PAWTUCKET, Rhode Island (May 13, 2008) – Youth takes center stage Saturday night (May 17) in “Diamonds in the Rough,” presented by Peter Manfredo, Sr. in association with Let’s Get It On Promotions, at Freeport (I.B.E.W.) Hall in Dorchester, Massachusetts..
“We’re putting on a show with quality entertainment,” Manfredo said. “You’re going to see some young bucks fighting as they gain experience on their way to the next level. It’s not going to be easy for them, though.”
Manfredo also announced that his son, Peter Manfredo, Jr., and Jessie Brinkley will make special appearances at “Diamonds in the Rough” to meet and great fans. They are both trained by Manfredo, Sr. and were stars of the original season of The Contender television reality series.
Some of those young bucks Manfredo referred to are Worcester (MA) middleweight prospect Edwin Rodriguez, middleweight Derek Hinkey and his brother, heavyweight Tyler Hinkey, plus middleweight Mark “The Italian Bazooka” DeLuca.
The Dominican Republic-born Rodriguez (5-0, 3 KOs), winner of the 2006 National Golden Gloves Championships and 2005 United States Championships, faces LuisHodge (5-6-1, 3 KOs) in the 6-round co-main event.
In the other 6-round co-main event, Native American and former U.S. Olympic trials participant Derek Hinkey (4-1, 4 KOs), fighting out of McDermitt, Nevada, takes on Anthony Cannon (4-8, 1 KO).
A 6-round featherweight bout matches-up Guatamala-born Castulo Gonzalez (9-5, 3 KOs), fighting out of Lynn (MA), against Florida tough guy Robert “Don’t Lose” DaLuz (10-11-2, 9 KOs).
In a pair of 4-round bouts, DeLuca (3-0, 2 KOs), 2004 National Silver Gloves champion, meets veteran Anthony “Blood” Osbourne (7-26-1, 2 KOs), while Tyler Hinkey (2-0-1, 2 KOs) squares off against Mike Miller (3-10-2, 3 KOs).
Also scheduled to fight on the undercard in his pro debut is Providence junior welterweight Jesus Caro, New England Golden Gloves champion; Pawtucket featherweight Jose Sanchez (2-0, 1 KO) versus Harvey Phillips (0-4); Brockton (MA) welterweight Alexandria Madgziak fights Tamika Balmer in pro debuts for both. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $40.00 (general admission), $55.00 (reserved), $75.00 (ringside) and $100.00 (Golden Ringside), are on sale at Freeport Hall and Manfredo’s Gym. Call 401.723.1359 for additional information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.