The Battle II on ESPN2 Jan. 23

10.12.03 – The much-anticipated rematch between IBU World and NABF super middleweight champion Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton (26-3-1, 21 KOs) and three-time world title challenger Omar Sheika (23-5-, 16 KOs) will headline “The Battle II,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc., January 23 live on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Pemberton-Sheika is one of three championship matches on the card. Unbeaten junior middleweights “The Pride of Providence” Peter Manfredo, Jr. (19-0, 9 KOs) and Sherwin Davis (17-0, 11 KOs) square-off for the vacant NABO title, while red-hot Angel “Gee Roc” Torres (14-2, 5 KOs) versus TBA for the vacant IBU World featherweight crown.

“We are truly excited to start the new year off with a card of this quality,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield said. “Pemberton-Sheika I was a 2003 Fight of the Year candidate and everybody’s been waiting for this rematch. We really wanted the Olympian, Dante Craig, for Peter Manfredo, Jr., but for 2 ½ weeks Craig’s people gave us every excuse in the book. They’re afraid to fight Peter, so, we went out and got a tougher fighter, 17-0 Sherwin Davis, who knocked out Craig. Angel Torres was the 2002 Most Improved Fighter in New England. He’s one of our best young prospects and this will be his first title fight.

“We’re going to have three championship matches on ‘The Battle 2,’ that’s what CES is all about, putting quality fights together. We all excited to be back at beautiful Foxwoods and would like to thank all of our friends there and at ESPN2 for giving us this tremendous opportunity.”

Pemberton, of New Bedford (MA), will put his NABF and IBU belts on the line against Sheika, fighting out of New Jersey (Paterson), in their 12-round main event. They fought July 25 at Foxwoods and Pemberton, now rated No. 12 by the WBC, won a 12-round majority decision (114-113, 114-113, 111-116).

Former IBU World and EBA champion Manfredo, of Providence, recently rejoined CES and now he’ll square-off against NABO NO. 7 ranked Davis, of Indianapolis (IN), in the 12-round co-feature for the vacant NABO crown.

Torres, rated No. 8 by the NABA and No. 15 by the NABF, has won 10 in a row since losing more than 1 ½ years ago. Torres, of Puerto Rican decent, lives in Manchester CT

In another rematch, Providence super welterweight Bobo “The Bull” Starnino (6-1, 1 KO) hopes to rebound from his October 31st controversial fourth-round TKO loss to Martin “The Irish Assassin” Thornton (6-1, 3 KOs), of South Boston (MA) (via Galway, Ireland). Their four-round fight is one of four scheduled on the undercard. Providence (via the Dominican Republic) lightweight Christian Cabreras (0-1) faces William Foster (1-2-1, 1 KO), of Hartford (CT) in a four-round bout. Also slated to fight against TBA are unbeaten Providence light heavyweight Joey “The KO Kid” Spina (10-0, 7 KOs) in a six-rounder and light heavyweight Wayne “Lights Out” Johnsen (1-0), of Peabody (MA) against TBA in a four-rounder.

All matches and fighters are subject to change. Tickets are priced at $75.00, $55.00 and $45.00. 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.