Woburn Pro Boxer Julien Baptiste Returning To The Ring Next Month

WOBURN, MA — Woburn-based professional boxer Julien "Black Dragon" Baptiste is training for his next fight, and it's against a familiar opponent.

On June 10, Baptiste (4-3, 2 knockouts) will face Barrington, New Hampshire's Ryan Thomas Clark (2-3, 1 KO) in the six-round main event at the "Fight Night at the Vets Club" at the Veterans Club in Bridgewater. The fight is for the vacant United States Boxing Federation (USBF) middleweight title. The event is presented by Granite Chin Promotions.

Baptiste and Clark actually faced one another twice as amateurs. Clark won a unanimous decision during their first fight in 2015, but Baptiste earned a split decision victory in their second bout a year later.

"The last time I saw Ryan was in the amateurs," Baptiste said. "He won the first, I won the second. It's seven, eight years since we last met in the ring. I hope he's been training during that time because I have been in the gym every day since we fought. I just need to perform. I hope he's ready because I will be."

Baptiste, 34, will be looking to bounce back after his last fight, a majority decision loss to Swansea's Tony Andreozzi in a November bout in Bridgewater for the Massachusetts state middleweight title.

"That fight was very disappointing," Baptiste said. "(Andreozzi) had a great game plan and executed it. I lost, he won, I'm moving forward. An impressive win (against Clark) will get me moving in my career, possibly getting me another shot at a big fight. It is for a title. I need to keep training hard and listen to my life coach and (boxing coach) Brandon (Montella)."

Baptiste is from Greenlawn, New York, on Long Island, and attended Mount Ida College in Newton.

Chris Traietti, president of Granite Chin Promotions, called Baptiste a great guy with a ton of potential in the ring. Though Traietti said Baptiste still is trying to master the mental side of boxing.

"(Baptiste) has just been inconsistent with his in-ring performances," Traietti said. "In all of his fights, he shows his toughness and resilience. Regardless of what is going on in his head, he never gives up and continues to give it hell.

"His losses speak for that, two split decision losses and a majority decision loss. We are all hoping 2023 is his year to win the mental battle going on in his head and perform to the level he is capable. It is not too late at all for him to turn the ship around."

Traietti added: "Who doesn't love a comeback story, especially when it involves one of the most personable, humble fighters you will ever meet."

The "Fight Night at the Vets Club" card also is scheduled to include bouts featuring former New England welterweight champion Mike "Bad Man" Ohan, Jr. (17-2, 9 KOs), of Holbrook, 2020 USA Boxing Elite national champion Arika Skoog (1-0-1, 1 KO), of Roxbury, unbeaten super middleweight James "Pitbull" Perkins (11-0-1, 8 KOs), of Lynn, and heavyweight Kevin Nagle (1-0,1 KO), of Scituate.

Tickets to the event are available online. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 7 p.m.