BOXING (41)

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CES Boxing returns to its home state of Rhode Island on March 23rd with a fantastic doubleheader featuring Alejandro "El Abusador" Paulino facing Estivan "Tunny" Falcao for the vacant WBC US Silver Lightweight Championship, a battle for the vacant New England Lightweight title between "King" Kevin Walsh and Matt "The Mantis" Doherty, welterweight prospect Wilson "Ill Will" Mascarenhas against wily veteran Braulio Rodriguez, and much more.  

 Alejandro Paulino: Faith, Patience, and the quest for his first pro title

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March 23 is a significant day for lightweight prospect Alejandro "El Abusador" Paulino (16-0, 13 KOs). The Dominican-born, Providence, RI based fighter headlines his first major card at Bally's Twin River Lincoln Casino against Brazilian upset specialist Estivan Falcao (13-3, 7 KOs). On the line is a chance for Paulino to win his first professional title, the WBC US Silver Lightweight championship.

Paulino v. Falcao serves as the main event of a stacked 'CES Boxing Homecoming' card at Bally's Twin River Lincoln Casino on March 23.  Purchase your tickets now, priced at $60, $80, $155, and $180, at CES Fights or the Twin River Lincoln Casino box office.

It’s an assignment that Paulino relishes.  The pugilist wants to impress so badly that he took the drastic steps of quitting his day job and moving into the Big 6 Boxing Academy in Providence, Rhode Island for the duration of the training camp.

"Training camp has been great," says an enthusiastic Paulino.  "I'm staying at the gym right now, so I’m doing things differently this time. All I do is train all day, every day. Monday through Saturday, 3 times a day. We’re ready for whatever Falcao brings to the fight on March 23."

Living in New London, Connecticut and making the one hour plus drive to Rhode Island is something that the 25-year-old has done on a daily basis since turning pro in 2021.  What’s different about this camp is that Paulino has literally moved into the boxing gym, where he trains from Monday through Saturday before driving home for the weekend.

Like many immigrants who come to the US in search of a brighter future, the Dominican fighter happily makes sacrifices with the faith that all his hard work will pay off in the long run.  He’s also making up for lost time: while Alejandro wrestled through high school, he only picked up boxing 7 years ago at 18 years old. 

"I had 37 amateur fights," explains Paulino of his brief but successful amateur career.  "I won the Golden Gloves 3 times.  I went to Nationals once and made it to the semi-finals. I could’ve gone to Nationals again, but COVID hit and it was cancelled.  I decided to turn pro after that."

What makes Paulino’s amateur achievements even more impressive is that he won those titles as a self-trained fighter.  Alejandro knew that this was a gap he needed to fill if he wanted to become a world champion.

"I was just going to the gym and practicing things I learned by watching others or from what I saw on Youtube," recalls Paulino.  "At a certain point I hit a level where I got stuck.  I knew I had to make a change, and that's when I went to Nationals and met Jason Estrada." 

Jason ‘Big Six’ Estrada, a 2004 US Olympian and former heavyweight pro boxer from Providence, Rhode Island, liked what he saw in the raw Paulino and invited the Dominican to train at his Big Six Boxing Academy under the tutelage of his father, Dr. Roland Estrada.  It was a perfect fit.

"That's the best thing that ever happened to me," says a grateful Paulino.  "I’m always improving, not just on the technical side but also my cardio.  When I first came in, I would get tired after sparring 3 rounds.  Now my conditioning is great and something I always work on."

A big Manny Pacquiao fan growing up, Paulino adopted an aggressive, all action style as a pro that depends on conditioning.  Thankfully, he’s a smart fighter who understands that activity keeps him sharp. In an era where boxers are considered active when they fight 3 times a year, Paulino has fought 15 times in 3 years, and this will be his second fight of 2024. 

"It’s been great fighting often because it keeps me in the gym," says Paulino.  "Not that I need motivation to train, but I like training more when I have a fight coming up. It keeps me sharp and learning, trying a lot of new things."

Paulino will need to bring his entire toolkit on March 23, when he faces upstart Estivan "Tunny" Falcao. The 27-year-old Brazilian is known for derailing prospects, handing Djamel Dahou his first loss via knockout last May and following that up with a decision win over James Bernadin 3 months later.  What compounds the danger is that the Brazilian is a largely unknown commodity.

"I just found out about him 2 weeks ago," admits Paulino. "I looked at his record and watched some of his fights.  He’s dangerous.  He just beat someone who is 18-0, and one that is 10-1-1, so it’s going to be a great fight.  I’m not overlooking him."

Ever the student, Paulino learned from his 8-round decision win over D’Angelo Keyes in February that while he will always enter the ring with knockout intentions, it’s better to let the knockout come to him rather than to force it. 

"Last fight I was trying to get a knockout," says Paulino, who knocked Keyes down twice in round 3 but couldn’t put away the crafty Texan. "It didn't happen. I learned a lot because I wanted to knock him out so bad that all my shots were power punches.  Once I hurt him, he was holding a lot and didn’t do too much offensively.  He was trying to survive.  Now I know that you can't knock everybody out.  I’m not going to go there and try to force stuff; I’m going to be more patient and set things up better.  If I have him hurt, I won’t rush things." 

What Paulino hopes is that Falcao comes to win so that a real fight breaks out for the fans at the sold-out Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino. 

"I’m looking for guys who are coming to win," insists Paulino.  "Guys with good records. He's 13-3. Keyes was 17-3. I'm gonna take my time and see what he does, but if the knockout is there, I'm gonna go for it. I like knock outs. The fans like knockouts, and I want to give the fans a good show."

Alejandro Paulino believes that he has made the sacrifices necessary to give the fans a fight they'll remember.  If Falcao is as focused as he was when he upset Dahou and Bernadin last year, we’re in for an electric main event on March 23.

For more information, follow CES Boxing on FacebookInstagram and Twitter at @CESBOXING.
 
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 CES Boxing winter brawl press conference
 
TSAMFORD, CT – CES Boxing will host a press conference at 4th Quarter Bar & Grill on Saturday, January 13th featuring several Connecticut natives who will see action at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville on February 3rd.  

In attendance will be Stamford native Chordale "The Gift" Booker (21-1, 10 KOs), who attempts to make his second defense of the WBC USA Super Welterweight title he won at Mohegan Sun Arena last April against Greg "The Villain" Vendetti (23-5-1, 12 KOs).  "The Gift" was a perfect 4-0 with 3 KOs in 2023, the last one a second-round demolition of Julio Rodriguez in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic in October.    

Another Stamford resident who will be featured is highly regarded Polish cruiserweight prospect Slawomir Bohdziewicz (2-0, 2 KOs).  Bohdziewicz will be making his third successive appearance at Mohegan Sun Arena, where he has impressed fans with a furious body assault that has resulted in back-to-back stoppages.  Slawomir will face Boston-based Brazilian Bruno Saraiva (0-1) in a 4 rounder.

Rounding out the presser is Fernely Feliz, Jr. (7-0, 6 KOs), an undefeated Heavyweight prospect from Danbury.  Fernely, a big puncher whose father faced the likes of former heavyweight champions John Ruiz and Oleg Maskaev during his own heavyweight run, will meet Jersey City's Joe Jones (14-9, 10 KOs) in a six-round contest.

Several amateur standouts who will participate in the 'Jimmy Burchfield Classic Invitational' will also be on hand.

CES Boxing cordially invites members of the press, boxing fans, and the local community to join us at 4th Quarter to hear more from the fighters, their trainers and managers.

Details for the press conference are as follows:

Date:
 Saturday, January 13th
Time: 2pm EST
Location: 4th Quarter Bar & Grill,, 230 Tresser Blvd, Stamford, CT 06901
*Open to the Public
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CES Boxing founder Jimmy Burchfield, Sr., heavyweight contender Jiuseppe Cusumano, and cruiserweight puncher Vinnie Carita will be honored on Wednesday, August 23rd at the second annual San Gennaro festival in Danbury, CT.   
Wednesday August 23, 2023
 
Jimmy Burchfield, Sr., Jiuseppe Cusumano & Vinnie Carita to be honored in Danbury, CT
 
 
 Classic Entertainment & Sports founder Jimmy Burchfield Sr. will be honored alongside pro boxers Giuseppe Cusumano and Vincenzo (Vinnie) Carita this Wednesday, when the threesome will be awarded for their ‘Italian-American Excellence in Athletics’ at the 2nd annual San Gennaro festival on Ives St. in Danbury, CT.  
 
The ceremony is open to the public and kicks off a festival that is sure to be a great week of family entertainment, including food, live music, rides, games, and a laser light show.  

Wednesday schedule of events:
·      4pm: Mass and Blessing of San Gennaro Statue at St. Peter Church
·      5pm: Grand procession down Main Street to Festival on Ives Street
·      5:30pm: Award Ceremony
 
Jimmy Burchfield Sr. has been involved in boxing most of his life.  The legendary promoter was profiled on The Final Bell Podcast last Friday, where he shared stories about his illustrious career, from with working alongside his grandfather at his demolition company, to owning and operating the famous ‘Classic Restaurant & Lounge’ and then following his passion to become the top boxing and MMA promoter in the Northeast.  
 
Over the last 30+ years, Burchfield Sr. promoted such notable fighters as Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Jr., Chad Dawson, and 2004 Olympian Jason Estrada.  His stable currently includes top lightweight Jamaine Ortiz, heavyweight contender and fellow honoree Jiuseppe Cusumano, WBC US junior middleweight champion Chordale Booker, and many of the best prospects in New England.
 
Jiuseppe "The Sicilian Nightmare" Cusumano (22-4, 20 KOs) is fresh off an electrifying 8th round knockout of Adam Kownacki on June 24th.  The ‘Fight of the Year’ contender was the co-feature of a major boxing event at Madison Square Garden that was televised live on DAZN.  Cusumano, who trains out of Champs Boxing Club in Danbury, came into the bout as the heavy underdog, but displayed tremendous power, grit, and determination to drop Kownacki in the opening round and finish the popular Polish fighter in the 8th in front of his legion of fans.   
 
Vinnie Carita is a power-punching cruiserweight with a record of 28-1-1 with 27 knockouts. The Penbroke, MA resident, who trains alongside Cusumano, is on an 18-bout knockout streak, the last one coming in June when he blasted out Remberto Zapata in four rounds in Colombia.
 
For more information, follow CES Boxing on FacebookInstagram and Twitter at @CESBOXING.
 

INFORMATION

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as "The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.", "Mayweather vs. Gotti III" and "The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton".
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
–CES–

 

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 UNCASVILLE, CT - Summer Heat 2023 nearly boiled over today after all of the fighters successfully made weight at Mohegan Sun Arena. 
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Friday, August 11, 2023
Summer Heat 2023 Weights and Quotes from Uncasville, CT
 
UNCASVILLE, CT - Summer Heat 2023 nearly boiled over today after all of the fighters successfully made weight at Mohegan Sun Arena.  

Only a handful of tickets are left for a massive August 12th double header featuring Chordale "The Gift" Booker's first defense of his WBC US Super Welterweight title against Nicolas Hernandez as well as the return of 4 time, 2 division champion Jaime "The Hurricane" Clampitt at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.  

Tickets can be purchased online at CESfights.com, Ticketmaster or at the Mohegan Sun box office.  The event will be streamed live at SpectationSports.com beginning at 7pm EST for those watching at home.  In addition to 8 professional bouts, fans will be treated to the "Jimmy Burchfield Classic Invitational," a USA sanctioned amateur showcase beginning at 4:30pm EST.

Weights from Uncasville, Connecticut:

  • Chordale Booker 153 vs. Nicolas Hernandez 154; Super Welterweights

Chordale Booker: "I'm defending my belt.  I'm going to do the same thing I did in my last fight: I'm going to finish him.  Tomorrow when I defend my belt, it's going to be worse than what I did when I won it. He's going to pay for every mistake. I'm ready to beat his ass right now!"      

Nicolas Hernandez: "I'm here for one job - to fight and to win.  It's not about what I do better than him or what he does better.  We're going to trade punches and either he's going to finish me or I'm going to finish him."
  • Jaime Clampitt 131 vs. Josefina Vega 132.5; Lightweights

Jaime Clampitt: "I trained extremely hard for this.  I think this has been my hardest training camp yet and I'm here to win.  This means the world to me.  I've been doing this for a long time, and I finally feel like I'm getting the fights I need and the recognition."    

Josefina Vega: "I'm going to show that us women can fight.  I'm well prepared and ready for this bout and I'm here to put on a great show.  I'm going to leave my heart and soul in the ring - that's what I prepared for."  
  • Alejandro Paulino 131.5 vs. Julian Aristule 135; Lightweights

Alejandro Paulino: "Camp is always great.  We train hard for everyone, so I'm more than ready for tomorrow night.  We're going to put on a great show.  I have power in both hands, so he better watch out!"

Julian Aristule: "I'm going to box to victory tomorrow.  We can box or we can brawl, but I came all the way from Argentina for this, and my punch variety will be the difference."

Other weights:
  • Wilson Mascarenhas 142 vs. Anthony Mora 138; Super Lightweights
  • Anthony Velasquez 162 vs. Mario Bustos 172; Middleweights
  • Mike Kimbel 141.5 vs. Stephen Davis 140.5; Super Lightweights
  • Jeffrey Gonzalez 147.5 vs. Joe Wilson Jr. 140.2; Welterweights
  • Slawomir Bohdziewicz 201 vs. Gabriel Costa 201; Cruiserweights
 

For more information, follow CES Boxing on FacebookInstagram and Twitter at @CESBOXING.

