PROVIDENCE, R.I. (June 22, 2010) – Hartford super bantamweight Mike “Machine Gun” Oliver, the reigning New England and EBA champion, will be in a crossroads fight Saturday night as he continues his journey back to the top of the 122-pound division, taking on 4-time world title-holder Mauricio “Indio Boy” Pastrana in the 8-round co-feature on the “Pride & Power” boxing show, presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn..
Hartford heavyweight prospect Tony “TNT” Grano (17-1-1, 13 KOs), the reigning WBF All-Americas heavyweight champion, faces former U.S. amateur standout Nicolai “Stone Man” Firtha (17-7-1, 7 KOs) for the vacant NABA-US heavyweight title in the 12-round main event.
The Ring magazine recently named Grano’s sensational victory by fourth-round knockout last September on Showtime against previously undefeated Travis Kaufman (18-0) as its 2009 Heavyweight Fight of the Year.
Oliver (23-2, 8 KOs), an outstanding amateur who started boxing when he was only two, won his first 21 pro fights, including the IBO super bantamweight title in 2007 with a 12-round decision against Al Seeger (27-2). During the aforementioned win streak, Mike defeated Adam Carrera (18-1) for the USBA strap and handed Gary Stark Jr. (18-0) his first loss by way of a 12-round decision.
Back-to-back losses in 2008 to Reynaldo Lopez and Antonio Escalante, however, knocked Oliver out of the rankings and into a semi-boxing abyss. Oliver has won his last two fights, along with a no decision, since suffering his last loss.
“Any fight at this stage – I don’t care who it’s against – is the most important fight of my career,” Oliver said. “I need to take every fight serious to get me back to where I was before. I want to fight for another title and a win Saturday night will get me closer. Pastrana stays right in front of you and I like that. If he wants to go toe-to-toe, it’s going to be wrong for him. I’ll be fully prepared for him. I’m only 30 and I was born to fight.”
Pastrana (35-13-2, 23 KOs) has been a world title holder in five different weight classes (light flyweight, flyweight, super flyweight, bantamweight and super bantamweight) and he also holds a win against one of only two fighters to defeat Oliver – Escalante. Among others, Pastrana’s victims include Michael Carbajal, Jose Bonilla and Mike Trejo.
“This fight was supposed to happen about three times,” Pastrana commented from his camp in Florida. “Now that I’ve lost three in a row, I guess they must figure I’m done, but lately I’ve taken a lot of last-minute fights and [had] some bad luck. I’m excited because Oliver is perfect for me. Usually, I’m the smaller guy (they’re both listed at 5’ 5”). I know he needs this fight but I have to win, too.”
Long Island light heavyweight Joe “The Irish Bomber” Smith Jr. (4-0, 4 KOs) doesn’t get paid by the minute or else he’d be broke. The 2008 New York Golden Gloves Champion goes for his fifth straight first-round knockout in his fifth pro fight, against Walter Foster (4-2-1, 4 KOs) of Panama City, Panama.
CES Ring of Honor Induction – Jamie Silva
One of New England’s best football players, Jamie Silva, will be inducted into the CES Ring of Honor as a honorary member. Silva was the 2002 Rhode Island Player of the Year and he earned first team, All-America honors in 2007 as a safety at Boston College. He is a member of the defending American Football Conference champion Indianapolis Colts.
Also on the undercard in 4-round bouts are New Haven middleweight Rick Dawson (1-0, 1 KO), brother of light heavyweight star “Bad” Chad Dawson, vs. Jeremiah Jones (1-3-1) of Toledo, Ohio; Bridgeport (CT) super lightweight Carlos Hernandez (0-1) vs. Fall River’s (MA) pro-debuting Jonathan Vasquez; New Haven junior welterweight Edwin Soto (4-0, 2 KOs) vs. Bryan Abraham (2-3-1, 2 KOs); New Haven prospect Luis Rosa, Jr. (2-0) vs. pro-debuting John Passantino of Seldon, NY and unbeaten Philadelphia welterweight Frankie Trader (6-0, 2 KOs), who will face Springfield’s (MA) Noel Garcia (2-3-1, 1 KO). All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets for “Pride & Power,” priced at $40.00, $65.00 and $105.00, 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 6:00 PM/ET, first bout at 7:30 PM/ET.
