DOVER, Del. — Dover Downs Hotel & Casino will host the NABA Championship bout for the Junior Welterweight title on Friday, Feb. 25. For the belt, Michael “No Joke” Stewart, 46(24)-7-2 of New Castle, Del., opposes David “El Torrito” Torres, 21(13)-2-1 of Othello, Wash. The winner of this fight will be ranked in the Top Ten in the world. The undercard begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Rollins Center and includes a female bout. Nick Tiberi is the matchmaker. Tickets will go on sale Tuesday.
Mike “No Joke” Stewart, a former USBA junior welterweight champion, world title challenger and Contender star, fought as welterweight in his last fight at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino on Dec. 3. Stewart, still popular in his late career, achieved a unanimous decision over the bigger Chad Greenleaf in the six round bout, despite the new, heavier weight class.
David “El Torrito” Torres, a Northwest favorite, garnered mass exposure when he fought world title contender Julio Diaz at the Playboy Mansion in June, 2008. Diaz served Torres his first loss following 20 consecutive wins from the time he debuted in 2003. In his last three fights Torres earned a win, a loss and most recently a draw after ten rounds with Santos Pakau on Nov. 13 at Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Wash.
The undercard showcases topnotch East Coast fighters including powerful heavyweight Amir “Hardcore” Mansour of Wilmington, Del., returning with an immaculate record of 11(8)-0. Mansour, a southpaw with an explosive knockout, leveled his opponent Joseph Rabotte in round three of a scheduled eight round bout on Dec. 3 at Dover Downs. Mansour continues to rack up miles on the road to the championships.
Also on the fast track to the championships is middleweight “Mighty” Mike Tiberi of Smyrna, Del. Tiberi added another win to his 15(7)-1 record on Dec. 3 in six rounds against Marcus Hall. Tiberi took every round and finished Hall with a knockout in the sixth.
Super middleweight Scott “Cujo” Sigmon of Bedford, Va., will make his first appearance in the Rollins Center arena with a solid record of 13(5)-2. Sigmon defeated Julius Kennedy (7(3)-2-1) of Windsor Mill, Md., in a unanimous decision on Dec. 11. Kennedy had not seen a loss since his debut in 2006. “Sigmon has a loyal following, so we expect to see new fans come in from Virginia,” said Nick Tiberi.
Three-time female Golden Glove Champion Ronica Jeffrey of Brooklyn, N.Y., is undefeated with four bouts under her professional belt as a super bantamweight. Local favorites are featured on the undercard; each achieved victory on the Dec. 3 card at Dover Downs.
Light heavyweight Anthony “Caputo” Smith of Kennett Square, Pa., stopped his opponent, Cleoney Fuqua, in a mere 55 seconds of the scheduled four round bout. Caputo Smith, known as “The Bull” to his many fans, will defend his pristine 8-0 record on Feb. 25.
“Rockin” Ryan Belasco of Wilmington, Del., notched a decisive victory over southpaw Gustavo Dailey in a six round junior welterweight bout last month. Belasco (14(3)-4-3) has both clean boxing skills and a strong punch, which he hopes will lead to another win on this card.
Crowd pleaser Dan “Bada-Bing” Biddle of Hockessin, Del., (5(4)-1) took the ring with Zeferino Albino, who served Biddle his only defeat in 2007. With a non-stop punch and improved skills and conditioning, Biddle earned a unanimous decision over Albino in the four round cruiserweight bout.
The first bout will begin at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Will call will be open from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 to $125 and may be purchased beginning Jan. 25 at 800-711-5882 or www.doverdowns.com. The last three boxing events in 2010 sold out, with fans arriving from as far as Montana and more than 15 other states.