INFORMATION

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the east coast.  Founded by Jimmy Burchfield Sr. in 1992, CES has promoted several world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, and Ray Oliveira.  CES Boxing has promoted such superfights as "The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones" and "The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton".
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
–CES–
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Former two-division world champion Jaime "The Hurricane" Clampitt faces tough Ecuadorian Josefina Vega in the "Summer Heat 2023" co-feature at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT on Saturday, August 12th.   
 "Summer Heat 2023"
 
Jaime Clampitt's Second Act 2023
 
 
 
Former two-division world champion Jaime "The Hurricane" Clampitt faces tough Ecuadorian Josefina Vega in the "Summer Heat 2023" co-feature at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT on Saturday, August 12th.   
                                                                     August 9, 2023
 
                                                         Jaime Clampitt's Second Act
 
                                                      CES BOXING "Summer Heat 2023"
Hall-of-Famer Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt (24-6-2, 7 KOs)
Hall-of-Famer Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt (24-6-2, 7 KOs) continues her comeback on Saturday night, facing Josefina Vega (9-5, 4 KOs) in an 8-round lightweight bout.  The fight serves as the co-feature to Chordale Booker’s WBC US super welterweight title defense against Nicolas Hernandez on CES Boxing’s stacked “Summer Heat 2023” show at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.

This will be Clampitt’s 5th bout since coming out of retirement in 2021 after an 8-year layoff, when she left the squared circle to raise her family and pursue other interests.  The Warwick, RI, resident initially retired after suffering an injury in a TKO loss to Holly Holm in 2010.  

“I had 2 young children and training with toddlers was pretty much impossible,” reflects Clampitt of the difficult decision to leave the sport.  “After my son, I wanted to try it one more time and have a retirement fight and then I thought 'I’m done.'”

Having won 4 major world titles across 2 weight classes, Clampitt won a unanimous decision over Dominga Olivo at Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, RI, and left boxing in 2013 with a 21-5-1 record, having accomplished her lifelong dream of becoming a world champion several times over.  

But while Jaime focused on her family and “On the Ropes,” a gym located in Warwick that she owns with 3 other women, a funny thing happened to female boxing: the sport exploded in popularity with the emergence of Irish superstar Katie Taylor in a way that no one could have imagined.

“I didn’t think I’d have another chance at this, but women like Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano brought female boxing to another level,” admits Clampitt, who stayed active during her hiatus by bodybuilding and training amateur fighters.  “Once I started to see that, I thought: ‘I’m still in awesome shape, I’m in the gym every day.  Why not?  Let’s just see what happens.’”

As Clampitt contemplated a return to the ring, she called her friend and now trainer Steve Maze about working out again.

“I said, ‘let’s just hit the mitts and see what happens,’” recalls Clampitt, who returned to the sport almost 8 years later in 2021.  “I never lost the love for boxing, and once I started training, I just got that desire and drive again.”  

What Clampitt wasn’t aware of is that because she had been retired for more than 5 years, she was being considered for the International Boxing Hall of Fame at a time when she was planning a comeback.

“I didn’t know that I was nominated,” laughs Clampitt.  “One day, one of the amateur boxers that I trained said ‘Why didn’t you tell me that you were nominated into the hall of fame?’ I didn’t even know.  It was a surprise.  I was wondering: should I be coming out of retirement?  I just got this nomination, I don’t know, but everyone was so supportive and understanding.”

When Jaime returned, she noticed that female boxing had drastically changed – not only were women being compensated more fairly, but they were headlining major events.  

“I’ve been to quite a few big fights over the years, and Taylor-Serrano was the most insane fight I’ve ever been to,” says Clampitt of the 2022 ‘Fight of the Year’ between two of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.  “I actually cried because I was so proud of both of them.”  

The fight was the culmination of years of growth in a sport where the female fighters are setting the example of the best facing the best.  The attention garnered was nothing like what the 47-year-old experienced earlier in her career.

“I got my pro license in 1999 and my first pro fight in 2000, so I’ve been around forever,” explains Clampitt.  “When I started amateur boxing in 1992, they didn’t even want to put us on amateur shows or even have us in the gym.  No one would even put us on shows until I met Mr. [Jimmy] Burchfield [Sr., founder of CES Boxing].  He is a pioneer of female boxing.  He was one of the first promoters that put females on, so to see these women headlining at Madison Square Garden was very emotional for me.”  

Indeed, Jimmy Burchfield Sr. played a pivotal role in Clampitt relocating from her native Gravelbourg in Saskatchewan, Canada, to settling and fighting out of Warwick, Rhode Island.

“I got the opportunity to fight Liz Mueller at Foxwoods, and she was promoted by Jimmy,” recalls Clampitt of her first fight in the United States in February 2001, when she was 3-0.  “I knew who she was because we were in the world championships in Finland together.  We fought on ESPN at a time when women were not featured on TV.  Teddy Atlas was commentating the fight, and everyone thought I won it.”  

Mueller was awarded a close majority decision, but Clampitt’s performance impressed Burchfield so much that he offered her a contract a few months later.  By June of that year, “The Hurricane” was making her CES debut in her adopted state of Rhode Island, where she’s lived ever since.  The pairing paid off, as Clampitt rose to the top of the lightweight and super lightweight divisions under CES Boxing’s banner.

2007 turned out to be Clampitt’s best year.  In February, she won the IBF lightweight title against the ultra-popular Mia St. John.  Clampitt followed that up in June with a unanimous decision over the legendary Jane Couch for the vacant IBF super lightweight title.  
“Mr. Burchfield always treated me with the upmost respect and believed in me,” says Clampitt of her longtime promoter.  “When I fought Mia St. John, I was the main event.  That was unheard of.  Besides Christy Martin, there weren’t a lot of females headlining shows.  He took a chance on me, and I will forever be grateful because not only did he do a ton for my career, but he did a lot for female boxing getting us known and seen because he was putting me on TV.”
 
And while the sport has changed in many ways, Clampitt has also gained a lot from her time away from it.

“My style has changed over the years,” says Jaime of her evolution.  “I had a long amateur career, so when I started, I showed a lot of movement and boxed on my toes.  As I’ve aged, I feel stronger and I feel like I have more power, so I like to get in there and mix it up.  I spent years building a lot of strength and I like to use that a lot more in the ring now.”

Not only did Jaime’s physical strength improve, but the years away allowed her hands to fully recover after dozens of amateur and professional fights.

“It was a lot of start-stop for me at the time,” says Jaime of nagging hand injuries.  “It was very disappointing when I was younger, but the rest in between allowed my body to heal.  I had 8 years off before my comeback.  I didn’t spar when I was off.  I was lifting weights, I was raising kids, I was in the gym, but not getting hit.  That’s given me longevity.”    

On Saturday, the rejuvenated Clampitt plans to use all of her experience and boxing ability when she faces the little known Josefina Vega at Mohegan Sun Arena.

“She’s a veteran of the sport,” says Clampitt of her Ecuadorian opponent, who has been boxing since 2012.  “There’s not a lot of information on her, so my team and I are ready for anything.  If I have to box, I’ll box.  If I need to go after her, I’ll go after her.  The exciting part of this camp is that we have to be ready for anything. We’re going to have to adapt and we know that.”  

And while her comeback ideally leads to a 5th world title, the practical Warwick resident takes it one step at a time and is equally focused on being compensated fairly in the new women’s boxing economy.  

“Of course, I would love to fight for a title,” acknowledges Clampitt.  “Right now, we just take it fight by fight because of my age.  I’m 47.  It’s almost unheard of in male or female boxing.   Boxing changed a lot over 30+ years, and I want to be part of something great and push myself.  I’ve had so many people tell me ‘no’ during my career that I want to prove them wrong.  While I don’t do it for the money, I deserve to be compensated adequately for what I’ve done.  I’m still motivated, still healthy, and I’m going to keep going as long as I can.”       

Tickets for “Summer Heat 2023” are priced at $46, $66, $140 and $165.  Tickets are quickly selling out, so fans are encouraged to buy them at CESfights.com, Ticketmaster or at the Mohegan Sun box office.  Weigh-in and final press conference are open to the public on Friday and will be held outside the Mohegan Sun Arena.  Doors open at 4pm on Saturday, with the first amateur bout starting at 4:30pm and the pro card beginning at 7pm.
 

For more information, follow CES Boxing on FacebookInstagram and Twitter at @CESBOXING.
 

INFORMATION

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as "The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.", "Mayweather vs. Gotti III" and "The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton".

ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN ARENA

Mohegan Sun Arena finished 2021 with its first “#1 Indoor Arena” ranking for its capacity in the world according to Pollstar and VenuesNow, ranked among the top 10 venues in the U.S. regardless of size based on ticket sales, and was named “2021 Innovator of the Year” by Celebrity Access for its ViacomCBS residency.  In recent years, the “Most Beloved Venue in America” has also been the “#1 Casino Venue in the World,” “#1 Social Media Venue in the World” and a seven – time national award – winner for “Arena of the Year.”  For more information on concerts and other great events, visit Mohegan Sun. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
–CES–
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 Chordale Booker: "I’m going to be taking advantage of Nicolas Hernandez"
 
 
 
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Chordale "The Gift" Booker defends his WBC US Super Welterweight title against Nicolas Hernandez in the main event of CES Boxing's massive "Summer Heat 2023" card at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT on August 12th. 
Chordale "The Gift" Booker (19-1, 8 KOs) realizes that he’s at a pivotal moment in his career.  The 32-year-old is in the final stages of preparation to defend his WBC US Super Welterweight title for the first time against Nicolas Hernandez (27-6-3, 12 KOs).  The bout serves as the main event of a massive pro and amateur card taking place on August 12 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.  

It’ll be the third fight of 2023 for the Stamford native, who appreciates the activity CES Boxing is providing him after fighting only once a year in 2020, 2021 and 2022.  

"I haven’t fought this many times since 2018," explains Booker.  "Activity goes a long way for a fighter like me because I build on whatever I did in my last fight.  In training camp, we build on whatever went well and work on whatever didn't go well that I need to improve on."

A lot has improved for Booker, who is looking to make it 3 wins in a row after a disappointing knockout loss to Austin "Ammo" Williams in 2022.  Looking back on that fight, Chordale realizes that he took the opportunity at a higher weight class for the money and exposure that a big fight at Madison Square Garden would bring.  What he hadn’t considered was how inactivity could impact his performance on fight night.

"I was off for a while before that fight," reflects Booker of the only loss on his record.  "I tore my Achilles and then COVID happened, and I rushed things.  Instead of taking on guys that I could beat to get my rhythm back, I wanted to jump right in there and fight guys at the same level as when I left, but I was no longer at that level – I needed to build back to where I was before."  

That experience may have been a blessing in disguise, as it marked a turning point for Booker, who knew that he had cut some corners leading up to that fight and needed to dedicate himself more fully to the sport to reach his potential.

"The biggest thing I learned was to take things more seriously," says the affable boxer.  "Eating the right things to make sure I regained my weight properly after I weigh-in and taking the time to really perfect my craft."

Moving back down to 154, his natural weight class, Booker also began studying the greats.  He picked up on the nuances of the sport: the blending of offense and defense by Julio Cesar Chavez, how Larry Holmes controlled distance with his jab, and how ultra-disciplined fighters such as Bernard Hopkins and Marvin Hagler prepared for fights and capitalized on their opponent’s mistakes.

"I’ve been watching a lot of tape, studying various fighters and watching tapes of myself to see where I could’ve thrown more shots in between the other person’s punches," explains Booker.  "Where I was letting guys off the hook, I’m no longer going to do that, because I won’t let guys who shouldn’t be in the ring with me for 8, 10 rounds last.  I’m going to get them out of there.  I want there to be a clear separation between me and someone who shouldn’t be in there with me."

This is precisely what Booker did in his last fight, a four-round demolition of Daniel Aduku to win the WBC US Super Welterweight title.  Aduku was tough early on, but Booker broke him down with a patient body attack until he found an opening: a right jab followed by a straight left that stunned Aduku and forced him to hold.  Booker then spun his opponent and surprised him with a razor-sharp left to the chin that caused the Ghanian to crumble to the ropes for the count.

"I wanted to knock him out," says Booker, who fought Aduku in April at Mohegan Sun Arena.  "I told my coaches ‘I don’t want this to go the distance.’ I’m going to take more risks to get him out of there because I want to show the fans that I’m an exciting guy and I want people to want to come out and see me hurt these guys and get to the next level.  This was different from when I fought Angel Hernandez.  I felt good in that fight, but I didn’t take a lot of risks.  I just wanted to get back to winning."

Booker looks to keep the knockout streak alive against Nicolas Hernandez, a gritty Puerto Rican southpaw out of Reading, Pennsylvania who will pressure ‘The Gift’ with activity and volume punching.  Booker is betting that Hernandez will be there to be countered, and he plans to make  him pay for his mistakes.

"Hernandez doesn’t seem to be too much of a puncher, he’s more of a combination puncher," assesses Booker.  "He’s kind of off balance when he goes for his power shots, so I’ll be looking to counter.  I’m going to take advantage of that.  I’m going to take advantage of him."

The loss to Williams behind him, Booker is confident that if he keeps turning in impressive performances in his home state of Connecticut, he will become a star attraction in the Northeast.  

"Fighting in my home state regularly is something I’ve always wanted," emphasizes Booker, who will be fighting at Mohegan Sun Arena for the third consecutive time in 2023.  "It was cool fighting at the Barclays Center and Madison Square Garden because it’s where the greats have fought, but there’s nothing like fighting at home.  I was recently at a WNBA game at Mohegan Sun Arena, and I was looking around and was amazed that I get to fight here on a regular basis.  It’s one of the best arenas and casinos in the United States, period.  I feel honored that I keep doing it over and over and get to become a star in this area, and I just want everybody to know who I am and support me because I really believe that I’m going to be one of the top guys and a world champion soon."      

Chordale, who is also active in the community via his "Go the Distance" Foundation, wants to inspire and demonstrate that suffering a setback does not define a career or one’s life.  

"I’m rebounding from my only loss at 160 and coming back down to 154," explains Booker.  "I’m showing people that just because you have one loss in the sport, it doesn’t mean that you’re done.  You can still become a champion and continue to grow.  I want the fans to come out and enjoy my fight, because I’ve really been working hard.  I’m going to put on a masterclass as the main event.  It’s my first main event ever.  I want a lot of people there supporting me as I knock this guy out."

