Sporting News CT – SNCTTV

MEDFORD, Mass. (August 15, 2011) – Two-time World Boxing Association (“WBA”) heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz has opened Quietman Sports Gym, inside of Gold’s Gym in Medford (4000 Mystic Valley Parkway), which is a suburb of Boston and only a few miles from where Ruiz grew-up in Chelsea.

Quietman Sports Gym is a full-contact gym, featuring a boxing ring as well as a cage for MMA, wrestling, jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai fighting.  The gym also offers boxing and full-contact fighting classes, personal and semi-private instruction, self defense classes, and white collar boxing.  The gym is also available for rentals on Sundays.

Ruiz is the owner and chief boxing instructor. Other instructors include John’s brother, Eddie Ruiz, and Jose “Raul” Sanchez for boxing; Miguel Rivera, MMA/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu; Michael Matulonis, kickboxing; Rich Bloom, wrestling; Nicc Kossivas, Muay Thai/MMA striking.

“I grew up in this area and wanted to return to my roots in order to give back to these communities,” Ruiz explained. “I’m very close to my family and friends I have back here, so this is also an opportunity for me to spend more time with them.  I believe a gym like this helps communities and children.  Our goal is to create a gym that develops Olympians, but also give kids a place to go, just like I had at the Somerville Boxing Club, where they stay off the streets and learn how to box, wrestle or mixed martial arts training.  There are so many bad temptations today for kids and many of them really need a place to go.  We want to help them develop self-esteem and character.”

Future plans call for Quietman Sports Gym to become a sanctioned USA Boxing gym. Ruiz also wants to become a boxing and MMA promoter – professional and amateur – and he has already started a boxing consulting agency, Quietman Sports, along with his longtime attorney and advisor, Boston Attorney Anthony M. Cardinale.

“I was able to see the world because of boxing and I want to help kids do the same as part of our future ‘Quietman’ traveling team,” John added.  “I’ve been fortunate to have had so many memorable times through boxing and I really want to pass along those experiences and what I’ve learned.”

The 39-year-old Ruiz, who lives in Las Vegas, retired from the ring a year ago.  He had a 44-9-1 (30 KOs) career record and fought in 12 world title fights.

Quitman Sports Gym offers active military personal, as well as police officers and fire fighters, discount memberships.

Hours of operations for Quietman Sports Gym are Monday-Thursday, 11 AM/ET-9 PM/ET; Friday 1 AM/ET-8 PM/ET; Saturday 9 AM/ET-2 PMN/ET (closed Sunday).

For more information about the Quietman Sports Gym, call 781.396.6700, go online to www.JohnTheQuietmanRuiz.com or WWW.Quietmansports.com, or on Facebook at John Quietman Ruiz.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (August 15, 2011) – Committee officials announced today that five-time World Champion Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Paz heads a distinguished list of seven 2011 inductees into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (“CBHOF”). The seventh annual Gala Induction Dinner will be held Saturday night, October 29 in the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The other 2011 inductees include 1996 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team Captain, Lawrence Clay-Bey; renowned world boxing judge Glenn S. Feldman; world light heavyweight title challenger Eric “Magic 2000” Harding; amateur boxing standout Kelvin Anderson; boxer, referee and coach Billy Taylor; highly-respected ringside physician, Dr. Michael Schwartz.

Tickets, priced at $75.00 per person, are available to purchase by calling Kim Baker at Mohegan Sun (860.862.7377) or Sherman Cain at the Manchester Journal Inquirer (800.237.3606 (X 321).  Doors open at 5:30 PM/ET, followed by cocktails at 6 PM/ET, and then dinner.

Among the five world titles captured by Paz (50-10, 30 KOs) were the IBF lightweight and WBA light middleweight championships.  The wildly popular Italian-American from Cranston (RI) was the prestigious 1991 Ring Magazine Comeback of the Year Award recipient having overcome a broken neck suffered in a car crash to win another world title.

Clay-Bey (21-3-1, 16 KOs), fighting out of Hartford, captained an absolutely loaded 1996 U.S. Olympic Boxing team that included four future world champions  as professionals – Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Antonio Tarver, David Reid and Fernando Vargas.  Lawrence lost in the second round to current world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, 10-8. Clay-Bey was the IBA Continental heavyweight titlist. He is a veteran correctional officer in Connecticut.

