CES champs visit injured girl in RI Hospital

Paz & Pemberton support car accident victim Nicole Antil

12.04 - PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Five-time former world boxing champion, Vinny Paz, and newly crowned IBU super middleweight title-holder, Scott "The Sandman" Pemberton, proved once again today that they are winners in and out of the ring by showing their support of severely injured Nicole Antil at the Rhode Island Hospital.

Nineteen-year-old Nicole, of Fairhaven (MA), was involved in a car accident last Friday. She suffered several severe injuries, including a broken neck and bruised spinal cord, and doctors told her she would never walk again.

Paz suffered a similar injury in 1991. Not only was he told he'd never box again, doctors said he's never walk. A year later, however, Vinny was back in the ring and he's won three world titles since his recovery. Pemberton called his and Paz' promoter, Jimmy Burchfield (president of Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc.), asking if Vinny would consider visiting his friend, Nicole.

"I know Nicole," Scott said. "Her uncle, Bob, is my best friend and her father, Joey, is a good friend. She's beautiful, 5-10 with a runway model build. We'd joke around when I saw her. Nicole is a good person with a tough attitude. I felt bad when I heard what happened to her. I have a daughter. She's only 16 months old, but even when she's 19, she's going to be my baby. I'd be devastated if something like this happened to her. I felt so bad for Joey. I can't do anything to help her other than give her my support. I knew Vinny cameback from a broken neck, so I asked him and Jimmy if they'd go with me to visit her in the hospital. It's sad. But Nicole's very optimistic and she says she will walk again."

Pemberton and Paz, according to Burchfield, visibly lifted Nicole's spirits with their visit. "We walked in her room and she broke into a big smile," Jimmy noted. "Seeing the seriousness of her injury and knowing what Vinny went through, Scott thought that a visit from Vinny would really help and seeing him gave her more encouragement. Like Nicole, they told Vinny he wouldn't walk again. She's a battler, though. Scott and Vinny are part of CES' team and supporting Nicole like this is only one reason why they are true champions. Our thoughts and prayers are with Nicole."

Get well cards may be sent to Nicole Antil, C/O Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy St., Providence, RI 02903. Messages may also be sent to Nicole through Classic Entertainment & Sports' Web site at www.cesboxing.com.