PROVIDENCE (July 20, 2005) – Professional boxing returns to Providence August 26, featuring three championship fights at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc (CES) president Jimmy Burchfield announced today..
“The Franchise is back for the second part of our boxing series,” Burchfield said. “We have some of the hardest hitters in boxing on this card. The fighters sitting here represent the future of boxing and their combined record is 55-4-1 with 30 big knockouts.”
The series will be broadcast on a tape-delayed basis on CN8, The Comcast Network, Cox Sports and other cable outlets.
CN8, The Comcast Network will air the Aug. 26 show SUNDAY, August 28 9:00-11:00 PM/ET. CN8’s Ed Berliner will provide blow-by-blow commentary for all of the six New England boxing shows. Former five-time world champion Vinny Paz is the color analyst. The CES package is part of CN8’s Primetime Fights series, a monthly show featuring New England and Mid-Atlantic boxing events broadcast into 7.1 million homes on the East Coast.
Newly crowned USNBC super middleweight champion Joey “KO Kid” Spina (16-0, 11 KOs), of Providence, makes his first title defense against TBA in the 12-round main event. Spina is rated No. 34 by the WBC, as well as No. 8 by the NABC and No. 12 by the NABO.
Unbeaten providence cruiserweight Matt Godfrey (8-0, 5 KOs), rated No. 13 by the NABF, faces Willie Herring (13-3-3, 2 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature for the vacant USNBC cruiserweight championship.
Former world champion Jaime “Hurricane” Clampitt (15-3-1, 6 KOs) takes on Shelby “Girl” Walker (7-4-1, 6 KOs) for the vacant IWBF lightweight crown in the 10-round special attraction.
Also scheduled to fight on the card is Providence heavyweight Jason “Big Six” Estrada (3-0, 1 KO), 2004 US Olympian, in his first six-round match; Manchester featherweight Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard (3-0, 2 KOs), two-time Everlast Under-19 National champion; Cranston super featherweight Missy “The Fury” Fiorentino (12-1, 6 KOs), Pawtucket via Puerto Rico super lightweight Eddie Soto (1-0, 1 KO).
Tickets, priced at $152 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club – LIMITED); $102 (Gold Ringside), $52 (reserved ringside) and $32 (general admission/reserved), are on sale now. Group sale discounts and half-priced tickets for children under 10 are also available. To purchase tickets call CES’ corporate headquarters at 401.724.2253/2254. For additional information go on line to www.cesboxing.com. Doors open at 6 PM with the first bout slated for 7 PM.
Fighters Quotes
Joey Spina – “Jimmy Burchfield is getting me world-class opponents. I’m getting me closer to where I want to go and it’s with CES and Jimmy. It’s going to be a helluva show. There’s nothing better than fighting in my hometown. I’ll fight whoever; I won’t backdown…..let’s go.”
Matt Godfrey – “A little over a year go, before my first pro fight, Jimmy’s pitch was he’d make me into a world champion. Lat week, he asked me if I wanted to fight for a title. I jumped at the opportunity. I just beat a guy (Jemall Barnes) who was the former NABO champion with 25 fights. I said yeah to this before I knew who the opponent was. I see my self-progressing every fight. Everyone saw me fight eight rounds in my last fight. This time it’s a 10-round fight, but it won’t go the distance. It’s going to be an early night.”
Jason Estrada – “Me losing in the Olympics was the best loss I’ve taken in my life because it built me from a young kid into a man. It made me stronger. Any heavyweight they put in front of me, I’m spanking. My skills are better than any of those guys. I just have to work my way up to 12 rounds.”
Jaime Clampitt – Two weeks ago Jimmy (Burchfield) called me into his office for one of his famous meetings. He asked me why I want to be a world champion again and what I was willing to do to get there. I’m able to change and adapt, in training and life. I’m a smarter fighter than I was a year ago; (Jane) Couch and (Eliza) Olson, I have no regrets because I learned. After I’m done with Shelby ‘Girl’ Walker, she won’t be doing much modeling. I’m not a trash talker, but I guarantee I’ll win this fight and bring the belt back to Providence.”
Missy Fiorentino – “I’m looking forward to fighting at home in Providence again with all my friends and family there supporting me. Since I started training with Peter (Manfredo, Sr.) I’ve improved every fight. I’m taking another step towards a world title fight. I’m going to be on a great card.”
Eddie Soto – “On the August 26 card I’ll do what I did a few weeks ago. I’m continuing to work hard.”