Biosse steps up to fight friend McCreedy on ESPN FNF
Lundy –Molina headlines “Let Freedom Ring” show July 9 at Twin River Event Center, RI
PROVIDENCE (June 22, 2010) – New England and EBA super middleweight champion “Irish” Joey McCreedy (11-4-2, 6 KOs), trained by “Irish” Micky Ward and Dicky Eklund, was having a problem finding a suitable opponent for his July 9th fight in the 8-round co-feature on “Let Freedom Ring” presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, RI.
When his good friend and CES stable mate, undefeated Cape Verdean boxer Vladine Biosse (6-0, 4 KOs), found himself without an opponent due to an injury suffered by Chris Traietti, promoter Jimmy Burchfield asked both fighters and their representatives if they’d like to get it on in the ESPN FNF co-feature.
“I give both teams credit for stepping up and taking the fight,” an ecstatic Burchfield said. “This is going to be a great, action-packed fight. It’s a pick ‘em fight, exactly what kind of fight fans want to see. Real fighters fight, they don’t pick and choose opponents to build up their records. Joey and Vlad are real fighters and boxing fans all over are going to see that July 9.”
They’re both good athletes, too. McCreedy was a standout running back for Lowell High, while Biosse, a native of Cape Verde, was a member of the University of Rhode Island football team.
“Real fighters fight and fighting on national television is a great opportunity for both of us,” McCreedy explained. “That’s what we are – real fighters — and it’s a going to be a great fight, a throwback type of fight between two warriors. Vlad and I are friends. I love the guy, but this is business. We just have to put our friendship aside while we’re in the ring. We’ll both give it our best and may the best man win. I have a lot of respect for Vlad as a friend and fighter. I don’t think he’s fought anybody as tough as me. I’ve had more opportunities because I’ve been fighting longer than him. He hasn’t fought anybody with my power and skills. We going to share the national limelight fighting on ESPN and it’s going to be one of the best fights ESPN has had in a long time.”
McCreedy, like Ward when he fought Arturo Gatti for the first time, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch (7 PM) Friday night at a minor-league game between the Lowell Spinners, the rookie Class A affiliate for the Boston Red Sox, and Connecticut Tigers at LeLacheur Park in Lowell.
Biosse, who came to the United States from Cape Verde unable to speak a word of English, has become quite eloquent, as well as becoming a U.S. citizen. “This is a big fight and a great opportunity to showcase what I’ve been working so hard to improve on into 40 million homes on ESPN,” Providence resident Biosse commented. “It’s what I’ve worked for. Joey and I have been good friends since before I turned pro. We’re cool with the fight; no anger or grudges. We understand that we’re in the fight business and we’re going to war. I’m going to bring my best to win and I’m sure he is, too. I like him a lot as a friend and fighter. I respect his style.
“We both understand that we’re in the business of fighting – that’s what we do. A lot of fighters pick and choose, and dodge opponents. I figure if I’m going to be a good fighter, let’s prove it now. I work hard and I’m trained by one of the best, Orlondo Valles. One of the reasons I signed with Jimmy Burchfield and CES is because he’s a businessman who loves boxing. He promotes boxing the right way and isn’t afraid to put two of his good fighters into the ring against each other. I’m bringing my all and it’s going to be a great fight. Joey and I will still be friends after the last bell rings.”
NABO lightweight champion “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy (18-0-1, 10 KOs), now rated No. 7 by the World Boxing Association, makes his first title defense against challenger John John “The Hammer” Molina (20-1, 16 KOs) in the 10-round main event. Quincy (MA) welterweight Aleksandra Magdziak Lopes (2-1, 1 KO) will be out for revenge in a 6-round rematch against the only opponent to defeat her, Providence’s Kali Reis (2-0 1 KO), who won a hotly-contested 4-round decision in their first meeting.
