First lady Michelle obama was in NEW HAVEN CT ,TO HELP out GOV. M
in (147)
WPVI-TV reports that a gunman is barricaded in a house in Souderton, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. Police were called after two people were found dead in a home. Three others were found shot to death in two other locations.
As the Nets and Kings get ready to wrap up the Global Games with a matchup on Wednesday, here’s an all-access look at their trip to Shanghai and Beijing so far.
On Saturday, I'll join NAACP members in Ferguson, Missouri, to set out on the Journey for Justice. This seven-day, 120-mile march will lead us from Ferguson to the Governor's Mansion in Jefferson City—in memory of Michael. We will stand in urgent solidarity for an end to police brutality and racial profiling.
george, you can join this next step in our fight for justice from your own community because our movement extends far beyond the city limits of Ferguson. If you walk with us in your own neighborhood next week, the world will know this as well.
We're walking #MilesForMichael, and you can join us: Tell us how many miles you will walk in your community during the NAACP's weeklong Journey for Justice.
http://action.naacp.org/MilesForMichael
With every passing day, the grand jury's decision appears more egregious. Our Journey for Justice—and the miles you will walk for Michael—will keep a bright light shining on this great injustice.
To participate, first tell us how many miles you'll march. They could be miles walked while participating in a rally or march, or simply the steps you take on your way to and from work.
Then beginning on Saturday, walk a portion of your pledged miles each day for one week. Walk in memory of Michael, in solidarity with those on the Journey for Justice, and in unity with the NAACP's movement for civil rights.
Every step we take—in Ferguson and Sanford, in New York York City and Los Angeles, and everywhere in between—will raise awareness of the urgent need to end police brutality and racial profiling. Our collective miles marched will let those in a position to effect change know our movement is nationwide—and never-ending.
How many #MilesForMichael will you walk to end police brutality and racial profiling? Tell us today:
http://action.naacp.org/MilesForMichael
In solidarity,
Cornell William Brooks
President and CEO
NAACP
JOIN US
at
A WALK IN TRUTH
& BLACKPRINT BOOKSTORE
162 Edgewood Avenue
New Haven, CT
WE NEED YOUR VISION
If we are to be encouraged, re-energized, and uplifted by one another,“Writing our own, new, empowering narrative of who we want to be as Black people in the 21st century is the first crucial step in breaking free of the poisonous narrative that was written for us nearly 400 years ago.
"Without a vision, the people perish."
This call is for all presently ready to respond with their vision. Join in our wave of vision sharing from 1 to 6PM:
Date: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2014 Join In Anytime: 1PM to 6PM |
25th Refreshments
Good Music Good Company |
You are cordially invited to join in the sixth annual celebration
Open to the Public
What: Open Media Workout With Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Graders from the Interdistrict School for Arts and Communication
Who: Sugar Shane Mosley
Shane Mosley, Jr.
Curtis "Showtime" Stevens
Local Fighter Cassius Chaney
Where: Whaling City Boxing Gym
367 Bank Street
New London, CT 06320
(860) 444-2845
When: Wednesday, January 28, 2015
3:30 PM ET
Presented by Main Events in association with Greg Cohen Promotions, the Jan. 30 edition of Friday Night Fights on ESPN2 and will take place at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT. It features a ten-round lightweight battle between undefeated contender Karl "Dynamite" Dargan (17-0, 9 KOs) against Tony "The Lightning" Luis (18-2, 7 KOs) for the WBC Continental Americas Lightweight Championship in the main event. The co-feature is an eight-round middleweight bout between Thomas Falowo (12-3, 8 KOs) against Russell Lamour (11-0, 5 KOs). The remaining undercard bouts will be announced shortly. Tickets are $40, $60 and $75 and available now through Foxwoods.com and the Foxwoods box office. The doors will open at 5:00 PM ET and the Friday Night Fightstelecast will begin at 9:00 PM ET on ESPN2.
FOLLOW US:
www.mainevents.com
Tune in Tuesday, August 26, at 9/8c.
in the wake of the Michael Brown shooting, spiritual life coach Iyanla Vanzant embarks on an emotional trip to Ferguson, Missouri, as she embeds herself in the local community and works to empower citizens by helping them formulate a plan for peace and healing in the wake of the shooting death of Michael Brown. Watch a first look above, then learn more
Perez ends trilogy with win over Mauras; Ayala celebrates return in victorious fashion over Mitchell
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (Jan. 17th, 2015) – Two fighters settled a longstanding rivalry Saturday while another cagey veteran began his slow, steady climb back to the top of the rankings.
