SPOILER TIME-Witter/Bradley

By Boxing News May 10th, 2008

Timothy Bradley knocked down Junior Witter in the sixth round on the way to winning the WBC junior welterweight title Saturday night via split decision.

Bradley leaps to 22-0. Witter, who may have been looking past Bradley towards bigger fish, is 36-2-2.

The scores were 114-113, 115-113 Bradley and one judge saw it 115-112 for Witter, who was hoping to lure Ricky Hatton into a match.

TSS will have a full writeup tonight!

Witter, Bradley Last Quotes

By Boxing News May 9th, 2008

Junior Witter (WBC SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION)-139 1/2

“Timothy Bradley has had some success already. He’s a young, talented fighter. He’s done quite well for himself, but on Saturday night he’s going to understand what it feels like to be in the ring with a world champion.

“I’ve seen Bradley box. He’s aggressive and active. He’s got quick hands. We have a plan in place that will take him out of his comfort zones.

“Lets be honest; the champion will remain the champion. I’m going out there to deliver some pain.”

Timothy Bradley (WBC 140-Pound NO.1 CONTENDER)-139 1/4

“I can’t wait for the bell to ring. I’m very anxious for my first title fight. People ask me if I’m nervous. It’s a world title fight; I’m itching to get inside the ring. It’s like when you run around in fresh, cut grass. You get that itch.

“During the face off, I didn’t like the way he was looking at me. Saturday, on SHOWTIME, I’ll unleash all of my energy on Junior Witter.

“I’m going to fight a smart fight. We have an elaborate game plan in place. I’m a versatile fighter so we’ve prepared for a lot of things. I’ll know how and when to attack Witter.”

Froch Added To Sat. ShoBox

By Boxing News May 9th, 2008

NEW YORK (May 9, 2008) – Hard-hitting super middleweight Carl Froch has been added as the co-feature to Saturday’s special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation, which is taking place from Nottingham, England (SHOWTIME, 10:45 p.m. ET/PT, tape delayed). The main event remains the WBC Super Lightweight World Championship bout between titlist Junior Witter of Bradford, England and American contender Timothy Bradley of Palm Springs, California.

SHOWTIME announced today that Froch will be facing late-replacement Albert Rybacki of Poland (15-0, 8 KOs). Froch was added to the card, scheduled for Saturday, May 10, after lightweight contender John Fewkes, complaining of Gastroenteritis, pulled out of his ShoBox co-feature fight with John Murray.

The undefeated Froch (22-0, 18 KOs) of Nottingham, was originally scheduled to face Denis Inkin in a WBC final eliminator for the super middleweight title, but Inkin pulled out two weeks ago complaining of a back injury sustained in training. As a result, the WBC officially named Froch the mandatory challenger to current 168-pound champion Joe Calzaghe. Froch, eager to showcase his exciting style to his hometown fans and an American television audience on SHOWTIME, accepted the 12-round International contest against Rybacki.

“Carl Froch is an exciting and talented fighter to watch,” said ShoBox Executive Producer Gordon Hall on location in Nottingham. “He’s got significant power and a thrilling style. This is a great opportunity to give our viewers a first look at a guy who very well could be the next super middleweight world champion.”

“Froch likes to keep busy,” said promoter Mick Hennessy of his 30-year-old charge. “Even though he’s got a guaranteed WBC world title fight coming up next, he likes to test himself. Froch is getting into the ring against guy with nothing to lose. Rybacki showed up here in great physical shape. We know his a rough, tough fighter and essentially he’s gate crashing a world title contender.

“Froch is confident enough to put his unbeaten record on the line against anyone,” continued Hennessy. “We did not want to pass up the opportunity to put on a good performance to the American television audience on SHOWTIME. Ticket sales have been strong behind our hometown boy and we expect an excitable crowd to really rock the Trent FM Arena.”

Saturday’s SHOWTIME telecast of ShoBox: The New Generation will open with the world title fight of Witter vs. Bradley at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT. Froch vs. Rybacki will follow as the second fight of the show.

