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By: Tony Farina

Niagara Falls boxer Nick Casal has signed to fight junior middleweight Rick Graham on Dec. 14 in Houston, Texas, his first bout since scoring a unanimous decision over Antonio Fernandez in May of 2016 at the Seneca Niagara Casino.

“I’m very excited to be getting back in the ring,” said Casal, “and Graham is a good opponent.  It should be a good test.”

Casal, whose ring career was derailed when he was beaten with a hammer in a domestic dispute in May of 2012 shortly before he was scheduled to box in a nationally televised card from the Seneca Casino, has a record of 23 – 4 and is hoping the Houston fight will kick-start his comeback effort.

Nick “hands of gold” Casal was a three-time national champion but his promising professional career was cut short by what happened outside the ring.  Despite the setbacks, Casal remains a hard-working boxer eager to re-establish himself as a top contender again.

Western New York has been without a serious boxer since the glory days of heavyweight Joe Mesi whose own ring career was cut short by brain bleeding, forcing him to retire undefeated and give up his quest to bring a world championship to the area.