THOMAS “CORNFLAKE” LAMANNA & PROTÉGÉ MOSES MOLINA TO SEE ACTION ON JULY 27TH AT RESORTS IN ATLANTIC CITY‏

On Friday night July 27^th at Resorts in Atlantic City, undefeated Jr. Middleweight Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna will return to the ring in a six round bout.

Also scheduled to appear on the ESPN-2 Televised card will be undefeated Lightweight Moses Molina.

In the main event, top Lightweight contender “Hammerin” Hank Lundy will take on Reymundo Beltran.

LaManna of Millville, New Jersey has a record of 8-0 with five knockouts and is coming off a six round unanimous decision over late replacement Shawn Rawley Wilson on April 27^th at Resorts.

Molina of Bridgeton, New Jersey is 1-0 with one knockout as he stopped Desi Williams in ninety-three seconds in his pro debut on January 28^th in the same Resorts ring.

What’s Ironic about the situation is the LaManna is the licensed manager of Molina.

“I am looking forward to this big night as it is exciting to be competing both inside and outside the ring on the same card”, said LaManna.

“I am totally focused on what I need to do to get my ninth victory inside the ring but also it will be a double satisfying that Moses can get a great victory and we can accomplish this on the same card in front of a large audience”

“With a win, I am looking to get back in September and fight for the IBF World Youth championship and I am happy with my progress and I would like to thank Jimmy Burchfield for providing me this unique opportunity.”

“I would like to also thank my promoter Vincent M. Ponte and Gulfstream Promotions for his continued support in my career”

The show is promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s CES Boxing.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports is proud to announce the launch of its 2012 Thursday Night Fight Series

Thursday nights in Rhode Island just got a lot more exciting.

After successfully bringing professional boxing back to the Ocean State in 2011 following an 11-month drought, Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports is proud to announce the launch of its 2012 Thursday Night Fight Series, which begins Thursday, March 22nd, 2012 at the Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I., with “Home Invasion,” the first of four events this year.

“Home Invasion” features the long-awaited return of New Bedford, Mass., welterweight Jason “School Boy” Pires (22-4-1, 9 KOs), an active member of the New Bedford police force SWAT Team, along with Providence, R.I., super middleweight Vladine Biosse (11-1-1, 6 KOs), who’s in search of his first win since April.

Pires will face fan-favorite Eddie Soto (12-3, 4 KOs) of Pawtucket, R.I., in the six-round main event while Biosse will take on hard-hitting veteran George Armenta (14-7, 11 KOs) of Silver Spring, Md., in the six-round special attraction.

The series begins March 22nd and continues May 24th, July 19th, and Oct. 18th, and at the end of the year, the media will select – among other awards – the series’ Most Outstanding Fighter, Knockout of the Year, and Most Outstanding Prospect.

“No matter where our travels take us, Rhode Island will always remain our home, so it’s an honor to bring the finest up-and-coming talent in professional boxing back to the beautiful Twin River Event Center for this unique fight series,” Burchfield said. “This is a tremendous opportunity for both our fighters and our loyal fans.”

“I’ve been in the gaming industry for 33 years and I’ve never experienced a more professional boxing program than what Classic Entertainment & Sports produces regularly at Twin River,” added Phil Juliano, Vice President of Marketing at Twin River. “This new attempt at programming on Thursday nights should excite all of us as we get the chance to start the weekend early with a spectacular event presented by a first-class promoter in a first-class facility.”

Pires, 37, is looking to make one last run at championship glory as he begins his second comeback. In 2008, “School Boy” returned to the ring for the first time in five years with a unanimous-decision win over Frank Houghtaling at Twin River. Less than two years later, he challenged Michael Clark for the vacant North American Boxing Association (NABA) USA light welterweight title; Clark cruised to a unanimous-decision win, ending Pires’ first comeback attempt. The March 22nd bout against Soto will be his first in 22 months.

“It feels great to be back!” Pires said. “The rest has definitely worked wonders. My body has had more time to heal. I’m definitely motivated for this fight. This is a good comeback fight for me, and I’m looking forward to bringing all of my fans back to Rhode Island.”

Coming off a loss and a draw in his last two fights, Biosse will also lean on the support of his fans when he returns to the ring for the first time since October to face Armenta. In his last bout, Biosse pulled his left pectoral muscle in the opening round, which affected his performance in a majority draw against John Mackey.

“I’m really excited about the fact we’re coming back home,” Biosse said. “I like fighting in front of my hometown fans in my home state. Fighting here gives a lot of people who can’t get out to where we’re fighting a chance to come out and support us.

“The last time I fought, it didn’t go as I had planned, but I was thankful for the people that came out. We had a great turnout. It’s good to see that we still have boxing fans in Rhode Island who will come out and show their support.”

“Home Invasion” features seven dynamic undercard bouts, including the return of New Bedford welterweight Johnathan Vazquez (4-1-1, 3 KOs), who’s looking to bounce back from a knockout loss to Bryan Abraham in October, the first of his career. Vazquez will face New Jersey’s Rashard Bogar (3-3-1, 2 KOs) in a four-round bout.

Fan-favorites Alex Amparo (2-0, 1 KO) of Providence and Benny Costantino (7-0, 4 KOs) of West Warwick, R.I., will also return to Twin River following victories in October. Amparo, a middleweight, will face newcomer John Downey in a four-round bout while Costantino, 40, will continue his comeback in a four-round super middleweight bout against Yolexcy Leiva (4-2, 3 KOs) of Nashville, Tenn.; Costantino’s victory over Odias Dumezil in October was his first fight in 10 years.

Unbeaten middleweight prospect Thomas Falowo (5-0, 4 KOs) of Pawtucket will put his perfect record on the line against Ronald Reaves (2-2, 1 KO) of Atlanta, while light welterweight Carlos Hernandez (1-2) of Bridgeport, Conn., will face Robert Brando-Hunt (0-1) of Hyannis, Mass., who is searching for his first professional win. Female welterweight Aleksandra Magdziak Lopes (5-1, 1 KO) of Quincy, Mass., ranked No. 13 in the World Boxing Council (WBC), will battle Denver’s Brittney Christian (3-1, 1 KO) in a four-round bout, and super middleweight Kevin Cobbs (2-0, 1 KO) of Burlington, Vt., will also be on the undercard in a four-round bout.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

CES prepares to launch epic boxing tripleheader with three-city tour in March

Three shows, nine days, one world-class promoter – brace yourself this month for an amazing ride through the dynamic world of Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports. Spanning nine days between March 22^nd and 30^th, CES will promote three live boxing events in three cities, starting with the official launch of its 2012 Thursday Night Fight Series at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, R.I., on Thursday, March 22^nd, continuing Saturday, March 24^th with a spectacular heavyweight event at the Resorts Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, N.J., and culminating with the return of ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” on Friday, March 30^th at the Foxwoods Resort Casino’s MGM Grand Theater in Ledyard, Conn., featuring two nationally-televised title bouts.

