22.01.04 – Peter Manfredo-Sherwin Davis is the 12-round co-feature on “The Battle II,” headlined by the anxiously awaited 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), live on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights at Foxwoods Resort Casino.
SCOTT PEMBERTON (26-3-1, 21 KOs, WBC #10)
“I prepared the best I could and I’m ready for Friday night. Like Omar, I’m disappointed that HBO or Showtime didn’t pick-up our rematch. I’ll fight Omar 10 times if the money gets better and better.”
OMAR SHEIKA (23-5, 16 KOs)
“A lot of fights on TV you change the channel because it’s so boring. Our first fight was thrilling. I felt I won, that I pulled it out. Friday night I’m brining my A game. I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in. This is going to be Omar in the ring. I made it hard the first time, making mistakes, but I’ll make it easier this time. It’s going to be a thrilling fight, one that will be remembered as even better than our first.”
Peter Manfredo, Jr. (19-0, 9 KOs)
“I know he can fight. This is definitely going to be a good fight at Foxwoods. He’s big and strong, I’m fast and pretty. I saw him knockout Dante (Craig, 2000 US OLympian) and know he can fight.”
Sherwin Davis (17-0, 11 KOs)
“I’m very exited to be here. It’s a very big moment for me. I’ve never met Peter Manfredo, but I’ve heard a lot about him. We hope to give the crowd a fine night of boxing.”
Jimmy Burchfield (Promoter, CES)
“The Pemberton-Sheika fight is what boxing is all about: two warriors that don’t talk baloney. They get in the ring and fight their hearts out. Should this fight be on HBO or Showtime? Damn right! Should both be making more money? Damn right. It’s not Foxwoods fault. I don’t know who they (HBO and Showtime officials) are watching. Every once in a while two fighters come along with styles that make great fights like this. I wish we had this fight in the bingo hall ((Foxwood’s Fox Theatre seats about 1400 while the bingo hall seasts 4,000-plus). I had calls this morning along for 287 tickets, but this fight has been completely sold out for three weeks. This is onw of the best fight cards anywhere and ratings are going to be the highest. I’m proud of the way the Pemberton and Sheika camps worked so hard to make this fight happen. Both had opportunities to take other fights.
“Manfredo-Davis has two undefeated fighters — 19-0 and 17-0 — and you don’t see that very often in boxing. I compliment both teams for working hard to put this together. This is an unbelievable co-feature that could be a main event anywhere else.