In addition to judging 95 world title fights all over the world during the past 23 years, Feldman founded the CBHOF and has been its only president. He is a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch in West Hartford.

The signature victory for Harding (23-4-1, 7 KOs), who captured the NABF and USBA light heavyweight titles, was a 12-round decision in a 2000 IBF Eliminator against 16-0 Antonio Tarver, a five-time world champion. Eric lost a world title bid to Roy Jones, Jr. when he was unable to answer the bell for the 11th round due to a serious shoulder injury in their WBC/WBA/IBF/IBO world title fight.

Anderson was a much decorated amateur boxer from Hartford who tragically died in a 1980 plane crash.  Fourteen boxers and eight staff members of the USA Boxing Team, traveling to Poland to compete in an International match, were among 77 passengers who perished.

Taylor was honored in 1990 by the NCAA Coaches Association, as well as the Connecticut Boxing Guild, for his 50-year contribution to boxing.  He kick-started the boxing careers of Connecticut greats such as world champion Marlon Starling, Tyrone Booze and Troy Wortham.  Billy coached the 1969 Coast Guard national championship team, guided Central Connecticut State University for eight seasons in the eighties, and produced three national champions and 32 All-America boxers.

Dr. Schwartz is Chief Ringside Physician for Professional Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts, who has been responsible for creating many of the medical protocols utilized in boxing.  He is the founder of the first Medical Association for Professional Ringside Physicians, in addition to being Chief Ringside Physician for the State of Connecticut. Schwartz also serves as the Chief Ringside Physician and Chairman of the Medical Advisory Board for both Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun Casino.

Go on line to www.CTBoxingHOF.com for more information about the 7th annual CBHOF Gala Introduction Dinner or the history of this organization.

MASHANTUCKET, CT (April 16, 2011) – “Vicious” Victor Ortiz lived up to his nickname tonight, upsetting defending World Boxing Council (“WBC”) Welterweight Champion and previously unbeaten Andre Berto by 12-round decision, headlining the “East-West Showdown” card at MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
In the first six rounds, both fighters hit the canvas twice in arguably the best fight of 2011. It culminated with what is now the 2011 Fight of the Year frontrunner, as two of the best young fighters in the world amazingly kept an electric pace from start to finish.
Ortiz came out firing right from the opening bell, cornering Berto with a series of punches, until the defending champion took a knee. Berto, however, came right back to drop Ortiz with a straight right at the end of the second round.
The non-stop action went back-and-forth in the third through fifth rounds; Ortiz’s power and aggressiveness versus Berto’s speed and quickness.
In what is certainly to be the round of the year in round six, Berto decked Ortiz again with a big right in the sixth, and looked on the verge of finishing the Ventura, CA native. However, Berto, couldn’t finish off Ortiz, who came back to drop Berto with a left cross moments before the bell sounded to end the round.
Adding to the drama, in the tenth round referee Michael Ortega penalized Ortiz a point for hitting behind Berto’s head.
In the end, Ortiz won on all three judges’ scorecards 115-110, 114-112, and 114-111 to capture the WBC welterweight division title in thrilling fashion.
“Absolutely not,” Ortiz responded to a question about this fight being redemption for his loss to Marcus Maidana. “Maidana was never in my class. I never gave him respect, especially for not giving me a rematch.
“147 lbs. is where I’m king. I want to thank Andre Berto for the opportunity. He is a real champion.”
Berto, who was having his right thumb examined after the fight, stated, “I just didn’t feel it tonight. I just couldn’t get off.”
Red-hot Puerto Rican welterweight prospect Thomas “The French” Dulorme (11-0, 10 KOs) continued to shine bright, stopping veteran Harrison Cuello in sensational fashion in the tonight’s chief supporting fight.
Dulorme dropped Cuello and then registered his 10th consecutive knockout, when the budding star Dulorme caught his opponent with a devastating left hook, and referee Johnny Callas didn’t bother to count-out the fallen Cuello. Dulorme is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, Gary Shaw Productions, and Universal Promotions, under the Team Puerto Rico banner.

“East-West Showdown: Berto vs. Ortiz,” presented by DiBella Entertainment in association with Golden Boy Promotions, aired live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing.

