News: Roach Training Afolabi; Babe Wood; Guilty Boxing

Cruiserweight contender Ola “Kryptonite” Afolabi has reunited with elite trainer Freddie Roach for his March 14 showdown against Enzo Maccarinelli for the Interim WBO Cruiserweight Championship at the M.E.N. Arena, in Manchester, England. Afolabi (13-1-3, 5 KOs), who is already in the UK training hard and getting accustomed to the time and climate differences from his home in California, says the addition of Roach has given him a boost..

“It makes me even more confident. Who else would you rather have in your corner than Freddie Roach? The knowledge and experience he brings; you can’t beat it.”

Afolabi says he feels fortunate that Roach was already in the UK working with former Olympian Amir Kahn for his big fight on the same event.

“We worked together before and what I know is that having Freddie in your corner is a lot better than having some trainer shouting ‘use your jab,’ especially if things don’t go my way at some point. I know that Freddie will have a plan for me. He knows fighters and comes up with actual strategies in the corner. All I have to do is listen to him.”

Afolabi’s promoter, Dino Duva of Duva Boxing, also welcomes the hall-of-fame addition to the training team.

“This is the biggest fight of Ola’s life and it’s a beautiful thing for Freddie Roach to be training him. Freddie has clearly established himself as one of the best trainers in the business and Ola Afolabi is one of the most naturally gifted boxers I have seen in a long time. With Freddie now as his trainer, I believe Ola has the potential to be a great champion for a long time.”

Babe Wood to be posthumously inducted into CES Ring of Honor

“Mayflower Madness,” Friday night at Memorial Hall in Plymouth, MA

PROVIDENCE (March 3, 2009) – The late Charles “Babe” Wood will be posthumously inducted into the CES Ring of Honor during a special ceremony Friday night (March 6) at “Mayflower Madness,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc., in historic Plymouth Memorial Hall.

“Mayflower Madness” is the first in a 4-fight arrangement, “The Radisson Hotel Plymouth Harbor Fight Series,” scheduled in 2009 at Plymouth Memorial Hall and promoted by CES.

Promoter Jimmy Burchfield, president of CES, established the CES Ring of Honor in 2005 to honor inductees for their special accomplishments and contributions to New England boxing. Charter members include 5-time world champion Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Paz, former WBA and WBC welterweight title-holder Marlon “Magic Man” Starling, and 3-time The Ring Fighter of the Year (2001-2003) participant “Irish” Micky Ward. Other CES Ring of Honor members include the late, great Rocky Marciano, former 3-time world champion “El Gallo” Jose Antonio Rivera, world light heavyweight contender “Iceman” John Scully, famed Connecticut trainer Johnny Dukes, 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrious “Boo Boo” Andrade, Gary “Tiger” Balletto, and 4-time national amateur champion Bobby Harris.

“We lost Babe last year and everyone dearly misses him, especially in this area where he lived,” Burchfield said. “He trained world champions Rocky Marciano, Sonny Liston and Paul Pender, among the most notable fighters he coached and advised for so many years. ‘Babe’ embodies everything that I envisioned for inductees when we started the CES Ring of Honor and we’re delighted to honor ‘Babe’ and his family.”

New Bedford police officer Jason “School Boy” Pires, former USBA champion and 1996 U.S. Olympic Team Alternate, headlines in an 8-round welterweight bout against former IBF Intercontinental champion Louie Leija. Pires (21-3, 9 KOs), returning from a 5 ½ year lay-off to complete his education at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth and become a police officer, won a 6-round decision against Frank Houghtaling last November. Leija (21-9-1, 15 KOs), fighting out of San Antonio, has fought some of the world’s top fighters such as Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Ben Tackie, and Jesus Chavez. Leija’s cousin is former WBC super bantamweight champion “The Texas Tornado” Jessie James Leija.

Former New Bedford fighter Paul “The Truth” Delgado (19-8-1, 4 KOs), now based in Atlanta, returns home to Massachusetts for a 6-round welterweight bout versus Troy Smith (6-9-3, 0 KOs), of Brockton. Delgado has faced the iron during his 10-year pro career, including Paulie Malignaggi (twice), Dmitry Salita and Demetrius Hopkins.

On the undercard in 4-round bouts is Marshfield (MA) light heavyweight Manuel Antonio Lopes (4-0-1, 1 KO) vs. Eric Clinton; light heavyweight Mical Weisberg (1-0, 1 KO), of Stoughton (MA), Bridgewater State College graduate from Stoughton (MA), vs. Pete Guthy; unbeaten Russian middleweight Andrey Nevsky (5-0, 3 KOs), of Worcester (MA), vs. William Deets; Providence junior middleweight Kali Reiss (1-0, 1 KO) against pro-debuting Alexsandra Magdziak Lopes, who is married to Manuel Lopes’ father, Wayne.

Also fighting on the undercard unbeaten Lynn (MA) junior bantamweight Isander “Peachy” Beauchamp (5-0-1, 2 KOs) versus TBA. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets for “Mayflower Madness” are priced at $35.00 (Bronze), $45.00 (Silver), $55.00 (Gold), and $75.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club). VIP tables of eight are also available. To purchase call CES (401.724.2253/2254) or go on line at www.cesboxing.com.

GUILTY BOXING RETURNING TO SIN CITY FRIDAY MAY 1, 2009

Las Vegas, NV, March 1, 2009 – Guilty boxing is making its well anticipated return to the fight game teaming up in association with newly formed Rattlesnake Events and the Plaza Hotel & Casino located at the beautiful Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas to promote a new series of shows provided on a monthly basis starting on May 1, 2009.

“Were excited, we have got a great team in place for these shows, from the folks over at the Plaza downtown to our fellow promoters Rattlesnake events, We look forward to bringing great fights to the fans that have become accustomed to the great fights we have become known for”.

“Guilty boxing shows have become synonymous with ultra competitive quality fights here in Las Vegas over the years. We are extremely excited to have paired with their brand and we expect their enormous local fan base to fully support us as they have in the past”, Stated Jacob Chavez, President of Rattlesnake Events.

Our Plans include making the most competitive fights out there using local fighters and national prospects alike. We feel the market has lost its identity during our hiatus and we are prepared to return to the fans what they deserve, unpredictable, punch by punch excitement at an affordable price.

Tickets to go on sale via telephone, internet and will be available at the box office at the Plaza shortly.