In his third bout against regional foe Agustine Mauras, Hartford, Conn., super featherweight Joseph “Chip” Perez captured the vacant New England Championship while former world-title challenger and super middleweight contendr Elvin Ayala of New Haven, Conn., won in his return to the ring following a two-year layoff.
Saturday’s pro-am event at Mohegan Sun Arena, promoted by CES Boxing, featured five amateur bouts and nine professional fights, including two title bouts. In the eight-round main event, Perez (11-3-2) finally got the best of Mauras (6-1-3), a Lawrence, Mass., native, after the two fought to a draw twice in 2013, this time utilizing a more aggressive approach while out-working and out-landing his opponent. The trilogy ended with a 79-73, 78-74, 78-74 win for Perez, easily the most lopsided of their three bouts.
On the undercard, Ayala (27-6-1) ended a layoff of more than two years with a satisfying 60-54, 59-55, 58-56 win over dangerous Philadelphia vet Aaron Mitchell (27-2-1).
A former World Boxing Council (WBC) title-holder rated among the top super middleweights in the world, Ayala hadn’t fought since suffering a first-round knockout loss to Curtis Stevens in January 2013. Having fallen out of the national spotlight, Ayala took the next two years to recover physically and mentally, making changes within his inner circle in an effort to rebuild his career for one last run at a world title.
Saturday’s win was a step in the right direction. The always-ready Mitchell, who hadn’t fought since 2008 prior to this weekend, formerly held the North American Boxing Organization (NABO) middleweight title and won 15 consecutive bouts with a stunning 14 by knockout before his brief departure from the sport more than five years ago.
In the second title bout of the evening, Portland, Maine, veteran Jorge Abiague (8-1) edged New Haven’s Josh Crespo (3-2-2) by split decision, 78-74, 75-77, 78-74 to earn the vacant N.E. Super Bantamweight championship. Abiague controlled the first two rounds with his overhand left before Crespo rocked him with a straight right hand in the closing seconds of the third. Crespo went for the kill, but Abiague survived the final few seconds and got his legs back in the fourth, where he began to dictate the pace. Abiague has now won back-to-back fights since losing to Nate Green in October.
Chinese heavyweight Zhang Zhilei (2-0, 2 KOs), a silver medalist in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, stopped Perry Filkins (0-1) of Hooksett, N.H., at the 1:10 mark of the opening round. Junior welterweight Wang Zhimin (1-0), a gold medalist at the 2011 World Series of Boxing, beat newcomer Kin Moy (0-1) of Cambridge, Mass., by unanimous decision, 40-36, 39-37, 39-36, on all three scorecards and 2012 London Olympian Meng Fanlong (1-0) defeated Washington, D.C., vet Marcellus Yates (0-2) by majority decision 40-36, 40-36, 38-38, in Fanlong’s professional debut.
Worcester, Mass., light middleweight Khiary Gray-Pitts (4-0, 2 KOs) remained unbeaten with dominant knockout win over Springfield, Ill., vet Jake Constant (0-3) courtesy of a body blow at the 1:20 mark of the opening round. Lightweight Briam Granado (1-0, 1 KO) impressed in his professional debut, stopping Theo Desjardin (0-5) of Pawtucket, R.I., at 1:18 of the opening round, knocking Desjardin to the canvas twice.
New Haven junior middleweight Jimmy Williams (8-0-1, 4 KOs) also remained unbeaten, stopping 29-fight vet Jose Felix (11-17-2) at 2:34 of the third round for his fourth consecutive win since fighting to a draw with Atlantic City’s Greg Jackson in August of 2013.
– CES –
Trina hits the stage at XL Nightclub in NYC to perform her newest hits "Gone Mad" with Brittney T and "Cut Her Off."
Agostino Magni, an Italian businessman, says he follows a family tradition of wearing custom-made shirts, monogrammed with his initials, and he chooses pocket squares to match.
Produced by: Natalia V. Osipova and Joanna Nikas
Randy Moss' life begins to unravel after he is involved in a racial fight at school. 30 for 30: Rand University premieres Tuesday November 11th at 8pm ET on ESPN.
Eddie Makes Enemies in High Places | Tyler Perry's If Loving You Is Wrong | Oprah Winfrey Network |
Can BIGs son spit? Hangs with white kids & has a new group.. Ebro in the morning uncovers.
