Big Trouble At The Boxing Extravaganza In Rochester, NY

Last Saturday, April 25, a fight card advertised as the “Boxing Extravaganza” was held at the former Rochester War Memorial, now known as Blue Cross Arena, in Rochester, New York, and promoted by Savage Life Promotions. Headlining the show was a bout for the US WBC Silver super lightweight title between defending champion Bryce Mills of Syracuse, NY (70 miles east on the New York State Thruway), and challenger Julio Rosa of Orlando by way of Puerto Rico. The eight-bout card featured six fighters from Rochester, along with a female WBA regional title fight, before being capped off by the Mills-Rosa main event.

What should have turned out to be a great night of boxing instead became a nightmare for many involved. All fight promotions encounter bumps in the road, especially relatively new promoters. Somehow, nearly everyone involved — commission members, referees, judges, ringside physicians, and, most alarmingly, the fighters — went unpaid. Admittedly, the sanctioning fees for the two title fights were paid in advance, and the supervisor’s fee was paid at the weigh-ins.

On fight night, the NYSAC (New York State Athletic Commission) attempted to collect its checks from Savage Life Promotions. The commission reportedly felt the checks appeared invalid and did not look legitimate. Savage Life’s Derick Gramling pointed out the routing numbers on the checks, insisting they were legitimate. The dispute caused a lengthy delay in the start time — more than 90 minutes. Eventually, after consulting with its legal team, the commission allowed the show to proceed.

On Monday, April 27, Fightnews.com was informed by Bryce Mills’ manager, Hall of Fame promoter Russell Peltz, that checks issued to all the fighters and commission members had bounced due to insufficient funds. This was later verified in conversations with the Mills camp, the Rosa camp, referees, and even Savage Life’s Derick Gramling and his associate, Clay Harris.

Gramling stated that all advance ticket sales, both at the venue and online, should have covered payroll for all the fighters. He also shared with Fightnews.com a copy of an itemized bill from Blue Cross Arena, which he alleges contained previously undisclosed charges. According to Gramling, the agreement between Blue Cross Arena and Savage Life Promotions stipulated that the arena would cut a check to Savage Life Promotions at the end of the night. He also claimed the venue stopped allowing fans into the building and that food and beverage vendors stopped serving patrons. Harris confirmed those claims during a separate conversation. However, exactly when admissions and concessions ceased operations remains unclear.

Harris also claimed that fight posters and flyers given to the Mills camp more than a month before Savage Life’s visit to Syracuse were never distributed to local restaurants, barber shops, and other businesses. He added that many establishments and residents in Liverpool, NY — the Syracuse suburb where Mills lives — were unaware that Mills even had an upcoming fight in Rochester. Both Gramling and Harris said they had been told Mills had a strong following and was expected to bring more than 1,000 fans to the show. Their analysis, however, revealed that fewer than 500 fans made the trip.

Gramling stated that he had sent money orders to the NYSAC in an effort to comply with the extended deadline of 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026 — six days after the event. According to the NYSAC, that deadline came and went without any payment, either partial or in full, being received from Savage Life Promotions. The deadline was then extended to Monday, May 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Still, no payment was received. Gramling claims he is liquidating assets and selling shares in his newly opened cannabis dispensary in an effort to raise the necessary funds.

The camps of both main event fighters — Bryce Mills and Julio Rosa — also weighed in on the situation. As far as Mills’ father, Steve, is concerned, “We’re going to get paid, one way or another!”

For Rosa, the situation is even more concerning. He works in construction, specifically laying tile — a physically demanding job. During the fight, Rosa tore his right rotator cuff, forcing the stoppage despite his desire to continue. He has already undergone a CT scan, which confirmed the tear. A more definitive MRI was scheduled to determine the severity of the injury and whether surgery will be necessary. Suffice it to say, Rosa will likely be unable to lay tile or earn a living for up to two months.

As of this writing on Tuesday, May 5, the NYSAC has suspended Derick Gramling’s promoter’s license nationwide. The $20,000 promoter surety bond will be liquidated and distributed among the commission and the 16 fighters who appeared on the card. According to the NYSAC, the final step will be the filing of criminal charges.

Fightnews.com was covering this event live at ringside on fight night and will continue to follow this story and provide further developments as they become available.

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