Sporting News CT – SNCTTV

PROVIDENCE (July 7, 2010) – The stars will be out this week for “Let Freedom Ring,” headlined by the 10-round NABO lightweight title fight between champion, WBO # 7 rated “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy (18-0-1, 10 KOs), and challenger, John Molina, Jr. (20-1, 6 KOs), live on ESPN Friday Night Fights from the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, RI.

Among the boxing luminaries scheduled to attend “Let Freedom Ring,” presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), are 5-time world champion Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Paz, 3-time Fight of the Year participant “Irish” Micky Ward and 1960 Olympic gold medalist Dr. Wilbert “Skeeter” McClure.

A close friend of promoter Jimmy Burchfield, Paz is a fixture at most CES fights, while Ward and his brother Dicky Eklund, after whom the movie “The Fighter” (December release) is about, train New England super middleweight champion “Irish” Joey McCreedy (11-4-2, 6 KOs, also from Lowell (MA)). McCreedy puts his title on the line against his friend and stable-mate, former University of Rhode Island football player Vladine Biosse (6-0, 4 KOs), in the 8-round co-feature. McClure roomed with Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay back then) at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, where they both captured gold medals, “Skeeter” in the middleweight division.

Other stars expected at Twin River include world-rated light heavyweight Joey “KO Kid” Spina, 3-time world champion Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt, former world cruiserweight title challenger “Iceman” John Scully (walking McCreedy into the ring), and former NABF light welterweight titlist “Sucra” Ray Oliveira (training Dustin Reinhold). Rhode Island natives and resident, 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada, will be in the house supporting his brother, Eric Estrada.

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 Keon Graham (2-2). Estrada was perfect as an amateur with a 6-0 record, including victories in the New England Golden Gloves Tournament and Rocky Marciano Tournament.

Also slated to be in action in 4-round bouts are Warwick (RI) super middleweight Keith Kozlin (5-1, 3 KOs) vs. New Bedford’s (MA) Eric Pinaretta (2-3, 2 KOs), Woonsocket (RI) super middleweight Joe Gardner (4-1-1, 1 KO) vs. Demarcus “Main Event” Clark (1-2, 1 KO), Lincoln super lightweight Diego Pereira (4-0, 2 KOs) vs. Richard Calazada (2-1, 1 KO), and Fall River (MA) middleweight Reinhold (1-1, 1 KO) vs. Joel Nieves (0-2). 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.)

CES president Jimmy Burchfield and heavywight prospect Jesse Barboza. (Photo By: Emily Harney)

PROVIDENCE (May 2, 2010) – Unbeaten Cape Cod heavyweight Jesse Barboza has two new formidable additions to his corner, the stars of the soon-to-be-released movie, “The Fighter,” 3-time Fight of the Year participant “Irish” Micky Ward and his brother and former trainer, Dicky Eklund.

The highly-regarded Barnstable (MA) native Barboza (3-0, 3 KOs), a 3-time New England Golden Gloves Tournament winner, faces an opponent to be determined in a 4-round bout Friday night (May 7) on the “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.

In a special 9-round main event, New Bedford police officer Jason “School Boy” Pires (22-3-1, 9 KOs), a former USBA super bantamweight champion and 1996 U.S. Olympic Team alternate, faces former world title challenger Michael “Cold Blood” Clark (39-5-1, 18 KOs) for the vacant NABA-U.S. junior welterweight title.

The 23-year-old Barboza is an impressive specimen, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 230 pounds. He’s registered the “Knockout of the Night” in each of his three pro fights, including the last one (March 19) in the second round against Richard Mason, with Ward and Eklund in his corner for the first time.

“I’ll tell you, Micky pushes you hard,” Barboza said of working under Ward. “I’m tired and he gets his second wind. No respect to 60-year-old trainers who never fought before, but everybody saw Micky do it in the ring, and he’s still the same. It’s different when he tells you something to do. He’s out there hittin’ and sweatin’ with you. We bonded quickly. Dicky is like an Energizer bunny. He may be older than Micky, but never gets tired. Dicky not only works out with you, he gets in the ring and spars, too. This (being trained by Ward and Eklund) is hard to believe.”

Barboza was a standout middle linebacker for Barnstable High and planned on playing college ball. Both of his parents, however, lost their jobs at the same time. Jesse, admittedly, didn’t work too hard on academics and, after graduating from BHS, he found himself at home and missing the competitiveness of sports. “I needed a competitive edge after high school, so I went to the gym one day,” he explained. “I liked what I saw and decided for the first time in my life I’d give 100 percent. My grandfather was an amateur boxer and I became one. I enjoyed watching Mike Tyson. I have short-range goals and in about 10 more fights I want to be considered one of the top heavyweight prospects in the United States. I want to go in boxing where Micky has already been.”