Complete Results:

FEMALE HEAVYWEIGHTS
Sonya Lamonakis (6-0, 1 KO), New York, NY WDEC4 (40-36, 39-37, 39-37) Gigi Jackson (2-2, 0 KOs), Columbus, OH
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
J’Leon Love (6-0, 5 KOs), Dearborn Heights, MI WTKO2 (2:13) J.C. Peterson (1-11, 0 KOs), Ft. Myers, FL
JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Deandre Latimore (22-3, 17 KOs), Las Vegas, NV WDEC8 (80-72, 80-72, 80-72) Dennis Sharpe (17-7-3, 4 KOs), Bayonne, NJ
WELTERWEIGHTS
Victor Ortiz (28-3-2, 22 KOs), Ventura, CA WDEC12 (115-110, 114-112, 114-111) Andre Berto (27-10, 21 KOs), Winter Haven, FL
(Ortiz wins WBC welterweight title)
Thomas Dulorme (11-0, 10 KOs), Carolina, Puerto Rico WKO2 (1:27) Harrison Cuello (20-16-3, 15 KOs), Albany, NY
Joseph Elegele (12-0, 9 KOs), Winter Haven, FL WKO2 (2:54) Angel Hernandez (14-10, 11 KOs), Gary, IN
BANTAMWEIGHTS
Luis Rosa, Jr. (6-0, 5 KOs), New Haven, CT. WTKO5 (1:12) Joseliz Cepeda (4-2, 0 KOs), Newark, NJ

NEW YORK, NY (April 11, 2011) – World Boxing Council (“WBC”) Welterweight World Champion and undefeated star Andre Berto is experiencing one of his best training camps ever in preparation for his sixth title defense April 16 against WBC # 5 rated challenger “Vicious” Victor Ortiz in the 12-round main event headlining the “East-West Showdown” card at the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

“East-West Showdown: Berto vs. Ortiz” is presented by DiBella Entertainment, in association with Golden Boy Promotions. The bout will be televised live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing starting at 9:45 PM/ET 6:45 PM/PT. The broadcast kicks off with Amir “King” Khan (24-1, 17 KOs) defending his WBA Super Lightweight World Title against Paul “Dudley” McCloskey (22-0, 12 KOs) from the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, England.

Berto (27-0, 21 KOs), a 2004 Haitian Olympian fighting out of Winter Haven, Florida, captured the vacant WBC Welterweight World Title in 2008 by way of a seventh round technical knockout of Miguel Angel “Miki” Rodriguez. The lightning-quick boxer has made five successful title defenses against World Champions Steve “2 Pound” Forbes (UD12), Luis Collazo (UD12), Juan “Iron Twin” Urango (UD12), and Carlos “El Indio” Quintana (TKO8), as well as veteran Freddy “Riel” Hernandez (TKO1) last November.

Below are notes from Berto’s training camp in Winter Haven, Florida and his comments:

Training Camp

“This training camp has to be one of my best thus far, simply because I have been staying in shape during my off time with my strength-and-conditioning coach, Cleveland Berto. So, when training camp came around, I got in rhythm within the second week. As the weeks go on, I’m feeling stronger, faster and more conditioned. I am ready to get in the ring.”

Different Preparation for Ortiz

“I always work hard in training camp. He’s a southpaw with power, so we have to prepare and tweak a couple of things to get ready for the fight.”

Typical Berto Training Day

“I work harder and harder as fight night gets closer. We do two-a-days, swim three times a week, run and go to the boxing gym every day.”

Gameplan

“I need to do what I’ve been doing: stay sharp, smart and, of course, be the last man standing.”

Fighting at Foxwoods

“It feels good to be back on the East Coast, closer to where it all started for me. It’s a new venue so this gives two great fighters the opportunity to put it on the map because this fight will be a good one. People will remember who and where it was fought.”

Tickets are priced at $350, $200, $125, and $65 and went on sale today through the MGM Grand at Foxwoods box office. Tickets can be purchased online at www.mgmatfoxwoods.com, by calling the MGM Grand at Foxwoods at 1-866-646-0609, or in person at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods box office.

