line, Roach-Scaringi II and the return of the energetic Mponda Kalunga, this is a can’t-miss event. Tickets are available now on ticketmaster.ca.
Ringside with Carlos is a column written by United Promotions Ring Announcer Carlos Verde, featuring reflections on Ontario boxing, fighter profiles and feature stories on those in the fight game.
