20.05.08 – By Peter Mark Heintzelman, Photos by Peter Mark Heintzelman: He’s back! And thank God its in my backyard, at the Twin River Event Center, in Lincoln, Rhode Island, this Friday night!
The future of the cruiserweight division, “Awesome” Aaron Williams (17-0-1, 12 KO’s) is on the fast train going up the food chain, and this time, its up against tough Colombian knock-out artist, Jose Luis “Pantera” Herrera (15-4, 15 KO’s). This is expected to be like two trains crashing at full speed, so get your seats on the track for this Friday night’s fights, sponsored by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports. The show, “Ring Warriors,” will be broadcast live on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights – – but there is nothing like seeing the fights live!
Aaron Williams took a few minutes out of his fight schedule, to answer a few questions for his fans at EastSideBoxing:
EastSideBoxing: How does it feel to be the main eventer for the first time?
Williams: It feels great, It’s my first of what should be many main events. This is a great opportunity for me to show everyone what the next big thing in the cruiser division is. I’m also proud to represent CES and the exciting and talented fighters in the CES stable.
EastSideBoxing: Why should your fans come out to watch you on Friday night, May 23rd?
Williams: Because they will get their money’s worth and then some! This is a great card with a former Olympian in Jason Estrada and “Hammerin” Hank Lundy is another young, exciting, undefeated boxer. I’m proud to be the headliner.
EastSideBoxing: What do you know about your opponent, Jose Luis Herrera (15-4, 0), and what do you expect from him during this fight?
Williams: I don’t know anything about him. My trainer, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, has seen tapes of him. I let Eddie analyze the tapes and he tells me what to work on in the gym.
EastSideBoxing: You seem to have found a home in New England. How do you like fighting under Jimmy Burchfield’s CES Banner?
Williams: I love fighting in New England, especially in Providence. The fans are great and they’re very knowledgeable. I ‘ve really enjoyed fighting under the CES banner for Jimmy Burchfield. This is the third time I’ve been on ESPN in the last year.
EastSideBoxing: What do you anticipate Herrera’s game plan to be to defeat you, and how to you intend to overcome his opposition?
Williams: I will come prepared. Boxing is my business and I train hard. I was back in the gym on the Monday after my last fight on ESPN. So, whatever Herrera brings, I will be able to counter and come out on top.
EastSideBoxing: Who are you sparring with, in anticipation of this bout, and where are you training?
Williams: I sparred with Derrick Harmon and a number of heavyweights at Top Rank. I’ve trained at Top Rank since I turned pro. I’ve been fortunate enough to be around some of the best fighters and trainers in boxing.
EastSideBoxing: Who will be working your corner at Twin River?
Williams: My trainer, the former light heavyweight champion of the world, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad. My managers Albert Falcon and Pat Doljanin will be assisting Eddie.
EastSideBoxing: What is your prediction as to the outcome of your fight this Friday night?
Williams: An “Awesome” fight!! I plan on showcasing my skills and abilities. I will give the fans at Twin River, and the national ESPN 2 audience, an exciting fight!
EastSideBoxing: Many fans in the boxing world, have heard of your aspirations to elevate to the heavyweight division to contend for the heavyweight title. Is that your aspiration, or isn‘t there a legacy for you to attain in the cruiserweight division?
Williams: I want to stay at cruiserweight and make my mark. When the time is right, I’ll move up to heavyweight.
EastSideBoxing: What is your prediction as to the outcome of your fight at Twin River Event Center Friday night?
Williams: I expect to win. I want everyone who sees me fight to walk away say, “Aaron Williams is AWESOME!”
EastSideBoxing: Aaron, you are definitely acquiring a fan base in New England. What do you want to say to your fan base in New England and around the world, as to what they can expect from Aaron Williams in the future?
Williams: Expect to see “Awesome” Aaron Williams in another exciting fight. I’ll keep working my way to a regional title and then the cruiserweight championship.
EastSideBoxing: Aaron, is there anything else you want to say to yours fans at EastSideBoxing.com?
Williams: Be sure to watch the fights at Twin River. If you can’t make it to the show, be sure to tune-in to ESPN 2. I’d like to thank Fritz and Matt at Everlast. Also, I want to thank you, Peter, and Eastsideboxing.com for taking the time to speak with me.
The Williams-Herrera fight itself is worth the price of admission, yet Burchfield has stacked the fight card with great fights from beginning to end. Providence heavyweight and 2004 U.S. Olympian, rising heavyweight prospect Jason “Big Six” Estrada (12-1, 2 KOs, fights Philadelphia KO artist Derek “The One Man Riot” Bryant (20-4-1, 17 KOs) in the 8-round co-feature. Unbeaten Philadelphian super lightweight “Hammerin” Hank Lundy (10-0-1, 6 KOs), is set to clash with undefeated Texas State champion Steve Almaraz (7-0, 4 KOs) , for six rounds, where “someone’s “O” has got to go.
Also on the undercard, light heavyweight “Irish” Joey McCreedy (7-2, 5 KOs) seeks revenge against “Hurricane” Henry Mayes (7-5-1, 4 KOs), who beat McCreedy in a close decision on April 4, in a 6-rounder. Unbeaten, crowd-pleasing super middleweight, Angel Camacho, Jr. (9-0, 4 KOs), 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 scheduled to fight opponents who are signing contracts as this article is being written.
“Ring Warriors” is being dedicated to all fallen veterans as well military troops serving the United States all over the world. Team CES members from the past and present – former 5-time world champion Vinny Paz, 3-time world champion Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt, world cruiserweight contender Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey, Manny Lopes, among others, will meet fans and sign autographs between 6-7 pm.
“Ring Warriors,” tickets 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 may be purchased by calling Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc., at 401-724-2253/2254, going on line at www.cesboxing.com, or www.twinriver.com, or Twin River Events Center at 877-82RIVER. All fights and fighters are subject to change. Twin River has waived its 18 year old plus rule, for Rumble at the River, but any one under 18 years of age must be accompanied at all times by and adult, and must enter through the West entrance. Twin River Events Center is located at 100 Twin River Road, in Lincoln, Rhode Island. Doors open at 6pm, and the first bell rings at 7pm.