HARTFORD (May 29, 2008) — WBC World Youth featherweight champion Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard makes his first title defense on June 13, practically in his backyard at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, against Mexican challenger Jose Magallon in the 10-round main event headlining “Connecticut Conquest..”
“Connecticut Conquest,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc., will be taped live and air Wednesday, June 11 at 8 PM/ET on CN8,The Comcast Network, as well as Friday, June 20 at 8 PM/ET on Cox Sports Television.
“Every place we go claims to be the boxing capital of the past,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield remarked. “We’re giving each city a chance to show that it is the boxing capital of the future, starting with Hartford, Connecticut. The Connecticut Convention Center is doing everything possible in partnership with CES to bring world class boxing back to Hartford.”
Remillard (13-0, 7 KOs), fighting out of nearby Manchester, won the WBC World Youth crown last January via an impressive 10-round decision against Manuel Perez (11-3), after Matt was sidelined for nearly 16-months due to a wrist injury that twice required surgery.
“It feels great to be fighting at home,” Remillard said. “Most fighters don’t get an opportunity to fight in their hometown and I’m privileged to have my first title defense at home. It makes me work even harder in the gym, knowing I’ll be fighting in front of my family and friends. There’s pressure in every fight, especially when you’re unbeaten. I guess it depends on how you deal with pressure. It’s either a negative or positive and I feel that it’s a positive. Nobody can help a fighter in the ring, but there is a hometown advantage hearing your fans root for you. I hope all my fans will be there June 13th.
“I’m not feeling any pain in my hand. I don’t hold back. If I land a punch and it hurts a little I’ll just shake it off and keep going. My hand feels better with the nicer weather. I’d never broken a bone before, but cold and rain bothers the bone. I know my opponent is a tough Mexican fighting out of Las Vegas. He comes to fight and loves to bang. He won’t take a step backwards, like me, and that’s going to make for a great fight.”
Remillard, despite losing 16-months because of his injury, still believes he’s being moved at the right pace. “I’m only 21 and turn 22 the day of the weigh in,” he noted. “I’m already 13-0, so I don’t worry about how fast I’m being moved. I’m in the right place at the right time.”
Undefeated Connecticut heavyweight Tony “TNT” Grano (13-0-1, 11 KOs), 2005 U.S. Nationals champion and arguably the most popular fighter in New England, faces an opponent to be determined in the 8-round co-feature.
New Bedford (MA) police officer Jason Pires (20-3, 9 KOs), former USBA super bantamweight title-holder, returns to the ring after a five-year absence, in which, he graduated from college (UMass/Dartmouth) and became a New Bedford police officer. He’s in a special 6-round junior welterweight bout vs. TBA.
Others scheduled to fight June 13 include Hartford favorite, junior welterweight and prison guard Addy Irizarry (4-2, 2 KOs), coming off a very close loss by decision in Germany, vs. Janae Archuleta (5-14-1, 2 KOs); undefeated, top super middleweight prospect Brian Macy (3-0, 1 KO), of Ledyard (CT), the 2000 National PAL amateur champion and University of Connecticut graduate vs. Roger Locklear (0-2); Hartford super middleweight Tylon Burris (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Richmond “The White Tornado” Dalphone (0-3-2)..
Tickets are on sale and priced at $35.00 (VIP Bronze), $55.00 (VIP Silver), $80.00 (VIP Gold), $100.00 (Diamond) and $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club VIP). To purchase tickets go to or call CES (401.724.2253/2254), Connecticut Convention Center (860.249.000), Manchester PAL (860.645.6261), Willy’s Gym (860.614.2281), Connecticut Restorations (860.528.6800), Strikezone Gym (860.444.2845), L.A. Boxing Gym (860.221.5987) and 401 Boxing (401.261.9800).
For more information call CES (401.724.2253/2254), the Connecticut Convention Center (860.249.6000), or go on line at www.cesboxing.com. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout 7 PM/ET.