“Anyone who thinks boxing is dead should take a look at what we’re doing this month,” Burchfield said. “This sport is alive and well thanks to the loyal fans who pack arenas on a weekly basis, and our tripleheader this month will be no exception.

“We’ve got three dynamic shows in a nine-day span, not simply for the sake of promoting shows, but to provide boxing’s most loyal fans with the best and brightest this sport has to offer. Anyone can run a handful of shows in a short amount of time, but only a world-class promotion can bring you three standout cards featuring an eclectic mix of established veterans and up-and-coming talent.

“There’s truly something for everyone on this tripleheader, and we’re thrilled to not only reestablish our presence at familiar venues such as Foxwoods Resort Casino and Twin River, but to be breaking new ground at the breathtaking Resorts Hotel & Casino as well. This is a landmark stretch for Classic Entertainment & Sports and there’s no one we’d rather share it with than you, our loyal fans.”

These next three events feature an array of television-friendly showstoppers, world-ranked contenders, up-and-coming prospects and household names, starting with Providence, R.I., super middleweight Vladine Biosse (11-1-1, 6 KOs), a former two-time winner on “Friday Night Fights,” and New Bedford, Mass., welterweight Jason “School Boy” Pires (22-4-1, 9 KOs), both of whom will be in action March 22^nd at Twin River.

On March 24^th, undefeated Mariusz Wach (26-0, 14 KOs) of North Bergen, N.J., the World Boxing Council (WBC) International heavyweight champion who’s now ranked No. 6 in the world among heavyweights, will defend his title against hard-hitting veteran Tye Fields (49-4, 44 KOs) of Alberta, Canada (by way of Missoula, Mont.); and former world-rated light heavyweight Joey “K.O. Kid” Spina (26-1-2, 18 KOs) will return to the ring for the first time in a year in a half to face Jerson Ravelo (20-5, 12 KOs) of Newark, N.J., a former participant on “The Contender” reality television series.

Not to be outdone, the March 30^th Foxwoods show will feature two dynamic bouts, including Philadelphia native “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy (21-1-1, 11 KOs) – ranked No. 4 in the WBC – defending his North American Boxing Federation (NABF) lightweight title against No. 11-ranked “Dangerous” Dannie Williams (21-1, 17 KOs) in the 10-round main event. New Haven, Conn., native Elvin Ayala (24-5-1, 11 KOs), ranked No. 16 in the WBC, will defend his WBC U.S. National Boxing Council (USNBC) middleweight title against Hector Camacho Jr. (53-4-1, 28 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature. Both fights will air live on ESPN2 beginning at 10 p.m. ET.

The March 24^th heavyweight spectacular in Atlantic City will also be distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network and Avail-TVN for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

“To have these shows available for nationwide and worldwide viewing is a major plus,” Burchfield said. “Our fan base continues to expand with each event as we attract viewers from multiple countries. The CES brand has grown tremendously in the past few years, and it’ll continue to develop during this unparalleled stretch. The possibilities are endless, and we’re only getting started.”

(Photos of Mariusz Wach and Jerson Ravello by Keisha Morrisey)

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Refreshed Pires attempts second comeback‏

Refreshed Pires attempts second comeback‏

Jason Pires will probably be the only person at Twin River on March 22^nd with the authority to both start and stop a fight.

A six-year veteran of the New Bedford, Mass., Police Department, Pires will resume his professional boxing career Thursday, March 22^nd, 2012 at the Event Center in the main event of “Home Invasion,” the official launch of the 2012 Twin River Thursday Night Fight Series, presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports.

Pires’ life outside the ring has changed a bit since his last fight in May of 2009 (a unanimous-decision loss to Michael Clark). For the past year and a half, the veteran officer has also been a member of New Bedford’s SWAT Team, a promotion Pires had been seeking for quite some time. As a member of the SWAT Team, Pires (22-4-1, 9 KOs) is on call 24 hours a day and could be summoned at any moment to take part in a hostage rescue – or any other high-risk situation.

“I could get that call right now if something goes down,” he said. “It’s a learning process, just like boxing. If you stray away from it, you start to lack. You have to stay on top of it.”

The 37-year-old Pires will face fan-favorite Eddie Soto (12-3, 4 KOs) of Pawtucket, R.I., in a six-round welterweight bout, one of nine dynamic bouts on the March 22^nd card.

“I remember Eddie from the amateurs,” Pires said. “I actually gave him some pointers for his next fight. He comes to fight, and he’ll stand right in front of me, which is good. That’s what I’m looking for. I like guys who’ll stand right in front of me so I can work my jab and try to take them out in the end.”

After losing to Clark three years ago, Pires decided to take a break, not to contemplate retirement, but to rest his weary body, which had just endured four grueling fights in 18 months – including a draw – during his first comeback attempt (Pires had previously sat out five years before returning in 2008).

“I just needed a break,” Pires said. “People don’t realize how much my regular job takes out of me between working details, and overtime. Trying to make boxing a full-time job is difficult.

“I’ve learned I have to space my fights in between. I’m getting older. I can’t fight month-to-month anymore. So much goes into training for a fight that I don’t take any details or work any overtime – nothing. It’s just work and boxing. I actually lose money when I train! But I won’t half-ass it; I want to protect myself and be able to step into that ring and go all out and do what I have to do.”

Pires works the overnight shift with the police department, which runs from midnight to 8 a.m. – four days on, two days off. On training days, he runs four to five miles immediately following his shift, naps until 3, hits the gym between 6 and 8, and then gets ready for the next shift beginning at midnight – a hectic schedule that takes incredible discipline and a genuine love for boxing.

“That’s why I do it,” Pires said. “I have a tremendous desire to be in this sport.”

Pires also trains 24 hours a month for the SWAT Team, which requires practicing his aim at a shooting range for sniping purposes and preparing for rescue scenarios by entering abandoned buildings, along with other physical fitness and agility drills that coincide with his daily boxing regimen.

“Of the 12 guys who tried out, I was one of six who made it, so it’s a great accomplishment for me,” Pires said. “There’s always something going down in New Bedford, so you never know when you’ll get that call. We go right in carrying ARs, handguns – it’s definitely something nice to be a part of.

“It’s just like boxing. You train and work hard, and whatever you put into it is what you’ll get out of it.”

Asked about his long-term goals in boxing, Pires laughs, pauses for a bit, and says, “Right now, it’s one fight at a time.