HARTFORD (April 9, 2011) – Heavyweight Tony “TNT” Grano got back on the winning track tonight in the main event on “The Willie Pep Boxing Classic,” presented by Hard Hittin’ Promotions, at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.
Grano improved his record to 18-2-1 (14 KOs) with a sixth round technical knockout of crafty veteran “Diamond” Dominique Alexander (20-11-1, 10 KOs). Grano dropped Alexander three times in the final round.
“I am impressed by his durability,” Grano said after the fight. “I caught him with a lot of clean shots early. He’s a lot more durable than I thought. I hit him right on the button. It was a good experience for me. He gave me six rounds and I needed to be back in the ring. Surprisingly, he took my best shots. I didn’t think he had a good chin. I want to fight again very soon. I’m in great shape. I want to keep busy. I hope to fight again in May or June.”
In the co-feature, Meriden bantamweight prospect Danny Aquino (6-1, 2 KOs) turned in a very impressive performance, effectively working the body and then going upstairs to stop James Owens (4-3, 2 KOs) at 2:12 of the opening round. Aquino hurt Owens with a powerful left hook, trapping him on the ropes, and then unloading a barrage of punishing punches until referee Danny Schiavone signaled that the fight was over.
Fan friendly East Hartford super featherweight Joseph “Chip” Perez’ unbeaten win streak ended at five when he was disqualified for hitting undefeated Esteban Nichol, who had been decked and was on one knee as the referee counted.
Philadelphia light weight Frank Trader (8-0) kept his undefeated record intact, winning all six rounds en route to a unanimous decision victory against a game Tommy Atencio.
Welterweight Shakha Moore won his first fight in nearly four years by way of a technical decision against Noel Garcia. The scheduled six-round bout was halted after four due to damages resulting from accidental head-butts by both fighters.
Ian Cannon, an 18-year-old college student, was matched with former New England Golden Gloves champion Luis Reynoso, of Springfield (MA), in a wheelchair boxing exhibition (three, one minute-rounds) under amateur boxing rules (headgear, large gloves, etc.). Cannon, of Glastonbury (CT), suffers from cerebral palsy but he trains regularly at Lion’s Den Connecticut in Middletown, where he has created a wheelchair boxing program, Rollin With The Punches

Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra proclaimed Saturday, April 9, 2011 as Willie Pep Day in a special ceremony, in which the late Pep’s son, Billy, represented the family.
Complete Results:
HEAVYWEIGHTS
Tony Grano (18-2-1, 14 KOs), Hebron, CT WTKO6 (2:09) Dominique Alexander (20-11-1, 10 KOs), Topeka, KS
WELTERWEIGHTS
Shakha Moore (11-15-3, 2 KOs), Norwalk, CT WTD4 (40-36, 39-37, 39-37) Noel Garcia (2-9, 1 KO), Springfield, MA
SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS
Esteban Nichol (3-0, 1 KO), Denver, CO WDQ3 (1:23) Joseph Perez (5-1, 2 KOs), E. Hartford, CT
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Frank Trader (8-0, 2 KOs), Philadelphia, PA WDEC8 (60-54-60-54, 60-54) Tommy Atencio (5-7, 3 KOs), Denver, CO
BANTAMWEIGHTS
Danny Aquino (6-1, 2 KOs), Meriden, CT WTKO1 (2:12) James Owens (4-3, 2 KOs), Milwaukee, WI

MASHANTUCKET, Conn. (Oct. 2, 2010) – WBA No. 6 rated light heavyweight Joey “KO Kid” Spina stopped 3-time world title challenger Antwun “Kid Dynamite” Echols in the third round of tonight’s main event headlining the “Last Man Standing” card.

“Last Man Standing,” presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), was held in Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Spina (26-1-2, 18 KOs) hurt super middleweight Echols (32-15-4 (28 KOs) at the end of the second round and came out with bad intentions for the third. A powerful left hook found the range on Echols, who was on the ropes, and referee John Callas halted the action at 49 seconds.

“I was a little disappointed by the stoppage because I really wanted to knock him out,” Spina spoke about the stoppage. “If it went a little longer I think I would have hurt him.”

In the co-feature, New England super middleweight champion Vladine “Mr. Providence” Biosse (9-0) proved to be too strong, quick and talented for tough, veteran “Iron” Ariel Espinal in their non-title fight. Biosse, a former University of Rhode Island football player, pounded Espinal from the opening bell through the all six rounds, earning a unanimous decision.

