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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 19^th, 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

photo credit will paul

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

LOWELL, Mass. (Dec. 14^th, 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. 18^th, 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. 18^th 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. 18^th “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. 18^th “Holiday Bash” visit www.cesboxing.com, follow @CESBOXING on Twitter and Instagram and “like” the official CES Boxing Facebook fan page.

– CES –

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

> 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." 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%). 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). 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. 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." > 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. 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. 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." 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. 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.

  
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)

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 --

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.

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.

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 Mak:  Thank 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]  

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