“Ultimately, it depends on how the fights go. We’ll see what happens down the road. Maybe I can, maybe I can’t. I just want to have a good showing when I go out there. If I keep winning, that’s great. Hopefully, something will come out of it.”

The possibility of competing for another title – Pires is a former United States Boxing Association (USBA) super bantamweight champion and North American Boxing Association (NABA) light welterweight title contender – hasn’t crossed his mind yet. For now, he’s fighting for the love of the sport. Why else would he put his body through such a rigorous daily grind?

“If that shot comes, it comes,” Pires said. “For the time being, I just want to keep winning.”

“Home Invasion” also features the long-awaited return of super middleweight Vladine Biosse (11-1-1, 6 KOs) of Providence, R.I., who will face George Armenta (14-7, 11 KOs), a dangerous veteran from Silver Spring, Md., in a six-round bout. Fellow New Bedford welterweight Johnathan Vazquez (4-1-1, 3 KOs), who is looking to bounce back from a knockout loss to Bryan Abraham in October – the first of his career – will face New Jersey’s Rashard Bogar (3-3-1, 2 KOs) in a four-round bout.

Fan-favorites Alex Amparo (2-0, 1 KO) of Providence and Benny Costantino (7-0, 4 KOs) of West Warwick, R.I., will also return to Twin River following victories in October. Amparo, a middleweight, will face newcomer John Downey in a four-round bout while Costantino, 40, will continue his comeback in a four-round super middleweight bout against Yolexcy Leiva (4-2, 3 KOs) of Nashville, Tenn.; Costantino’s victory over Odias Dumezil in October was his first fight in 10 years.

Unbeaten middleweight prospect Thomas Falowo (5-0, 4 KOs) of Pawtucket will put his perfect record on the line againstRonald Reaves (2-2, 1 KO) of Atlanta, while light welterweight Carlos Hernandez (1-2) of Bridgeport, Conn., will face Robert Brando-Hunt (0-1) of Hyannis, Mass., who is searching for his first professional win. Super middleweight Kevin Cobbs (2-0, 1 KO) of Burlington, Vt., will face Kentrell Claiborne (2-5, 1 KO) of Cleburne, Tex., in a four-round bout. Female welterweightAleksandra Magdziak Lopes (5-1, 1 KO) of Quincy, Mass., will also be on the undercard in a four-round bout.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Lundy issues warning to Williams‏;War of words between Lundy and Williams continues in lieu of lightweight title bout, Put up, or shut up!

With his opponent all but guaranteeing a victory, vocal lightweight champion“Hammerin’” Hank Lundy has issued yet another reply in hopes of ending the banter between he and Dannie Williams before the two settle their feud in the ring later this month.

“This kid is a joke,” Lundy said in response to Williams’ promise that he’ll be “fighting for a knockout” Friday, March 30^th, 2012when the two face one another for Lundy’s North American Boxing Federation (NABF) title in the main event of “All In,” presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports and broadcasted live on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” from the Foxwoods Resort Casino’s MGM Grand Theater in Mashantucket, Conn.

“You can’t scare me. You can’t derail me, because I fight for a living. I’m going to hurt this boy. There’s an old saying that goes, ‘Your arms are too short to box with God.’ I’m not god, but in the ring I’m the closest thing to it.”

Lundy, ranked No. 4 in the World Boxing Council (WBC), No. 12 in the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and No. 7 in the World Boxing Organization (WBO), is searching for his second consecutive title defense and first since knocking out former world champion David Diaz on ESPN2 in August.

“We are thrilled to have this main event fight on ESPN’s FNF series from the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods and appreciate the work both promotional camps demonstrated to make this fight a reality,” said ESPN Director of Programming and AcquisitionsDoug Loughrey. “Our loyal fans are most familiar with both fighters, who had tremendous knockouts in 2011 on FNF, and hopefully the battle of words these two fighters have engaged in thus far will transfer to the ring for an action-filled and entertaining night on March 30^th.”

New Haven, Conn., native Elvin Ayala (24-5-1, 11 KOs), ranked No. 16 in the WBC, will defend his WBC U.S. National Boxing Council (USNBC) middleweight title against Hector Camacho Jr. (53-4-1, 28 KOs), the son of former four-time world championHector “Macho” Camacho Sr., in the 10-round co-feature.

The highly-anticipated title bout between Lundy (21-1-1, 11 KOs) and Williams (21-1, 17 KOs) could wind up as an early candidate for ESPN’s Fight of the Year. The war of words began in late December when Williams, ranked No. 1 in the NABF, vowed to “hurt” Lundy if the two were to face one another. Though Williams later claimed those words came from his promoter, Steve Smith of Rumble Time Promotions, Lundy issued a threat of his own – ironically on Valentine’s Day – promising a knockout victory.

“I’m going to take your heart, I’m going to crush it up, I’m going to break you down, and I’m going to knock you out,” Lundy said in February. “I put that on my kids. I’m going to hurt you. You’re going to feel what real pain is about.”

Williams fired back Monday, focusing primarily on his training camp in Youngstown, Ohio, with head trainer Jack Leow, and the thrill of fighting on national television, where he hopes to follow in the footsteps of fellow St. Louis veterans Deandre Latimore andDevon Alexander, both of whom won televised bouts in recent weeks.

The feud between he and Lundy has also gone viral with the two taunting one another through social networking.

“Lundy's talking so much [he] has made me loose,” Williams said Monday in a statement issued by Rumble Time Promotions. “You know the old saying, ‘The loudest person in the room is the weakest guy.’ His people have been saying I’ve never fought anybody. Well, we’ve fought one common opponent, Reggie Sanders. They went the distance [in 2006] and I nearly killed him. His head was dangling on the ropes. I hurt guys that I hit.”

“Of course, when you fight tomato cans they’re going to fall. Let’s be serious,” Lundy answered. “He keeps talking about his built-up record. He’s got all these knockouts, but who are those knockouts against? Let’s be real. When you get a real name on your resume, we’ll talk. I’ve been in the gym everyday for hours on end. I’ve been in there with guys bigger than me and I’m putting them to sleep. I can’t wait to show him what a real punch is.”

The Philadelphia native certainly has every reason to be confident. Since suffering the first and only loss of his career in 2010, he’s won his last three bouts, including a unanimous-decision win over former Venezuelan Olympian Patrick Lopez on ESPN2 in April to capture the then-vacant NABF title, and his subsequent knockout win over Diaz, one of FNF’s top finishes of the year.

“We’ve been doing two-a-days in training camp – two times a day with cardio and strength training,” Lundy said. “Our whole camp has featured two-a-days. I’m going to show the world I should be fighting for a world championship. The champs up there should be fighting me instead of ducking me.