Also slated to fight in 4-round bouts are some of New England’s finest prospects: Providence super middleweight and former University of Rhode Island football player Vladine Biosse (5-0, 4 KOs) 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. TBA, 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.)

CES show at Twin River Event Center, RI

PROVIDENCE (April 30, 2010) – Five Nutmeg-based pro boxers will make the trek from Connecticut to Rhode Island, fighting in 4-round bouts on the “Spring Fever” card, presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln.

In a special 9-round main event, New Bedford police officer Jason “School Boy” Pires (22-3-1, 9 KOs), a former USBA super bantamweight champion and 1996 U.S. Olympic Team alternate, faces former world title challenger Michael “Cold Blood” Clark (39-5-1, 18 KOs for the vacant NABA-U.S. junior welterweight title.

Undefeated middleweight and fan favorite, hard-hitting David Bauza (4-0, 3 KOs), fighting out of Hartford by way of Puerto Rico, puts his undefeated record on the line against his toughest foe to date, Richard “Hurricane” Grant (4-3, 2 KOs).

Bauza trains in New Haven, where two other fighters in action live and train, light welterweight Edwin Soto (4-0, 2 KOs) and pro-debuting middleweight Ricky Dawson, the older brother of “Bad” Chad Dawson, one of the top pound-for-pound boxers in the world. Soto faces Carlos Hernandez, who is making his pro debut out of Bridgeport, and Dawson meets an opponent to be determined.

New Haven super middleweight Greg McCoy (0-1-1) will be looking for his first win as a pro, but he’ll be an underdog against Warwick’s (RI) unbeaten Keith Kozlin (5-0, 3 KOs).

Also slated to fight in 4-round bouts are some of New England’s finest prospects: Providence super middleweight and former University of Rhode Island football player Vladine Biosse (5-0, 4 KOs) 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; Marshfield (MA) welterweight Aleksandra Magdziak Lopes (1-1, 1 KO) vs. Natoya Ervin (1-4), and Lincoln (RI) light welterweight Diego Pereira (4-0, 2 KOs) vs. Noel Garcia (2-3-1, 1 KO) of Springfield (MA). 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.)

The First and Only Heavyweight World Champion of Latino Heritage Calls it a Career

an Emily Harney photo

LAS VEGAS (Apr. 26, 2010) – After a professional career spanning 18 years, highlighted by becoming the first and only Heavyweight World Champion of Latino heritage, two-time world champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz today announced his retirement from the ring.

Ruiz (44-9-1, 30 KOs) defeated three world champions – Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker – as well as top contenders such as Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo, Jameel McCline and Kirk Johnson. Six of John’s nine career losses were to world champions.

“I’ve had a great career but it’s time for me to turn the page and start a new chapter of my life,” Ruiz said. “It’s sad that my final fight didn’t work out the way I wanted, but, hey, that’s boxing. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished with two world titles, 12 championship fights, and being the first Latino Heavyweight Champion of the World. I fought anybody who got in the ring with me and never ducked anyone. Now, I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family.

“I want to thank all of fans for staying in my corner through a long, up-and-down ride, as well as members of my family and team – my manager and legal advisor, Atty. Tony Cardinale, my brother, Eddie (cornerman), and Keith McGrath (strength-and conditioning coach) who’ve been with me so long. I also want to thank my trainer Miguel Diaz and (assistant) Richie Sandoval for teaching an old dog, new tricks, and my promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, the fairest promoter in boxing.

“I was proud to be the WBA champion twice and have the opportunity to fight 12 times for the WBA championship, the oldest and most respected organization in boxing. I’d particularly like to thank WBA President Gilberto Mendoza.”

Ruiz plans to move from Las Vegas back home to the Boston area this year and open a boxing gym in the inner city. “With my experiences in boxing,” he explained, “I want to go home and open a gym where kids will have a place to go, keeping them off of the streets, so they can learn how to box and build character. Someday, I’d like to see one of them go on to represent the United States in the Olympics. I want them to have the same opportunity to see the world that I had as an amateur. I’ve always tried to be involved in community and charity work in the past and now I’ll have more time to work with kids.