Tickets for "Summer Heat 2023" are priced at $46, $66, $140 and $165.  They are quickly selling out, so fans are encouraged to buy them at CESfights.com, Ticketmaster or at the Mohegan Sun box office.  A single ticket is valid for both the pro card and "Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Invitational" amateur showcase. Doors open at 4pm, with the first amateur bout starting at 4:30pm and the pro card beginning at 6:30pm.

For more information, follow CES Boxing on FacebookInstagram and Twitter at @CESBOXING.
 

INFORMATION

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as "The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.", "Mayweather vs. Gotti III" and "The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton".

ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN ARENA

Mohegan Sun Arena finished 2021 with its first "#1 Indoor Arena" ranking for its capacity in the world according to Pollstar and VenuesNow, ranked among the top 10 venues in the U.S. regardless of size based on ticket sales, and was named "2021 Innovator of the Year" by Celebrity Access for its ViacomCBS residency.  In recent years, the "Most Beloved Venue in America" has also been the "#1 Casino Venue in the World," "#1 Social Media Venue in the World" and a seven – time national award – winner for "Arena of the Year."  For more information on concerts and other great events, visit Mohegan Sun. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
–CES–
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New Haven vet heads west to begin opportunity of a lifetime in boxing’s premier fight capital of Nevada

 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (April 19th, 2018) – The window of opportunity in boxing can close quickly. Jimmy Williamsknows this.

 

After his wife, Christina, gave birth to twin boys in September, the New Haven, Conn., welterweight decided it was time to make a move before his own window slammed shut.

 

The 31-year-old Williams, still fighting under the promotional guidance of CES Boxing, his original promoter since he turned pro in 2013, changed managers and trainers, rewiring his inner circle in an effort to move one step closer to his goal of winning a world title in 2018.

 

With a six-week training camp in Nevada in the books, Williams makes his West Coast debut Friday night at the Cox Pavillion in Las Vegas when he faces Houston’s Marquis Taylor (8-1) in the co-main event on the beIN Sports network, an event promoted by Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions. The show is headlined by a North American Boxing Association (NABA) bantamweight title showdown between Max Ornelas and Juan Antonio Lopez.

 

This is Williams’ first fight since he began training with the renownedEddie Mustafa Muhammad and his first under the managerial guidance ofTowan Butler, a Nevada native referred to Williams through a family friend.

 

“We just clicked from Day 1,” Williams said of Butler. “He has the same hunger as me.”

 

The only constant is the unwavering support of CES Boxing and presidentJimmy Burchfield Sr., who remain in Williams’ corner as he embarks on a major career move.

 

“I just felt like I needed to get better,” Williams said. “With everything going in my life, my family, my twins, I needed a change. I needed to get better. No knock on anybody else, but I needed to improve my career.

 

“If I didn’t have my boys, I might not have made this decision, but the time is now. I want to give them the best life possible.”

 

Muhammad, a former world champion who won 50 fights before retiring in 1988, has worked with a myriad of fighters through the years. He guided fellow New Haven fighter Chad Dawson to the light heavyweight world championship, led Iran Barkley to a win over Thomas Hearns in 1992 and coached underdog Michael Bentt in a stunning victory over then-world champion Tommy Morrison in 1993. He is now training Williams out of the Mayweather Boxing Club in Vegas, which Williams says brought out the best in him during his six-week camp.

 

“There’s so much world-class talent there. Fighters. Trainers. Every sparring match is like a fight,” Williams said. “Everyone is going hard. The whole crowd, the press, everyone is watching you. If you want to be the best, this is how you make a name for yourself by being around the best.”

 

The New Jersey native Williams made Connecticut his home after playing football at Connecticut State University. Under CES Boxing’s guidance, Williams captured the World Boxing Council United States National Boxing Council (WBC USNBC) welterweight title in 2017 and has only one blemish on his record – a 2013 draw against Greg Jackson.

 

Nevada has become his second home. The atmosphere in Vegas is addictive. For the past four decades, Sin City has been the boxing capital of the world. It’s become to boxers what packing your belonging and traveling to Hollywood is for aspiring actors or actresses.

 

“It’s definitely a fight town,” Williams said. “Everybody is going hard. Everyone wants to make it. Everyone wants to be somebody. There’s a dogfight everywhere you go.”

 

Being away from his family hasn’t been easy – “I Facetime my wife and my boys every night,” Williams said – but his wife has been supportive as he works to build a solid foundation for their future, plus he has other family members and friends from New Jersey and New Haven flying out west to attend tomorrow’s fight. He eventually hopes to move he and his family to Nevada so he no longer has to travel for camp.

 

“It’s going to feel like I’m back in New Haven when the bell rings,” he said.

 

Taylor presents a tough challenge. The 24-year-old Houston native recently fought former world champion Kermit Cintron in February, a fight that ended in a no contest due to a cut over Cintron’s eye stemming from an accidental headbutt. Taylor also boasts wins over the previously-unbeaten Oscar Torres and Philadelphia vet Vincent Floyd.

 

“He’s a tall, slick boxer. Comes to fight. It’s a big challenge for me,” Williams said of Taylor. “This is a good fight for me to showcase my boxing skills. I’m looking forward to it. It’s a big fight in my career.”

 

Williams made a lot of changes, but hopes the payoff is monumental at the end of the year, perhaps in the form of a world title shot. Moving to Vegas, the fight capital of the world, could be the lift he needs to make sure that proverbial window of opportunity doesn’t close too soon.

 

“I’m a dedicated, hard worker. I’m a champion. I’m going to give it my all,” he said. “This opportunity presented itself and I’m all in. You can only do this one time. I have to capitalize on every opportunity.”

 

– CES

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Sergey "Krusher" Kovalev and Igor Mikhalkin
Photo Credit: David Spagnolo/Main Events

Sergey "Krusher" Kovalev Igor Mikhalkin
Chelyabinsk, Russia
Irkutsk, Russia
31-2-1, 27 KOs
21-1, 9 KOs
Weight: 174.6 Trunks: Black/Gold Weight: 172.6 Trunks: Black/Grey

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Dmitry Bivol and Sullivan Barrera
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events
Dmitry Bivol Sullivan Barrera
St. Petersburg, Russia Miami, FL
12-0, 10 KOs 21-1, 14 KOs
Weight: 174.4 Trunks: Black Weight: 173.6 Trunks: Black

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Vaughn Alexander and Devaun Lee
Photo Credit: David Spagnolo/Main Events
 
Vaughn "The Animal" Alexander Devaun Lee
St. Louis, MO South Jamaica Queens, NY
11-0, 8 KOs 10-2-1, 5 KOs
Weight: 167.8 Trunks: BLK/SLV Weight: 172.8 Trunks: Gold/BRN

Frank Galarza and Norberto Gonzalez
Photo Credit: David Spagnolo/Main Events
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Frank "Notorious" Galarza Norberto Gonzalez
Brooklyn, NY Monterrey, Mexico
18-2-2, 11 KOs 24-10, 14 KOs
Weight: 155.2 Trunks: Grey/Blue Weight: 154.6 Trunks: BLK/Gold

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Bakhram Murtazaliev and Kenneth McNeil
Photo Credit: David Spagnolo/Main Events
 
Bakhram Murtazaliev Kenneth McNeil
Grozny, Russia Birmingham, AL
11-0, 9 KOs 11-3, 8 KOs
Weight: 153.4, Trunks: WHT/Pink Weight: 152.4 Trunks: BLK/WHT

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Meiirim Nursultanov and Alejandro Torres
Photo Credit: David Spagnolo/Main Events
 
Meiirim Nursultanov Alejandro Torres
Astana, Kazakhstan Monterrey, Mexico
5-0, 4 KOs 9-3-2, 4 KOs
Weight: 163.4, Trunks: WHT/Gold Weight: 166.8 Trunks: BLU/WHT

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Cassius Chaney and Tim Washington
Photo Credit: David Spagnolo/Main Events
 
Cassius Chaney Tim Washington
New London, CT Toledo, OH
11-0, 5 KOs 6-5, 6 KOs
Weight: 241.2 Trunks: WHT/Orange Weight: 270 Trunks: Black

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Alexey Evchenko and Khiary Gray
Photo Credit: David Spagnolo/Main Events
 
Alexey Evchenko Khiary Gray
Chelyabinsk, Russia Worcester, MA
15-10-1, 6 KOs 15-3, 11 KOs
Weight: 148.2 Trunks: Black Weight: 150.6 Trunks: WHT/Red/BLU

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LeShawn Rodriguez and Martez Jackson
Photo Credit: David Spagnolo/Main Events
 
LeShawn "Lightning" Rodriguez Martez Jackson
Long Island, NY Macon, GA
8-0, 7 KOs 4-1-2, 2 KOs
Weight: 156.8, Trunks: Black Weight: 156.6 Trunks: BLK/Red

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Madiyar Ashkeyev and Jose Abreu
Photo Credit: David Spagnolo/Main Events
 
Madiyar Ashkeyev Jose Antonio Abreu
Merki, Kazakhstan La Romana, Dominican Republic
8-0, 4 KOs 13-3, 8 KOs
Weight: 154.0 Trunks: BLK/Red Weight: 154.0 Trunks: Black

                 Ct97HEce1W4NXRJhbBPyuD349xvlZZW8NcvEc_c6W5tuPLaUAG9Hirb-FWiLsevl1QvRq0wHFA3k9VhzR8Rf5X-sYAMJulVjbRUfGnVzF1pMU1JzqVk4iiys62xO_IW6jV_y9IjaH4ImE2E=s0-d-e1-ft#%3Ca%20href=

Ismael Villarreal and Anthony Woods
Photo Credit: David Spagnolo/Main Events
 
Ismael Villarreal Anthony Woods
Bronx, NY Philadelphia, PA
1-0 1-6
Weight: 153 Trunks: WHT/BLK/GLD Weight: 150.4, Trunks: Black
About March 3:  The Saturday, March 3 main event between Sergey "Krusher" Kovalev and Igor Mikhalkin is a 12-round match-up for the WBO Light Heavyweight World Title at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The co-main event features WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol versus Sullivan Barrera in a 12-round title fight. Tickets range from $50 to $300 and are available online at TicketMaster.com and at the Madison Square Garden box office. The event is promoted by Main Events, Krusher Promotions and World of Boxing in association with EC Box Promotions, is sponsored by Medoff Vodka and Leon.ru and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:05 p.m. ET/P
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All Photos courtesy of Will Paul
RHODE ISLAND JUNIOR welterweight Anthony Marsella Jr., seen here with CES Boxing president Jimmy Burchfield Sr. prior to his October bout at Twin River Casino, returns to the Lincoln, R.I., venue on Saturday, Feb. 4th, 2017 to face 16-fight veteran Francisco Medel in just his fourth professional bout. Marsella Jr. is coming off back-to-back first-round knockouts while Medel boasts a 10-6 record with six knockouts. The Marsella-Medel bout is one of 10 on the card, which is CES Boxing's 2017 season opener at Twin River. 
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Photo courtesy of Will Paul
ANTHONY MARSELLA JR. of Providence, R.I., lands a right hand against Bardraiel Smith in his Rhode Island debut in October. Marsella Jr. won the bout via knockout 45 seconds into the opening round. He faces Francisco Medel
 
.
One week from Saturday, Anthony Marsella Jr. takes the next step in his highly-publicized fight career, a step many before him have taken in order to climb to the top of their respective weight class.
 
Coming off back-to-back first-round knockouts in 2016, the Providence, R.I., junior welterweight returns to Twin River Casino on Saturday, Feb. 4th, 2017 to face 16-fight veteran Francisco Medel in just his fourth fight as a professional.
 
The four-round bout between Medel and Marsella Jr. is one of 10 scheduled for next weekend's CES Boxing 2017 season opener and will be fought at a catch weight of 138 pounds. The 28-year-old Medel, a native of Uruapan, the second largest city in the Mexican state of Michoacán, boasts a 10-6 record with six knockouts, at one point in his career winning nine consecutive fights between 2007 and 2013.
 
"He may have more fights than me," Marsella Jr. said, "but I have more fight in me. February 4th, I'm going to do what I do best."
 
Next Saturday is Marsella Jr.'s third fight since October and third in his home state. The first two ended quickly; a 45-second knockout against Bardraiel Smith in October, followed by a knockout at the final bell of the opening round against Virginia's Devante Seay in December.
 
Now he tests his mettle against the experienced Medel, who has faced opponents with a combined record of 100-30 in his last seven fights, including a nationally-televised showdown on Fox Sports 1 against unbeaten prospect Emmanuel Medina in September and a bout against Massachusetts fan-favorite Ryan Kielczewski in December.
 
Tickets are priced at $47.00, $102.00, $127.00 (VIP) and $152.00 (VIP) and can be purchased online at www.cesboxing.com, www.twinriver.com or www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 401-724-2253/2254 or at the Twin River Casino Players Club. All fights and fighters are subject to change.
 
Reigning Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) Northeast and International Junior Middleweight Champion Khiary Gray (14-1, 11 KOs) of Worcester, Mass., defends both titles against Brooklyn's Courtney Pennington (9-4-1, 5 KOs) in the eight-round headliner.
 
The Feb. 4th card features an additional title bout as New Haven, Conn., vet Josh Crespo (7-4-3, 3 KOs) faces unbeaten Timmy Ramos (4-0-1, 4 KOs) of Framingham, Mass., in a six-round bout for the vacant New England Super Featherweight Championship.
 
In a battle of unbeatens, Hartford, Conn., prospect Jose Rivera (2-0, 2 KOs) faces his toughest test to date in a six-round junior middleweight showdown against New Bedford, Mass., vet Ray Oliveira Jr. (6-0, 1 KO) and fellow undefeated prospects and decorated amateurs Jamaine Ortiz (2-0, 2 KOs) of Worcester, Mass., and Canton Miller (2-0, 1 KO) of Saint Louis, Mo., square off in a four-round lightweight battle.
 
