HARTFORD– WBC Youth featherweight champion Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard makes his title defense June 13 against Mexican challenger Jose Magallon in the 10-round main event headlining “Connecticut Conquest” at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.
“Connecticut Conquest,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc., will be taped live and air Saturday, June 14 at 7 PM/ET on CN8/The Comcast Network, as well as Friday, June 20 at 8 PM/ET on Cox Sports Television.
Remillard (13-0, 7 KOs), who hails from nearby Manchester, captured the WBC Youth crown this past January with a convincing 10-round decision versus Manuel Perez (11-3), ending Matt’s 16-months inactive stretch due to a wrist injury that twice required surgery. Remillard won a stay-busy fight March 21 with a win by four-round against veteran Jesus Salvador Perez. Mexican-native Magallon (8-4, 2 KOs), fighting out of Las Vegas, has won two in a row.
In the eight-round co-feature, unbeaten Connecticut heavyweight Tony “TNT” Grano (13-0-1, 11 KOs), 2005 U.S. Nationals champion, takes on the stiffest test of his young career, Thomas Hayes (26-2, 18 KOs), of Chicago.
Tony “TNT” Grano
“Boxing is alive in Connecticut and six of the fighters on this card are from Connecticut,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield said. “This is a Connecticut show and we’re very excited about this card and being back in this beautiful building. The Connecticut Convention Center really wants to have boxing here.”
A six-round Special Welterweight Attraction pits Hartford’s Israel “Pito” Cardona (36-9, 26 KOs) against New Bedford (MA) police officer Jason “School Boy” Pires (20-3, 9 KOs) in an intriguing match-up of former champions. Cardona, who unsuccessfully fought Paul Spadafora for the IBF lightweight championship nearly nine years ago, once held the IBO super featherweight and light welterweight belts, as well as the USBA and NABF lightweight crowns. “Pito” announced that this will be his last fight. Former USBA super bantamweight title-holder Pires has not fought in more than five years during which time he attended college and became a police officer.
Others scheduled to fight June 13 against opponents to be determined include Hartford favorite, junior welterweight and prison guard Addy Irizarry (4-1, 2 KOs); Ledyard (CT) super middleweight Brian Macy (3-0, 1 KO), 2000 National PAL amateur champion and University of Connecticut graduate; Hartford super middleweight Tylon Burris (1-0, 1 KO).
Addy Irizarry
Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Friday, May 2) and priced at $35.00 (VIP Bronze), $55.00 (VIP Silver), $80.00 (VIP Gold), $100.00 (Diamond) and $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club VIP). To purchase tickets go to or call CES (401.724.2253/2254), Connecticut Convention Center (860.249.000), Manchester PAL (860.645.6261), Willy’s Gym (860.614.2281), Connecticut Restorations (860.528.6800), Strikezone Gym (860.444.2845), L.A. Boxing Gym (860.221.5987) and 401 Boxing (401.261.9800).
For more information call CES (401.724.2253/2254), the Connecticut Convention Center (860.249.6000), or go on line at www.cesboxing.com. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout 7 PM/ET.
PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Matt Remillard: “September, 2006 I fought for my first title (WBC Youth super featherweight) in Hartford. I was here (CCC) here then and I’m proud again to be fighting here June 13. But I fractured my wrist in that fight. I’m fighting Jose Magallon, a very tough Mexican, who is a very exciting fighter. With my style it’s going to be head-to-head. I’m looking forward to hurting people again. I believe I have heavy hands. I’m looking forward to bringing Hartford the best fight it’s every seen. This will be my first time headlining in the main event. I’m moving at the right pace. I’m only 21, 13-0, and there’s no rush. I’m looking forward to moving up in the ratings. I’m very excited to be fighting on this card with ‘Pito’ in his last fight. He’ll be remembered as one of the greatest fighters ever to come out of Hartford. I want to pack the house June 13th.”
Tony Grano: “Only four fighters to win the National Championships have been from Connecticut in the lat 81 years and I’m proud to be the only heavyweight. This fight will be against my toughest opponent. He’s 26-2 with 18 knockouts. I’m looking forward to fighting on the same card with Matt Remillard, ‘Pito’ Cardona, Ty Burris, Addy and Brian Macy. It’s going to be a great night and I’m going to put on a great show.”
Israel Cardona: “I’ve been here before but this fight is important for me and not just because it’s here. No excuses, no complaints; I’ve done everything I can. I’ve gotten some new fans in the last three years, but I’m retiring after this fight. Things haven’t gone my way and I don’t see pursuing my career at my age because of the politics of the game. I tried to get back to the top, but the odds were against me. I don’t know why Jason is taking this fight. I know him, we’ve sparred together, but he’s making a big mistake doing this. This is my last hurrah and then I’ll pass the torch to Remillard, (Mike) Oliver and Grano. They’ll take over the local scene. I’ll still be involved in boxing somehow. I got to No. 1 in the world pretty much on my own. I have nothing to complain about.”
Addy Irizarry: “I’m really looking forward to fighting in the Connecticut Convention Center with so many good fighters on this card. I’ve trained hard for this fight. It’s going to be an exciting night of boxing.”
Brian Macy: “I started as an amateur a long time ago in Hartford, but this venue is a lot nicer. Hartford’s a great fight town. The great Willie Pep was from here. I hope to continue the (boxing) legacy. I’m very happy to be fighting here.
Ty Burris: “I want to thank John Scully for taking me on as my head trainer. There’s going to be a lot of great boxing on June 13th.”
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Edgar Santana (26-3,17 KO's) will be defending his NABA Light Welterweight title against Manuel Perez (16-7-1,4 KO's) on February 24 on ESPN2.