“Maybe, someday I’ll get into training, but right now I just want to spend time with my wife, Maribelle, and my children. I wasn’t around as much as I would have liked for my two oldest children, John and Jocelyn, because I was away training or fighting. Now, I’ll be around for them and my 3-year-old son, Joaquin, as he grows up. I’m going back to my roots in Massachusetts, where a lot of my family and friends live, and look forward to helping young boxers avoid some of the bad things that I experienced in the sport but help them to experience the good times, too. Boxing is brutal but also beautiful. As I look back, I’m happy about my career, and my future is very bright.”

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.”

FACT SHEET

Name: “Spring Fever” Pro Card

Date: Friday night, May 7, 2009

Venue: Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, RI

Promoter: Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc.

Matchmaker: Ted Panagiotis

Tickets: $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.

Information: 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.)

BOUT SHEET

NABA-U.S. JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

MAIN EVENT – 8 ROUNDS

JASON “School Boy” PIRES MICHAEL “Cold Blood” CLARK

Former USBA Super Bantamweight Champion Former NABF, IBC and WBC Continental

1996 U.S. Olympic Team Alternate Americas Champion/Ex-WBO Title Challenger

New Bedford, MA Columbus, OH

22-3-1 (9 KOs) 39-5-1 (18 KOs)

4 ROUNDS – SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

KEITH KOZLIN GREG MCCOY

Warwick, RI New Haven, CT

5-0 (3 KOs) 0-1-1

4 ROUNDS – HEAVYWEIGHTS

JESSE BARBOZA CHRIS “The Archbishop” BOYKINS

3-Time New England Golden Gloves Champion Upset Minded

Barnstable, MA Orlando, FL

3-0 (3 KOs) 1-5 (0 KOs)

4 ROUNDS – SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

VLADINE BIOSSE TBA

Former U. of Rhode Island Football Player

Providence, RI

5-0 (4 KOs)

4 ROUNDS – MIDDLEWEIGHTS

DAVID BAUZA RICHARD “Hurricane” GRANT

Hartford, CT by way of Puerto Rico Palm Bay, FL

4-0 (3 KOs) 4-3 (2 KOs)

4 ROUNDS – JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS

DIEGO PERIERA TBA

Lincoln, RI by way Portugal

4-0 (2 KOs)

4 ROUNDS – JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS

EDWIN SOTO CARLOS HERNANDEZ

New Haven, CT by way of Puerto Rico Bridgeport, CT

3-0 (2 KOs) Pro Debut

4 ROUNDS – MIDDLEWEIGHTS

RICKY DAWSON TBA

Brother of Chad Dawson

New Haven, Ct

Pro Debut

4 ROUNDS – FEMALE WELTERWEIGHTS

ALEKSANDRA MAGDZIAK LOPES NATOYA ERVIN

Marshfield, MA Columbus, OH

1-1 (1 KO) 1-4 (0 KOs)

(All Fights and Fighters subject to change)

CES show May 7 at Twin River Event Center, RI

PROVIDENCE (April 15, 2010) – Many of New England’s top prospects will be in action May 7 on the “Spring Fever” card, presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), at Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, R.I.

New Bedford (MA) welterweight Jason “School Boy” Pires (22-3-1, 9 KOs), the former USBA super bantamweight champion and active New Bedford police officer, is scheduled to headline in the 8-round main event.

Also slated to fight in 4-round bouts are Providence super middleweight Vladine Biosse (5-0, 4 KOs), former University of Rhode Island football player who is back after missing five months with a hand injury; “Irish” Micky Ward-trained Barnstable (MA) heavyweight prospect Jesse Barboza (3-0, 3 KOs), a 3-time New England Golden Gloves champion; Warwick (RI) super middleweight Keith Kozlin (5-0, 2 KOs); Hartford middleweight David Bauza (4-0, 3 KOs) vs. Ismael Garcia (1-0); New Haven light welterweight Edwin Soto (3-0, 2 KOs); Marshfield (MA) welterweight Aleksandra Magdziak Lopes (1-1, 1 KO) vs. Natoya Ervin (1-4) and New Haven (CT) middleweight Ricky Dawson, whose 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.

“We’re celebrating the spring season with an exciting show, featuring some of New England’s top, young boxers who are really ready to blossom,” CES president Jimmy Burchfield said. “Jason Pires tops the card and he’s positioning himself for a title fight in the not-too-distant future. Fans love Vladine Biosse, Jesse Barboza rates as a tremendous prospect, and we’re thrilled to have signed Ricky Dawson, whose brother Chad developed his talent as a member of Team CES. Bauza and Soto are promising prospects, as are Kozlin, and Lopes, who are all growing fan bases. CES is known for promoting fan-friendly cards with competitive fights and ‘Spring Fever’ continues our tradition. We’re also very happy to have these fights in our home base, beautiful Twin River.”

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.)