Dunne To Headline July 12

By Boxing News May 8th, 2008

Hunky Dorys Fight Night - Magnificent Seven set for Summer Sizzler at the Stadium

The Best of the Fighting Irish are set to showcase their talents at Dublin’s National Stadium on July 12th on the next Hunky Dorys Fight Night. The Magnificent Seven of Bernard Dunne, Matthew Macklin, Andrew Murray, Oisin Fagan, Darren Corbett, Ian Tims and Keith Cresham will see action on what should prove a hot summers night of boxing at the National Stadium.

Dunne will headline the card in an International 10 round contest as he looks to take another step towards a world title shot. The Dubliner rebounded from last years European title defeat in Castlebar last month shedding the ring rust with a comprehensive win over former World Champion, Felix Machado.

The second 10 rounder on the card will see Matthew Macklin square off with Philadelphia danger man Willie “The Gladiator” Gibbs.

Following a career best display in comfortably outpointing former World Champion Yori Boy Campas in March Gibbs promises to be another step up in class for the Birmingham based Irishman.

Fight fans will also get an opportunity to compare the relative merits of Irish rivals Andrew Murray and Oisin Fagan on July 12th ahead of a possible Irish title showdown later this year.

Murray the reigning Irish Light Welterweight champ will look to extend his unbeaten record to 13 straight wins in a scheduled 10 rounder while Fagan, the previous incumbent of the Irish 10 stone title will also appear on the card as he builds towards regaining a belt that he never lost in the ring.

Add the return of big punching Belfast star Darren Corbett to the mix and appearances from unbeaten prospects Ian Tims and Keith Cresham and it all adds up to a mouth watering night of boxing for Irish fight fans.

Promoter Brian Peters believes it could be huge night in the careers of both Dunne and Macklin. “For Bernard there’s a possibility that we could bypass the European title and go for a World title. Rendall Munroe is the European Champion now and I’ve spoken to his promoter Frank Maloney and they’re not keen on coming to Ireland to fight Bernard.

“So with that being the case we need to look at other options and the most obvious one is to go for the world title. There’s no point hanging around at European level waiting for a fight that may not happen anyway.

“Bernard had a good win in Castlebar last month against a very decent opponent in Felix Machado and I’m sure if he can get another couple of wins likes that we’ll be knocking on the door of a world title shot. We can’t afford any slip ups but Bernard still needs to beat the kind of guys that can secure him a world ranking so this is a crucial period in his career.

“Matthew also has a big night ahead of him. He stepped up a level last time and did very well against Campas and Gibbs is definitely another step up again. He’s a big puncher and a really dangerous opponent but if Matthew gets past him it will create a few ripples Stateside because Gibbs is very much a known quantity over there.”

For Gibbs fighting certainly seems to be in the blood, the 32 year old is a cousin of Bernard Hopkins and like his cousin he has developed a ring persona. Hopkins calls himself the “Executioner” while Gibbs goes by the name of “The Gladiator” and enters the ring wearing a Gladiator’s mask.He’s backed up that particular moniker by compiling a professional record of 20 wins and 3 losses. Sixteen of those wins have come by stoppage so he can clearly punch but Macklin isn’t worried about his reputation.“I actually fought on his undercard in Philadelphia a few years back and after my fight I managed to see a few rounds of his fight. He’s a big strong guy but I didn’t see anything to frighten me.”

Despite his impressive win over Campas Macklin admits there were elements of his performance that he wasn’t happy with. “I suppose I’m my own worst critic but watching it back again afterwards I was probably too disciplined. I had said I wanted to get back to using my jab and my boxing skills but looking back at it now I think I overdid it against Campas. I probably over compensated for that and there were times when I probably should have stood my ground a little more.

“That’s something I can work on when I go back to Florida to work with Buddy McGirt again. I just need to strike a happy medium because while I want to get back to my boxing skills I don’t want to lose the intensity because I believe that’s one of the things that gives me an edge over the other guys out there.”

Tickets for the Hunky Dorys Fight Night priced from €50 go on sale from 9am tomorrow (Thursday, May 8th) from Ticketmaster.ie and all usual outlets.

Ruiz Wants Valuev

By Boxing News May 7th, 2008

LAS VEGAS (May 7, 2008) – Former two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz has announced that he’s prepared to replace WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev to fight another former WBA title-holder, Nikolay Valuev, for the WBA belt.