“It was a tough fight,” Biosse said. “He came forward to fight. I underestimated when I saw his body yesterday. He didn’t look like he was in shape. I thought it would be easier than it turned out to be, He came to fight. I love keeping active. I’m going to visit my grandmother who raised me and be right back.”

Hartford middleweight David Bauza (6-0, 3 KOs) kept his perfect record intact by easily taking a 4-round decision from outclassed but game Jeremy Wood.

New Haven super lightweight Edwin Soto improved his record to 5-0-1 with a unanimous 4-round decision against Trenton Titsworth. New Haven super middleweight Greg McCoy (2-1-1, 1 KO) upset Reynaldo Rodriguez (5-2, 2 KOs) via a third round TKO in an action-packed match.

In a wild, back-and-forth bout, lightweight Derek ”The Surgeon” Silveria (3-0, 2 KOs), the newest member of Team CES, overcame a second-round knockdown to win by fourth-round technical knockout versus Phillip Bernette (0-2), who was leading at the time with one round in his favor and two even.

New Haven featherweight Luis Rosa (4-0, 3 KOs) remained undefeated, stopping Jose Velazquez in the third round. Hometown favorite, Mystic (CT) super bantamweight Karen Dulin, pitched a shutout, winning a unanimous 4-round decision against Kat De La Cruz.

MASHANTUCKET, Conn. (Sept. 28, 2010) – Many of Connecticut’s top boxing prospects will be showcased Saturday night on the “Last Man Standing” card, presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES) in association with Foxwoods Resort Casino, in Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.

The 10-round main event features the comeback of 3-time world title challenger “Sucra” Ray Oliveira (47-11-2, 22 KOs), who steps into the ring for the first time in five years against WBA No. 6 rated light heavyweight contender Joey “K.O. Kid” Spina (25-1-2, 17 KOs), in an intriguing super middleweight bout. Oliveira is from New Bedford (MA), Spina from Providence (RI).

Hartford middleweight David Bauza (5-0, 3 KOs), who trains in New Haven, puts his unbeaten pro record on the line against an opponent to be determined, while New Haven super lightweight Edwin Soto (4-0-1, 2 KOs) faces Trenton Titsworth (3-9-1, 2 KOs) in a pair of 4-round fights.

In other 4-round matches, hometown favorite Karen Dulin (1-6), who lives in Mystic, meets Katarina “Kat” De La Cruz (0-4-1); New Haven super middleweight Greg McCoy (1-1-1) squares off against Reynaldo Rodriguez (5-1, 2 KOs), fighting out of Woonsocket (RI); Stamford (CT) light heavyweight Ahmad Mickens (1-0) takes on Zachary Swallan (0-1); impressive Hartford super featherweight Joseph “Chip” Perez (4-0, 1 KO) plans to continue rolling versus Ernest Butts III (0-1); and New Haven’s promising featherweight prospect Luis Rosa Jr. (3-0, 2 KOs) is scheduled to face an opponent to be determined.

New England super middleweight champion Vladine “Mr. Providence” Biosse (8-0, 4 KOs), a former University of Rhode Island football player, will be tested by veteran upset specialist Ariel “Iron” Espinal (8-15-3, 4 KOs) the 6-round, non-title fight co-feature. Byfield (MA) featherweight Derek Silveira (2-0, 1 KOs) battles Phillip Bernette (0-1) to round out the stacked card.

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at $40.00, $60.00 and $100.00, are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254) or Foxwoods (800-200-2882), going online at www.cesboxing.com or www.foxwoods.com, or in person at Foxwood’s box office.

For more information contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Foxwoods Resort Casino (www.foxwoods.com). Doors open at 6:00 PM/ET, first bout at 7:00 PM/ET.

PROVIDENCE (Aug. 31, 2010) – History will be made Friday night, Sept. 17 when “First Blood” becomes the first sanctioned, professional Mixed Martial Arts show ever held in Rhode Island.

“First Blood,” presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc., (CES) will be held at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, RI. All fights feature three, 5-minute rounds.

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PROVIDENCE (Aug. 30, 2010) – U.S. Marine Sgt. James Smith has been in the ring at most Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES) pro boxing shows at Twin River since 2008 as part of the Honor Guard accompanying the singing of the National Anthem. This Friday night, however, Smith will be out of uniform and wearing trunks for his pro debut.

