LEWISTON – The most popular entree on the menu at My Cousin Vinny’s just might be a heavyweight boxing match between restaurant owner Vinny Donatelli and the “Irish guy” from New York.

The 39-year-old former resident of Boston’s North End is trading in his cooking apron for a pair of boxing gloves this Saturday night to make a few extra bucks to keep his restaurant operating through the slow months of winter. He’s in one of the featured bouts on Joey Gamache’s professional boxing card at the Multi-Purpose Center in Lewiston.

It’s a tough part-time job, but Donatelli has weighed the risks when he goes four rounds against his opponent, Declet Tinlin. He also sees this fight as an opportunity to get back into the ring after a seven-year layoff.

“People love this place (restaurant),” said Donatelli, a mountain of a man with a heart of gold and a punch that could stop a tank. “They come here, they love it here. It’s home. I love this place.

“That why I am going back to boxing. I need the money. That’s what keeps me going. I want to make my friends and customers happy. I love boxing. I haven’t done this for seven and a half years and I missed it. This was a second dream. I have over 300 people going to this fight. You see, I am the Italian Stallion.”

Indeed, he is. But who is going to argue with the 6-foot-3, 269-pound heavyweight who throws a mean punch and makes mouth-watering lasagna?

And like the lovable character, Rocky Balboa, Donatelli is a personable and easygoing fellow who enjoys welcoming all of his customers as soon as they step in the door to enjoy some of his authentic Italian cooking, and of course, to wish him luck with his boxing endeavor.

“How’s everything folks,” asked Donatelli, as a young couple enjoyed one of his dishes. “Everything OK? Best steak bombs around.”

Four years ago, Donatelli left Boston to get away from the city’s dizzying pace to raise five children and start a new life in the Pine Tree State. He was fighting in Malden, Mass., for several years where he earned a couple of TKOs before he realized he needed to “turn things around” in his life. Nine months ago, he opened My Cousin Vinny’s on Lowell Street in Lewiston where he has attracted a loyal clientele.

But when business slowed during the winter, the former kick boxer, who holds a black belt in karate, knew he required more cash to keep the eatery on course until spring arrived.

“I asked God for a miracle,” said Donatelli, who works out mornings at a local gym and trains at night at Gamache’s boxing club in the Lewiston Armory. “A month later Joey Gamache came in. He came looking for me. Joey is awesome. He is very talented, he is very smart.

“Joey said, ‘Vinny, you have a monster punch that’s going to knock him out.'”

Gamache was equally impressed with the gentle giant who instantly sheds his nice-guy persona when the fight bell rings.

“I went to his restaurant. I said, ‘Gee, this guy looks in great shape,'” said the two- time world champion boxer. “He said, ‘I am dying to fight. Get me in one of your shows.'”

Watching Donatelli wield his fists in the ring convinced Gamache to put the Italian Stallion on Saturday’s card.

“He is quite a puncher – bombs away,” said Gamache. “He’s like a big kid. Everybody loves him. He’s a character, a real Bostonian. I like his dedication. He’s got the desire. All it takes is one shot (from Donatelli) and boom!

“Heavyweights are big guys and all it takes is one shot. The other guy is huge, too.”

Tinlin, who is 20-something and stands at six feet, 240 pounds, obviously has youth on his side while Donatelli has the weight advantage.

“He’s like a dish on my menu,” Donatelli said of Tinlin. “I am going to dish him out.

“This guy is supposed to be really huge. I don’t care how big he is. He’s going down. I am not scared of him. I just have stage fright. I have tons of friends coming.

“There is going to be a lot people there to see two giants go at it. He is supposed to be huge and I am going to cut him down to size.”

But the Boston native has a game plan to ease his nerves when the crowd settles in to watch him do battle. He will play a song written and performed for the movie, “My Cousin Vinny.” And when he steps into the ring, Joe Pesci will be singing the title track.

But Donatelli is not solely relying on his size or damaging punches to dispatch Tinlin.

“I am a southpaw, it’s big advantage right there,” said a confident Donatelli. “I fight both ways.

“He’s going down. It’s like going for a job interview. The best competitor wins.”

Gamache agrees that being southpaw works to Donatelli’s advantage, but he also believes the heavyweight’s determination will play a big role in this fight.

“He wants to win badly like the Italian Stallion,” said Gamache, who is now a promoter and trainer. “It looks like a great match. Doesn’t everybody want to see a great heavyweight match? They both mean business.”

And he’s not about to let anybody stand in his way from keeping his restaurant afloat.

“I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do to keep My Cousin Vinny’s going,” said a determined Donatelli.

tblasi@sunjournal.com.000

Copy the Story Link