Chagaev pulled out of his scheduled mandatory defense against Valuev in May, reportedly due to a cold that forced him to break training, but Ruslan hasn’t made his initial mandatory defense since capturing the WBA belt on April 14, 2007 via a 12-round majority decision versus Valuev. His only title defense was a voluntary fight this past January in a 12-round decision against Matt Skelton. WBA champions are required to make a mandatory defense within a year of winning the belt and/or last mandatory defense. Chagaev is officially over the deadline and seeking further delays.

“We have to respect mandatory defenses and if Chagaev isn’t willing or able to fulfill his obligation as champion,” WBA No. 2 rated Ruiz said, “he should step aside so the WBA can move forward instead of standing still. There’s so much speculation about Chagaev. First there was Hepatitis B and now another viral infection – it must have moved from his intestines to his throat – and nobody really knows when or if he’ll be able to fight again. We will be filing a letter of petition with the WBA to strip Chagaev and order a fight between me and Valuev for the WBA title.”

Ruiz is also rated No. 3 by the WBC, No. 6 by the IBF, No. 10 by The Ring magazine, and No. 12 by the WBO.

“The heavyweight division drives boxing,” Ruiz added. “Fans are waiting for things to explode, but it seems like the heavyweight champions are holding the title belts hostage. They’re all tied up and don’t want to fight the best heavyweights. No wonder fans criticize heavyweights. I’m ready to clean-up the division and willing to fight any of the world champs or top contenders. How long do I have to wait for my title shot?”

Ruiz is the first and only Latino heavyweight champion of the world. He has fought in 10 world championship fights and defeated three world heavyweight champions — Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker – as well as top contenders such as Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo, Kirk Johnson and Jameel McCline during his 15-year pro career.

Mijares To Meet Munoz May 17

By Boxing News May 7th, 2008

GOMEZ PALACIO, DURANGO, Mexico (May 7, 2008) – Styles make fights and the May 17 unification title bout between WBC champion Cristian Mijares and WBA title-holder Alexander “El Explosivio” Munoz has all the makings of an instant classic.

The 12-round Mijares-Munoz main event, marking the first super flyweight unification title bout in more than 10 years, headlines the “Noche de Campeones” pay-per-view event live from the Auditorio Centenario in Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico.

“Noche de Campeones,” promoted by KO Entertainment in association with DiBella Entertainment, will be produced and distributed by Integrated Sports for live viewing in the United States (9 PM/ET) on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, TVN, DirecTV and DISH Network, as well as on The Fight Network in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

The 12-round co-feature matches Mexican warriors Omar Salado and Julio Cesar “Pingo” Miranda in a WBC flyweight elimination bout.

“Unifying the super flyweight title is one of my first goals to be recognized as the best in my weight class,” Mijares said. “I’ve always desired to fight on a pay-per-view show and now it’s real. At the same time it is a big responsibility because so many boxing fans are going to be watching my performance. It’s an honor to fight before my people and I know millions of Mexicans will be watching me live on television.”

Mijares (34-3-2, 14 KOs) is a pure boxer with tremendous defensive boxing skills, while Munoz (32-2, 27 KOs) rates as a feared knockout specialist. Mijares captured the WBC Interim title on September 18, 2006 by 12-round split decision (114-113, 114-113, 113-114) against Katsushige Kawashima (30-4) in Japan. The slick Mexican southpaw successfully defended his WBC Interim belt the following November in Mexico, winning a 12-round unanimous decision (118-109, 117-110, 116-111) versus Reynaldo Lopez (28-3-2), and won his rematch for the WBC outright championship on January 3, 2007, stopping Kawashima (30-5) in the 10th round.

Mijares burst upon the global scene a year ago with an impressive, one-sided victory by unanimous 12-round decision (119-109, 118-110, 117-11) on PPV versus colorful Jorge “Travieso” Arce (46-4-1, 35 KOs) in San Antonio. Currently riding a 24-fight unbeaten streak with 23 wins and one draw, Mijares has made four successful title defenses since defeating Arce against, in order, Terrei Kikui (21-5) by 10th round TKO, Frank Gorrjux (16-7) in the opening round, and Jose Navarro (26-3) via a 12-round decision on February 16 in Las Vegas.

