Jason Pires: “There’s a lot of talent on this card. It’s going to be a great show. May 7th is going to be very exciting for me, probably one of the biggest fights of my career. I’ve done this since I was a baby and now I’m a prize fighter. I’m looking forward to putting on a great show. My last three fights I got better and better and this fight I will explode. Every time I fight, I feel like it’s my second home.”
Ricky Dawson: “It’s been a long time. I’m back in the ring, feeling good.. I’m also a fight fan and have seen these other fighters. This is one of my dreams. I took some years off. You have to be 100-percent into it and I am with my new team. I’m on my own. I don’t just want to be a prize fighter; I want to be world champion. It’s going to take some time but it will happen.”
Jesse Barboza: “I’m being trained by somebody I watched growing up and idolizing (‘Irish’ Micky Ward). To be in the gym with him, working side-by-side, is a blessing for me. This is going to be a great show. Jason Pires stole the last show and my fans asked if he was fighting on this card. It’s going to be a great show.”
David Bauza: “I’m happy to be fighting here again. It’s where I had my first fight. I promise my best fight May 7, the best fight of my career.”
Aleksandra Magdziak Lopes: “It’s really challenging to put on female fights and I thank Jimmy (Burchfield) for supporting women’s boxing. My goal is to be a well-rounded, exciting fighter with a good fan-base. We’re wrapping up a good training camp. I love boxing. We’re very excited.”
Vladine Biosse: “I’ve been out for a while; it seemed like forever because I love this game so much. I’m here! May 7th I’m ready to get it on. My hand is good – thanks to Dr. Margles. I’ve been sparring and working hard. I’m ready for May 7th. I’ve been working so hard, waiting for this day, and it’s almost here. I’ll give you guys all I have. I’m going to bring it.”
Edwin Soto: “I’m ready for whatever comes May 7th. I’m training hard and I’m going to do what I do best – fight in the ring!”
Diego Pereira: “I feel like this is my debut because I haven’t fought for almost a year. I’m glad I’m on this card. There’s going to be a lot of action with some hard hitters. I’m in competition because I’m a hard hitter and I’m going for Knockout of the Year. I’ve worked real hard with a new team and new coach.”
Keith Kozlin: “My opponent, I wish you the best of luck. I know you want a win, but you’re not going to get it. I’ve trained hard and I’m feeling strong.”
Greg McCoy: My first two shows I put on for CES weren’t the greatest but I’m back and a I need a win. I wish my opponent the best of luck. We’re going to put on a great show.”
Boxers Weigh-In Friday at Hollywood Bay St. Louis!
BAY ST. LOUIS, MS – Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis announced the weigh-in times and a latest card lineup for Saturday night’s boxing matches, today. The five separate power-packed fights will be held at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 24, 2010.
The first two matches Saturday evening start off with two newly tested fighters in the light weight and middle weight divisions taking on two other fighters making their professional debut. These two career telling bouts are followed by another four-round battle between two, up and coming, middle weight contenders. There are five match-ups scheduled for the night including one six round bout among two cruiserweight fighters with only one loss between them and a ten round slugfest between heavyweights in the main event.
The Main Event feature will be two heavyweights including rising star “Big Fred Kassi,” (15W – 1L), 7 by knockout, from New Orleans, LA, will go head-to-head against veteran Kendrick Releford. “Releford will be the best fighter that Kassi has ever fought in his professional career,” said Boxing Promoter Les Bonano.
Releford, from Fort Worth, Texas, is coming off of winning six of his last seven fights. Releford has 21 wins and 13 losses. The losses came while fighting in Germany three times, Canada, the United Kingdom and throughout the United States. Releford has never been knocked out and holds wins over highly rated Elieser Castillo for the WBO Latino heavyweight title 12 round decision and highly regarded “Cuban” Raymond Garbey.
Heavyweight Kassi (15W-1L) won his last fight at Hollywood against the heavy hitter Moises Droz (13W-9L) by knock out in the third round. He’s won three fights in a row since his lone set back.
The co-feature to the main event will include two of the top prospects in this region. In a six-round cruiser weight fight Anthony Doughty (7W-1L) of Tuscaloosa, AL, will battle it out with undefeated Justin Verdin (9W-0L) of Houma, Louisiana.
In the first middle weight bout Jamond Bourgeois of New Orleans, Louisiana, makes his professional debut facing off with Josh Thorpe (1W-0L). Thorpe is from Mobile, Alabama, and both fighters are expected to draw a large fan base. Light weight David Hill (0W-1L) returns from Pensacola, Florida, to go toe-to-toe with Aubrey Norris from Mobile, AL. Norris is making his professional debut. Hill lost his first professional fight at Hollywood Casino earlier in the year.
Middleweights Marcus McDaniel (2W-0L) and Billy Cunningham (3W-4L) of Jackson, MS, will step into the ring. McDaniel, a very fast fighter from New Orleans, LA, won a tough four-round battle here in January where he handed Cleoney Fouqua, a fighter out of Columbus, MS, his first and only loss.
Don’t miss live boxing at Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis. Hurry, these fighting events will sell out soon. Tickets are $20, $50 and $100 and on sale now at the Gift Shop or call 1-800-229-2683. MATCHES, FIGHTS AND FIGHTERS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. Must be at least 21 to attend. Visit www.hollywoodcasinobsl.com.