28.12 - PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island - Good boxers eventually find themselves in a crossroads fight, in which, victory usually means the difference between a shot at becoming a leading contender again and spending the remainder of their career as merely a "name" opponent.

Normally, though, it's only one fighter at the crossroads. On the January 11th "Winter Warriors" card, promoted by Jimmy Burchfield's Classic Entertainment & Sports, both of the 12-round main event participants, "Sucra" Ray Oliveira (43-8-2, 20 KOs) and "14-Karat" Golden Johnson (22-7-2, 16 KOs), will be in this critical situation as they battle for the vacant IBU World Welterweight Championship.

The 8-bout show at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence also features Providence lightweight Gary "The Tiger" Balletto (25-1-2, 22 KOs), who is coming back from his only pro loss, against former world title challenger, Wilson "Topadora Galli (31-8, 13 KOs), of Uruguay, in an 10-round co-main event, as well as Providence super lightweight "Steamin'" Josh Beeman, 2000 Easterm Olympic Trials gold medallist, making his long anticipated pro debut in a 4-round special attraction.

Oliveira, of New Bedford (MA), is now 34 years old and fighting in his second welterweight fight, after 12 years as one of the top junior welterweights in the world. He has won fights against former IBF light welterweight champions Vince Phillips and Charles Murray (twice), as well as present WBA & IBA light welterweight title-holder Vivian Harris. Oliveira is 13-1-2 the last five years since his 12-round loss to 2002 Fighter of the Year, Vernon Forrest, and Ray would like nothing better than to be positioned for a title fight against the Forrest-Richard Mayorga unification bout winner, or IBF champ Michele Piccirillo

Johnson, fighting out of San Antonio (TX), is the cousin of former IBF light heavyweight and WBA middleweight champ, Reggie Johnson. Golden, 28, is a former 3-time NABF champion with a string of victories against No. 1-rated lightweight Juan Lazcano, James Crayton, Terry Reid, Bobby Reid and Chantel Stancial.

The undercard is loaded with New England featherweight prospects Angel Torres (9-2, 3 KOs), of Manchester (CT) and Jose Ayala (6-2, 1 KO), of Lowell (MA), in a six-rounder; middleweight Bobo Starnino (1-0), of Providence, versus Hudson (MA) veteran Manny "Cheeks" Teo, and light heavyweight Joe "KO Kid" Spina (6-0, 4 KOs), of Providence, against William Bailey, of Norfolk, Virginia, in a pair 4-round matches.

In women's action, No. 8 world rated super lightweight Missy "The Fury" Fiorentino (5-0, 4 KOs), of Providence (RI), squares-off against No. 6 ranked "Tiger Lady" Brenda Bell Drexelk, of Austin (TX), in a 4-round bout. Two-time National amateur champion, popular Narragansett (RI) super lightweight Jaime Clampitt (8-2, 2 KOs), rated as high as No. 3 in the world, is also slated to be on the Jan. 11 card.

All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets for "Winter Warriors" are priced at $51.50, $31.50 and $16.50. Call CES to order tickets or for more information at 401.724.2253. Tickets are also available at the Dunkin' Donuts Center (401.331.2211) or all TicketMaster outlets.