“I’m going to make an example out of [Williams]. I’ll put it like this: The last guy they told me had a big right hand was Omri Lowther. What did I do? I took his right hand away,” added Lundy in reference to his unanimous-decision win over Lowther on ESPN in August of 2010. “He couldn’t touch me – and Lowther is a better fighter than Dannie Williams. I took that fight on four days’ notice. Let’s be serious.”

The undercard features Philadelphia’s Frankie Trader (8-0, 2 KOs) facing Adrian Perez (7-4-1, 1 KO) of Sarasota, Fla., in a six-round super featherweight bout; and Shelton, Conn., super middleweight Nick Lavin (2-2, 2 KOs) battling Steven Chadwick (0-3) of Jacksonville, Fla. New London, Conn., featherweight Shelito Vincent (1-0) will face Karen Dulin (2-10, 1 KO) of Mystic, Conn., in a four-round rematch; and Josh Crespo (0-1-1) of New Haven will take on Alfredo Garcia (2-0) of Sarasota in a four-round super bantamweight bout. New Haven welterweight Christian Lao (3-1, 1 KO) will face Thomas Miller (2-0, 2 KOs) of Huntington, W.V., in a four-round bout.

Light heavyweight Joe Smith Jr. (7-1, 7 KOs) of Long Island, N.Y.; Providence, R.I., cruiserweight Donte Wiggins (1-0, 1 KO); and newcomer Abner Lloveras of Barcelona, Spain – the winner of the Spanish Olympic Boxing Tournament in 2010 who also has won 14 victories on his resume in professional mixed martial arts – will be featured in separate four-round bouts.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Calling all champs Lundy predicts win over Diaz on ESPN; aims for title shot in 2011

Lundy returns to ESPN Aug. 19th‏

He’s won 10 of his last 11 fights since 2008, captured two lightweight titles, fought in front of a worldwide audience four times in 16 months and is now ranked among the Top 20 in two major sanctioning bodies, yet Philadelphia’s “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy still hasn’t gotten the call to fight for a world title.

“I’m knocking at the door,” said Lundy, who’s promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports. “I’ll fight anybody they put in front of me. What more do I have to do to show these guys I’m one of the top fighters in the world?”

The answer might come Friday, Aug. 19th, 2011 when Lundy defends his North American Boxing Federation (NABF) lightweight title against former world champion David Diaz in the 10-round co-feature of ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights” telecast at The Venue At Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Ind., presented by Hitz Entertainment in association with Banner Promotions.

This will be Lundy’s first title defense since capturing the belt in a win over Patrick Lopez on April 1st and his fifth consecutive bout on “Friday Night Fights” since April of 2010. A win over Diaz (36-3-1, 17 KOs), whose resume includes victories against former five-time world champion Erik Morales and former World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight champion Ener Julio in addition to a grueling battle against pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao, would boost Lundy (20-1-1, 10 KOs) in the lightweight rankings and possibly lead to a major title shot by the end of the year.

“[World Boxing Association and WBO interim lightweight champion] Robert Guerrero, [WBA and WBO lightweight super champion] Juan Manuel Marquez – I can beat those guys,” Lundy said. “If they will give me a shot and let me prove my talent, I guarantee I will wipe them out with no problem.”

Until then, Lundy must deal with Diaz, who’s in the midst of his second comeback following a 10-month layoff. Diaz returned to the ring in January with a majority-decision win over Robert Frankel. The 35-year-old Chicago native originally left boxing for more than a year following his knockout loss to Pacquiao in 2008, which, at the time, earned Pacquiao his fifth world title in five different weight classes (he’s since accomplished the feat in eight separate weight classes).

Lundy is seeking his third consecutive win since losing his North American Boxing Organization (NABO) title to John Molina Jr. in July of 2009. He rebounded from that loss with a win over Omri Lowther two months later on ESPN and then captured the vacant NABF title with a hard-fought win over Lopez, a two-time Olympian (2000 and 2004) for the Venezuelan national team.



“I feel like Patrick Lopez was the toughest fight I ever had and I handled him well,” said Lundy, who won the fight by scores of 99-91, 97-92 and 95-94. “I’m not sleeping on Diaz, but he’s 35 years old, has no knockout punch and no defense.

“When he fought Pacquiao, he got hit with everything except the kitchen sink. He comes right at you, but it’s not like I’m going to go in there and brawl with him. I’m a smart, intelligent fighter with youth on my side. I’m going to break him down. He’s a southpaw, and I plan on fighting southpaw because the one thing I’ve noticed about southpaws is they don’t like to deal with other southpaws.”

Lundy is ranked 15th in the International Boxing Federation (IBF), 29th in the International Boxing Organization (IBO) and 16th in the World Boxing Council (WBC), while Diaz is 21st in the WBC, 7th in the WBO and 4th in the IBO. Diaz held the WBC lightweight title from 2006 to 2008 before losing to Pacquiao and then failed in his attempt to recapture the belt in a unanimous-decision loss to Humberto Soto (56-7-2, 32 KOs) in March of 2010 – just six months after he beat former world champion Jesus Chavez in Chicago.

“My southpaw side is my natural side, and when I hit him he’s going to feel it,” Lundy said. “I’m going to stick to the game plan and do what I need to do. I know Diaz will try to wear me down. That’s what these fighters do today. They let you take the early rounds and try to wear you down, but everyone who’s faced me knows I’m in great shape, so I won’t be worn down.

“Everyone I’ve fought, I’ve exposed. Even in the loss to Molina, I beat myself. That’s why he’s running from me. Molina is scared of me. If you look at the scorecards, I was beating him every round, and what people don’t know is I was sick as a dog and I still fought anyway. That’s the heart of a champion. That fight made me even more dangerous. These other champions know it and that’s why they won’t step in the ring with me.”

Lundy’s title defense against Diaz is part of a dynamic card featuring the 12-round main event rematch between light welterweight Ruslan Provodnikov (19-1, 13 KOs) and Mauricio Herrera (18-7, 7 KOs) of Lake Elsinore, Calif., who also fought in the main event of ESPN’s first telecast of the season with Herrera pulling off the upset.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

McBride predicting victory on the 29th; ‘I’m the champ!’ Confident McBride predicting victory against undefeated Wach on the 29th

The man who ended Mike Tyson’s reign atop the heavyweight division six years ago is threatening to put an end to another promising career before it has a chance to blossom.

Clones, Ireland veteran Kevin McBride (35-9-1, 29 KOs) might be considered the heavy underdog on Friday, July 29th, 2011 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., but he’s predicting another major upset against undefeated Polish heavyweight Mariusz Wach (24-0, 12 KOs) in the main event of “Heat Wave,” presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports in association with Global Boxing Promotions.