Providence firefighter Eric Estrada makes his long-awaited pro debut in a 4-round match against cruiserweight Antonio Robertson (0-1). Estrada, whose brother is 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada, was perfect as an amateur with a 6-0 record, including victories in the New England Golden Gloves Tournament and Rocky Marciano Tournament.
Roxbury (MA) super middleweight Maceo Crowder (2-0, 1 KO), whose brother is 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade, meets pro-debuting Worcester (MA) mixed martial arts fighter Ralph Johnson.
Also slated to fight in 4-round bouts against opponents to be announced are Warwick (RI) super middleweight Keith Kozlin (5-1, 3 KOs), Woonsocket (RI) super middleweight Joe Gardner (4-1-1, 1 KO), Lincoln light welterweight Diego Pereira (4-0, 2 KOs), and Fall River (MA) middleweight Dustin Reinhold (1-1, 1 KO). All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets for “Let Freedom Ring,” priced at $35.00, $50.00, $75.00 and $100.00, 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 5:30 PM/ET, first bout at 6:30 PM/ET.
(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “Let Freedom Ring.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.
VICENTE ESCOBEDO VS. RAYMUNDO BELTRAN FEATURED ON JULY 9TH EDITION OF “SÓLO BOXEO TECATE” IN DENVER
LOS ANGELES, June 22 – There will be some high heat thrown at Denver’s Softball Park on Friday, July 9, when highly-regarded junior lightweight contenders Vicente Escobedo and Raymundo Beltran meet in the 10 round main event of TeleFutura’s “Sólo Boxeo Tecate.”
In the co-featured bout of the evening, Denver’s own Ricky Lopez looks to keep his unbeaten record intact when he takes on Florida standout Derrick Wilson in a six round junior featherweight bout.
Escobedo vs. Beltran, which headlines a night of world-class boxing presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Frankie Sanchez Promotions is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. Doors open at 6:00pm MT, the first bell rings at 7:30pm MT (amateur fights start at 6:30 PM) and the TeleFutura broadcast begins at 12:00am ET / PT.
Tickets, priced at $20, $35, $50 and $75, are on sale now at Softball Country Thornton, Colorado, Champions MMA and Fitness in Parker, Colorado, Knockouts Haircuts For Men in Centennial and Parker, Colorado and by calling 303-378-5014. Tickets may also be purchased at Softball Park the night of the event beginning at 3:00pm MT
World title contender Vicente “Chente” Escobedo (22-2, 14 KO’s) has made great strides in his career since his days as a 2004 United States Olympian, impressing fight fans with his crisp punching, poise and warrior’s heart. Winner of 13 of his last 14 bouts, with his lone defeat being a close split decision loss in a WBO Lightweight World Title bout against Michael Katsidis last September, Escobedo is back on track and ready for another crack at a belt.
A native of Los Mochis, Mexico who now makes his home in Phoenix, “Sugar” Ray Beltran (23-4, 15 KO’s) is a punishing puncher whose last seven wins have come by knockout. Fresh off of a seventh round stoppage of hot prospect David Torres in January, Beltran knows that a win over Escobedo will accelerate his run to the top.
Fort Myers, Florida’s Derrick Wilson (6-1-2, 2 KO’s) made a huge impact on the fight scene last July when he handed unbeaten Charles Huerta his first loss via a 59 second knockout. Since then, Wilson has continued to battle tough opposition, most recently scoring a four round decision win over Samuel Sanchez in May. On July 9, he hopes to send another hot prospect crashing to defeat.
23-year old Ricky Lopez (7-0, 2 KO’s) has made a lot of noise on the Southern California circuit, where he has won four in a row on Golden Boy Promotions’ “Fight Night Club” cards. Now taking his show back to his hometown of Denver, Lopez plans on giving his local fans a night to remember on July 9.
For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing.