by Peter Mark Heintzelman, Photos by Peter Mark Heintzelman – Winter warms up quickly on February 6th, as Providence Rhode Islandʼs sensation, Joey “KO Kid” Spina chases his twenty-fourth win against stiff opposition from Steve “The Spoiler” Walker, of Missouri for eight rounds at super middleweight. Jimmy Burchfieldʼs Classic Entertainment and Sports presents “February Frenzy,” at the Twin River Event Center, in Lincoln, Rhode Island..
Twin River has become a Mecca of the Northeast for professional boxing, pitting opponents, just like the “old daysʼ when nobody backed down from anybody.” And, February 6th at Twin River will display ten – count ʽem – ten big fights from top to bottom, assuring fight fans of an exciting night and their dollarsʼ worth in the dead of New England winter.
Headlining the card is no other than 31 year old Joey Spina, (23-1-1, 16 KOʼs), whoʼs four bout winning streak has rocketed him to the rank of 14 by the WBO. With 64 % of his bouts ending in favorable knock outs, he has earned the fight name “KO Kid” along with the heart of sizable contingency of fans who pack the house for his fights.
Spinaʼs 32 year old opponent, Steve Walker, has been fighting since 1996, logging almost twice the number of fightst than has Spina, and Walker has a pedigree of opponents and big time fights, including a IBF middleweight title fight against “King Arthur” Abraham, of Germany, and David “Strictly Business” Medina, for the WBC USNBC middleweight titles. Heʼs earned the title of “The Spoiler,” and Spina could have his hands full against the Hannibal, Missouri favorite son.
The co-feature of the night is a rematch of one of the best fights of 2008 in the Northeast, between southpaw Italian, Bobo “The Bull” Starnino (9-4-2, 2 KOʼs), and Irish Joey McCreedy (9-2-1, 5 KOʼs). They fight for a scheduled eight rounds, for the vacant Eastern Boxing Association (EBA) super middleweight title.”Weʼʼre going to have a great fight February 6th. Iʼʼm in great shape, almost at weight. Iʼʼm ready to go to war. I respect Bobo. Once we step through the ropes, respect goes out the window. I guarantee that this will be the fight of 2009,” stated McCreedy
Starnino, now 36 years of age, defies Father Time, as he has shown marked improvement and tenacity in his 2008 fights, including the controversial draw with McCreedy, at Twin River this August past, and a more controversial majority decision loss to Brian Macy in June of 2008.
Undefeated cruiserweight Adam “The Hitman” Harris (10-0, 7 KOs), of Worcester (MA), makes his CES debut in a 6-round battle against Philadelphia boxer David Williams (5-2-1, 2 KOs). “I havenʼt fought since November of 2007 at the Blue Horizon,” said Harris in his Worcester hometown at the CES Presser on Monday of this week. ” Iʼʼm here to make a statement on February 6th. My brother Bobbymis in my corner as my second for the first time. Iʼʼm going to fulfill the steps he once walked and bring the cruiserweight title to Worcester.” Bobby Harris, is being inducted into the CES Boxing Ring of Honor this first evening that “The Hitman” enters the ring with the CES patch on his trunks.
In a 6-round bout for the vacant EBA New England lightweight crown, unbeaten Pawtucket fighter Eddie “The Puerto Rican Sensation” Soto (10-0, 4 KOs) meets another Lowell native, Sean Eklund (6-2, 1 KO). “This is a great opportunity for me. Eddie must be doing something right, heʼs 10-0. Iʼm coming into this fight in great shape,” stated Eklund, who will have Micky Ward working his corner at Twin River.
Also on the undercard in 4-round bouts are U. of Connecticut graduate Brian Macy (5-0, 2 KOs) vs. Brockton (MA) super middleweight Steve Detar (8-9-1, 1 KO), former Mass. State champion; U.S. Coast Guard seaman Phillip “Killa” Miller (4-0, 2 KOs), fighting out of Providence, vs. Sam “Showtime” Brown (4-4-2, 1 KO).
Providence junior welterweight Jesus Caro (3-0, 3 KOs) vs. Olade “One Shot” Thomas (1-3, 0 KOs); Warwick (RI) super middleweight Keith Kozlin (2-0, 1 KO) vs. TBA.
Worcester heavyweight Rashad Minor (1-0, 1 KO) in his CES debut vs. TBA; Providence cruiserweight Jay Holland making his pro debut vs. TBA.
Kudos to CESʼs Matchmaker, Ted Panagiotis has worked hard with Burchfield to bring old time boxing back with a fantastic match up of seasoned and fresh new faces to the boxing scene.
Tickets for “February Frenzy” are priced at limited $25.00 SRO, $35.00, $45.00 (Bronze), $65.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and limited $150.00 (Jimmyʼs Platinum Club) and are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724-2254), going on line at www.cesboxing.com, or www.twinriver.com, or in person at the Playerʼs Club booth at Twin River, or any TicketMaster location. Contact CES (401-724-2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Event Center (877-82-RIVER, for more information. All fights and fighters subject to change. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. EST, first bell to ring at 6:30 p.m.