Um Yeah, Real Intimidating
CHECK OUT Tough Rappers in Wimpy Roles
Photo by Kelly MacDonald
JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT JIMMY Williams of New Haven, Conn., right, will battle Christian Lao of nearby Meriden for the vacant Connecticut State Junior Middleweight Title Saturday, May 31st, 2014 at Mohegan Sun. Williams is 5-0-1 since turning pro in January of 2013 while Lao is coming off a draw and a win since his return to boxing in October.
Jimmy Williams always knew he and Christian Lao would cross paths at some point.
Christian Lao of Meriden, Conn., is coming off a win over fellow Connecticut native Joe Wilson Jr. in November. (CES photo by Kelly MacDonald)
As professional boxers from neighboring towns in Connecticut, they've fought on the same card before and have even sparred against one another. They consider each other friends.
Pleasantries aside, Saturday night won't be another run-of-the-mill sparring session when Lao and Williams step foot inside the same ring. This time, the fight counts. No headgear, no boundaries - just a throwback border war with more than state bragging rights on the line.
On Saturday, May 31st, 2014, Lao and Williams will face one another for the Connecticut Junior Middleweight State Title in the six-round co-feature of Classic Entertainment & Sports' pro-am boxing event at Mohegan Sun Arena, a fight several years in the making since Williams turned pro in 2013.
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.
"If I want to be the best in the world, I have to start in Connecticut," said Williams, a New Jersey native who now lives in New Haven. "Once I dominate here, I can move on to bigger and better things. The time is now.
"This is what you live for. To fight the guy next door, with all that pressure on you, it's what you dream of."
This will be an interesting contrast in styles between two fighters moving up in weight to meet at 154 pounds. A former college football player at Southern Connecticut State, Williams (5-0-1, 2 KOs) relies mostly on his power, while Lao (5-2-1, 2 KOs) is more of a finesse fighter who'd prefer to outbox his opponent rather than get into a slugfest in the middle of the ring.
"I'm more of a counterpuncher," Lao admits.
In recent fights, Lao has shown the ability to keep his distance and pick his spots, most notably in his win over fellow Connecticut native Joe Wilson Jr. in November. It's Williams who needs to prove he can handle an elusive opponent with fancy footwork. The last time he fought someone similar to Lao, he wound up with a draw against Atlantic City's Greg Jackson, a frustrating night for Williams, who failed to cut off the ring and impose his will.
"That's something I've worked on for hours and hours in the gym," Williams said. "I know guys want to avoid my power, so they'll try to outbox me. I need to be more physical and learn to trap guys in the corner."
"I move around on my toes, and I'm flashy, but I can mix it up and fight on the inside, too," Lao added. "His advantage is his body size. He's taller and longer. He likes to keep his distance."
Williams knows he needs to use his height and reach to keep Lao at the end of his jab while also being wary of Lao's ability to counterpunch. He also has to cut off the ring better than he did against Jackson. It's all part of a game plan he's been implementing beyond the border, spending his weekends for the past two months in Brooklyn sparring with unbeaten prospects Sadam Ali and Frank Galarza.
"To go into their backyard and spar, it helps me make a name for myself," Williams said. "I did eight rounds with Galarza the other day. They keep inviting me back. I got in the ring with Ali. These guys are hungry. They're at the point in their career that when they spar they give it their all. I've learned so much.
"I can't wait to show everyone what I've been working on these past few months."
For Lao, a Meriden native who trains under the guidance of East Hartford's Mike Conroy, it's about being the best in Connecticut once that final bell rings. He has a draw and a win since his return in October, erasing the memory of his lopsided loss to Gabriel Duluc in 2012, while Williams continues to climb the ladder in Connecticut following his win over Evincii Dixon in November, the same Dixon who fought Lao to draw a month before losing to Williams.
They knew they'd meet up at some point. They just never figured it'd be this soon.
"I'm really excited for this," Williams said. "I know some of his weaknesses and I know what he brings to the table, but I also know this will be a totally different fight.
"I'm ready for whatever he's got. I've seen him at his worst, and I've seen him get the best of me in sparring. I've got a good feeling. I'm going to adjust to whatever he tries to do."
Said Lao: "Once that bell rings, I'm here for business. I'm here to fight. It doesn't matter who it is. This is about proving who wants it the most. Who deserves to be in that spot, to own that belt and represent Connecticut? This will put my name out there. Who's the best in Connecticut? My name will pop up. That's what I want."
Saturday's main event features world-rated lightweight Hank Lundy (24-3-1, 11 KOs) of Philadelphia battling Mexican challenger Pipino Cuevas Jr. in a 10-round bout. Coming off back-to-back wins, Lundy is now ranked No. 9 in the World Boxing Council (WBC).
