Victory may not secure title shot for Joey Gamache

Cuts and a comeback may be conspiring to keep Lewiston boxer Joey Gamache from getting the rematch he craves with WBA lightweight champion Tony Lopez.

Prior to Gamache’s 10-round unanimous decision victory Friday night over journeyman lightweight Michael Grow at the Central Maine Civic Center in Lewiston, it appeared a rematch with Lopez this summer was a certainty. Gamache’s handlers believed they had a solid commitment for a title shot vs. the only fighter to beat Gamache, provided their fighter and Lopez won their respective Friday bouts.

That was before Gamache had his face sliced open by the unheralded Grow in enough places to require a visit to the hospital for 11 stitches.

And that was before former WBA junior lightweight champion Brian Mitchell, after watching at ringside in Sacramento, Calif., while Lopez took an unimpressive 12-round unanimous decision from No. 1 contender Dingaan Thobela, suddenly let it be known he might be interested in making a comeback to regain “I believe we had a contract and we’re supposed to be next,” said Joe Gamache Sr., who co-promotes his son. “Now Brian Mitchell is trying to sneak back into the picture. If the money is big enough, they’ll pay us (to stand aside for Mitchell). We’ll see what happens.”

According to reports in Sacramento, a Mitchell-Lopez fight in Mitchell’s native South Africa could generate a $500,000 payday for the winner. And Mitchell is reported to be interested in fighting for the title in his native country, where he wasn’t allowed to defend his belt during his career.

Lopez reportedly wants to fight Mitchell because the South African beat him in 1991.

The younger Gamache could not be reached for comment Sunday. But his father confirmed reports the former WBA champ with the 30-1 record is concerned over his recent history of getting cut.

Gamache had a cut opened over his right eye in the first round by what he later claimed was a Grow head butt. Grow maintained he cut Gamache with a punch. In the 10th round, Gamache said another head butt opened a gash in his forehead.

Gamache had suffered similar injuries against Lopez last October. He was cut under his right eye. He also suffered a severe blow to his left eye by a Lopez head butt that resulted in the eye swelling shut, contributing to the 11th-round TKO he suffered.

“Joey is concerned,” said Gamache Sr. “He likes to go to the body, which means he has to go inside. The problem is he’s been bending straight forward and getting hit with head butts. It’s something we’ll work on.”

The elder Gamache said all parties will talk before any decisions are made. He could not rule out the possibility Gamache may step aside for Mitchell, as long as he gets a guaranteed shot at the winner.