27.09.04 – One of the most promising prospects in boxing, unbeaten cruiserweight Matt Godfrey (4-0, 2 KOs), plans on making a loud statement October 1 in “Bayside Brawl” at the Bayside Expo Center in South Boston. Former world title contender “Sucra” Ray Oliveira (46-9-2, 22 KOs) and Hicklet Lau (19-11-2, 9 KOs), fighting in the 12-round main event for the vacant International Boxing Union World welterweight title, headline “Bayside Brawl,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. (CES), in association with Mohegan Sun and New England Ringside. CES has signed an exclusive deal to promote boxing shows at the Bayside Expo Center.
“We believe Matt Godfrey has all of the tools to be a world champion someday,” Burchfield said. “Most of his amateur fights were in Massachusetts and Matt has a large following all over New England. If all goes well Oct. 1, he’ll be in his first six-rounder October 29 at Foxwoods. He’s going to start cleaning-up New England’s cruiserweight division and be champion by the end of next year.”
Godfrey, born and raised in Providence, is matched Oct. 1 against Andrew “Came To Fight” Hutchinson, of New York City. Last year, Godfrey was the silver medal winning heavyweight in the four major United States amateur championships – National Golden Gloves, PAL (Police Athletic League), U.S. Championships and U.S. Challenge. The 23-year-old’s amateur career started 11 years ago and he amassed an outstanding 194-23 record, including four National titles in the open division and two in the Junior Olympics, before turning pro months ago. Matt captured a bronze medal as a 178-pounder in the 2001 Pan-American Games and was second alternate for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team.
“I want to stay busy,” the former six-time New England Golden Gloves winner discussed his short and long ranged plans. “I’d like to get 10 quick wins and be fighting in my first 10-round co-feature by next spring or summer. In the long run I want to be a USBA or NABF champion in two to three years and win a major world title in 2007-2008. Eventually I’ll be fighting as a 225-pound heavyweight, still able to take advantage of my hand and foot quickness.”
NABF No. 2 rated Oliveira, former IBU world welterweight champion and two-time ex-NABF super lightweight champion, fights out of New Bedford (MA). He holds the only win against WBA junior light welterweight champion “Vicious” Vivian Harris, as well as victories against former world title-holders Charles Murray (twice) and Vince Phillips.
Cuban-born Lau, now fighting out of Miami, has fought the likes of top-ranked junior welterweights and welterweights Kermit Cintron, Cosme Rivera, Rafael Ruelas, Ben Tackie and Daniel Attah.
Narragansett’s (RI) former world light welterweight champion Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt (13-3, 5 KOs), coming off one of the best female fights of all-time against Jane Couch, is fighting WIBF No. 8 rated “Tiger Lady” Brenda Bell Drexel, of Texas, in a six-rounder.
Two South Boston fighters in six-round matches are super welterweight Martin “The Irish Assassin” Thornton (8-1-1, 3 KOs), originally from Galway, Ireland versus Khalif Shabazz, of Bellows Falls (VT), and Massachusetts light welterweight title-holder “Cocky” Kevin Watts (18-6, 7 KOs).
Also scheduled on the undercard is unbeaten Peabody light heavyweight Wayne “Lights Out” Johnsen (4-0, 3 KOs) against Jerald Lowe, of Atlanta; South Boston super middleweight Joe “Sugar” Rea (1-0, 1 KO, 1 NC), originally from Northern Ireland and Philadelphia welterweight Phillip McCants (0-0-1) in separate bouts vs. TBA. (All bouts and fighters are subject to change.)
The Bayside Expo Center is located in South Boston, off I-93, close to the University of Massachusetts at Boston. Go to www.baysideexpo.com for more information.
Tickets, on sale now, are $125.00 Jimmy’s Platinum Club (limited), $100.00 VIP Ringside (limited), $50.00 Reserved, and $25.00 General Admission. To order or for more information call CES’ corporate office at 401.724.2253/2254 or visit its web site at www.cesboxing.com. Tickets are also available at TicketMaster (www.ticketmaster.com/617.931.2000) and Dave O’Leary’s Barber Shop (298 Grove St., Braintree – 781.843.9865).