Lundy's 10-round fight against Cuevas Jr. headlines a dynamic card that also features the return of female bantamweight sensation Shelito Vincent and light heavyweight slugger Kevin Cobbs, plus the addition of an exciting amateur undercard replete with the region's most sought-after talent, including Gary Balletto Jr. and Ray Oliveira Jr., sons of two well-respected fighters who dominated the regional circuit at the turn of the 21st century.
Cobbs (7-1, 2 KOs), a veteran from Willimantic, Conn., will face Willis Lockett (13-13-5, 5 KOs) of Maryland in a four-round bout in Cobbs' first fight in more than a year, while Vincent (10-0, 1 KO) battles Philadelphia's Lakeysha Williams, a veteran of 30 fights, in a six-round bout. Also on the undercard, female welterweight Aleksandra Magdziak-Lopes (10-2-1, 1 KO), a former world-title challenger, will face Althea Saunders (3-0-1) of Atlantic City in a six-round bout. In other regional action, Hartford's Wilson Jr. (1-1) faces Ethan Pena (2-1, 1 KO) of Providence, R.I., in a four-round bout.
On the amateur portion of the show, Oliveira Jr., a 165-pounder who trains out of On Point Boxing in New Bedford, Mass., will face Khiary Gray of Camp Get Right in Worcester, Mass. Also from Camp Get Right, 140-pounder Phil Davis will battle Cranston, R.I., amateur Javier Nieves of 401 Boxing, and Kendrick Ball Jr. of Worcester and Camp Get Right will face Edmond Worley of Lowell, Mass., in a 185-pound bout.
New Haven, Conn., middleweight Godfrey Campbell faces Miguel Teo of Marlboro, Mass.; and Smithfield, R.I., light welterweight Anthony Marsella Jr. battles New Bedford's Scott Sullivan. Balletto Jr., a middleweight also fighting out of Cranston, will face New Haven's Eric Anderson of Elephant In The Room Boxing Club. All amateur bouts are three rounds, unless otherwise noted.
-- CES --
CES photo by Ian Barnard
'SWEETBREAD' DINIS PAIVA, a featherweight from East Providence, R.I., will fight for the 10th time in his career and the 10th time under the guidance of CES MMA when he faces Joe Cushman Friday, June 27th, 2014, at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I. Paiva is looking to even his record with a win and crack the Top 5 in the regional rankings by the end of the year.
Cool, confident Paiva brings new approach to the cage in 10th professional bout
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (June 25th, 2014) -- If you were taken aback when you first heard Dinis Paiva was fighting for the 10th time under the guidance of CES MMA Friday night at Twin River Casino, you weren't alone. Even Paiva himself can't believe it.
"It's been a phenomenal three years since I made my pro debut and it's gone by just as fast as I can remember my first fight ending - a minute and 16 seconds with a TKO," said Paiva, who'll face Joe CushmanFriday night on the undercard of "CES MMA XXIV" at Twin River. "That's how it's felt these past three years."
Tickets for "CES MMA XXIV" are on sale now at $40.00, $55.00, $100.00 and $125.00 (VIP) and can be purchased online at www.cesmma.com or www.twinriver.com or by phone at 401-724-2253/2254. All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Time certainly flies, as the old adage says, but time's also stood still now and then for Paiva (4-5, 2 KOs), who's admittedly had his share of ups and downs in mixed martial arts.
After winning his aforementioned pro debut in June of 2011, Paiva went on to lose his next three fights, including a discouraging disqualification loss to Clifford Moulton, a fight Paiva dominated until he inadvertently kneed his opponent to the head while Moulton still had a hand on the canvas.
Paiva then closed out 2012 with back-to-back wins against Josh Lange and Gilvan Santos to even his record before losing the next two to Kin Moy and Robert Sullivan. With only three wins and five losses, the East Providence, R.I., native made the toughest choice of his career, leaving lifelong trainer Mat Santos to work with Mike Gresh and his team at the Cape Cod Fighting Alliance.
"Behind closed doors, the people who had seen me fight knew it was in my best interest," Paiva said. "My manager Keith [Allen], who has been with me my entire career since I was an amateur, was the first guy to propel me to go work with these other guys.
"No matter who you are, even if you're the greatest champion in the world, you can always continue to learn and always continue to progress without forgetting your roots. I never will."
With a new approach physically and mentally, "Sweetbread" opened 2014 with an impressive knockout win over Franklin Isabel and is now stepping in the cage against the savvy Bridgewater, Mass., veteran Cushman (11-5, 3 KOs), a fight that could help Paiva achieve his goal of becoming a Top 5 fighter in the featherweight division.