Undefeated Providence super middleweight Vladine Biosse (7-0, 4 KOs) leads the next generation of New England fighters into action on Friday night’s “Labor Daze” card, presented by CES, at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, RI.

The Cape Verdean native Biosse (7-0, 4 KOs), a former University of Rhode Island football player, defends his EBA title against Ibahiem “The Almighty” King (7-4, 2 KOs) in the 8-round main event.

Smith, a super welterweight matched against Shawn Pyles (0-1) in a 4-round bout, is originally from Portland, Maine. The 26-year-old has been an active U.S. Marine for the last seven years. He is presently stationed in Rhode Island -- living in Warwick with his wife and two children -- attached to the Rhode Island Reserves assisting with training for upcoming deployment overseas. Sgt. Smith has done two tours in Iraq.

Sgt. Smith has been on leave since Aug. 23 training for his pro boxing debut, something he has dreamed about since he was a little boy. “I’ve been a gym rat since I was four or five,” he explained. “I remember sitting on my father’s shoulders watching Joey Gamache win the world title (June 13, 1992 when Maine’s favorite son Gamache knocked out Chil Sung Chin in the ninth round at Cumberland Civic Center in Portland). Fighting as a pro has been on my mind since then.”

In 2009, Sgt. Smith captured top honors in the 152-pound decision of the New England Golden Gloves, defeating Michael Andrade. “I’m through with being nervous; now I’m just anxious to get in the ring and succeed in my pro debut,” James added. “I’m taking a realistic approach to boxing. I know what it takes to be world champion having grown up watching Joey Gamache and Marcus Davis (now a UFC star). Maybe someday I’ll get a title shot; I’m only 26 and have some time. I’ll see where it goes.”

Other 4-round bouts on the card include Fall River (MA) super welterweight Dustin Reinhold (2-1, 2 KOs) vs. Providence’s pro-debuting Rameil Shelton, a senior at Tolman High in Pawtucket; Woonsocket (RI) super middleweight Joe Gardner (5-1-1, 1 KO) vs. New Bedford’s (MA) Eric Pinarreta (2-4, 2 KOs); New Bedford (MA) super lightweight Jonathan Vazquez (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Tony Marks (0-4); Providence firefighter and cruiserweight Eric Estrada (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Tauheed Wheeler (0-3); and Barnstable (MA) heavyweight Jesse “Bad News” Barboza (3-1, 3 KOs) vs. Antonio Robertson (0-1). All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets for “Labor Daze,” priced at $35.00, $50.00, $75.00 and $125.00, 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. Ticket-buyers who purchase a VIP seat will also receive a 25%-off coupon for Fred & Steve's Steakhouse, valid for 30 days following the fight.

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 6:00PM/ET, first bout at 7:00 PM/ET.

(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “Labor Daze.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.)

-CES-

CONTACT:

Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, 978.664.4482 (office), [email protected]

WBO Cruiserweight Champion Marco “Captain” Huck (29-1, 22 KOs) and challenger Matt Godfrey (20-1, 10 KOs) today participated in an open media work-out in front of more than 500 fans in Erfurt, Germany.

Captain Huck is determined to defend his title for a fourth time on Saturday night. “My fans love my aggressiveness and explosiveness and I will make sure Matt Godfrey will get a good taste of it,” Huck said. “I am just too explosive for him. The belt stays in Germany. I want to put on another spectacular performance and defeat Godfrey in style.”

Even though Godfrey has left Ulli Wegner guessing in what stance he will fight, the German star coach said it does not matter. “I have prepared Marco for both a southpaw as well as an orthodox stance,” he stated. “Even if Godfrey intends to switch, it will not be a problem. Marco has worked hard in practice. If he listens to his corner, he will defend his title with another great victory.”

Meanwhile, Godfrey believes it will be him who leaves the ring victorious. “I might not have the hardest punch, but I am smarter than Huck,” he said during today´s session. “He’s a big strong guy and a very good puncher. He’s a little limited in some of the things he can do, but he’s very consistent in a lot of the things he does do. He’s a champion for a reason. He didn’t get 29 wins and 22 knockouts by accident. We have a big task on our hands, but we had a great camp to prepare for it. It will be a great fight. ”

(Picture Credit: Team Sauerland)