PROVIDENCE (July 30, 2008) – Two of The Contender reality television series most popular fighters, “The Pride of Providence” Peter Manfredo, Jr. (Season One finalist) and Donny “The Savage” McCrary (Season Three participant), battle for the NABF Interim super middleweight title in the 12-round main event, headlining “August Annihilator” on Friday night, August 22 at Twin River Events Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island..
“August Annihilator,” part of the “Budweiser Night at the Fights” series, is promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), in association with Twin River, Budweiser, The Tournament of Contenders, and CN8, The Comcast Network.
The show will be taped live and air Saturday, August 23 at 7:30 PM/ET on CN8, The Comcast Network as well as Cox Sports Television.
“We put our fighters in with real fighters,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield said. “This is what boxing’s supposed to be all about. People don’t want to know the winners before the fights. Peter Manfredo, Jr. and these other guys are like fighters from old warrior days when they’d fight anybody.”
Manfredo (30-5, 15 KOs), rated No. 18 by the WBC, will be fighting at home against Missourian invader McCrady (24-7-2, 13 KOs).
Former USNBC and IBF Intercontinental super middleweight champion Joey “KO Kid” Spina (22-1-1, 15 KOs), also fighting out of Providence, takes on former IBC Americas heavyweight title-holder Jim “Steel Chin” Strohl (27-6, 21 KOs) in a six-round bout.
In a pair of six-round super middleweight matches, Rhode Island super middleweight Angel Camacho, Jr. (10-0, 4 KOs) puts his unbeaten record on the line against Brooklyn’s Ariel Espinal (6-3-2, 2 KOs), while Providence favorite Richard “Bobo The Bull” Starnino (9-4-1, 2 KOs) faces Lowell (MA) slugger “Irish” Joey McCreedy (8-2, 5 KOs).
Also on the undercard card is undefeated middleweight prospect Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez (7-0, 5 KOs), former two-time U.S. national amateur champion out of Worcester (MA), who meets Marcus “Team Savior” Upshaw (8-2, 3 KOs) in a six-round bout. Providence junior welterweight Jesus Caro (1-0, 1 KO) squares off against Larry Foster (0-3) in a four rounder.
Fighting opponents to be determined are the two newest members of Team CES, former world title challenger, featherweight Sandy “Lil’ Tyson” Tsagouris (7-1, 3 KOs), and Providence junior lightweight Omar Pena in his pro debut. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets for “August Annihilator” are priced at $40.00, $50.00, (Bronze), $75.00 (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), at the Players Club booth at Twin River, or any TicketMaster location.
Tickets are also on sale at Manfredo’s Gym in Pawtucket (RI), 401 Gym in Cranston (RI), Rivera Brother’s in Lynn (MA), Balletto’s Gym in providence, Big Six Academy in Providence, and Larry Army (508.407.5152).
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 “August Annihilator.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.)
Press Conference Quotes
Peter Manfredo, Jr.: “This is just another stepping stone. McCrary is a tough kid. He was one of my sparring partners when I was getting ready for Jeff Lacy. He’s tough but he doesn’t have the heart, skill and determination to be a world champion like me. I’m not looking past him, but he isn’t going to beat me August 22nd. Not on his best day or my worst. Everything happens for a reason, no excuses for my fight with Calzaghe. I had no control because the ref didn’t give me a shot to fight. After that I didn’t take fighting serious and it showed in the Lacy fight. I had him in the first three rounds and just blew it. I used to fight for money but now I’m fighting because I love it.”
Joey Spina: “I’m fighting a tough guy from Las Vegas who I’ve fought (sparred). He’s big, strong and has 21 knockouts as a heavyweight. I’m back to super middleweight. My last few fights I was heavier. I wasn’t serious but this fight I’m going to be the best I’ve ever been. Come August 22nd I will knockout this guy out; I guarantee. I’m No. 13 in the world (WBO) right now. This guy is going to stand in front of me and I’m going to do what I do…..knock him out!”
Angel Camacho, Jr.: “I’m very excited to be on this card with Peter, Joey and Bobo. I grew up watching them train and aspired to be like them. I train with my friend, Omar.”
“Bobo” Starnino: “August 22nd I’m going to fight like it’s for my life. I’m a gladiator who gives it all I got. He has the fight of his life. I get stronger as the fight goes on. I can’t wait.”
Joey McCreedy: “It’s a great card with Peter and Joey (on top). Bobo is an Italian, I’m Irish. Everyone knows what happened when they fight – toe-to-toe all the way. I hope you’re in shape, Bobo, because it’s going to be war. I do respect you. I’ll be punching from the first round until the end.”
Edwin Rodriguez: “I’m very excited to be on this card. I cant’ wait to be in the ring to put on the pain. There are a lot of middleweights in New England who are unbeaten that I’m better then. Like Angel Camacho. Maybe Jimmy can put that fight together.”
Jesus Caro: “Peter Manfredo, Sr. has been training me real good. I’m going to show everybody at the show what we’ve been doing. We’re going little by little and will work to go up in the ratings.”
Omar Pena: “Everyone in the street has been asking me when I’m going to make my pro debut. It’s finally going to happen August 22nd. I’ll definitely put on a good show.”
Tyrone Brunson Ready to Show More than Just Power
EDMONTON, AB – He’s been called “the most feared puncher since Iron Mike Tyson,” and on August 15th at The River Cree Resort and Casino, in Enoch, Alberta, Canadian fight fans get their first glimpse at the man who is making boxing history.
On March 29th of this year, Tyrone Brunson set a world record, notching his 19th straight first-round stoppage, and running his record to 19-0, with 19 KO’s, surpassing reigning WBA Junior Lightweight world champion Edwin Valero, who recorded 18 straight first round KO’s to start his career.
When Brunson steps through the ropes on August 15, he’ll have Antonio Soriano in his sights, but according to Brunson, the immediate goal isn’t first round KO number twenty.
“In my mind the streak is over,” Brunson said.
“What I’m worried about now is winning my fights, getting recognition as being an all- around fighter, getting ranked, and fighting for titles.”
And while Soriano (12-9-1, 9 KO’s) should provide Brunson with the sternest test of his burgeoning career, Brunson knows absolutely nothing about his foe, which, according to the Philadelphia-based KO king, is the way it should be.
“Why do I need to know anything about this guy? He needs to know about me, and what I’m capable of. He needs to know what I’m about. And what I’m about is knocking guys out.”
Headlined by unbeaten British middleweight, Commonwealth champion Darren Barker taking on former Canadian Middleweight champion Larry Sharpe, this stellar night of boxing action is brought to you by Hennessy Sports in association with The River Cree Resort and Casino, and can be seen live, in Canada, on Super Channel.
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE VIA TICKETMASTER BOX OFFICE: 780-451-8000, or book online WWW.TICKETMASTER.COM
Doors open at 6PM local time, first punch flies at 6:30.
While the 23 year-old Brunson welcomes the attention the KO streak has, what he’s yearning for is the respect afforded the sport’s young world champions like WBC Featherweight top-dog Jorge Linares, 22, and WBC Welterweight kingpin Andre Berto, 24.
“I see what other fighters have achieved, and I know what I’m capable of. I’m good friends with Andre Berto, and he’s a good fighter. But I know that if he could do it, I can definitely do it.”
“I know once I get that world title around my waist, people will know that I’m more than just raw power. They’ll see my speed, my boxing ability, my endurance, my power. They’ll see I’m a complete fighter.”
“This Event is sanctioned by the River Cree Combative Sports Commission”