"[Cushman] is ranked No. 5 in the northeast, so this would be an upset in some peoples' eyes," Paiva said. "There are even some people who think I'm the big dog coming in. I consider myself the underdog. I like that. It takes the pressure off me. I've got everything to gain and nothing to lose."
The mental approach is half the battle for Paiva, who never takes a shortcut with his conditioning or physical preparation. He was so dedicated during this camp that he even declined to have a piece of cake on his birthday on May 26thdespite the fact it was a month before Thursday's weigh-in.
"A lot of people would've looked past it and said, 'What's the big deal?' but a lot gets put into this," Paiva said. "I've been going balls to the wall for weeks."
Not only is Paiva certain he's a better fighter now than he was three years ago - or, for that matter, in January - he's convinced he's a much better fighter than his record indicates, a byproduct of the elite competition in the northeast.
"To be honest, I kind of like having the record I have considering where I'm trying to get," he said. "People who know the sport and have been around it for a while and have watched my career know I'm not a 4-5 fighter. The guys with the losing records are the hungriest. They're the ones you should fear the most.
"I've progressed a lot," Paiva continued. "I've evolved and changed a lot as a fighter, especially during this last camp, and it'll show in this next fight. I think Joe is expecting to see the old 'Sweetbread.' With what shows in videos and what he's expecting, he's going to be caught off guard. I'm nowhere near where I used to be."
Three years and nine fights later, the secret to Paiva's unabashed confidence is perspective.
"The thing is I never really lost big, or at least I feel that way. I feel like I haven't had anyone really come in and knock my head off my shoulders, so to speak," he said.
With a major milestone on deck, and perhaps more in the future, Paiva controls his own destiny, and the road to featherweight supremacy begins Friday at Twin River.
"I've overcome a lot of adversity," he said. "Every fight is different. It's always a 50-50 chance no matter who you are. Guys get caught. Things happen.
"This division is one of the deepest in the northeast. I feel I'm neck and neck with the best competition. It's all about evolving and maturing in the cage, and I'm doing that as my career progresses. I'm more professional about it. I'm a lot more headstrong and profound. It's the way things need to be now."
The main event of "CES MMA XXIV" features Providence lightweight Luis Felix (11-7, 4 KOs) facing Julian Lane (6-3-1, 1 KO) for the vacant CES MMA title in a five-round bout.
UFC vet Ricardo Funch (8-4, 4 KOs) of Ludlow, Mass., will make his CES MMA debut on the undercard when he faces welterweight Brett Oteri (12-5, 1 KO) of Dedham, Mass.
Also on the card, Providence heavyweight Greg Rebello (17-5, 9 KOs) will take on Kennesaw, Ga., native Aaron Johnson (12-8, 1 KO); lightweight Andres Jeudi (6-2, 2 KOs) of Dorchester, Mass., battles Framingham, Mass., vet Saul Almeida (15-5); and female flyweight sensation Kaline Medeiros (2-3, 1 KO) of Fall River, Mass., faces Brigitte Narcise of Fairfield, N.J., in Narcise's pro debut.
Fan-favorite Willie Brown (2-0) of Meriden, Conn., returns to battle J.A. Dudley (6-11) of Plainfield, N.J., in a light heavyweight bout; Providence's Keenan Raymond (1-0) puts his record on the line against Dorchester featherweight James Murrin (1-0); featherweight Pete Rogers Jr. (1-1, 1 KO) of Norwich, Conn., faces Mike Lamm (0-1) of Newton, Mass.; and Providence vet Joe Reverdes (1-3) returns to battle newcomer Randy Campbell of Elizabeth, N.J., in a bantamweight bout.
--CES--
Bantamweight Andre Soukhamthath of Woonsocket, R.I., will look to avenge his loss from January when he returns to the cage Friday, April 25th, 2014 at Twin River Casino on the undercard of "CES MMA XXIII." (CES photo by Ian Travis Barnard)
CES MEDIA ALERT Rejuvenated Soukhamthath brings new attitude to the cage for CES MMA XXIII
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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)
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.
Reading, Mass., heavyweight John Johnston will put his undefeated record on the line Friday, March 14th, 2014 at "CES MMA XII" at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I., against UFC vet Josh Hendricks for the vacant CES MMA title. Johnston has won all five of his bouts by knockout. (CES photo by Ian Travis Barnard)
CES MEDIA ALERT Johnston hopes to seize golden opportunity in heavyweight title bout Friday
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