PROVIDENCE (April 27, 2010) – New Bedford police officer Jason “School Boy” Pires, one of the top United States amateur boxers in the mid-1990s, has come back to the ring after graduating from college to take care of some unfinished business. Pires (22-3-1, 9 KOs), a former USBA super bantamweight champion, takes on former world title challenger Michael “Cold Blood” Clark (39-5-1, 18 KOs), headlining the May 7th “Spring Fever” pro boxing card, presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, R.I..
Pires and Clark are fighting for the vacant NABA-U.S. junior welterweight title in a special 9-round bout.
As an alternate on the 1996 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team, Pires was recognized as one of the best amateurs in the nation. When Team USA was preparing for a dual meet against Russia, Jason roomed with the great Floyd “Money” Mayweather, Jr.
“Floyd’s a good guy,” Jason said. “It was a great experience working out with him and being roommates. He’s a down-to-earth guy. I remember sneaking out at night and going to the roller skating rink with him.”
Pires turned pro in 1996, winning his first 15 fights, before suffering his first loss to the much more experienced Arthur “Flash” Johnson, who had been in three world title fights at that time, by a 10-round majority decision. Two years and four wins later, Jason lost an 8-round majority decision to Oscar Leon, who went on to fight twice for the world title
In 2003, Pires was stopped for the first and only time of his career by a hot prospect, 14-0 Rocky Juarez. Jason decided to concentrate on school, earning a BA degree from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth in sociology and criminal justice before becoming a police officer in his hometown of New Bedford (MA).
The now 35-year-old Pires returned to the squared circle Nov. 29, 2008, more than five years since his last fight, winning a 6-round decision against veteran Frank Houghtaling, followed by a win by 8-round decision against Louie Leija (21-9-1), and a 6-round majority draw in his last action (March19) versus John Revish in which Jason was dropped twice in the second round but came back to earn the draw, though many ringside observers felt he won the fight.
“I came back because I missed it,” Pires said of his return to boxing. “I was out of boxing five years but I was still in the gym. I’ve been boxing since I was a baby – three years old; it’s in my blood. It’s part of me. I had put so much into boxing and wanted to take care of unfinished business – winning a world title and making some real money. I decided to go for it.
“Boxing has helped me as a police officer. I know how to stay focused, the No. 1 priority in both jobs, and to always be in top condition. I’m a professional in both jobs. One time I had a foot chase with a guy and caught him after a mile. You never know what to expect when you get a call. What I’ve learned in the gym has helped me be a better police officer.”
Pires’ May 7th opponent, Clark, has been an NABF, IBC and WBC Continental Americas champion, and he lost his only world title-fight in 1999 to WBO lightweight champion Artur Grigorian. Clark holds a win against former CES star Gary “Tiger” Balletto during The Contender, Season 2 as well as victories against other top fighters such as Mauro Lucero, Antonio Rameriz and the late Leavander Johnson.
Also slated to fight in 4-round bouts are some of New England’s finest prospects: Providence super middleweight Vladine Biosse (5-0, 4 KOs) and former University of Rhode Island football player vs. TBA; “Irish” Micky Ward-trained Barnstable (MA) heavyweight prospect Jesse Barboza (3-0, 3 KOs), a 3-time New England Golden Gloves champion, vs. TBA; Warwick (RI) super middleweight Keith Kozlin (5-0, 2 KOs) vs. Greg McCoy (0-1-1); Hartford middleweight David Bauza (4-0, 3 KOs) vs. Richard “Hurricane” Grant (4-3, 2 KOs); New Haven light welterweight Edwin Soto (3-0, 2 KOs) vs. Carlos Hernandez (pro debut); Marshfield (MA) welterweight Aleksandra Magdziak Lopes (1-1, 1 KO) vs. Natoya Ervin (1-4), Lincoln (RI) light welterweight Diego Pereira (4-0, 2 KOs) vs. Noel Garcia (2-3-1, 1 KO) of Springfield (MA) and New Haven (CT) middleweight Ricky Dawson, whose younger brother Chad is recognized as one of the top pound-for-pound boxers in the world, making his CES and pro debut. All boxers are subject to change.
Ticket prices for “Spring Fever” are $35.00, $50.00, $75.00 and $100.00 and are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going online at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at Twin River’s Players Club booth at Twin River, or any TicketMaster location.
Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or the Twin River Event 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 “Spring Fever.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.)
Loaded undercard added to great night of boxing on May 7 in Philadelphia
On Friday night, May 7th at The Arena (Formally The New Alhambra) a huge night of boxing will take place that will feature undefeated Jr. Welterweight, Danny “Swift” Garcia taking on rugged Christopher “Kid KO” Fernandez in the ten round main event.
A packed undercard that will highlight some of the best fighters in Philadelphia has just been added to this great night of boxing that will be promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Joe Hand Promotions and Tecate.
The card will be televised nationwide on Telefutura.
The undercard will be headed by undefeated lightweight, Karl “Dynamite” Dargan and jr. middleweight Mike Dargan in separate bouts.
Just added with be the very popular Heavyweight sensation, Joey “Polish Thunder” Dawejko in a four round bout against come backing Charlamagne Jones.
Dawejko, from the Tacony section of Philadelphia brings in a record of 3-0 with one knockout. In his last bout, Dawejko scored a four round unanimous decision over K.C. Cunningham on March 6th in Atlantic City.
