Sporting News CT – SNCTTV

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.)

EASTON, Mass. – The Southern Connecticut State University women’s outdoor track and field team won the 2010 Northeast-10 Conference Outdoor Championship on Saturday, hosted by Stonehill College. The Owls won 11 total events on the day and recorded five NCAA provisional qualifying marks. Courtni Walker (Uniondale, N.Y.) was named the Women’s Most Valuable Athlete of the Championship and head coach Chris Covert was named the Women’s Coach of the Year.

In the first event of the day, Katherine Reynolds (Hamden, Conn.) finished second in the hammer throw with a NCAA provisional qualifying heave of 49.56 meters (162 feet, seven inches). Samantha Spindel (Brewster, N.Y.) claimed third in the event with a toss of 49.24m (161 feet, six inches).

Walker won the long jump with a leap of 5.51 meters.

Spindel also claimed first in the discus throw with a toss of 39.31 meters (129 feet).

The Owls swept the pole vault. Kimberly Johnson (Lisbon, Conn.) won the event with a leap of 3.49m (11 feet, 5.25 inches), Teresa Parker (Colchester, Conn.) took second with a leap of 3.34m (10 feet, 11.50 inches) and Alicia Gray (Colchester, Conn.) grabbed third with a mark of 3.19m (10 feet, 5.50 inches).

In track events, Kelsey Proctor (Guilford, Conn.) started things off by winning the 3,000 meter steeplechase in 11:24.21.

The 4x100 relay squad of Sahnique Castella (Hartford, Conn.), Sarah Hill (Rockville, Conn.), Letecia Taylor (Plainfield, N.J.) and Ashley Bell (Riverhead, N.Y.) won the event with a NCAA provisional qualifying mark of 47.20 seconds.

Laura Brustolon (Mystic, Conn.) won the 1,500 meter run with a NCAA provisional qualifying time of 4:35.25 and Alasia Griebel (Bristol, Conn.) took second in 4:39.13.

Taylor won two track events. She set a new NE-10 outdoor meet record in the 100 meter hurdles with a NCAA provisional qualifying time of 14:.06 seconds and broke the old meet record in the 400 meter hurdles, claiming first with another NCAA provisional qualifying time of 1:02.51.

Bell and Walker took home first and second respectively in the 100 meter dash. Bell finished first in 12.33 seconds and Walker claimed second in 12.50 seconds. Bell also won the 200 meter dash with a time of 25.24 seconds.

Rounding out the top performances was the 4x800 relay team of Griebel, Jaclyn Sullivan (Lisbon, Conn.), Katelyn Morrell (Mystic, Conn.) and Sarah Grenier (Voluntown, Conn.). They won the event in 9:44.35.

The Owls won the meet with 227.50 points followed by UMass Lowell in second with 168 and Stonehill in third with 141 points.

Southern returns to the track on May 7 for the New England Championships

EASTON, Mass. – On Saturday afternoon, the Southern Connecticut State University men’s outdoor track and field team won their 16th consecutive Northeast-10 Conference Championship and eighth straight outdoor championship. Three Owls provisionally qualified for the NCAA’s and Southern also broke two meet records in the 3,000 meter steeplechase and 4x800 relay. Head coach Shawn Green was also honored by the NE-10 and named the 2010 Outdoor Track and Field Men’s Coach of the Year.

In the first event of the day, Frank Gambardella (East Haven, Conn.) won the hammer throw with a toss of 51.34 meters (168 feet, five inches) and David Bannerman (South Windham, Conn.) placed second with a heave of 47.41 meters (155 feet, six inches).

Akeem Elliott (Greater Portmore, Jamaica) finished second in the long jump with a season-best mark of 7.12 meters (23 feet, 4.50 inches).

Southern also grabbed first and second in the shot put. Stephen Cappello (Milford, Conn.) took first with a season-best throw of 14.54 meters (47 feet, 8.50 inches) and Shawneil Thompson (Mystic, Conn.) recorded a season-best mark of 14.26 meters (46 feet, 9.50 inches) to finish second.

The Owls swept the pole vault to round out the top performances in field events. Ryan Whitehead (Darien, Conn.) won the event with a NCAA provisional qualifying mark and new NE-10 meet record vault of 4.96 meters (16 feet, 3.25 inches). Jonathan Galli (Redding, Conn.) took second with a season-best mark of 4.55m (14 feet, 11 inches), Kevin Gibeault (Brooklyn, N.Y.) claimed third with a leap of 4.25m (13 feet, 11.25 inches) and Justin Escaravage (Brookfield, Conn.) placed fourth with a mark of 4.10m (13 feet, 5.25 inches).

Daniel Gaunya (Woodstock Valley, Conn.) finished second in the 10,000 meter run with a mark of 33:12.82 in the first track event of the meet.

Joseph Poulsen (Oxford, Conn.) shined in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. He won the event with a NCAA provisional qualifying mark of 9:19.17. His time was a new NE-10 Outdoor Championship meet record.

In relay events, the 4x100 team of Elliott, Russell Fallo (Redding, Conn.), Nana Ocran (Manchester, Conn.) and Richard Jackson (New Rochelle, N.Y.) finished second with a time of 42.22 seconds. The 4x400 team of Logan Sharpe (Esperance, N.Y.), Stenson Jean-Baptiste (Stratford, Conn.), Jackson and Casey Canada (Royal, Ark.) claimed second with a mark of 3:16.73 and the 4x800 team of Brian Nill (Ridge, N.Y.), Josh Perry (Naugatuck, Conn.), Brian Robbins (Bristol, Conn.) and Selasi Lumax (Somerset, N.J.) won the event with a new NE-10 meet record time of 7:45.26.

In other track events, Jackson finished third in the 400 meters with a NCAA provisional qualifying mark and season-best time of 47.26 seconds. Sharpe won the 400 meter hurdles in 54.07 seconds, Poulsen placed second in the 5,000m run in 15:20.59, Canada took third in the 110m hurdles in 15.25 seconds and Perry and Robbins claimed second and third in the 800 meters with times of 1:53.24 and 1:54.19 respectively.

The Owls won the meet with 198 points followed by AIC with 171 and Stonehill in third with 114.

Southern returns to the track on May 7 for the New England Championships.

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.)