Framingham's Julio Perez (4-1) ends his nine-month layoff in a four-round intrastate showdown against Salem vet Matt Doherty (5-3-1, 3 KOs), who returns to Twin River for the first time since July of 2015. Following a busy 2016 in which he fought six times in seven months, Worcester's Kendrick Ball Jr. (4-0-2, 3 KOs) faces Minneapolis' Kenneth Glenn (3-2, 1 KO) in a four-round middleweight bout, and Framingham middleweight Christopher Davis-Fogg (2-0, 1 KO) makes his Twin River debut in a four-round bout against Anthony Everett (1-4) of Lawrence, Mass. 
 
Taunton, Mass., welterweight Marqus Bates (0-1) aims to bounce back from a loss in his professional debut in a four-round battle against Providence, R.I., native Aaron Muniz, who makes his debut. Junior welterweight Khiry Todd (1-0, 1 KO) of Lynn, Mass., battles Woburn, Mass., native Bruno Dias (0-2) in a four-round bout.
 
The Feb. 4th card will also feature two special CES Ring of Honor ceremonies inducting famed boxing trainer Kevin Rooney, who worked with world champions Mike Tyson and Vinny Paz in his storied career, and the late Manny Lopes of Marshfield, Mass., a former light heavyweight prospect who fought his entire career with CES Boxing until retiring undefeated in 2010. 
 
Visit www.cesboxing.com, www.twitter.com/cesboxing or www.facebook.com/cesboxing for more information, or follow CES Boxing on Instagram at @CESBOXING.
-- CES --
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Photo courtesy of Will Paul

REIGNING WBC USNBC welterweight champion Jimmy Williams of New Haven, Conn., above right, defends his title for the first time on Saturday, Aug. 26th, 2017 at Foxwoods Resort Casino when he battles Issouf Kinda of the Bronx in the 10-round main event of CES Boxing's live championship boxing at The Premier Ballroom. Williams won the title in April with an impressive unanimous decision victory over Nick DeLomba. The New York vet Kinda carries an 18-4 record into the Aug. 26th showdown. All ticket buyers receive free entry into the Pay Per View showing of the Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor fight next door at the Grand Theater following the live action. 


ticket-button.gif 
 (Aug. 3rd, 2017) -- Two titans of the combat sports industry over the last quarter century, CES Boxing and Foxwoods Resort Casino, team up to bring fight fans an epic night of live championship boxing combined with one of the most highly-anticipated events in the sport's history.
 
CES Boxing returns to Foxwoods' The Premier Ballroom on Saturday, Aug. 26th, 2017 as New Haven, Conn., native Jimmy Williams (13-0-1, 5 KOs) defends his World Boxing Council U.S. National Boxing Council (WBC USNBC) Welterweight Title against Bronx, N.Y., vet Issouf Kinda (18-4, 7 KOs) just hours before the live showing of the Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor bout in Nevada at Foxwoods' Grand Theater.
 
All fight fans who purchase a ticket to Williams-Kinda receive free entry into the exclusive Pay Per View showing of Mayweather-McGregor beginning at 9 p.m. ET. Tickets are priced at $55, $90, $155 and $325 and can be purchased online at www.cesboxing.comwww.foxwoods.com, orwww.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 401-724-2253 or 800-200-2882 or at the Grand Theater Box Office. All $55, $90 and $155 tickets offer buyers a reserved ticket to the Mayweather-McGregor PPV. A $325 ticket purchase includes preferred seating.All bouts are subject to change.
 
Tickets for the closed circuit event only can be purchased online atwww.foxwoods.com, by phone at 800-200-2882 or through any TicketMaster location.
 
The live card at The Premier Ballroom also airs live in its entirety on FITE TV Pay Per View for just $14.99 beginning at 6 ET / 3 PT. This landmark event continues the year-long 25th anniversary celebrations for CES Boxing and Foxwoods, which both began operations in 1992; fittingly, both CES and Foxwoods featured the legendary "Sucra" Ray Oliveira of New Bedford, Mass., a member of the CES Ring of Honor, in its inaugural events, the beginning of a long, successful partnership between the two entities.
 
The tradition continues Aug. 26th as CES brings its brand of competitive, evenly-matched fights to the region's preeminent combat sports destination while offering true fight fans a once-in-a-lifetime experience featuring the pageantry and splendor of professional boxing on all levels.
 
"No promoter has brought more events to Foxwoods Resort Casino than CES Boxing," CES president Jimmy Burchfield Sr. said, "so it's only fitting we return as we both celebrate our 25th anniversaries.
 
"Where else on Aug. 26th can you witness live boxing along with one of the most talked-about Pay Per View events in combat sports history in the same venue for just one price?"
 
"Jimmy Burchfield has been a legend in boxing throughout New England for 25 years, so it's only fitting he deliver yet another unforgettable boxing card to Foxwoods Resort Casino as we celebrate our 25th anniversary," said Monique Sebastian, Foxwoods' vice president of entertainment and entertainment marketing. "We are proud to have had Jimmy as a partner since day one and to have hosted many of his marquee events right here at the 'Fight capital of the Northeast.'"
 
The Williams-Kinda 10-round headliner promises fireworks in the welterweight division as the unbeaten Williams faces his toughest test to date against the 29-year-old Kinda, a veteran of 22 professional fights and a former North American Boxing Organization (NABO) lightweight and WBC Continental Americas super lightweight title contender who boasts wins over Philadelphia vet Mike Arnaoutisand previously-unbeaten Zack Rasmey.
 
Williams is coming off his most impressive win to date, a dominant, 10-round unanimous decision victory over Rhode Island's Nick DeLomba in April to capture the then-vacant WBC USNBC crown. The 30-year-old Williams, a full-time truancy officer for the West Haven school department, returns to his home base at Foxwoods - where he owns a 3-0 lifetime record - for the first time since July of 2016.
 11020643098?profile=original
Photo courtesy of Will Paul
The preliminary card features several Connecticut standouts, among them New London junior welterweight Cristobal Marrero (4-0, 3 KOs), and cruiserweightRichard Rivera (2-0, 2 KOs), junior middleweight Jose Rivera (3-1, 3 KOs) and junior welterweight Jonathan Figueroa (2-1, 1 KO) of Hartford.  
 
Marrero battles Springfield, Mass., native Miguel Ortiz (2-0, 1 KO) in a six-round battle of unbeatens, a bout originally scheduled for June before Ortiz suffered a shoulder injury in training camp, while Rivera faces his toughest test to date against Auburn, Maine, vet Cristiano Pedro (1-1).
 
The Aug. 26th preliminary card also features the Foxwoods debut of 6-foot-4 Sicilian heavyweight Juiseppe Cusumano (11-1, 9 KOs), who recently returned from an eight-month layoff in June with a devastating second-round knockout win over veteran Dan Biddle, his ninth consecutive victory.
 
The relationship between CES and Foxwoods over the past 25 years includes some of the region's greatest fights and fight cards, a total of 30 events spanning a quarter century.
 
The highlights include Oliveira's thrilling majority-decision win over Vince Phillipson ESPN in 2000; Oliveira's record-setting ESPN showdown with Ben Tackie in 2001, which included 2,729 total punches, the third most punches thrown in a fight; a classic back-and-forth war between "Sandman" Scott Pemberton and Omar Sheika on ESPN in 2003; plus the WBC World Super Middleweight Championship between Eric Lucas and Rhode Island's Vinny Paz in 2002, followed two years later by Paz's historic 50th win over Tocker Pudwill.
 
In 2007, junior welterweight sensation Jaime Clampitt defeated female boxing pioneer Jane Couch for the vacant International Women's Boxing Federation (IWBF) world title, a card headlined by a thrilling super middleweight bout between Rhode Island icon Peter Manfredo Jr. and David Banks, also on ESPN. Three years later, CES Boxing ushered in a new decade of excellence at Foxwoods with a sold-out crowd at The Fox Theater to witness the highly-anticipated rematch between Connecticut fan-favorite Tony Grano and New Jersey heavyweight "Oak Tree" Mark Brown. Foxwoods was also the home of eight of the first 15 career bouts for former light heavyweight world champion and New Haven native Chad Dawson, who rose to prominence in the early 2000s under the guidance of Burchfield and CES Boxing. 
 
Fight fans can stream the entire Aug. 26th event live on their television by downloading the FITE app free from iTunes or Google Play and using the instant stream-to-TV function for full-screen viewing, or watch online from any device atwww.fite.tv. The FITE app also works with any Wi-Fi connected TV, iOS and Android devices, as well as streaming devices such as Roku, Chromecast and more. Replays will be available for those unable to watch live.
 
Visit www.cesboxing.comwww.twitter.com/cesboxing orwww.facebook.com/cesboxing for more information, or follow CES Boxing on Instagram at @CESBOXING.
-- CES --
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Main Event weigh in

Mohegan Sun's Rising Stars
Official Weights and Photos
Stapulionis and Day
Photo Credits: Slash Galleries/Main Events
Virgilijus "The Terminator" Stapulionis Patrick Day
Oxnard, California Freeport, New York
18-3-1, 13 KOs 12-2-1, 6 KOs
Weight:  154  Trunks:  BLK/WHT Weight: 154 Trunks:  RED/WHT
Cassius Chaney
Photo Credits: Slash Galleries/Main Events 
Cassius Chaney Carlos Sandoval
New London, Connecticut Agua Prieta, Mexico
7-0, 4 KOs 10-10-1, 7 KOs
Weight: 224.75  Trunks: BRN/CRM Weight: 251  Trunks: RED/YLW
Vaughn Alexander
Photo Credits: Slash Galleries/Main Events
Vaughn "The Animal" Alexander Antonio Fernandes
St. Louis, Missouri Brockton, Massachusetts 
6-0, 5 KOs 7-28-3, 2 KOs
Weight:  159.5  Trunks: BLK/RED Weight: 159 Trunks: WHT/GLD
Madiyar Ashkeyev
Photo Credits: Slash Galleries/Main Events
Madiyar Ashkeyev Marcus Beckford
Kazakhstan East Meadow, New York
6-0, 3 KOs 3-3-3, 1 KO
Weight:  154  Trunks:  WHT/BLK Weight:  155  Trunks:  GRN/GLD
Enriko Gogokhia
Photo Credits: Slash Galleries/Main Events
Enriko Gogokhia Roberto Yong
Georgia Phoenix, Arizona
2-0, 1 KO 5-10-2, 4 KOs
Weight:  154 Trunks:  WHT/RED Weight:  155.5  Trunks:  BLK/RED
Ernesto Ornelas Kevin Asmat
Portland, Maine Union City, New Jersey
1-0, 1 KO 0-1
Weight:  123  Trunks:  BLK/RED Weight:  123 Trunks: BLK/GLD
Jesus Gonzalez Josh Crespo
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania New Haven, Connecticut
4-12, 3 KOs 6-4-3, 2 KOs
Weight:  118 Trunks: GRY/BLK Weight: 126  Trunks:  GRN/BLK/GLD
Tracey Johnson Kennedy Katende
Boston, Massachusetts Uganda
4-4-4 Pro Debut
Weight:  196 Trunks:  BLK/WHT Weight:  196 Trunks:  RED/BLK
Rodrigo Almeida Reinaldo Graceski
Woburn, Massachusetts Springfield, Massachusetts
1-5 3-0, 1 KO
Weight:  179  Trunks:  PNK/WHT Weight:  174 Trunks: BLK/PRPL/SLV
About November 26: The pilot event of the Mohegan Sun's Rising Stars Boxing Series at the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. The series will be presented by Mohegan Sun and Main Events and feature boxing prospects from New England and around the world. Tickets start at $50 and are available now through Ticketmaster and the Mohegan Sun box office.
FOLLOW US:
www.mainevents.com
Twitter: @main_events 
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Instagram: @Main_Events
www.mohegansun.com
Twitter: @
MoheganSun
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Instagram: @
mohegansun

 

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HhVe-jE6uDoc3LfGJYjwty6oGf_4nnKhhlqyuCirC6nQBd-ruGIfi2oif1a5b5P0Xjo0xbMbteAw7I5MAmB6JjEPuFraSEIOpJfB9DUh--gNd4UCD2gg3A=s0-d-e1-ft#%3Ca%20href=



Photo courtesy of Will Paul
WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS MIDDLEWEIGHT Kendrick Ball Jr., seen here receiving last-minute instructions from his father, Kendrick Ball, prior to his fight against David Wilson in July, returns to the ring Friday, Oct. 21st, 2016 at Twin River Casino against Oregon's Rafael Valencia. Ball Jr. began his pro career in May under the guidance of his father, who raised him to be a fighter following his own amateur career. Ball Jr. has won three of his first four fights, all by knockout, with the only blemish coming in July in the draw
-- There were times when Kendrick Ball was training his son at the gym during his teenage years and not quite getting the feedback he wanted.
 

Bystanders wondered aloud whether or not Kendrick Ball Jr. really wanted to box after all.

 

"Some of the parents thought I was pushing him too much because it was something I wanted him to do," Ball said.

 

Times have changed in Worcester, Mass. Now 24 years old and four fights into his professional career, Ball Jr. (3-0-1, 3 KOs) is every bit the fighter his father hoped and imagined he'd be, a hard-hitting body puncher who adopted his father's love for boxing as he chases his own championship dreams.

 

As for the push he gets from his father, that's the one constant that hasn't changed a bit.

 

"In the amateurs, whenever he wanted to fight, I never really pushed him like that," Ball said, "but now that he's in the pros, oh, man, I don't stop pushing."

 

Ball Jr. returns Friday, Oct. 16th, 2016 on the undercard of CES Boxing's 2016 Twin River Fight Series season finale at Twin River Casino in a four-round middleweight bout against Oregon's Rafael Valencia (3-4-1, 2 KOs), his fifth fight since turning pro in May.

