PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Oct. 27, 2009) – Appearances are often misleading, especially in boxing. Unbeaten lightweight Ryan “The Polish Prince” Kielczewski will be a perfect example Saturday night when he fights on the undercard of the “Fright Night At The Sun” pro boxing show, presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn..
World-rated light heavyweight Joey “K.O. Kid” Spina (25-1-1, 17 KOs) headlines “Fright Night At The Sun,” which will be taped live and shown on NESN at dates and times to be announced, against former world champion Lou “Honey Boy” Del Valle (36-6-1, 22 KOs) in the 10-round main event.
The 20-year-old Kielczewski (5-0, 2 KOs), fighting out of Quincy (MA), faces Israel Suarez (2-2) in a 4-round bout. When he goes up those three steps and into the ring, Ryan K. will go through a transformation worthy of The Incredible Hulk on Halloween Night, changing from the boy who looks like a choirboy into a cold, calculated prize fighter.
“I have no idea what happens to me,” said Ryan as he tried to explain his noticeable change. “If somebody bumps into me on the street, I’m the first one to say sorry. It’s what I’ve been trained to do, I guess.”
The angelic-looking Kielczewski was truly born to box. His father, Ricky, Sr., taught his oldest son, Ricky, Jr., to box when he was only six years old. Five years later, 4-year-old Ryan was tagging along with his father and older brother to shows. In fact, Ryan was caught sleeping on the “apron” at one show in a popular picture.
Ryan had been bitten by the boxing bug, so he bugged his dad to box, and right from the start everybody knew he was going to be successful in the ring. His father decided to keep Ryan away from all other sports, even at an early age, so Ryan could fully concentrate on becoming a boxer.
“I wanted to play football in high school,” he said, “but I realized boxing was my way out. I couldn’t afford to get hurt playing football, so I stayed in the gym and have no regrets. I’ve always loved to entertain and I can’t wait to fight at Mohegan Sun for the first time. It’s a great opportunity for me.”
Kielczewski registered a 118-26 amateur record, including gold-medal performances in the 2007 and 2008 New England Golden Gloves Tournament (he was named Outstanding Boxer in the latter). The highlight of his outstanding amateur career, however, came early last year when Kielczewski was runner-up in the National Golden Gloves Tournament.
“I was at the top as an amateur but started at the bottom as a pro like everybody else, 0-0,” Ryan noted. “I can’t wait to break into the rankings and start fighting in 8- and 10-round bouts. I’m only 20 and it’ll be three years before I’m probably fully developed. I don’t know if it’ll be as a lightweight, but my goal is to someday be world champion.”
UBC junior welterweight champion “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy (15-0-1, 9 KOs), one of the hottest prospects on the East Coast, is scheduled to fight an opponent to be determined in the 10-round co-feature.
Promising Puerto Rican prospects now fighting out of Hartford – middleweight David Bauza (2-0, 2 KOs) against Vaughn Anderson (0-1) and New Haven light welterweight Edwin Soto (1-0, 1 KO) versus Deroy “Guyanase Gladiator” Beaton (1-0) — are showcased in 4-round matches.
In other 4-round fights on the undercard, 2008 Olympian Sadam Ali (3-0, 2 KOs) meets welterweight Osvaldo Rivera (2-1, 1 KO), while 2008 New York Golden Glove champion Joe Smith, Jr., of Long Island, and David Brown make their pro debuts in light heavyweight matches. All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets for “Fright Night At The Sun,” priced at $27.00, $50.00 and $80.00, are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going online at www.cesboxing.com or at the Mohegan Sun Box Office. Ticketmaster customers may log on to www.ticketmaster.com, call Ticketmaster’s national toll-free charge by phone (1.800.745.3000) or visit any Ticketmaster outlet.
For more information contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Mohegan Sun (www.mohegansun.com). Doors open at 6:30 PM/ET, first bout at 7:30 PM/ET.