Venezuela-native Munoz is a 2-time WBA super flyweight champion, originally winning his title belt in 2002 with an eighth-round stoppage of Celes Kobayasho. Munoz made three winning title defenses against Eiji Kojima twice (KO2 and TKO10), sandwiched around a 12-round decision versus Hidenobu Honda (26-2), before losing a 12-round decision and his title belt to Martin Castillo (26-1) in 2004. Munoz won the WBA Fedelatin super flyweight crown in a WBA title eliminator, but Castillo won their 2006 rematch by 12-round split decision.
Munoz regained his WBA super flyweight title on May 3, 2007, taking a dominating 12-round decision from Nabuo Mashiro (9-0) in Japan. In a pair of title defenses, “El Explosivo” retained his belt with 12-round decisions against, respectively, Kuniyuki Aizawa (13-1-1) and Katsushige Kawasjima (32-6) this past January in Japan.

“Munoz is a dreaded knockout fighter and that’s why he’s a 2-time world champion,” Mijares noted. “All fights are different and I prepare myself 100-percent. I believe in my ability and also put myself in the hands of God. I believe it’s going to be a classic fight between a fighter and a puncher; a very tough, hard fight. I’m not looking ahead of this fight, but I’d like two or three more fights at this weight and then look at fighting for another world title at a higher weight.”

Undefeated former WBA Fedelatin super fIyweight champion Salado (19-0-2, 11 KOs) fought a 12-round draw with Ulises Solis (22-1-1) for the IBF light flyweight title in 2006. Salado is rated No. 4 by the WBC, No. 6 by The Ring, and No. 8 by the WBA. Miranda (25-3-1, 18 KOs) is ranked No. 3 by the WBC.
Unbeaten Japanese Koki Kameda (17-0, 11 KOs), former WBA light flyweight title-holder and current WBA No. 1 flyweight contender, is scheduled to fight in a 10-round PPV bout against an opponent to be determined. Kameda is also ranked No. 2 by the WBC, No. 9 by the WBO and The Ring.

Also scheduled to fight on the live undercard are other tough Mexican boxers such as middleweight Martin “Azteca” Avila against Alberto Hernandez in a 10-round match-up, as well as lightweights Ricardo “Camaleon” Mijares (9-0, 8 KOs) and Arturo Mijares (5-1, 4 KOs), and welterweight Ivan “El Ruso” Pereyra (1-0, 1 KO). All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

Marciano Exhibit Hitting The US

By Boxing News May 7th, 2008

Having already achieved great success in Italy, the exhibition “From Rocco Marchegiano to Rocky Marciano” will come to the United States beginning September 21, 2008. Promoted by Francesca Mancini, with the support of the Province of Chieti, the exhibit focuses on the life of the late undefeated heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano, who hailed from Brockton, Massachusetts. Although he was born in the United States, Marciano’s father was from Ripa Teatina, a small town close to Chieti in Central Italy.

From April 20-27, Ms. Mancini was in New York scouting locations for the exhibit. She was joined by Umberto Aimola, the vice president of the Province of Chieti; Riccardo De Girolami, the general secretary of the Italian Boxing Commission; Claudio Certosini, the executive of the Italian Olympic Commission; businesswoman Valeria De Cecco; and renowned international journalist Luca De Franco whose connections with the New York boxing community were instrumental in making things happen.

Ms. Francesca signed a contract to rent the fabled Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, New York, beginning on September 21, which was the day of Marciano’s final fight. On September 23, a major press conference will be held at Gleason’s with a very special surprise guest.

“I cannot divulge his name now, but he is so famous that his presence will bring journalists from major newspapers, radios and TV networks,” said Ms. Francesca, who added that from September 24 to October 13 the full show will be hosted by a major art gallery. In addition, in August, the exhibit will join the Italian boxing team during the Olympic Games in Bejing, China.

Between April 2007 and March 2008, the exhibit has been promoted with great success in four Italian cities: Ripa Teatina (Abruzzi), Siena (Tuscany), Pescara (Abruzzi), and Roseto(Abruzzi).

Ms. Francesca expects the exhibit to be as successful in the United States as it was in Italy. “I’ve been in New York, Baltimore and Brockton, and I met some great people who will guarantee the success of the exhibit,” she said. “The Italian Consul in Baltimore was really enthusiastic and will welcome the show there. In Brockton, I met Marciano’s family lawyer, who was more than willing to cooperate. In New York, Luca De Franco introduced me to Mr. Steven Acunto who has an impressive amount of memorabilia about Rocky Marciano. I was also glad to meet promoter Joe De Guardia, who came up with many great ideas about how to promote the exhibit. Rocky is a very popular figure in the United States. I have no doubt that the exhibit will be well received, not only by boxing fans but also by those interested in their Italian heritage. Everywhere we went, the support was tremendous.”