The two are fighting in the 12-round main event for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) International heavyweight title, a belt once held by former world champions John Ruiz, David Tua, Oleg Maskaev and Oliver McCall, along with current heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.

“I’m here to win,” McBride said Thursday at the Global Boxing Gym during the third leg of CES’ east-coast publicity tour. “God bless him – he’s undefeated and he has 24 wins, but I’m the champ. I’ve got more knockouts than he has wins.

“He better watch out. I know I’m still the underdog like I was against Tyson, but I feel I have the punch that can be the equalizer against anyone in the world.”

McBride is so confident he’ll win the title, he’s even gone as far as to plan his next move.

“I’m saving the fireworks for the 29th,” he said. “After I beat him, I’d like to fight [undefeated prospect] Tyson Fury and then take my shot at a world title.”

Even after beating Tyson in 2005, McBride never got a shot at world title before retiring two years later. Six months after his comeback fight in October of 2010, McBride fought former cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek for the North American Boxing Organization (NABO) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) International heavyweight titles, but lost a unanimous 12-round decision.

“He got tired of running around the ring because Adamek wouldn’t fight him!” Burchfield said.

A win over Wach on the 29th would bring McBride one step closer to a shot at that elusive world title.

“He’s worked real hard,” said McBride’s manager, Jerry Quint. “He’s putting his heart and soul into this fight.”

For Wach, the stakes are equally high; with a perfect 24-0 record, he’s now ranked 13th in the WBC and is on the cusp of a major title fight if he can get past McBride next Friday.

“This fight means a lot to me. It can open a lot of doors, or those doors could be closed,” Wach said. “I’ve spent the past three months putting in endless hours training. The plan is in place; I just hope he doesn’t break my plans for the future.”

“This is what boxing needs,” Burchfield added. “Someone is going to get knocked out. There is no doubt about that.”

Wach, who last fought on Feb. 19 in a knockout win over Jonathan Haggler, has benefited from the tutelage of trainers Juan and Carlos De Leon, who are known throughout boxing for their work with undefeated heavyweight “Baby” Joe Mesi.

“He’s a lot like Mesi,” Carlos De Leon said. “I feel as though I have a future heavyweight champion on my hands.”

Next week’s WBC International heavyweight title bout between Wach and McBride is one of two title fights at Mohegan Sun; Former world-title challenger Elvin Ayala (23-5-1, 11 KOs) of New Haven, Conn., will face Israel “Pito” Cardona (36-10, 28 KOs) of Hartford for the vacant WBC United States National Boxing Council (USNBC) middleweight title, a title once held by former world champions Paul “The Punisher” Williams and Lamont Peterson.

The undercard includes New Haven welterweight Edwin Soto (6-0-1, 2 KOs) battling Michael Denby (3-11-4, 2 KOs) of Felton, Del.; and undefeated heavyweight Artur Spzilka of Poland (5-0, 3 KOs) facing Philadelphia’s David Williams (6-4-1, 2 KOs). Cruiserweight Jose Torres of Springfield, Mass., will make his debut against fellow newcomer Pedro Rivera of Southbridge, Mass.; super middleweight Greg McCoy (2-3-1, 1 KO) of New Haven will fight in a separate four-round bout against Worcester’s Ralph Johnson (0-1); and super middleweight Keith Kozlin (6-2, 4 KOs) of Warwick, R.I., will face Woonsocket’s Reynaldo Rodriguez (5-2, 2 KOs) in a six-round intrastate showdown. The special attraction on July 29th will be an eight-round light middleweight bout featuring Worcester, Mass., veteran and former three-time world champion Jose Antonio Rivera (40-6-1, 24 KOs) against Paul Mpendo (7-7-4, 3 KOs) of Oregon. Junior welterweight Agustine Mauras (1-0, 1 KO) of Lawrence, Mass., will face rival Johnathan Vazquez (4-0, 3 KOs) of New Bedford, Mass., in a rematch of their amateur bout three years ago. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Against all odds Former three-time champion Jose Antonio Rivera continues improbable comeback July 29th

Ex-champ Rivera joins lineup at Mohegan‏; After winning close to 40 fights in 15 years and capturing three world titles, Jose Antonio Rivera suddenly reached a point in his career he never thought he’d see three decades ago when he first put on a pair of gloves at 8 years old.

“Boxing wasn’t fun anymore,” said the former three-time world champion from Worcester, Mass.

Weighed down by personal problems outside of the ring, Rivera hit the wall in 2007 when he lost his World Boxing Association (WBA) light middleweight title to Travis Simms. He announced his retirement shortly thereafter, only to attempt a brief comeback 10 months later that left him with an injured hand.

This time, it appeared Rivera (40-6-1, 24 KOs) was done for good, but the former welterweight and light middleweight title-holder proved you can’t keep a champion down for long, making his second comeback in May with a unanimous decision win over Luis Maysonet at the Palladium in Worcester.

Only three months removed from his 38th birthday, Rivera now has his sights set on a much bigger prize as he prepares to continue his comeback Friday, July 29th, 2011 on the undercard of Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports’ “Heat Wave” show at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

Rivera will fight in a special eight-round light middleweight attraction on a show that features two championship bouts – a 12-round showdown between Kevin McBride (35-9-1, 29 KOs) and Mariusz Wach (24-0, 12 KOs) for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) International heavyweight title, and a 10-round intrastate battle between Elvin Ayala (23-5-1, 11 KOs) of New Haven, Conn., and rival Israel “Pito” Cardona (36-10, 28 KOs) of Hartford for the vacant WBC United States National Boxing Council (USNBC) middleweight title.

“I’m trying to push myself and test myself to see how much I have left in the tank,” said Rivera, who was born in Philadelphia and also lived in Puerto Rico before moving to Worcester as a teenager. “My goal is to get back into world-championship form.

“I want to ease my way into a couple of fights this year and by next year hopefully I’ll be knocking on the door of another big fight. … You’re only as old as you feel.”

Asked how old he feels, Rivera said, “Twenty-eight, both mentally and physically.”

How he feels mentally is arguably more important right now than how Rivera feels physically, especially considering the internal problems that derailed his career four years ago. His first comeback attempt in 2008 ended with a win over Clarence Taylor, but Rivera admits he still would’ve walked away again even without the subsequent hand injury because his “mind wasn’t right.”

“The injury was just the icing on the cake,” he said. “That gave me a more convenient excuse to retire, but the truth is I was still dealing with a lot of personal stuff, too.”

The idea of returning to the ring a second time was always in the back of his mind during his retirement phase, but Rivera didn’t pull the trigger until he knew he was mentally ready.

