06.01.04 – The much-anticipated rematch of ESPN’s 2003 Fight of the Year, IBU World and NABF super middleweight champion Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton (26-3-1, 21 KOs) against three-time world title challenger Omar Sheika (23-5-, 16 KOs), headlines “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.
The 12-round co-feature pits a pair of unbeaten junior middleweights, “The Pride of Providence” Peter Manfredo, Jr. (19-0, 9 KOs) and Sherwin Davis (17-0, 11 KOs), for the vacant NABO title.
“Boxing fans have been anxiously waiting for the Pemberton-Sheika rematch and it’s a great way for CES to kick-off the 2004 season,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield said. “Pemberton-Sheika I was ESPN’s 2003 Fight of the Year and we expect their rematch to be equally exciting, probably an early candidate for 2004 Fight of the Year.
“We really wanted former U.S. Olympian, Dante Craig, for Peter Manfredo, Jr., but his people turned down the fight and now Peter has an even tougher opponent, 17-0 Sherwin Davis. Davis is a dangerous fighter; he knocked out Craig, stands six-feet tall, and is really cut. He kind of reminds me of a young Tommy Hearns.”
Pemberton, of New Bedford (MA), will put his NABF and IBU belts on the line against Sheika, fighting out of New Jersey (Paterson), who has been training in Florida under the guidance of 2002 Trainer of the Year, Buddy McGirt, for the 12-round main event. U.S. Army veteran Pemberton and Sheika, who has never been floored, fought July 25 at Foxwoods and Scott, now rated No. 12 by the World Boxing Council, won a 12-round majority decision (114-113, 114-113, 111-116).
Former IBU World and EBA champion Manfredo, of Providence, rated No. 6 by the NABO, squares-off against NABO No. 7 ranked Davis, of Indianapolis (IN).
Light heavyweight Wayne “Lights Out” Johnsen (1-0), fighting out of Peabody (MA), will make his CES debut in a four round bout against Niim Blackgod (0-0), of New York City.