Jeff Fraza’s Contender Bash’s Bad End
By Michael Woods August 24th, 2006Is Jeff “HellRaza� Fraza living down to his name?
It was supposed to be a low-key tribute to a Contender but instead, two men were stabbed at a bash for Massachusetts boxer Jeff “HellRaza” Fraza on Wednesday evening, and one of those stabbed was taken to the hospital and was listed in critical condition.
A police report lists Fraza and another Massachusetts man as suspects in the stabbings of Michael Tang, 27, a former national taekwondo champion, and his brother David Tang, 22, a report in the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune said.
Fraza, 28, of Haverhill denied any involvement in the nasty violence at the barroom.
“It went from being a good night of celebration, a peaceful night, then all hell broke loose,” Fraza said in a telephone interview with the newspaper last night. “I’m trying to be a role model for the kids.”
The other man identified as a suspect in the police report was Fraza’s friend Efrain Crespo, 29, who was expected to be questioned by police last night.
The Tang brothers will also be queried, the cops said, before any arrests are made.
Michael Tang was taken to a Boston hospital by helicopter after being cut while David Tang was treated at Lawrence General Hospital for wounds to his head from being hit with a bottle, puncture wounds to his right side and stab wounds to his chest. He was released from the hospital yesterday, the paper reported.
It seems the Tangs were stabbed trying to break up the fight at River City Billiards at 83 Washington St., according to witness accounts. The brothers have worked as bouncers at the bar in the past but were not on duty for the Fraza fiesta.
About 50 people attended the bash to take in Fraza’s losing boxing bout on ESPN’s “The Contender” Tuesday night. The party continued into the early morning, and as bar workers tried to close at 12:45, a fight erupted near the jukebox, police said. The situation, which may have started when someone accidentally jostled another patron, deteriorated in a manner typically seen in the movies.
The establishment’s owner ID’d Crespo as the man who tried to fill Tang with holes initially, but he then backtracked on his call.
Tang, like Fraza, is a pretty fair athlete. He was looking to make the 2004 US Olympic team in taekwondo, and pared down 70 pounds to compete in the 176-pound division. The weight loss depleted him, however, and his quest ended when he needed medical attention from the severe dieting.
August 26th, 2006 at 9:27 pm
It is very important to understand that we live in America. And in America people are innocent until proven guilty. The Latest report says that Jeff is NOT a suspect and is NOT being charged in connection with the Stabbing. The local media has aboslutely nothing else to cover so they see this as an opportunity to get readership because of Jeff’s name and “The Contender”. Sadly, if it hadn’t been a party for Jeff, then this wouldn’t even be news and no one would be reporting it. When his name is cleared I hope those of you who jumped to conclusions without having any knowledge might help to repair the damage that has been done to him and his family. Futhermore, I have yet to read anything on the condition of the two victims. Does anyone care or are the just looking for more drama. I understand it is easier to defame others instead of looking at your own lives but its time to get off the computer, turn off the t.v. and get a life. Do you want to live your own or watch and worry about others.
September 1st, 2006 at 9:59 am
It is my understanding, and I do have reliable sources, that Fraza threatened the owner of the bar, telling him not to say anything about what happened. Is that what a “role model for kids” would do? I think not. As for C1 Smitty’s comment, that’s the biggest load of bull I’ve ever heard. Yes, we do live in America, and although Jeff may not be a suspect, he should come forward with any information that may lead to the arrest and prosecution of the scumbags that did this. THAT is what a role model would do. And for your information Smitty, I care about the condition of the victims and I don’t even know them. Everyone else should care too. I used to go to River City Billiards, before it became the shithole that it is today. Now I refuse to go to that place because it attracts thugs like Crespo. To the Tang brothers, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you recover from this horrific tragedy.
April 30th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
JoeSchmoe should really shut his mouth since he does not know what he’s talking about. Jeff Fraza is a role model, and a lot of younger kids DO look up to him. Joe Schmoe should stay away from RCB because I doubt any man who calls another man a “thug” probally couldn’t defend himself or anyone else for that matter as sometimes the occassion may arise when self defense is needed. So to you Joe Scmoe please shut your ass because you dont know what the fuck your talking about.