 

This was Ball's plan from Day 1, to get his son to become a professional boxer and pick up where he left off in his own amateur career, one in which he captured two Junior Olympic titles as a teenager before devoting his time to training others. The first of Ball's five children, Ball Jr. took an immediate liking to the sport thanks to that initial push from his father.

 

"His first gift was boxing gloves," Ball recalled.

 

Ball Jr. had the benefit of being able to train at home; his father set up a makeshift gym in the basement, where the younger Ball remembers doing a lot of mitt work at home as a child. They'd also spend time at various gyms training with former Worcester pro Sean Fitzgerald, who's now a part of Ball's team, or working out at the Boys & Girls Club, run by the legendary Carlos Garcia.

 

"It was always fun doing it," Ball Jr. said, "and then, I don't know, I guess I just ended up liking it, so I continued to train."

 

Once his son got older, Ball figured it was time to test his ability against other fighters, but Ball Jr. was hesitant at first, mainly because he didn't quite believe in himself.

 

"I didn't think I was ready to fight," he said. "I just kind of fought because I didn't want people to think I was scared, so I'd just go do it anyway."

 

Ball knew he had to pull back the reigns. He had taken his time working his son into the boxing culture and didn't want to push him at the risk of driving him away.

 

"When he was younger, he wanted to fight all the time, but I wanted to wait until he got a little older," Ball said. "When he got older, he was in the gym every day with me because I opened my own gym, but every time I'd say, 'Let's go! Let's fight!' he was kind of hesitant, but he'd spar with anybody and everybody at the time, bigger guys who were way bigger than him."

 

Eventually, Ball Jr. began competing in regional tournaments. He lost his first six fights, admittedly because he didn't take it seriously or, perhaps, because he jumped in there just to prove to others he wasn't afraid.

 

Ultimately, he grew stronger and more confident with each fight. He went on a lengthy winning streak, capturing novice titles at the Rocky Marciano Tournament and the USA Boxing New England Championships, and by the time he reached his senior year of high school, something suddenly clicked.

 

Around that time, he met Khiary Gray, now his stablemate out of Camp Get Right, who is also trained by his father. By the time they were high school seniors, they were inseparable, and Ball had grown four inches between his freshman and senior years, adding a devastating reach to his attack.

 

Gray turned pro in 2014 and immediately won his first 13 fights in just under two years, pushing Ball to try to duplicate that success, but his father wasn't convinced his son was ready just yet.

 

"Once he saw the results Khiary had, he changed his training at the gym and told me wanted to turn pro," Ball said, "so I told him, 'You have to prove a couple of things to me in a couple of fights.' One of the things was he had to drop a kid in an amateur fight. He fought in the Rocky Marciano Tournament against this kid and I was telling him that, so he came out and dropped the kid. I was like, 'Oh, shit!'"

 

Everyone at Camp Get Right knew Ball Jr. had power, but his father helped turn him into an equally devastating body puncher, one of his trademarks as a trainer. After roughly 30 amateur fights, Ball Jr. turned pro in May with a scintillating knockout win over Tunde Odumosu just 1 minute, 39 seconds into the opening round. Each of his three wins have come by knockout with only Bruno Dias making it out of the first round.

 

Having sparred so much with fellow pros such as former world-title challenger Edwin Rodriguez and fellow amateur standout Owen Minor, Ball Jr. developed a pro style that limited him in the amateurs, but has helped him enjoy early success as a pro, especially with the attack to the body, which finished Dias in July at the 1:56 mark of the second mark.

 

"I focus a lot on the body with my fighters," Ball said. "My son goes to the body really, really well. He has a long reach. I'd like him to use his reach more, but he likes to bang. If he gets into a fight where someone hits him hard or whatever, it's going to be a war. He's going to go toe-to-toe with you."

 

Father-son relationships have been prevalent in boxing for decades. Some work, some don't. Providence's Roland Estrada trained his son, Jason Estrada, throughout his entire career, including his run to the Olympics in 2004 and continuing during the younger Estrada's quest for a heavyweight world title. The late Hector Camacho Sr. enjoyed a prolific career as a three-time world champion, but rarely worked with own son, Hector Camacho Jr., who has fought 66 times as a pro.

 

Ball's emphasis on commitment and respect has rubbed off on his son, a soft-spoken, 6-foot-3 gentle giant who has already won over his promoter, Jimmy Burchfield Sr., who says Ball Jr. always sends him a text the morning after each fight thanking him for the opportunity. More importantly, Ball Jr. has grown receptive to his father's criticism and praise, which isn't always the case in the father-son dynamic.

 

"He's at the age now where he's a grown man, so he thinks he knows everything," Ball said. "I'm constantly on him, trying to correct things, and he just thinks I'm on his ass, but like I told him before, 'If you turn pro, it's serious.' There's no half-stepping. You can get hurt in this sport. He knows I'm on him because I want the best out of him like I do with any of my fighters, so he understands.

 

"It works," Ball Jr. says, "because I trust what he's going to say and he's always the one trying to tell me what to do and how to do things."

 

They've become a near unstoppable duo; Ball's success with Gray has earned him a reputation as one of the area's up-and-coming trainers, and now he has his son, whose only blemish was a four-round majority draw against previously unbeaten David Wilson, a fight he agreed to on just seven days' notice following his win over Dias.

 

After recently re-signing with CES Boxing, keeping him a part of the team for the foreseeable future, the sky's the limit for Ball Jr., who's become a rising star in New England on his own terms.

 

"It's been a long time coming. It was a goal he set as a young kid," Ball said. "He has this book he did when he was in the third or fourth grade and he talked about how he wanted to be a pro fighter.

 

"It's funny when we go back and read those things. I knew it was going to happen. I just didn't want to push him into it. I wanted him to be able to do it."

 

Tickets for Oct. 21st are priced at $47.00, $67.00, $102.00 and $152.00 (VIP) and can be purchased online at www.cesboxing.com, www.twinriver.com or www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 401-724-2253/2254 or at the Twin River Casino Players Club. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

 

Headlining the Oct. 21st fight card is the eight-round Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) Junior Middleweight International and Northeast title bout between the champion, Gray (13-1, 10 KOs), and the challenger Chris Chatman (14-5-1, 5 KOs) of Chicago, Ill.

 

Worcester super middleweight Ben Peak makes his professional debut in a four-round bout against Jose Rivera (1-0, 1 KO) of Hartford, Conn., and former amateur standout Anthony Marsella Jr. (1-0) of Providence makes his Rhode Island debut against Philadelphia's Bardraiel Smith (0-1) in a junior welterweight bout, all three in four rounds.

 

Worcester's Irvin Gonzalez Jr. (3-0, 3 KOs) returns to face Providence, R.I., native Cido Hoff (1-0-1) in a four-round featherweight bout and Jamaine Ortiz (2-0, 2 KOs), also of Worcester, puts his unbeaten record on the line against veteran junior welterweight Isaiah Robinson (3-3, 2 KOs) of Durham, N.C.

 

New London, Conn., junior welterweight Cristobal Marrero (1-0, 1 KO) takes on Woburn, Mass., vet Bruno Dias (0-1) and junior welterweight Jonathan Figueroa (1-0, 1 KO) of Hartford, Conn., faces Philadelphia's Shavonte Dixon (0-1), both in four-round bouts.

 

Visit www.cesboxing.com, www.twitter.com/cesboxing or www.facebook.com/cesboxing for more information, follow CES Boxing on Instagram at @CESBOXING and use the hashtag #ChatmanGray to join the conversation. 


-- CES --
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photo credit will paul

Having already conquered personal demons, McCreedy begins comeback Friday night at Twin River

 

LOWELL, Mass. (Dec. 14th, 2015) – The blade was probably an inch from his throat, maybe closer. He was too drunk to remember all the details.

 

The only thing Joey McCreedy remembers is waking up strapped to a bed in a psychiatric ward the following morning, just a few hours after threatening to commit suicide in his mother’s bedroom while his 7-year-old brother looked on.

 

Once considered the pride of Lowell, Mass. – the young, handsome football star, the darling of the family, the next Micky Ward in and out of the boxing ring – McCreedy had finally hit rock bottom.

 

Years of masking his on-again, off-again depression with excessive partying and drinking drove him to the edge. The pressure of following in the footsteps of a regional icon, the feeling of failure after losing the biggest fight of his career in Vegas, an entire city turning its back on him, all of it left McCreedy searching for a way out.

 

The turmoil reached its boiling point one night when McCreedy, already intoxicated following an argument with his girlfriend, who had grown tired of his drinking, went back to the liquor store, bought more alcohol and began mixing it with prescription sleeping pills.

 

“For some reason, I went downstairs, grabbed a knife, walked into my mom’s room and said, ‘Mom, I love you. Goodbye. I can’t take this anymore.’ I was numb.

 

“I gave up on myself.”

 

 

THE 30-YEAR-OLD MCCREEDY (15-8-2, 6 KOs) begins his long-awaited comeback Friday, Dec. 18th, 2015 on the undercard of CES Boxing’s “Holiday Bash” at Twin River Casino in a six-round bout against Texas’ Emmanuel Sanchez (6-4, 1 KO), his first fight in more than a year.

 

He’s much leaner than the last time he fought, no longer tipping the scales at 175 pounds, instead fighting closer to the middleweight limit of 160. He was in such good shape throughout this recent training camp he actually had to put on a few pounds to meet Sanchez in the middle at 165.

 

This isn’t the same McCreedy who, while training for his September 2014 bout against Rich Gingras, used to come home every night from the gym and polish off a couple of bottles of alcohol in his room. McCreedy knows this is his last chance to not only get back to the top, back to where he was that night in Vegas when he fought for a title against Sean Monaghan at the MGM Grand – the pinnacle for most promising fighters – but also to silence those who doubt he has much left in the tank.

 

McCreedy has always cared what other people think, perhaps to a fault, so when he returned to Lowell following the knockout loss to Monaghan, it hurt him to see so many people turn away, people who had once extended a hand or lent their support. Such is the case in boxing. Life is great at the top when friends come out of the woodwork, but the fall from grace is painful and lonely.

 

“I lost friends. I lost best friends,” McCreedy said. “A lot of people just gave up on me, just like they did with Micky when he was young.”

 

That emptiness only drove McCreedy to drink more. His depression worsened following the loss to Gingras, a fight he only agreed to so he could cash his paycheck and buy more liquor.

 

“I was thinking about Vegas, I was thinking about Lowell, I was thinking about my girlfriend, I was thinking about how I had a chance at the biggest shot in the world and I fucked it up,” he said. “I kept drinking, drinking and drinking.”

 

McCreedy firmly believes hitting rock bottom, the night he held the knife to his throat, just seconds from taking his own life, was a necessary chapter in the story of his recovery.

 

“God knew I was stubborn,” he said. “God knew I wasn’t going to get help so he said, ‘OK, we’re going to do it the hard way.’”

 

Had his mother not intervened, knocking the knife from his hand and tackling her on to the ground – “I don’t know she did it. They say mothers have that super mom strength,” he said – McCreedy would still be on the same path toward self-destruction, perhaps with a much grizzlier ending. 

 

Under heavy medication for the next two weeks, bound in a straight jacket and locked in a cramped, one-room cell with only a hint of sunlight peering in through a tiny window, McCreedy faced his worst fears. 

 

“I was literally on the same floor with people screaming and yelling,” he said. “It was like some shit you see in a movie.”

 

 

IT TOOK TIME, but McCreedy eventually opened up. With the help of a psychiatrist, he dug deep to the root of his depression, the burden of trying to emerge from Ward’s shadow, the pressure of losing on boxing’s biggest stage, dealing with bipolar disorder and mood swings. He understood what he had put his family through. He recalled his high school years as a star football player, never having to worry about grades, and the inevitable realization that the sport was merely a pastime, not a career.

 

McCreedy left the hospital with a second chance at life. He blocked out the negative influences, left behind his connection to Ward and Dicky Eklund, both of whom were larger-than-life figures in Lowell, and began training at the nearby West End Gym.

 

When he says this is the new Joey McCreedy, he’s sincere. No more drinking, no more partying. He’s got a new job, a new car and an incredible story to share with others in hopes that it’ll one day steer someone in danger toward the right path.

 

“Everyone deals with depression in a whole different way,” he said. “I figured, let me get me story out there. Maybe I can save a life.

 

“I’m a different person. I think different. I can’t explain it. It’s something you have to go through yourself, but if I can do this, anybody else can.”

 

The result in the ring Friday is almost inconsequential at this point. McCreedy has already won the most important battle.

 

Tickets for the “Holiday Bash” are priced at $40.00, $75.00 and $125.00 (VIP) and available for purchase online at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 401-724-2253/2254, or at the Twin River Casino Players Club. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

 

The Dec. 18th event will be held in conjunction with the Toys For Tots Foundation. All fans in attendance are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy, which can be left in the collection boxes conveniently located in Twin River’s Interactive Fan Zone.

 

As an added bonus, the Dec. 18th “Holiday Bash” also features a live performance by Grammy nominated recording artist Karina Pasian of New York City, plus the induction of former CES ring announcer and current Brockton, Mass., Mayor Bill Carpenter into the CES Ring of Honor.

 

In addition to the McCreedy-Sanchez bout, unbeaten Worcester, Mass., junior middleweight Khiary Gray (10-0, 8 KOs) faces Mexico’s Roberto Valenzuela (69-70-2, 56 KOs) in a six-round bout and fellow junior middleweight Jimmy Williams (9-0-1, 5 KOs) of New Haven, Conn., makes his Twin River debut in a six-round bout against Chris Gray (13-21-1, 1 KO) of Vero Beach, Fla.

 

The undercard of the “Holiday Bash” features more of New England’s rising stars, including undefeated Worcester super lightweight Freddy Sanchez (6-0, 5 KOs), who puts his record on the line against dangerous New York vet Sidney Maccow (4-3, 3 KOs) in a six-round bout.