“I had to type up all the loose ends in my life,” he said. “As soon as everything was good, I said to myself, ‘OK, now is the time.’ Being mentally prepared is the key. I don’t care how strong you are. You could be a beast in that ring, but if you’re not mentally ready, then it all goes out the window.

“That’s what got me to take some time off. Everything going on in my life was affecting my performance and my career.”

On May 20th at the Palladium, Rivera proved he made the right decision with a convincing win over Maysonet, a Hartford native who entered the bout with 32 wins, including 25 by knockout. The former world champion struggled early, but settled into a groove later in the fight after solving Maysonet’s game plan. Rivera captured an eight-round unanimous decision, 79-73, on all three scorecards.

“I didn’t expect him to try to outbox me,” Rivera said. “He seemed hesitant to move inside. We trained for a brawl, and I had to adjust midway through the fight. His style kind of threw me off a little. By the time I warmed up in the sixth, seventh and eighth rounds, I was unloading on him.

“To tell you the truth, it went by so quickly. When I went back to my corner after the eighth round, the referee came to me and said the fight was over. I asked if he had quit and the referee said, ‘No, that’s eight rounds!’”

Rivera’s next bout on July 29th will go a long way toward determining whether his dream of winning a fourth world title – he captured the WBA light middleweight and welterweight titles, in addition to the International Boxing Organization (IBO) welterweight title – is a realistic premise or an improbable fantasy. One thing that’s certain is Rivera views his age as an advantage, not a roadblock, as he aims to follow in the footsteps of legends George Foreman and Bernard Hopkins, who beat the odds to win world titles at the ages of 45 and 46, respectively (Hopkins accomplished the feat by beating Jean Pascal the night after Rivera’s comeback win over Maysonet).

“A lot of people knock it, and that’s fine because it just gives me more motivation, but the great thing about being an older fighter is I bring a lot of experience to the ring,” Rivera said. “I know my body. Conditioning has always been the key to my success, and it’s one of the main reasons I became champion, but some of my losses were a result of overtraining when I was younger; I left it all in the gym. The things I took for granted back then are things I no longer take for granted anymore. That’s what makes it enjoyable.”

Rivera’s having fun again, and that could be bad news for the elite fighters in the 154-pound division.

“I just want another chance at a title fight, whether it’s the WBC, WBA or IBO – any of them,” Rivera said. “This is a great opportunity for me, and I’m excited to be on this card. I’ve always wanted to fight at Mohegan Sun and now I’ll have that chance. I’m just thankful Burchfield was able to make it happen.”

The undercard of “Heat Wave” features Pawtucket, R.I., middleweight Thomas Falowo (3-0, 3 KOs) facing Russ Niggemyer (2-2, 2 KOs) of Hilliard, Ohio; New Haven welterweight Edwin Soto (6-0-1, 2 KOs) battling Jose Duran (6-5-2, 3 KOs) of Sarasota, Fla.; undefeated heavyweight Artur Spzilka of Poland (5-0, 3 KOs) facing Philadelphia’s David Williams (6-4-1, 2 KOs), and New Bedford, Mass., welterweight Johnathan Vazquez (4-0, 3 KOs) taking on Agustine Maurus of Lawrence, Mass., in Maurus’ debut. Cruiserweight Jose Torres of Springfield, Mass., will make his debut; super middleweight Greg McCoy (2-3-1, 1 KO) of New Haven will fight in a separate four-round bout; and super middleweight Keith Kozlin (6-2, 4 KOs) of Warwick, R.I., will face Woonsocket’s Reynaldo Rodriguez (5-2, 2 KOs) in a six-round intrastate showdown. Also, former “The Contender” reality television star Jeff Fraza (17-3, 10 KOs) of Haverhill, Mass., will face Pawtucket, R.I., light middleweight Eddie Soto (12-2, 4 KOs) in a six-round bout. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Feel the burn CES kicks off warm-weather season with hottest show of the year

Summertime boxing is about to hit record-setting temperatures as Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports unleashes its latest major-league fight card in the state of Connecticut.

Red-hot New Haven super middleweight Elvin Ayala (23-5-1, 11 KOs), a perfect 3-0 in 2011, and undefeated Polish heavyweight Mariusz Wach (24-0, 12 KOs), now fighting out of Bergen, N.J., return to the ring Friday, July 29, 2011 for “Heat Wave” at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville.

Ayala will star in the main event of “Heat Wave” as he searches for his fourth consecutive victory since his loss to David Lemieux in June of 2010. Since signing with CES, Ayala is 3-0 this year with back-to-back knockout victories over Joe Gardner (April 1) and George Armenta (May 6). Ayala’s bout on July 29 will be his first at Mohegan Sun since he defeated Mustafah Johnson by unanimous decision on Feb. 4, the first of Ayala’s three consecutive wins.

The new year has provided a welcomed change for Ayala both in and outside the ring. Upon signing with CES, the former world-title challenger also joined forces with a new management team and has since hired Peter Manfredo Sr. – the father of former International Boxing Organization (IBO) middleweight champion and “The Contender” reality television star Peter Manfredo Jr. – as his head trainer. Manfredo’s tutelage paid dividends on May 6 as a sharper, stronger Ayala stopped Armenta in four rounds.

For Wach, a native of Krakow, Poland, July 29 will be his Mohegan Sun debut and just his seventh fight in the United States. The 6-foot-7 “Polish Giant” recently signed a multi-year promotional agreement with CES in conjunction with New Jersey-based Global Boxing Promotions and will star in the 10-round co-feature of “Heat Wave.”

An alternate on Poland’s 2004 Olympic boxing team, Wach possesses the overwhelming size and knockout power to become a serious contender amongst the Klitschko brothers; current International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Organization (WBO) and IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko enters his July 2 showdown against David Haye with a 55-3 record and 49 knockouts, while his brother, defending World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Vitali Klitschko is 42-2 with 39 knockouts.

Wach hasn’t fought since Feb. 19 in Newark, N.J., when he knocked out Jonathan Haggler in the third round to capture the WBC Baltic heavyweight title. Among Wach’s other notable wins are a fourth-round knockout win over Galen Brown on Nov. 12, 2010 in Lincoln, R.I., and a seventh-round TKO win over Eric Boose in July of 2008 on ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights” at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago.

“Ayala and Wach provide the star power befitting of a summertime show of this caliber,” Burchfield said. “Elvin is as steady as they come. Now that he finally has the right people in his corner, there’s no doubt we will bring him back to the top of his division, and this next fight will be a step in the right direction. This is a fighter who gave Arthur Abraham everything he could handle and has been more than willing to compete with any fighter at any given time. He has a superior management team, a veteran trainer and a world-class promoter on his side. The sky’s the limit.

