Palmer ready for fight in Maine
Eric Palmer will challenge for the Light-Welterweight Northeast Championship Saturday against undefeated Brandon Berry.
The Albert Gallatin graduate brings a 4-3-3 record to the table against Berry (7-0, 5 KOs) at Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. The bout is scheduled for six rounds.
The arena has featured the likes of Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston.
Berry brings a perfect record into the fight, although most of his opponents have not brought much experience to the table. Out of his seven bouts, only one of his opponents has a professional victory. He has fought three fighters who were making their debuts.
“I’ve watched videos on his fights,” Palmer said. “He is a little shorter than me, but a tough dude. However, there wasn’t anything that stood out to me as special. I feel very confident I can beat him.”
The fight is somewhat of a homecoming for Berry, who is a native of West Forks, Maine. Palmer hopes the pressure of fighting in front of his hometown fans will get to Berry.
“This is a homecoming of sorts for him so I hope the pressure gets to him,” Palmer said. “I know I will get booed, but once the bell rings, nothing really matters. The audience can’t determine the outcome of the fight.”
When the judges come into play, a local fighter can be awarded the “hometown decision,” and Palmer is aware of that but knows he must focus on the task at hand.
“I can’t think about that too much, but it can happen,” Palmer said. “I want to come out very strong at the opening and look to finish him, or at least pick up a decisive victory so that does not come into play. I still have to be smart and pick my spots.”
Palmer has gotten down to his natural weight for the fight after he had to move up a class in his last few bouts. He has had a strong camp as he was preparing for another fight when Berry’s camp came calling.
“I have sparred with Dan, Jeremiah and Tommy Karpency, as well as Rod Salka and Paul Spadafora,” Palmer said. “It is a great advantage to spar with those guys, because it is so much easier when I get into the ring. My brother, PJ, who is an MMA professional, also works out with me.”
The Karpency brothers have rising professionals in Dan and Jeremiah and an established veteran in Tommy, who has fought for a world title in the lightheavyweight division. Salka has fought for a world championship, while Spadafora is a former champion.
“I have a great support system and people to train with,” Palmer said. “I have some family members and friends will be making the trip. I am not too concerned about fighting away from home. I am just ready to go, get a big win and hopefully a nice payday.”