 

Providence, R.I., natives Phil Dudley and Cido Hoff, fighting out of Rhode Island’s 401 Boxing, make their professional debuts in separate four-round bouts; Dudley faces Lawrence, Mass., lightweight Jacob Solis (1-1) and Hoff battles unbeaten super featherweight Timmy Ramos (2-0, 2 KOs) of Framingham, Mass., whom Hoff faced twice as an amateur.

 

Marlboro, Mass., super featherweight Julio Perez (2-0) aims for his third win of the year against former Greater Lowell Golden Gloves standout Josh Bourque of Salem, N.H., in Bourque’s professional debut and New Bedford, Mass., junior welterweight Ray Oliveira Jr. (3-0, 1 KO) battles 34-fight Brockton vet Antonio Fernandes. Both are four-round bouts.

 

Also making his Twin River debut in Friday’s special attraction, Albanian middleweight Fatlum Zhuta (1-0-1, 1 KO) of Anchorage, Ala., faces Boston’s Deivison Ribeiro (0-2) in a four-round bout.

 

For more information the Dec. 18th “Holiday Bash” visit www.cesboxing.com, follow @CESBOXING on Twitter and Instagram and “like” the official CES Boxing Facebook fan page.

 

– CES –

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CES photo by Emily Harney
SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT JOSEPH "Chip" Perez, left, of Hartford, Conn., faces Lawrence, Mass., slugger Agustine Mauras for the third time in Saturday, Jan. 17th, 2015 in the eight-round headliner of CES Boxing's pro-am fight card at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Perez and Mauras fought to a draw twice in 2014 and will now face one another a third time for the vacant New England Title. 
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motionmailapp.com

Star-studded Jan. 17 card features two title bouts and Chinese national champions


 

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (Jan. 6th, 2015) -- Unbreakable in its quest to continue bringing quality championship boxing to New England and beyond, CES kicks off the new year Saturday, Jan. 17th, 2015 with two dynamic title bouts at Mohegan Sun Arena, including what might be the final chapter of one of the region's most intense rivalries.

 

After fighting to a draw twice in 2014, Hartford, Conn., super featherweight Joseph "Chip" Perez (10-3-2, 3 KOs) will battle Agustine Mauras (6-0-3, 3 KOs) of Lawrence, Mass., in an eight-round bout for the vacant N.E. title while Josh Crespo (3-1-2, 1 KO) of New Haven, Conn., faces Portland, Maine's Jorge Abiague (7-0-1, 1 KO) in an eight-round bout for the vacant N.E. super bantamweight crown.

 

This unique, dual main event headlines one of the most action-packed regional cards in years. The event also features a star-studded amateur undercard in addition to the professional debuts of two standout Chinese boxers, in association with Jay-Z's Roc Nation Sports, among them a former Olympian and six-time national champion.

 

Tickets for the event are priced at $40, $65 and $125 (VIP) and can be purchased by calling 401-724-2253/2254, online at www.cesboxing.com or www.ticketmaster.com, or at the Mohegan Sun Box Office. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

 

The Mauras-Perez trilogy ends Jan. 17th in anticipation of a winner finally being crowned following two highly entertaining draws in 2014. The two rivals first faced one another in July in Boston with all three judges scoring the six-round bout 57-57. The rematch took place two months later in Connecticut, also a six-rounder. Judge Robert Paolino scored the bout 58-56 in favor of Perez while Glenn Feldman gave the edge to Mauras by the same score. Don Trella scored it 57-57, resulting in another draw.

 

The announcement of the third -- and perhaps final -- installment of the Mauras-Perez saga has sparked tremendous excitement via social media, with fans of both sides weighing in on the predicted outcome. 

 

Crespo-Abiague is another evenly-matched bout between two of the region's top fighters in the 122-pound division, one looking to build another winning streak with the other hoping to take another step forward following the biggest victory of his young career.

 

The 34-year-old Cuban-born Abiague is no stranger to success in the northeast, having won four times on New England soil since relocating in 2013. Following a close loss to unbeaten prospect Nate Green in October, Abiague returned to the ring a month later to beat 19-fight veteran Eduardo Melendez. For Crespo, this upcoming title bout is another chance to strike down another established fighter after dominating Xian Wei Qian, the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) Asian Featherweight Champion, in October.

 

Jan. 17th also features the return of New Haven super middleweight Elvin Ayala (26-6-1, 12 KOs), a former five-time title challenger and WBC U.S. National Boxing Council (USNBC) champion, who faces Hyannis, Mass., veteran Paul Gonsalves (7-5-1, 3 KOs) in a six-round bout. Ayala pieced together an impressive six-fight win streak before a stunning loss to Curtis Stevens in January of 2014 and has his hands full with Gonsalves, who went the distance last year with unbeaten contenders Mike Lee and Angel Camacho Jr., two opponents with a combined 26-0 record.

 

Also back in action is unbeaten Hartford light heavyweight prospect David Bauza (6-0, 3 KOs), who ends a four-year layoff when he faces Jose Torres (2-2, 2 KOs) of Springfield, Mass. Bauza rose to prominence between 2009 and 2010 with six consecutive wins in an 11-month span. Torres is best known for his stunning fourth-round knockout win over dangerous cruiserweight slugger Josh Harris in 2011.

Photo: Ct state boxing champion James Williams DVD is out ! !

Quiet Storm: James Williams (Boxing Documentary) .

New Haven junior middleweight Jimmy Williams (7-0-1, 3 KOs) will put his unbeaten record on the line in a six-round bout against an opponent to be determined.

 

Not to be outdone, New Bedford, Mass., lightweight Briam Granado makes his professional debut against Willie Carville (1-0) of Lewiston, Maine, while unbeaten Worcester, Mass., prospect Khiary Gray-Pitts (3-0, 1 KO) returns to face hard-hitting veteran Emmanuel Medina (3-4-1, 3 KOs) of Tilton, N.H.

 

A five-time Northern New England Golden Gloves champion, the 29-year-old Carville looks to build off his win over Paulo Souza in October while Granado makes his highly anticipated debut following a brief amateur career. Fighting for the fourth time since June, Gray-Pitts attempts to extend his unbeaten strike to four fights against the crafty Medina, who has never faced a fighter with a losing record since turning pro in 2009.

 

Also featured on the undercard, light heavyweight southpaw Meng Fanlong and junior welterweight Wang Zhimin debut after successful amateur careers. Signed to Roc Nation Sports in 2014, Fanlong competed in the 2012 London Olympics and also advanced to the finals of World Amateur Boxing Championships in 2011 in addition to winning the Chinese National Championship for six consecutive years between 2008 and 2013. He faces Marcellus Yates (0-1) of Washington, D.C., in a four-round bout. Zhimin won the gold medal in the 2011 World Series of Boxing and also reached the finals of the Chinese National Championships in 2010, one year after earning a bronze medal. Zhimin also debuts Jan. 17th in a four-round bout.

 

-- CES --

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CES photo by Emily Harney
UNDEFEATED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT Angel Camacho Jr., right, begins his second comeback Friday, Nov. 7th, 2014 at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I., when he faces Tylon Burris of Hartford, Conn., in a six-round bout. Camacho spent three years away from boxing between 2008 and 2011 and then briefly retired in 2012 before deciding to mount another comeback at the age of 31. The Providence, R.I., native is 12-0 with four knockouts.

Following three-year layoff, Camacho Jr. returns to boxing with a new lease on life


 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Oct. 23rd, 2014) -Two years ago, with pressure to raise a family and provide his children with a stable home, Angel Camacho Jr. decided to step away from boxing, still undefeated after 12 professional fights.

 

"I could accept the fact I was no longer fighting," said the father of three from Providence, R.I., "but it was difficult to swallow."

 

Rather than live with regret, the 31-year-old super middleweight decided it'd be best to end his career on his terms. On Friday, Nov. 7th, 2014, Camacho (12-0, 4 KOs) will end a three-year layoff when he returns to the ring to face hard-hitting Tylon Burris (5-2, 3 KOs) of Hartford, Conn., in a six-round bout on the undercard of "Winner Take All," the 2014 season finale for CES Boxing at Twin River Casino.

 

"Every night, I would lay my head down and watch a fight and wonder, 'What if? ... What could've happened?' I didn't want to live like that."

 

Now he won't have to. Win or lose, Camacho Jr. will get to write his own ending to what has been a tumultuous career both in and out of the ring.

 

Six years ago, at the height of his career, a 25-year-old prospect with a perfect 11-0 record, Camacho was forced to put boxing on hold when he was sentenced to 18 months in prison stemming from a felony domestic assault charge. Though he only served nine months, the case took two years to process, so Camacho wasn't sentenced until January of 2011.

 

"I had to plead to something I really didn't do because I didn't have a lawyer," he said. "It really makes you think about what's important and what's not important."

 

Camacho Jr. returned to the ring later that year in December, ending a three-year hiatus with a win over Keith Kozlin. His comeback was in full swing. He even went as far as to re-sign with his original promoter, Jimmy Burchfield Sr., but conflicts within his camp, coupled with family obligations, forced him to step away from the game, this time by choice.

 

"It's just life's events. Life's hurdles. Life's complications," Camacho Jr. said. "I had a divorce, a lot of mishaps. Then I was dealing with my significant other wanting me to stop, wanting me to spend more time at home.

 

"I thought I was done," he continued. "My wife was happy. I was spending time with my family. Everything was good. Then her cousin asked me to train him. As I was helping him get in shape, I was getting in boxing shape.

 

"That itch came back again."

 

With a new management team and a new trainer in Rhode Island-based Roland Estrada, Camacho Jr. immediately sought out Burchfield to resume his career. Burchfield welcomed him back with open arms, reuniting the team that helped bring Camacho to 11-0 before his first hiatus.

 

"I should've never left. I should've followed my passion. This is my first love," Camacho Jr. said. "God gave me the talent to do this, so why not exploit that talent?

 

"I wasn't meant to get to 12-0 and just stop fighting. There's much more for me to do in boxing. I can help people. I can deliver a message, help guide people. I want to use boxing as a platform to reach out to kids in need.

 

"I've gone through a lot, having drug issues, self-medicating because of depression, to now being 100-percent focused and clean. I'm really focused on where I need to go in life."

 

Stepping back into the game has been a breeze, mostly because of Estrada's tutelage -- "I'm doing things with [Estrada] that I've never done in boxing before," he said -- but also because he's stayed in shape through the years due to the grueling, physical labor of his 9-to-5 job.

 

"I'm a chimney man," he said. "I mix cement all day, carry around bricks, climb up and down ladders, clean chimneys, build chimneys, install wood stoves and liners for furnaces.

 

"It's hard, physical labor. It's a tough job. My body's always aching. It's very similar to boxing."

 

Aside from the physical attributes, the mental aspect of boxing, arguably the most important part, has always been the foundation to Camacho's success. He's a student of the game, the kind of fighter who watches the sport night and day even if he's not preparing for a fight.

 

"I truly, genuinely love the sport," he said. "It's like playing chess. I've been sparring with [junior middleweight world champion] Demetrius [Andrade]. He's a technician. When I'm in there with him, I'm like, 'I'm going to do this, this and this.' It's really like playing a game of chess.

 

"If I move my rook to this spot, his knight will be there. You have to be three steps ahead. That's what I love about boxing. It's a thinking man's sport."

 

The fight against Burris is no easy task. Burris has a reputation for being one of the region's hardest punchers, known primarily for knocking out Connecticut's Kevin Cobbs in 2012, to this day the only loss on Cobbs' record. But this is a new and improved Camacho, one with less turmoil in his personal life, a father dedicated to raising his three children, Taytum (10), Cayden (6) and Aniya (10 months), while resuming a once-promising career derailed one too many times in the past.

 

Win or lose, Camacho Jr. will at least be able to walk away with no regrets, whenever that time comes.

 

"I've been boxing since I was 12," he said. "It's time to get back in there and see what happens."

 

"Winner Take All" is an all-ages show. Tickets for the event are on sale now for $40, $100 and $126 (VIP) and can be purchased online at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at the Twin River Box Office or by phone at 401-724-2253/2254. Doors open at 6 and the first bout begins at 7 p.m. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

 

The main event is a 10-round championship bout for the vacant Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) female super bantamweight world title between Providence's Shelito Vincent (12-0, 1 KO) and Jackie Trivilino (9-8-3, 1 KO) of Plattsburgh, N.Y.

 

"Winner Take All" also features New Bedford, Mass., prospectsRay Oliveira Jr. and Scott Sullivan; Worcester, Mass., light middleweight Khiary Gray-Pitts and undefeated welterweightNick DeLomba of Cranston, R.I., all of whom will be featured in separate bouts, along with the Rhode Island debut of lightweight prospect Joey Tiberi Jr. of Newark, Del. 

 

After winning their pro debuts in September, Oliveira Jr. (1-0, 1 KO) and Sullivan (1-0, 1 KO), both protégés of former world-title challenger Ray Oliveira Sr., are back at it on November 7th. Sullivan faces unbeaten lightweight Oscar Bonilla (2-0-1) of New Haven, Conn., while Oliveira Jr. takes on 6-foot-3 super middleweight Mike Rodriguez (0-1), an accomplished amateur from Springfield, Mass., who also debuted at Twin River last year when he faced Rhode Island's KJ Harrison-Lombardi. Warwick, R.I., super middleweight and Air Force veteran Zack Christy (1-0), who also debuted in September, returns in a four-round bout against Springfield's Pedro Joquin (0-1).

 

Visit www.cesboxing.com for more information, follow CES Boxing on Twitter at @CESBOXING and Instagram at CESBOXING, or "like" CES Boxing on Facebook.