Arnaoutis Ready To Impress

By Boxing News May 7th, 2008

Bronx, NY - May 06, 2008 Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing presents an exciting evening of boxing this Friday night from Bally’s Atlantic City, as “Mighty Mike” Arnaoutis (18-2-2 9KO) defends his USBA Jr. Welterweight title against undefeated Lanardo Tyner (19-0 11KO) in a 12 round bout.

The semi-final 8 rounder will feature 2004 Olympic Team captain Devin Vargas (15-0 6KO) taking on tough Philadelphian Dave Brunelli (8-3 3KO) in a Heavyweight fight. The bouts will be telecast live on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” series. Below are quotes from each of the four participants.

“Mighty Mike” Arnaoutis: “I have worked very hard for this fight. I had a very good camp, with excellent sparring and I’m ready for the fight. Tyner will know what its like to be in the big time when he steps into the ring with someone like me. Rest assured he will be going back to Houston with a loss on his record. Right now I have everything working the way I want, I have a great corner and this will be the year of “Mighty Mike”. Lanardo Tyner is just a bump in the road for me”.

Lanardo Tyner: “I am so looking forward to Friday night and fighting on ESPN. This is my time. Arnaoutis had his shots and its time for him to move over. This is my coming out party. I had a great camp and I know this Friday night I will be the NEW USBA champion. I didn’t take this fight for the money, I took it for the opportunity to put myself in line for a bigger fight. I want to fight guys like Ricky Hatton and Paulie Malignaggi. I’m old school, the fans love to watch me fight because I do not bullshit in the ring. I hope “Mighty Mike” is ready because I’m coming to knock him out and take home his belt”.

Devin Vargas: “I am thrilled to be fighting on national television. This fight will springboard my career and the viewing audience will see just what Devin Vargas is all about. I’m not taking my opponent lightly, I know he come from a tradition rich area of fighters and I heard he is a very tough guy who brings it. I look forward to this opportunity and can’t wait to get into the ring on ESPN Friday evening.

Dave Brunelli: “I know I’m coming into this fight as an underdog but that is the way we like it. I know my opponent is more experienced but I come from the fighting city of Philadelphia, PA and I’ll have all my fans there cheering me on to victory. I’m 100% confident and I am really thrilled to be fighting on “Friday Night Fights”.

Under card action starts at 7:30pm and features hot prospect Raymond Serrano Jr. as well as local fighters Pat Majewski, Clinton Douglas, Ariel Espinal, and Qaid Muhammad. Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 1 800 736-1420 or Star Boxing at 718 823-2000. You can also purchase tickets online from TicketMaster.com or StarBoxing.com

Fox To Feature Females

By Boxing News May 6th, 2008

HENDERSON, Nevada (May 6, 2008) – An compelling match between middleweights Jill Emery and Cristy “Code Red” Nickel has been added to the already exciting and competitive Fox Sports Net’s Best Damn Championship Fight Night Period card, headlined by a pair of International Female Boxers Association (IFBA) world championship bouts, on Thursday, June 12 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Best Damn Championship Fight Night Period, presented by Cappiello Boxing in association with Hollybrook Regency, Inc., features IFBA World junior featherweight champion Lisa “Bad News” Brown (14-3-3, 4 KOs) defending her crown against Alicia “Slick” Ashley (14-7-1, 1 KO) in the 10-round main event, plus Russian invader Anastasia Toktaulova (12-8, 2 KOs) challenging IFBA World flyweight champion Elena “Baby Doll” Reid (19-4-5, 5 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature.

Emery (8-2, 3 KOs) and Nickel (7-6, 4 KOs) have a lot in common, including historic roles played in fights overseas. Both are college graduates from middle class backgrounds and physical training instructors who live in New York City. Jill works and trains at the famed Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, where Cristy often spars, yet, they’ve never met in person.

