Balletto-Vargas headlines ESPN2 boxing show
Halloween Homecoming, Oct. 31 at R.I. Convention Center in Providence

26.09 - PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island - International Boxing Union World lightweight champion Gary "Tiger" Balletto will make his nationally televised main event debut October 31 at home in "Halloween Homecoming," against former world champion Goyo Vargas, on ESPN 2 Friday Night Fights at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, it was announced at today's press conference by promoter Jimmy Burchfield, president of Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc.

CES is presenting "Halloween Homecoming," in association with Mohegan Sun, 94 WHJY, Westin Hotel and Gansett Juice.

Providence-native Balletto (28-1-2 (25 KOs), 28, defends his IBU title in a 12-round match against Vargas (43-7-1, 30 KOs), the former World Boxing Council super featherweight champion.

"I'm fighting my first nationally televised main event in my hometown," an emotional Balletto said at the press conference. "What's better than that? We've talked about this for a long time and now it's going to happen Oct. 31."

Vargas has lost once in the past six years - 12-round decision to Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in their 2000 WBC super featherweight title bout - and been stopped only once in 51 pro fights. The tough Mexican challenger has defeated world-class contenders such as Ben Tackie and Tracy Harris Patterson.

"Goyo Vargas is a great fighter," Balletto noted. "He's ranked No. 16 (WBC) in the world, the highest rated fighter I've ever fought. If you look at him and me on paper, he's supposed to win this fight because of whom he's been in with and who he's beaten. Vargas has definitely faced better opposition and beaten better fighters than me, but I'm going to try and beat the odds. He's a very, very worthy opponent and this is a great opportunity for me on national television."

Balletto has won four straight fights since suffering his only loss to Michael Clark in 2002. The IBU champ knocked out former world champ Juan Polo Perez (45-29-4) in two rounds, Johnny Walker (18-6) in one, and IBC America's light welterweight title-holder Frank Houghtaling (17-8-5) in four. His last fight was a 10-round unanimous decision against Luis Lizarraga (31-27-4) in July.

"Gary Balletto is the most exciting and hardest hitting lightweight in the world," his promoter, Burchfield added. "Vargas is a world-class fighter and unquestionably the toughest opponent 'Tiger' has ever fought. He's not coming here to lose. I've worked tremendously hard with Gary, who is most deserving of his first main event on national television, after his back-to-back impressive performances in ESPN2 co-features.

"We both dreamed this plan way back: Gary fighting his first main event on national television in his hometown. The R.I. Convention Center is a great venue. I've done two fight shows there and we thrilled to be going back. Fans are going to love this entire card, too. 'Halloween Homecoming' is going to be great for the City of Providence, as well as the State of Rhode Island."

"Tiger" is rated No. 2 by the NABF, as well as No. 8 by the NAB0, No. 9 NABA, No. 10 USBA and No. 16 USBO.

"I've fought in a main event in Providence," Balletto remarked, "but this will be my first time fighting in a nationally televised main event in my hometown. I get an extra charge out of fighting in Providence. More of my fans will be at this fight. I'm very excited about this opportunity. Fighting a main event in Providence on national television has been a long time coming. This is a big fight for me."

CES is negotiating a WBC Youth Championship match for "Bad" Chad Dawson (13-0, 9 KOs), of New Haven (CT), for the 10-round co-feature.

In a special 10-round special attraction, Jaime "Hurricane" Clampitt (11-2, 4 KOs), of Narragansett (RI), squares off against Michelle "Amazing Grace" Linden (6-3, 6 KOs), of West Palm Beach (FL), for the vacant International Women's Boxing Federation light welterweight title. Clampitt, the reigning Women's Eastern Boxing Association champion, is ranked No. 4 in the IWBF, while Linden is the organization's No. 3 contender.

Hot featherweight prospect Angel "Gee Roc" Torres (13-2, 5 KOs), fighting out of Manchester (NH), will face (no relations) Angelo Torres (7-6-1, 3 KOs), of Lakewood (WA), in a six-rounder.

Also scheduled on the card is unbeaten featherweight Missy "The Fury" Fiorentino, of Cranston (RI). She is rated No. 7 by the IWBF and No. 9 by the WIBA. She is slated for a six-rounder against TBA.

Providence's undefeated middleweight Bobo "The Bull" Starnino (6-0, 1 KO) faces Martin "The Irish Assassin" Thornton (5-1, 1 KO), of South Boston (MA), in a four-round match. Providence (via Dominican Republic) lightweight Christian Cabrera (0-1) makes his CES debut in four-round bout against William Foster (1-2-1, 1 KO), of Hartford (CT), while middleweight Joe Gardner (3-0-1, 1 KO), of Bellingham (MA), is scheduled to fight in a four-round match against TBA.

Tickets are priced at $100.00 VIP, $75.00 ringside and $50.00 reserved. For more information or to order tickets call CES corporate headquarters at 401.724.2253/2254 or visit its Web site at www.cesboxing.com.