 

-- CES --

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Final Results from Foxwoods

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Final Results from Foxwoods: Dargan & Mchunu Walk Away With NABF Titles

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Thabiso Mchunu
Photo Credits: Daryl Bughman/Main Events 
In the main event of the afternoonn cruiserweights Thabiso "The Rock" Mchunu (17-1, 11 KOs) and Garrett "The Ultimate Warrior" Wilson (13-8-1, 7 KOs) faced off for the NABF Cruiserweight Title. The ten-round cruiserweight match-up between Mchunu's southpaw style and Wilson's wild style made for an exciting fight. Thabiso landed some clean shots and Wilson countered to no avail. The fifth round was slow with Wilson chasing down Mchunu and Wilson finally landing some shots. The ninth round started off with a bang, both fighters were trading big punches. The crowd began chanting for Wilson and the action started to pick up in the final round with both fighters coming out swinging. In the tenth, the referee deducted a point from Mchunu for holding, but it did not matter as Mchunu retained his NABF Cruiserweight Title with a unanimous decision victory (96-93, 99-90 and 98-91).
After the fight Mchunu said, "First of all thank God. Thank you for supporting me to all my fans in South Africa. My trainer, Sean, and my corner for getting me this victory smooth and easy. I would like to thank all of you for coming to the fight. I had it in mind it was going to be tough, really tough. It was as tough as I expected. He is a strong guy. I knew after three rounds it was going to be tough but then I nearly knocked him out. I knew it was going to be tough and I just can't go for the knockout. I knew it was going to go for the distance. I boxed him. I showed I can think in the ring. I'm smart. I'm fast and elusive."  He added, "I want the WBC belt, there is a guy from Poland [Krzysztof Wlodarczyk] who got it so I am going for him. After that I will fight the other guys like Marco Huck [current WBO champion] and [Yoan Pablo] Hernandez."
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Garrett Wilson
Photo Credits: Daryl Bughman/Main Events 
"He's fast. I didn't quite listen to my corner like I was supposed to. I dropped the ball on this one but even if he wins that world title, I ain't done," explained Wilson. "I will be right back. It is just the beginning. I may not have gotten the NABF this time but I am going to be back as long as he is willing to rematch me. I wasn't listening to my corner and I paid for it. His defense was pretty good. His defense was really good and I couldn't figure it out the way I wanted to. He kept leaning down and I kept ending up over top of him. I have been making adjustments and hopefully we get a rematch going on. I am going at that belt. Let's keep it going."
Mchunu connected for for 54% (105 of 195) of his power punches whereas Wilson only connected for 23% (54 of 231). Also Mchunu (53 of 211 for 25%) threw more than two times as many jabs as Wilson (18 of 108 for 17%). The total punch comparison also favored Mchunu (158 of 406 for 39% compared to 72 of 339 for 21%).
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Karl Dargan
Photo Credits: Daryl Bughman/Main Events 
Starting off the live broadcast on NBC Fight Night was ten-round battle between undefeated lightweight Karl "Dynamite" Dargan (17-0, 9 KOs) and Angino "The Nightmare" Perez (16-6, 14 KOs). The bout started slow with both fighters feeling each other out. Dargan was knocked down in the second and got up with a couple of hard shots at Perez. Dargan knocked down Perez in the fifth but he managed to make it back to his feet. "Dynamite" made quick work of Perez after that and knocked him out with a face first fall a few seconds later to secure the Junior NABF Lightweight Title. Now the 29-year old Dargan has two belts (USBA Atlantic Coast Region Lightweight Title).
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Perez & Dargan
Photo Credits: Daryl Bughman/Main Events 
In the fight Dargan connected for 42& of his punches (71 of 170) whereas Perez only connected for 17% (38 of 230). Although both fighters threw nearly the same number of power punches (96 for Dargan and 87 for Perez) Dargan connected for almost twice as many of them (50 as compared to 27 for Perez) for 52% when compared to 31% for Perez.
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Angino Perez
Photo Credits: Daryl Bughman/Main Events 
"I knew he could punch and I knew he got power. He had about a 90% knockout ratio but I don't care who it is. He caught me with a good shot but I wasn't hurt. It was like a buzz. I got back up there. I guess he thought he could pressure me so I just basically lured him in," explained Dargan. "Him coming forward and me being able to step in the middle of it put more power on me. After the first knockdown my corner said just don't come straight for the head; go for the body because he doesn't really expect it." He added, "Of course I don't see anyone in my division I don't see why I can't beat them. I have the dedication so that I can go up against any of them. I use my ability when it is needed."
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Everett & Wilson
Photo Credits: Daryl Bughman/Main Events 
After the live NBC broadcast middleweights Anthony Everett (0-2) and David Wilson (4-0) met for four rounds. Wilson remained undefeated with all three judges scoring the bout 40-36. Everett is still looking for his first professional victory.
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White & Apostol Photo Credits: Daryl Bughman/Main Events 
The final fight before the NBC broadcast featured Piotr Apostol (1-0) of Atlantic City, NJ and Tyrell White (0-2) of Queens, NY for four rounds of wild lightweight action. Apostol managed to squeak out the split decision victory. The fight was close with two judges scoring the bout 39-37 for Apostol and one judge scoring the bout 40-36 for White.
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Perez & Mauras Photo Credits: Daryl Bughman/Main Events 
In a lightweight rematch Joseph "Chip" Perez (10-3-2, 3 KOs) and Agustine "The Dancing Jaguar" Mauras (6-0-3, 3 KOs) met for six rounds. Perez and Mauras' previous fight, back in July of this year, ended in a draw.  Both men started the fight aggressively. In this action-packed bout both fighters gave their all and the crowd was pumped to watch these two warriors battle it out for another brutal six rounds. Ultimately, the judges scored the bout 58-56 for Mauras, 58-56 for Perez and 57-57 for a split draw.
"I thought I fought more aggressively this time, explained Perez. "I thought I got the win both times. I am not taking anything away from him and I have nothing against him but I thought I got the win."
Mauras added, "We need an eight-rounder to make the determination. He came to fight and I always come to fight. I will fight him again or anyone else."
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Barrera & Watkins
Photo Credits: Daryl Bughman/Main Events 
Undefeated light heavyweight Sullivan Barrera (13-0, 8 KOs) of Miami, FL knocked out Eric Watkins (10-8-1, 5 KOs) of Harris, NY. Barrera was leading the entire bout but Watkins managed to hold his own. Sullivan managed to finally take down Watkins at 0:24 in the sixth round. After the fight Barrera said, "I feel great. I am very happy with the new team. I am very happy to be training in Big Bear Lake. I want to thank Main Events and NBC for putting this fight on." Barrera remains undefeated after his first fight with his new trainer, Abel Sanchez.
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Foster (top left), Jackson (bottom left) & Foster & Jackson (right) Photo Credits: Daryl Bughman/Main Events 
In the first fight of the afternoon super middleweight Charles "The Truth" Foster (6-0, 3 KOs) of New Haven, CT made quick work of Robert Jackson (0-2) of Hampton, VA stopping him at 1:51 in the first round.

*Note: All records have been updated to reflect today's results.

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CES photo by Will Paul
UNBEATEN MIDDLEWEIGHT PROSPECT Khiary Gray-Pitts, left, will face his toughest testFriday, Nov. 7th, 2014, at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I., when he battles 5-foot-11 southpaw Vincent Floyd of Philadelphia on the undercard of CES Boxing's 2014 season finale, "Winner Take All." The Worcester, Mass., native is 2-0 with one knockout. Floyd is 1-0-1 in two professional bouts.

After turning his life around through boxing, Gray-Pitts seeks third win Friday night

 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Nov. 5th, 2014) -- Growing up in Worcester, Khiary Gray-Pitts had two choices: stay in the streets and keep rolling with the wrong crowd, or get back in the boxing gym and turn his life around.

 

"The more I got into trouble, the more I realized I had to get back into boxing," he recalled.

 

A promising young amateur born and raised in a city synonymous with boxing excellence, from former world champion Jose Antonio Rivera to current world-title challenger Edwin Rodriguez, Gray-Pitts (2-0, 1 KO) seemed destined for greatness as a teenager until a devastating loss cost him a trip to the nationals and sent him veering down the wrong path.

 

"I began hanging with the wrong crowd, just getting into all sorts of trouble," he said.

 

Gray-Pitts was arrested eight times -- five times as a juvenile -- before one last run-in with the law forced him to reflect on the damage his behavior was doing to his mother and older brother, Trevor. Something finally clicked. He knew it was time to get back into the gym and off the streets.

 

"I never got into trouble when I boxed," he said.

 

Gray-Pitts clearly made the right choice, as evident by his success not only at the tail end of his amateur career, but in his brief foray as a professional as well, where he's now unbeaten in two fights preparing for yet another bout Friday, Nov. 7th, 2014 at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I.

 

Gray-Pitts will face Philadelphia's Vincent Floyd (1-0-1), a 5-foot-11 southpaw, on the undercard of CES Boxing's season finale, "Winner Take All," in a four-round middleweight bout that could steal the spotlight from the world championship main event.

 

The bout will end a whirlwind year for the 21-year-old prospect, one in which he fought his amateur finale and his professional debut all within a span of seven days, a remarkable transition in a short amount of time by industry standards. Now Gray-Pitts is one of the most feared, avoided fighters in his weight class, turned down by more than half a dozen regional fighters when approached with the idea of facing him on Friday night.

 

"I'm a whole different person now," said Gray-Pitts, who is also the father of a 2-year-old daughter, Khilani. "I have a whole different outlook on everything."

 

Prior to his run-ins with the law, Gray-Pitts excelled as a two-sport athlete in Worcester, playing both basketball and football. He reluctantly began boxing in seventh grade after a friend told him to give it a try.

 

"I used to think boxing was for people that couldn't fight until I tried it," Gray-Pitts said. "After the first few days of training, I stayed with it. I had to beg my mom for an entire year before I could actually take an amateur fight."

 

Gray-Pitts amassed an impressive amateur record before a loss to Eddie Gomez in the amateurs cost him a shot at the nationals. That's when his downward spiral began. For the next three years, he swerved in and out of trouble until linking up with Kendrick Ball of Camp Get Right Boxing in Worcester.

 

That's when everything changed. Gray-Pitts began working exclusively with Ball and improved drastically as a fighter, finishing the second half of his amateur career in style with a win over fellow CES stablemate Ray Oliveira Jr. in May.

 

The idea of turning pro so quickly, just seven days after beating Oliveira Jr., was Ball's idea. He knew Gray-Pitts was ready, and when the opportunity to fight on a CES card in June presented itself, both he and his fighter took advantage.

 

"Everyone always told me I had a pro style, but I really didn't know I was ready until Kendrick told me I was," Gray-Pitts said. "He taught me a lot, specifically about turning my punches over and looking for that opening. I'm a lot more aggressive now."

 

That aggressiveness showed in his pro debut when he ate a few right hands from his opponent, On'rey Townes, before finishing him off just 27 seconds into the third round. As for absorbing a few blows, Gray-Pitts didn't seem to mind.

 

"I had to find out what it felt like, but I didn't do it on purpose," he said with a laugh.

 

"It actually felt good. It woke me up. It made me realize, 'OK, this isn't a game anymore.'"

 

The severity of the blows minus headgear isn't the only difference between the amateurs and the pros. Gray-Pitts noted the change in environment from his last amateur fight to his pro debut, the atmosphere and energy in the crowd. It'd be enough to unnerve some young fighters, but Gray-Pitts came out poised and looked every bit the professional.

 

"I was nervous," he admitted, "until the third round."

 

That quick flash of brilliance in the third, the overhand right that sent Townes crashing to the canvas, could be considered a warning shot for the rest of New England, a message of sorts to those already ducking Gray-Pitts before he turns 22 later this month. Leave it to a Philadelphia fighter to step up to the plate in what could be the fight of the night.

 

"I've been waiting for Friday since my last fight," he said. "I love being active."

 

"Winner Take All" is an all-ages show. Tickets for the event are on sale now for $40, $100 and $126 (VIP) and can be purchased online at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at the Twin River Box Office or by phone at 401-724-2253/2254. Doors open at 6 and the first bout begins at 7 p.m. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

 

Friday's event is headlined by the 10-round main event between Providence's Shelito Vincent (12-0, 1 KO) and Jackie Trivilino(9-8-3, 1 KO) for the vacant Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) female super bantamweight title.

 

Super middleweight Angel Camacho Jr. (12-0, 4 KOs) of Providence, R.I., will face Hyannis, Mass., vet Paul Gonsalves(7-4-1, 3 KOs) in the six-round co-feature. Camacho Jr. was originally scheduled to face Tylon Burris of Hartford, but Burris withdrew this weekend due to a back injury.

 

This will be Camacho Jr.'s first fight since 2011 and just his second in the last six years while Gonsalves is fighting for the fifth time in 2014, among them an impressive majority decision loss to unbeaten Mike Lee in July on the undercard of ESPN2's FridayNight Fights telecast.

 

Unbeaten Brockton, Mass., heavyweight Julian Pollard (4-0, 4 KOs) makes his Twin River debut in a special four-round attraction against Providence veteran Arthur Saribekian (23-5-1, 18 KOs) while Cranston, R.I., welterweight Nick DeLomba (5-0) will battle Miami's Lazar Stojadinovic (1-1-1) in a six-round bout.

 

"Winner Take All" also features New Bedford, Mass., prospectsRay Oliveira Jr. (1-0, 1 KO) and Scott Sullivan (1-0, 1 KO), who both won their pro debuts Sept. 12th. Sullivan faces unbeaten lightweight Oscar Bonilla (2-0-1) of New Haven, Conn., while Oliveira Jr. takes on 6-foot-3 super middleweightMike Rodriguez (0-1) of Springfield, Mass.

 

Unbeaten Worcester, Mass., middleweight prospect Khiary Gray-Pitts (2-0, 1 KO) faces Greg Thomas (0-4) of Philadelphia. Warwick, R.I., super middleweight and Air Force vet Zack Christy (1-0), who also debuted in September, returns to faceSergio Cabrera (0-4) of Somerville, Mass.