“We’re equally excited about Mariusz. The heavyweight division has been thirsting for new blood for quite some time, and in order to compete with the big dogs in this elite weight class, you need power. The Klitschko brothers have combined for 88 knockouts. That’s the same kind of power Mariusz has in his arsenal, and I can’t wait to watch him put it to use on July 29.

“With Elvin and Mariusz at the top of what will be another star-studded lineup next month, this is a rare opportunity to catch two future champions on the same night.”

“Heat Wave” will also feature the return of CES’ next generation of rising stars, including recently-signed Pawtucket, R.I., middleweight Thomas Falowo (3-0, 3 KOs), who will put his perfect record on the line. New Haven’s best and brightest are also returning to action, most notably middleweight Ricky Dawson (4-0, 1 KO), super middleweight Greg McCoy (2-3, 1 KO) and welterweight Edwin Soto (6-0-1, 2 KOs) each fighting in separate four-round bouts. More details are soon to follow. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

CES Promoting 3 shows in 3 states Within 10 days in September

PROVIDENCE– Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES) has announced that it will promote three professional boxing cards, in three different states, within 10 days of each other in September.

CES, in association with the State of New York, in conjunction with the International Boxing Hall of Fame, will run a show Wednesday, Sept. 2 at the New York State Fair in Syracuse. Two days later (Friday, Sept. 4), CES returns home to Twin River Event Center in Lincoln (RI) and a week after that show, (Friday, Sept. 11) “The Radisson Hotel Plymouth Harbor Fight Series” continues at Plymouth (MA) Memorial Hall.

“It’s a great challenge but we have a talented staff that will share responsibilities,” Burchfield explained. “Different staff people will be delegated specific duties for each show. We’ve done it before. We’re honored and proud to be promoting this special show. There will be a lot of boxing celebrities there. The shows at Twin River and Plymouth Memorial Hall will feature some of the top talent in New England.”

A press conference will be held next Thursday (August 6, 1 PM/ET) at the Fair Grounds in Syracuse to formally announce the card.

For more information about CES, its 2009 schedule or fighters, go on line to www.cesboxing.com or call 401.724.2253.See you at the Fights.
Thanks for your time.

Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

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©®™2007, 2008 All rights reserved

Manfredo looking Green (towards Duddy)

PROVIDENCE– As he heads back to the middleweight division, former world title challenger Peter Manfredo, Jr., rejuvenated by his impressive seventh-round knocked out of Walid “Tempete de Sable” Smichet last Saturday, has his sites set on “Ireland’s” John Duddy.

The 28-year-old Manfredo (32-6, 16 KOs), star of The Contender, Season I, is unable to attend Duddy’s fight tomorrow night (Apr. 24) in Newark, but he’ll be represented there by his promoter, Jimmy Burchfield (CES president), and father/trainer, Peter Manfredo, Sr.

“I was very happy getting a big win against Smichet, especially coming off my defeat to (Sakio) Bika,” Manfredo, Jr. said. “I boxed well, used my head and the knockout came at the end. I’m not where I want to be, yet. A couple of more wins and I’ll be ready for any middleweight. I’m a fighter, that’s what I do. I’ll fight anybody my promoter (Burchfield) and manager (Larry Army) put in front of me. Not too far down the road I want John Duddy. Knocking out Smichet, something Duddy couldn’t do was a plus for me. He’s a great guy and good fighter. We can make some money together. More importantly, though, it’s a fight that fans want and boxing needs; Italian versus Irish between two tough, exciting fighters.

“The last three years I fought as a super middleweight but I should have been fighting as a middleweight. The top super middleweights were just too big for me. When I lost the second fight to (Sergio) Mora – I really didn’t lose that fight – I felt that The Contender people would go with him and I wasn’t going to be their man. I thought moving up to super middleweight would be better for my career. I had good fights against (Scott) Pemberton and (Joey) Spina, then the call came to fight (Joe) Calzaghe for the world title. I got use to fighting at that heavier weight. But I want to be world champion and that’s why I’m going back to 160 pounds.”

The tentative plan calls for Manfredo to have two or three more fights before a high-profile bout against Duddy or, if he can’t get the Irishman into a fight, possibly Canadian champion Sebastien Demers. “We’d take a fight against Duddy right now,” Burchfield explained, “but it makes more sense to wait until after a couple of more fights for both of them. I’ve believed in Peter all along and I’ve never left his side. Some doubters felt he was all done after the Bika fight but he proved himself with a devastating knockout of Smichet. Some have said Peter can’t punch but that (Smichet) may be the Knockout of the Year. It was a tremendous confidence builder. I couldn’t have written the script better than it turned out against Smichet.

“Peter’s next fight will be at 163-164 and then 160. I think Manfredo-Duddy can be like Gatti-Ward or, even though it wasn’t the same ethnic-type fight, Paz-Haugen. Boxing wants to see fights like Manfredo-Duddy – it’s what boxing is about.”

Manfredo, Sr. liked what he saw from his son in Montreal. “He showed his boxing skills and that he was willing to listen,” he added. “He stopped a tough guy. Peter looked good and his defense was much better. He’s strong at this weight and will be even stronger at 160. Duddy’s a good fighter but we believe Peter is better. I like the potential Gatti-Ward comparisons; good for boxing and both camps. Everybody can come out on the plus side. It will be a barnburner, action-packed, one the public wants and needs.”

Go to www.cesboxing.com for more information about Classic Entertainment and Sports and Manfredo.

See you at the Fights.
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©®™2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, Khris Kirkpatrick Morrisey for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Manfredo goes back to the future Fights Walid Smichet Saturday in Montreal

PROVIDENCE– Former world title challenger Peter Manfredo, Jr., free from his promotional contract ties with the Tournament of Contenders, has gone back to the future, hooking-up with his original promoter, Jimmy Burchfield, and fighting against Walid “Tempete de Sable” Smichet this Saturday afternoon at Montreal Casino.

Manfredo (31-6, 16 KOs), 28, faces Schmidt (20-5-3, 14 KOs) in the10-round co-feature that has career-determining implications for both fighters. Manfredo, star of The Contender, Season I, plans to work his way down to the middleweight division, although this bout is at 168-pounds.

“I only had three weeks to get ready for this fight, so making it for 168 is a trade off, I guess, for fighting this guy in his backyard,” Manfredo explained. “I feel good about dropping my weight to 160. I was too small as a super middleweight and I’ll be just right at middleweight. I won’t be a huge middleweight like Kelly Pavlik, but look at Sergio Mora. I beat him our second fight (Mora won a controversial decision); he beat me the first fight. He won a world title at 154 and now he’s fighting Pavlik for the middleweight title. I see myself as better, or at least the equal of Mora. I know I can be world champion. I have to rebuild but I’m a fighter and that’s what we do….fight! Walid may not be a world champion, but he’s a tough competitor who can fight. Everybody saw what he did to (John) Duddy (Smichet busted-up Duddy, who received 30-plus stitches and lost out on a $1.45 million fight against Pavlik).”

