Pemberton-Sheika NABF title fight headlines Foxwoods card July 25th

19.06 - Press Release - PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The 12-round main event for the July 25th ESPN2 Friday Night Fights show, promoted by Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc., features powerful Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton (25-3-1, 21 KOs) against tough Omar Sheika (23-4, 16 KOs) for the vacant NABF super middleweight championship, it was announced today by CES president Jimmy Burchfield.

Pemberton, of New Bedford (MA), is the reigning International Boxing Union world super middleweight champion, as well as the former NABF, WBO NABO, EBA and New England titles holder. Sheika, of Paterson (NJ), rated No. 9 by the World Boxing Council, is a two-time world title challenger having lost to former WBC champ Eric Lucas (12DEC) and WBO title-holder Joe Calzaghe (TKO5).

“This fight is a promoter’s dream,” Burchfield said. “I worked feverishly to put this fight together and make it happen. It could very well be a Toney-Jirov or Gatti-Ward type of fight. Fans better get tickets early because this is going to be a sellout. They’re ready to go. Both really wanted this fight and the winner will be looking for a top 10 rating and a shot at one of the world champions. Neither leaves anything in the ring and everything’s on the line.”

Pemberton is a U.S. Army veteran; trained to fire stingers, Scott plans on throwing a few bombs at Sheika. He has won 14 of his last 16 fights (14-1-1, 12 KOs) with a controversial loss by stoppage to former world champ Charles Brewer the only blemish on his recent resume.

“Sheika’s a good fighter who has had two opportunities to fight for the title against guys I’ve wanted to get a shot at,” Pemberton noted. “I sparred with Sheika a few years ago and even if he hasn’t lost a step or two, I’m going to knock him out. If the ref lets us fight, we’re going to have a great fight, one of the top fights of the year.

“I’m not looking past Sheika, but I don’t care who I fight, as long as the money is good. I have all the confidence in the world in my promoter, Jimmy Burchfield. We’re working together toward a big money fight against (Antwon) Echols, Calzaghe, (Sven) Ottke, (Markus) Beyer, or even Brewer if he wants to go again. Power is my best attribute, but I’ve been trying to work off the jab - box rather than just go for the knockout.”

Tickets, on sale now, are priced at $65.00, $50.00 and $40.00. For ticket information call CES’ corporate office at 401.724.2253/401.724.2254, visit its Web site at www.cesboxing.com, or contact the Foxwoods box office at 800.200.2882.