The nineteen year old has quickly become a fan favorite in the city as this will be his second start in Philly. In his lone hometown fight, Dawejko scored an explosive first round stoppage over Ricardo Johnson on February 5th at The Legendary Blue Horizon.
Dawejko is a former world Jr. Amateur champion.
Jones of Washington, D.C has a record of 2-2-1 with both wins coming by knockout.
This will be his first bout in nearly a decade and is coming off a no-contest with Dana Dunston in June of 2000 in Glen Burnie, MD.
Also seeing action will be middleweight prospect, Latif Mundy.
Mundy of Philadelphia was an amateur star and has accumulated a professional record of 8-2 with three knockouts.
Mundy won his first eight bouts and will be looking to get back into the win column after suffering back to back defeats to undefeated Patrick Majewski (10-0) and his last bout where he lost to rising Gabriel Rosado (12-4) via seventh round stoppage on November 7th in Atlantic City in what was a toe to toe war.
Mundy’s opponent will be named shortly.
In other bouts:
Charles Hayward (2-2, 1 KO) of Philadelphia will take on Andre Espuet (2-1, 1KO) of Morristown, NJ in a four round Light Heavyweight bout.
Undefeated Light Heavyweight, Andy Mejias (5-0, 1 KO) of Utica, NY will battle Todd Eriksson (1-3-1, 1 KO) of Dover, NJ in a bout scheduled for four rounds.
In a four round bout featuring New Jersey based Featherweights, Jose Ortiz (3-2, 2 KO’s) of Jersey City will take on undefeated Jason Sosa (2-0, 1 KO) of Camden.
Undefeated cruiserweight, Julio Cesar Matthews (9-0, 5 KO’s) will see action in a six round bout against an opponent to be named.
Tickets for this memorable night of boxing are priced at $100; $65; and $45
Tickets for this great night of boxing can be purchased at:
Joe Hand Boxing Gym
543-547 North 3rd Street
215-271-4263
Or
The Arena (Formally The New Alhambra)
267-687-7560
For more information, contact Joe Hand Promotions at 1 215 364 9000
The Arena (Formally The New Alhambra) is located at : 7 W. Ritner St. (Corner of Swanson and Ritner) , Phila, PA. 19148
John Bray Boxing Foundation Helps Establish Local Youth Boxing Club Foundation Teams up with City of Orange Cove for Grand Opening of Orange Cove Boxing Club
The John Bray Boxing Foundation in conjuction with the City of Orange Cove held the Grand Opening of the Orange Cove Boxing Club along with a free youth boxing clinic in an effort to help the community in preventing and combating gang violence while promoting discipline and academic success among school-age students. The special guest was world class boxing trainer and California Boxing Hall of Famer John Bray who made the long trip from Los Angeles.
In November of 2009, Jerry Gonzalez, the Chief Executive Officer of the John Bray Boxing Foundation, made a presentation to the Orange Cove City Council asking for assistance in opening a boxing club for the youth in the city as they were experiencing major gang problems. The Orange Cove City Council were all pleased and offered to assist.
A facility as well as funds for equipment was made available by the City of Orange Cove and the John Bray Boxing Foundation assisted with the purchase of equipment through Everlast Worldwide Inc. as well as the organization of the boxing club. The intent of the Orange Cove Boxing Club is to assist at-risk students from becoming involved in gang activity and offer them a variety of educational and physical options from tutoring to the sport of boxing.
Both organizations arranged this free youth boxing clinic because of the issues concerning kids that are of crucial importance to the community.
Children and young adults face many temptations every day, whether it is drugs, gangs or peer pressure. The Orange Cove Boxing Club wants to provide these promising young men and women with an alternative where they can feel at home and escape the pressures they have to deal with on a daily basis.
The clinic kicked off with special guests speaking to the participants about life skills and attitude development. These guests consisted of staff from the John Bray Boxing Foundation, the Orange Cove City Council which included Mayor Victor P. Lopez, Mayor Pro-Tempore Glenda Hill, Council Member Esther Gonzalez, Council Member Gilbert Garcia, Council Member Bertha Del Bosque, Police Chief Frank Steenport and John Bray.
After the special guests spoke, the boxing clinic commenced and participants were shown different boxing techniques on heavy bags, speed bags, double end bags and foot work. The clinic wrapped up with a free raffle and kids were given various gifts from our sponsors.
After catching up with John Bray after the grand opening, he had the following to say about the event: “I was very pleased with the turnout of the event. The City of Orange Cove has a strong community and that showed as the City Council as well as the Police Chief and all the parents showing up for the event. They really care about their community and it showed. If people in cities were more like the city of Orange Cove, the world would be a better place.”
The John Bray Boxing Foundation would like to thank the Orange Cove City Council, City Manager Alan Bengyel and Police Chief Frank Steenport for their willingness to give back to the community.
We would also like to graciously thank the following sponsors for making this event a reality: Everlast Worldwide Inc., Powerade, Convicted Artists, Visual Impact Stunt Equipment Company, Remetee Clothing, the Tournament of Contenders, Tapia Escobar Construction, H & S Trucking and Foothill Auto Truck and Ag Parts.
If you would like to donate to or for additional information on the John Bray Boxing Foundation, please visit www.johnbrayboxingfoundation.org or contact Jerry Gonzalez at (559) 643-9313.