 

Visit www.cesboxing.com for more information, follow CES Boxing on Twitter at @CESBOXING and Instagram at CESBOXING, or "like" CES Boxing on Facebook.

 

-- CES 

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Light middleweight Chris Chatman, seen here in July following his win over Thomas Falowo at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I., will return to the same venue Friday, March 28th, 2014 when he faces The Contender Season 2 champion Grady Brewer in the eight-round main event. (CES photo by Craig Eagleson)

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Chatman focusing on winning, not making friends, in return to Providence on Friday
 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (March 25th, 2014) -- Having already marked his territory in Rhode Island by beating hometown favorite Thomas Falowo in July, Jersey City middleweight Chris Chatman has taken his newfound allegiance to New England one step further by signing with Classic Entertainment & Sports, the region's premier combat sports firm.
 
But don't think for a second being part of a team for the first time in his career has tamed the outspoken, 5-foot-8 southpaw.
 
"I'm focusing my efforts on becoming a world champion," Chatman said, "and if I have to take out their whole lineup to do it, then so be it."
 
For now, Chatman (11-3-1, 5 KOs) will focus his efforts on chopping down another out-of-town challenger with ties to New England, The Contender Season 2 champion Grady Brewer(30-16, 18 KOs) of Lawton, Okla., in Friday night's main event at Twin River Casino.
 
Brewer teamed with Rhode Island's Gary "Tiger" Balletto on the hit reality series in 2006 and returned to Providence two years later to beat fellow Contender alum Cornelius Bundrage. Now he'll face the hard-hitting Chatman, who's gained an improbable cult-like following in Rhode Island not only for his win over Falowo, but also for his effort in a disputed loss to former Olympian Demetrius Andrade in 2009, his first of three appearances at Twin River.
 
The eight-round middleweight bout between Chatman and Brewer will be the headliner of Classic Entertainment & Sports' latest installment of the 2014 Twin River Fight Series. Tickets are priced at $41, $76 and $126 (VIP) and can be purchased by calling 401-724-2253/2254, online at www.cesboxing.com or www.ticketmaster.com, or at the Players Club at Twin River. All fights and fighters are subject to change.
 
"He's a strong fighter," Brewer said of Chatman. "A guy like him, you know he's coming to fight.
 
"I'm excited to come back to Providence," he continued. "I loved it there. Great fight fans. They love boxing and I'm excited to show them what I can do."
 
Despite an age difference of 14 years (Chatman is 29 an Brewer is 43), the two are chasing the same dream of winning a world title, and both have shown the willingness to fight anyone at any given time, even if it means standing toe-to-toe with a hometown favorite on foreign soil.
 
Born and raised in Chicago, Chatman eventually relocated to San Diego and carved his niche out west, fighting nine of his first 10 bouts in California -- the lone exception and only blemish on his record being the fight in Rhode Island against Andrade -- before taking his 9-1 record to Forth Worth to face unbeaten Texan Charles Hatley. The two traded knockdowns and fought to a majority draw. Two of the three judges scored it even while the third favored Hatley by four rounds.
 
It wouldn't be the last time Chatman found himself on the wrong end of a decision in his opponent's backyard. After beating Falowo last year, he faced unbeaten Maryland prospect Jarret Hurd in Maryland in a six-round bout in January. Hurd won by split decision. One judge scored it 59-55 in favor of Chatman. The other two gave it to Hurd, 58-56 and 59-55.
 
"Anyone who saw that fight knows I won it," Chatman said. "I'm always putting my best in the ring. That's the only way I know how to do it. I think it's a shame when a fighter trains hard and makes all the sacrifices and wins the fight, but loses because of politics.
 
"It discredits our sport and shows the lack of integrity among judges. That's one of the reasons I love to fight in Rhode Island. I always get a fair shot."
 
Five of Chatman's last seven opponents were undefeated at the time of the fight, and Falowo only had one loss when they faced one another last year. The combined record of those opponents was 76-5-2 before the bell rang.
 
Fittingly, Brewer has built a similar resume through the years with each of his last three fights coming against undefeated opponents, including a 2013 showdown against world-rated Russian prospect Matt Korobov -- "to this day, one of the better fighters I've faced," Brewer said -- and a scheduled eight-round bout against 17-0 Tony Harrison of Detroit in April.
 
After beating Steve Forbes in The Contender finale, Brewer won his next four fights before stopping unbeaten Nigerian prospect Albert Onolunose in the second round of their scheduled 12-round bout. Two years later, he handed world-title challenger Fernando Guerrero -- 21-0 at the time -- the first loss his career via fourth-round knockout. Brewer has also faced World Boxing Association (WBA) light middleweight champion Erislandy Lara and Andrade, the current World Boxing Organization (WBO) champ.
 
"The Contender was real instrumental for me because it set the stage for my career and gave me the respect I had been looking for," Brewer said.
 
"I'm always trying to get to the top. Sometimes, I've been there, and sometimes I've taken fights on short notice thinking I was ready, and that's part of the reason why I wasn't always able to show who I really am."
 
With the dream of winning a world title still within reach, Brewer draws inspiration from former champs George Foreman and Bernard Hopkins. Foreman had been the oldest fighter to win a world title before the 48-year-old Hopkins broke his record in 2013. Brewer still has a shot, but he needs to beat Chatman on Friday to snap his four-fight losing streak.
 
The fight is of equal importance to Chatman, who'd benefit tremendously by beating a well-known veteran with more than three times his experience as a professional.
 
"I'm putting my all into this like I do with every fight," Chatman said. "Grady is a veteran, a former champ, and he has the experience to back it up. Like me, he's pulled off many upsets, so to go in there thinking I'm guaranteed a win is foolish.
 
"That being said, I'm confident enough in my work ethic to expect that I can earn a victory."
 
Win or lose, Chatman's future in New England will certainly be entertaining if nothing else, and though he may never get that coveted rematch with Andrade, there are plenty of opponents to target in this neck of the woods, teammates or not.
 
"If you're between 154 and 168 pounds and you're being put ahead of me, you'll be in my sights," Chatman said. "I'm ready to prove that I'm No. 1 and if anyone wants to speak to the contrary, you're more than welcome to step up and glove up."
 
Friday's undercard includes the return of unbeaten Providence middleweight KJ Harrison-Lombardi (5-0-1) of Providence, who will put his record on the line in a four-round bout against Jason Bakanowski (0-1) of Worcester, Mass. 
 
Coming off a knockout win over veteran Arthur Saribekian in November, Cape Cod, Mass., heavyweight Jesse Barboza (7-1-1, 5 KOs) will look to stay on track against East Stroudsburg, Pa., heavyweight Glenn Thomas in a four-round bout while Springfield, Mass., welterweight Zack Rasmey (6-0, 3 KOs) takes on veteran Shakha Moore (11-19-3, 2 KOs) of Norwalk, Conn., in a six-rounder.
 
Louisiana cruiserweight Alvin Varmall Jr. (2-0, 2 KOs), who made his Twin River debut in February with a knockout win over Andre Ward, will return to face Devon Mosley (0-0-1) of Capitol Heights, Md., in a four-round bout and Chattanooga, Tenn., lightweight prospect Ryan Martin (3-0, 2 KOs) will face Justin Robbins (2-5, 1 KO) of Springfield, Ill., in a four-round bout. Cranston, R.I., welterweight Nick DeLomba (2-0) will return in a separate four-round bout. All fights and fighters are subject to change.
 
                                                              -- CES --

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CES is proud to announce it will induct "The Pride Of Providence" Peter Manfredo Jr.into its Ring of Honor during a special ceremony Friday night at Twin River Casino. The Providence native won 40 fights in his professional career and established himself as one of the most popular fighters in Rhode Island's rich boxing history. The star of Season 1 of The Contender reality television series, Manfredo Jr. also captured the IBO middleweight world title and was a two-time NABF middleweight champion. Among his most notable wins include knockouts against Joey "K.O. Kid" Spina and Scott "Sandman" Pemberton in Providence. After a brief return to the sport in 2013, Manfredo Jr. capped his career in November with a knockout win over Rich Gingras. Other members of the Ring of Honor include Gary "Tiger" Balletto, Rocky Marciano, Israel "Pito" Cardona and Vinny Paz.

 

 

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Interview by Pattee Mak - March 2, 2014 \ Photo Credit:  La Pedra Films

 

He is a household name and he has a new movie coming out soon about his incredible life,  but who is he, what is his name you would ask.  Enter now the legendary “Hands of Stone” aka “Manos de Piedra” or just simply Roberto Duran from Panama.  You might never have guessed, but you would be hard pressed if you are a boxing fan not to get excited about this movie and if you have not heard of him, check this out.

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He first entered the squared circle for his pro debut in 1968 and went on to fight for 33 years amassing an amazing record of 103 wins, 70 of them by knockout with only 16 losses, that altogether adds up to 119 fights, simply incredible. During his career he fought many opponents now already in the Hall of Fame. Needless to say, he fought in different weight classes.  He fought for titles.  He won titles.  He is a superstar no doubt and we will soon have the pleasure of watching The Story of Roberto Duran “Hands of Stone” unfold before our eyes. I caught up with Jay Weisleder the producer of the movie and President of Witch’s Rock Entertainment, Inc to discuss the movie.

  

Pattee MakThank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. I can only imagine how busy you are.  I must say in the boxing community, we are likened to a brotherhood and everyone seems to be excited about this movie.  The one question that is on everyone’s mind is when will this movie be released?

Weisleder: Filming just wrapped this [Click here for the remainder of the interview]  

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Hammering Hank Lundy

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Feb. 25th, 2014) – For years, Hank Lundy has been a promoter’s dream, a throwback fighter willing to fight anyone, anywhere at any given time regardless of the risk involved.

 

In football, he’d be your prototypical gunslinger quarterback, the fearless, yet gifted, pocket-passer unafraid to launch it down the field into triple coverage.

 

With no risk, there’s no reward, and Lundy (24-3-1, 11 KOs) is living proof. This past weekend, the 30-year-old Philadelphia lightweight took another gamble, dropping back down to 135 pounds and traveling to Don King’s hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, to face one of King’s young prospects on a card promoted by King himself in front of a worldwide audience on Showtime’s ShoBox: The Next Generation.

 

Not only did Lundy steal the spotlight, he won convincingly, beating Angelo Santana from start to finish in a decisive, 98-91, victory on all three judges’ scorecards.

 

As Lundy inches closer to his dream of challenging for, and winning, a world title, he can no longer be the relentless daredevil who long ago earned the reputation as one of boxing’s most prolific road warriors. There’s more at stake now than ever before, and Lundy is plotting his next move carefully, knowing full well his latest opportunity could be the biggest of his career.

 

Having proved himself time and time again in the face of adversity, it’s world title or bust in 2014, and “Hammerin’” Hank is on the brink of championship glory.

 

“If it’s not a world title, I’m not trying to hear it,” said Lundy, who entered last weekend’s fight ranked No. 13 in the World Boxing Council (WBC) and 10th in the International Boxing Federation (IBF) at 140 pounds, where he fought his last two fights prior to Friday.

 

“Before, I took any and every fight, but now I’m trying to be smart. Right now, I want that world title. I’ve paid my dues. I need my shot.”

 

Though Lundy mentioned the possibility of a keep-busy fight on ESPN in April, it wouldn’t be a surprise if his next fight were for a coveted world championship, most likely back at 135 pounds, where he’s had the majority of his success since bursting onto the scene in 2010. And while he’d still like a shot at former 140-pound world-title holder Lucas Mattyhysse, a fight that fell apart in January due to Lundy’s legal issues with his former manager – “I’ll still beat him badly,” Lundy said – a more realistic option might be World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight champion Richar Abril, whom Lundy beat in 2010 before Abril won the title.

 

“We should do it again, this time for a world title,” Lundy said.

 

“At 135, it doesn’t matter who it is. If you’re a champ, whether it’s the WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO [World Boxing Organization], I want you. I’m in line. It’s my time.”

 

Having fought – and won – so many fights in his opponents’ backyards, including nationally-televised wins over Omri Lowther in Montreal and former world champ David Diaz in Chicago, Lundy has become one of the sport’s most avoided fighters in the lightweight division. His bout against Jeremy Bryan scheduled for mid-October fell apart last year when Bryan withdrew due to a back injury less than three weeks before the fight and another proposed showdown on HBO against Karim Mayfield – a bout Lundy claims was a “done deal” on his side – was mysteriously pulled from the table, prompting Lundy to question whether or not Mayfield had the courage to fight him.

 

“I’m a problem. There’s no answer for the ‘Hammer,’” Lundy said. “To get ready for the ‘Hammer,’ you’ve got to have five or six, maybe seven, guys just to prepare for a fight with me. I’m not one-dimensional, baby. I can do it all!”

 

For his next trick, Lundy might bring a championship belt back to Philadelphia, a city synonymous with boxing greatness dating all the way back to 1905 when Jack O’Brien defeated Bobby Fitzsimmons for the world light heavyweight championship. The tradition has continued through the years with all-time greats such as Tim Witherspoon, Joe Frazier and current world-title holder Bernard Hopkins, the ageless wonder still dominating the light heavyweight circuit at 49. If all goes well in 2014, Lundy could write his own chapter in the rich history of Philadelphia boxing.

 

“At the end of the day, I’m searching for a world title, and that should be my next fight,” Lundy said.

 

“I’ve fought everybody they put in front of me. Santana, he was 14-1 with 11 big knockouts, and he tried to do the same to me, but I had other plans. I showed the world again what ‘Hammerin’ Hank’ is all about. I knew I could outbox this guy and I went out there and dominated.

 

“I had so much going on in my career before, but now all my focus is on fighting, so that’s what you’re seeing – ‘Hammerin’ Hank fighting and getting the job done. You know me. It doesn’t matter who it is, or where I go. I put my bundle on my stick and I go out there and fight

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