Burchfield, president of Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), signed Manfredo in 2000 and masterfully moved Peter to 21-0 in 3 ½ years, including wins against former world champion Frankie Randall and The Contender III eventual winner Grady Brewer, as well as The Contender I star Anthony Bonsante, before agreeing to release “The Pride of Providence” in order to participate in The Contender, in which, Manfredo reached the season finale against Mora. For the past three years, CES worked in association with the Tournament of Contenders, outside of the television reality series, on behalf of Manfredo.

“We’re picking-up where we left off,” an excited Burchfield said about getting back with Manfredo. “Peter is still one of the most marketable fighters in the world. He’s only 28 and wants to be world champion There’s a lot of upside. We had just signed a 3-year promotional contract and passed the CES ceremonial torch from Vinny Paz to Peter, when he asked for permission to fight on The Contender. He was the NABO champion and No. 3 in the WBO, but Peter’s like a son to me, and I couldn’t stop him from getting a shot at a $1-million prize for his family. That experience helped him become a household name in boxing circles. Our plan now calls for him to fight outside of New England for awhile, possibly one time in Italy, before fighting back at home. We have targeted (John) Duddy at middleweight.”

Nothing happens for Manfredo, however, unless he gets past Smichet, the former Canadian middleweight title-holder who has knocked-off previously unbeaten Matt O’Brien, fought a draw with Donny McCrary, and been in tough against Sebastien Demers and Duddy.

“He is a tough, hard-nosed, come forward fighter,” Manfredo’s father/head trainer Peter Manfredo, Sr. broke-down Smichet. “He is easy to figure out. Peter needs fight smart – box, angles, double-up on his jab, and work behind it. He can’t stand in front of him or it’s going to be a much harder fight. Everyone saw what this guy did to Duddy. You can’t get in too close with him because he has a nice right hand. I give a lot of credit to his trainer, Otis Grant.”

All of Manfredo’s pro losses have been to world champions or world-class fighters --Joe Calzaghe, Mora (twice), Jeff Lacy, Sakio Bika and Alfonso Gomez – and half were of them super middleweight. Peter is on his way down to 160 pounds with Duddy clearly in his sights.

“Duddy’s a great guy, unbeaten contender and a big draw,” Manfredo concluded. “We could make a lot of money for each other, Italian versus Irishman, in a great fight for fans like (Arturo) Gatti and (Micky) Ward. If that fight doesn’t happen there’s guys like Demers and others, but I have to take care of Smichet first and show people I still have it.

“I’m glad to be back with Jimmy. He’s a great guy, like family. I started with him and trust him. I can talk to him about what’s on my mind, vent if I have to, and he’ll always send me in the right direction. I believe he can take me to the place I want to be – world champion. I have the name and he has the connections. Together we can make one last run. I’m taking it one fight at a time and we’ll see where it takes us.”

Go to www.cesboxng.com for more information about Classic Entertainment and Sports and ManfredoSee you at the Fights.
Thanks for your time.

Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

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Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com

©®™2007, 2008 All rights reserved

Bobby Harris going into CES Ring of Honor “February Frenzy,” Feb. 6 at Twin River Event Center, RI

PROVIDENCE- Former 4-time U.S. national amateur champion Bobby Harris will be inducted into the prestigious CES Ring of Honor, Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. president Jimmy Burchfield announced, during a special “February Frenzy” card ceremony February 6 at Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island.

The 8-round main event features Providence’s former USNBC and IBF Intercontinental champion light heavyweight Joey “The KO Kid” Spina (23-1-1, 16 KOs), rated No. 14 by the WBO and No. 15 by the WBC.

In the 8-round co-feature, Providence favorite Bobo “The Bull” Starnino (9-4-2, 2 KOs) meets “Irish” Joey McCreedy (9-2-1, 5 KOs), of Lowell (MA), in a rematch of a draw they fought to last year, for the vacant Eastern Boxing Association (EBA) super middleweight title.

Harris reached the 1992 U.S. Olympic Box-Offs and captured a gold medal at the 1993 National Golden Gloves Tournament. The Worcester (MA) resident went on to a 20-2-1 (13) pro record as a heavyweight and last fought in 1999.

Burchfield established the CES Ring of Honor in 2005 in order to pay respect to inductees for their special achievements and contributions to New England boxing. CES Ring of Honor inductees include Rocky Marciano, Vinny Paz, Micky Ward, Marlon Starling, Jose Antonio Rivera, John Scully Ray Oliveira, Gary Balletto and Demetrius Andrade.

“Bobby Harris stands for everything good about New England boxing,” Burchfield said. “He was a great amateur prospect who lost only two of 23 pro fights. We excited about signing his brother, Adam, who will be making his CES debut on February 7. There’s no better setting to honor Bobby than on the same night as his brother’s CES debut.”

Worcester’s unbeaten cruiserweight Adam “The Hitman” Harris (10-0, 7 KOs), will have his brother, Bobby, in his corner for the first time as a second in a 6-round fight against Philadelphia boxer David Williams (5-2-1, 2 KOs).

Undefeated Pawtucket fighter Eddie “The Puerto Rican Sensation” Soto (10-0, 4 KOs) face another Lowell native, Sean Eklund (6-2, 1 KO), who will have his uncle and head trainer, “Irish” Micky Ward, in his corner for their 6-round bout for the EBA New England lightweight belt.

Also on the undercard in 4-round bouts are U. of Connecticut graduate Brian Macy (5-0, 2 KOs) vs. TBA; Providence junior welterweight Jesus Caro (3-0, 3 KOs) vs. Olade “One Shot” Thomas (1-3, 0 KOs); Warwick (RI) super middleweight Keith Kozlin (2-0, 1 KO) vs. Daren Graham (1-4, 1 KO); Worcester heavyweight Rashad Minor (1-0, 1 KO) in his CES debut vs. Shawn McLean (2-4, 1 KO); Providence cruiserweight Jay Holland making his pro debut vs. Kevin Varnadore (0-4).

Tickets for “February Frenzy” are priced at limited $25.00 SRO, $35.00, $45.00 (Bronze), $65.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and limited $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club) and are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going on line at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at Twin River’s Players Club booth at Twin River, or any TicketMaster location.

Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Event Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 5::30 PM/ET, first bout at 6:30 PM/ET.

(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “February Frenzy.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.)

See you at the Fights.
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