Connecticut Optician and Son Pick Fights

"When Matt Lombardi [son of Connecticut optician Frank] was younger, he played soccer. His dad didn't want him to grow up to be a boxer like he was. It didn't work. Things have turned out pretty well anyway," reports a Danbury News Times post. "In late March, Lombardi, then a sophomore at the University of Maryland, placed third in the Eastern Regionals in the 156-pound class and advanced to the National College Boxing Association National Championships at West Point, N.Y. At the nationals Lombardi lost in the first round to the eventual winner of the weight class. His teammate, senior Corey Simmons, finished first at regionals and third in nationals in the 125-pound class. It was the end of Lombardi's season but in many ways the tournament felt like a beginning." Read more about Matt's and Fran's careers in the ring.