PROVIDENCE (May 14, 2008) – Photo by P. Heintzelman / ESB – ESPN2 Friday Night Fights (ESPN2 FNF) returns May 23 to Rhode Island as unbeaten prospect “Awesome” Aaron Williams, the future of the cruiserweight division, headlines his first major show on “Ring Warriors,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), live from Twin River Events Center in Lincoln.
“Ring Warriors” features some of the hottest, most exciting prospects in the world – potential world champions such as Williams, 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada and Philadelphia’s exciting super lightweight “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy – along with a grudge match and some great young boxers..
Williams (17-0-1, 12 KOs), living in Las Vegas but making North Providence his second home, was last scene registering a sensational knockout of Andre Purlette (40-3) in the second round of their April 4 fight on the ESPN2 FNF show at Twin River. Williams, 22, takes on Columbian power puncher Jose Luis “Pantera” Herrera (15-4, 15 KOs), who has knocked out each of his 15 victims.
In an 8-round Special Heavyweight Attraction, Providence heavyweight Estrada (12-1, 2 KOs), coming off of an impressive 10-round decision against former NABO/NABA/WBC Continental Americas heavyweight champion Lance “Mount” Whitaker (32-5-1, 27 KOs) headlining the April 4 ESPN2 FNF show, faces Philadelphia knockout specialist Derek “The One Man Riot” Bryant (20-4-1, 17 KOs).
In the chief supporting bout on the stacked undercard, Lundy (10-0-1, 6 KOs) takes on Texas State champion Steve Almaraz (7-0, 4 KOs) in the battle of unbeatens in a six-round bout.
“The action promises to be explosive,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield said. “Fans better not leave their seats during any of these fights. Aaron Williams really is awesome. His devastating knockouts of opponents have been showcased on ESPN, not only on its Friday Night Fights shows, but over and over again on Sports Center. He is a future star; world champion in the making, and he’s made a lot of friends in his two fights at Twin River – incredible first and second knockouts of quality opponents. Aaron will fight anybody and Herrera has 15 knockouts in 15 wins. Jason has already started making noise in the heavyweight division, especially after beating a great fighter like Whitaker so convincingly, on his way to becoming world heavyweight champion someday. His opponent, Bryant, is a typically tough, heavy-handed, very dangerous Philadelphia fighter who has 17 knockouts to his credit.
“Lundy reminds me of a little Vinny Paz, who is one of Hank’s biggest fans. Hank keeps coming forward like Vinny. He’s a very exciting, charismatic young fighter. McCreedy has his Irish fans behind him for his grudge match against always-tough Mayes. Starnino is a very popular fighter in Rhode Island, Camacho can put his opponent’s lights out at any time with either hand, and Beauchamp has been electrifying in his fights. We’re thrilled to bring a great show like this to Twin River and to showcase CES talent again on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights.”
Also on the undercard in a 6-rounder is light heavyweight “Irish” Joey McCreedy (7-2, 5 KOs), who’ll be seeking revenge against “Hurricane” Henry Mayes (7-5-1, 4 KOs), who beat McCreedy in a close decision on April 4.
Unbeaten, crowd-pleasing Johnston (RI) super middleweight Angel Camacho, Jr. (9-0, 4 KOs), the Latino Captain of Team CES, Lynn (MA) flyweight Isander Beauchamp (5-0, 2 KOs), and Italian-American favorite, Providence middleweight Richard “Bobo The Bull” Starnino (8-3-1, 1 KO), are all scheduled to fight opponents to be determined. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets for “Ring Warriors” are priced at $25.00, $35.00, $50.00, (Bronze), $65.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and limited $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club) and are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going on line at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at the Twin River Event Center (100 Twin River Road, Lincoln, RI), or any TicketMaster location. Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Events Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.
(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “Ring Warriors.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.)