28.07.04 – Lynn has a long, rich boxing history and August 6 the “Sweet Science” is heading outdoors to the new Fraser Field for “Clash for Cash: Under The Stars,” headlined by “Sucra” Ray Oliveira (46-9-2, 22 KOs) and Frankie “The Surgeon” Randall (59-15-1, 42 KOs) fighting for the vacant IBU world welterweight title.
Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. (CES), in association with Mohegan Sun and ENB Productions, is promoting “Clash For Cash: Under The Stars.” ENB is a group comprised of Eddie Andelman, sports talk radio show host at WWZN 1510 The Zone; Nick Lopardo, owner of the North Shore Spirit independent baseball team in Lynn; Bill Blumenreich, owner of the Comedy Connection.
Lynn’s best-known fighter is Jack Zeramby, who fought in the late tewenteis and early thirties, registering victories against former World featherweight champion Andre Routis, world welterweight challenger Sammy Fuller, and ex-European featherweight title-holder Maurice Holtzer.
Oliveira and three-time former world champion Randall will walk on the same field where Roy Campanella hit his first home run as a professional and Roger Clemens pitched his last shutout as a minor leaguer. Tony Conigliaro, Johnny Pesky, Dom DiMaggio and so many other great baseball players honed their skills over the years at Fraser Field. Now the home of the independent pro baseball team North Shore Spirit, Fraser Field has undergone extensive renovations and is one of the jewels of minor league baseball. “It’s fitting we bring outdoor boxing to Fraser Field,” LoPardo noted.
Oliveria’s 13-year pro career includes victories against former world champions Charles Murray (twice) and Vince Phillips, as well as present WBA junior welterweight title-holder “Vicious” Vivian Harris, and Ray has what they call “great whiskers,” having never been stopped as a pro or amateur and floored only three times.
“This (Fraser Field) looks like an old-time ball park and I’m like an old-time fighter with more than 50 fights,” Oliveira said. “This fight is very important to me; not only do I have to win, I have to win impressively to get a chance at one of the top fighters in the world. I’ll fight anybody from 147 to 160. I thought about retiring, but I never did, and I feel better than ever. I’m back with my old trainer, Libby Medeiros, and working hard every day in the gym. I’m like fine wine, better with age.
“I’ve never taken anybody lightly and I’m not with Randall. I know he’s a three-time former world champion. People have said he’s a knockout artist (42) and he is, but nobody’s ever knocked me out. I just want one more big shot. Look at my record, I’ve beaten world champions, and hold the record for most punches thrown in fights. I’m sick of hearing about Harris being a world champ and fighting on HBO. Who is the only man to beat him? Ray Oliveira! You’d think he’d want a rematch to avenge his only loss. I’m ready for him if he does. They say I’m old and don’t hit hard, but why won’t any of these world-class fighters get in the ring against me? The monster is back.”
The card, broadcast live on Boston’s Boxing Station — WWZN 1510 The Zone, will feature five New England title matches ranging from heavyweight – 1996 U.S. Olympic Team captain Lawrence Clay-Bey (20-2, 15 KOs) — to featherweight. A portion of the proceeds will go to The Joey Fund and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. In case of rain the show will be moved to the following evening at the same site.
New World Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Colonel Bob Sheridan will fly in from Las Vegas to handle the blow-by-blow announcing with legendary boxing writer Bert Sugar. Andelman’s daytime radio partner, Dave Jageler, will make his debut as a boxing blow-by-blow announcer and CN8’s Ed Berliner will also announce a few fights.
Participating celebrities include WBA heavyweight champ John “The Quietman” Ruiz and WBA welterweight title-holder “El Gallo” Jose Antonio Rivera; retired boxers Tony DeMarco, “Irish” Micky Ward and Joe DeNucci; ex-Red Sox stars Mo Vaughn and Rico Petrocelli; comedian Steve Sweeney and entrepreneur Joe O’Donnell.
Tickets are priced at $200.00 Platinum (limited to 120 seats), $150.00 Gold ringside (first row); $100.00 Silver ringside (second row); $75.00 Bronze reserved, $45.00 reserved box seats, $35.00 reserved grandstand, and $24.00 general admission (upper grandstand). To purchase tickets call CES’ corporate headquarters (401.724.2253/2254), WWZN 1510 The Zone (781.221.7878), North Shore Spirit (781.592.0007), Concourse Ticket Agency (617.247.1888), Hub Ticket (617.426.8340) or Friend Street Ticket (617.523.0040). Visit www.cesboxing.com for additional information about “Clash For Cash: Under The Stars.”