Pittsburgh-native Emery, a graduate of Bucknell University, is a 3-time US Nationals champion, who also captured top honors four years in the New York Daily News Golden Gloves Championship, won a gold medal in the 2004 Women’s World Boxing Tournament, and was named 2004 USA Boxing’s Female Athlete of the Year. As a pro, Jill was the winner of the first women’s pro fight in Ireland last June by eight-round decision versus Angel McKenzie in a shutout performance, winning all eight rounds on the scorecard.

Nickel was born in California but raised on a farm in Northern Idaho. The U. of Memphis graduate was one of only six Americans fighters invited to fight in 2005 on a card in Beijing, China.

Cristy was contacted in 2006 by producers of MTV’s hit reality show “MADE,” who were searching for a boxing coach to turn a lazy high school quitter into a hard-hitting boxer in only six weeks. Nickel auditioned with coaches from all over the country and after an intense and lengthy screening process, she was offered the position, and the episode was chosen as the season premier, continuing to re-run to date in more than 60 countries. The success of the show afforded Cristy an opportunity to move to New York City, where she started her own business as a personal trainer and boxing coach at “Peak Performance,” New York’s exclusive private training facility for the stars, including her personal clients such as Katie Couric.

Trinidad and Tobago-born Brown, a three-time world champion now fighting out of Toronto, Canada, takes on three-time world champion Ashley, who is from Jamaica and living in Westbury, New York. Las Vegas-based Reid fights former European super flyweight and bantamweight champion Toktaulova, representing Moscow.

On the undercard, Las Vegas unbeaten star Melinda Cooper (18-0, 10 KOs) starts her comeback after nearly 18 months of inactivity versus knockout specialist Donna “Nature Girl” Biggers (19-7-1, 16 KOs), of Shelby, North Carolina, in a special six-round junior featherweight bout. Junior featherweight contender Jeri Stizes (14-7-1, 6 KOs), of Springfield, Missouri, faces tough Ela “Bam Bam” Nunez (6-3, 2 KOs), fighting out of Jamestown, New York, in another highly competitive six-rounder.

Tickets are priced at $10.00, $25.00 and $40.00 and on sale at the Mohegan Sun box office or online at www.mohegansun.com.

Go to www.ifba.com for more information. The undercard will start a 7 PM/ET, followed by the first of three scheduled televised bouts beginning at 8 PM/ET.

IFBA
Since its inception in 1997, the IFBA has sanctioned more than 100 women’s title bouts and was the first to sanction all-women’s cards on cable and broadcast television, including ESPN2, USA Network, Pay-Per-View, Fox Sports International and on SBS, MBC and MBC-ESPN in Korea. With the help of various State Boxing Commissions, the IFBA established many of the rules used in the sport today. The IFBA is sanctioning four championship bouts June 13, featuring a showdown between Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm and Mary Jo Sanders for the vacant IFBA World junior middleweight title and pound-for-pound supremacy, live on pay-per-view television from Albuquerque. For more information, visit www.IFBA.com.

Peter Manfredo, Promoter

By Boxing News May 6th, 2008

PAWTUCKET, Rhode Island (May 6, 2008) – Peter Manfredo, Sr. has been a world champion kick-boxer, owns and operates New England (Manfredo’s Gym in Pawtucket) top gym, and trainsd talented pro fighters such as his son, world title challenger Peter Manfredo, Jr., Jessie Brinkley, Edwin Rodriguez and other promising prospects.

The question is why Manfredo, Sr. has delved into promoting? On May 17 he presents “Diamonds in the Rough,” in association with Let’s Get It On Promotions, at Freeport (I.B.E.W.) Hall in Dorchester, Massachusetts.

“I decided to venture into promoting to give young pros around here an opportunity to fight without signing a promotional contract,” Manfredo explained. “They don’t want to be restricted by signing with a promoter and I’m not looking to sign anybody. I’m giving them a chance to fight, keep busy, and opportunities to build their records.”

Headlining for the first time is Worcester (MA) middleweight prospect Edwin Rodriguez (5-0, 3 KOs) in the 6-round co-main event. The Dominican Republic-born Rodriguez won the 2006 National Golden Gloves Championships and 2005 United States Championships.

Super middleweight Derek Hinkey (4-1, 4 KOs), fighting out of McDermitt, Nevada, is a Native American fighter with a rich amateur career that includes participation in the Olympic Trials. He meets TBA in the 6-round co-feature. A 6-round featherweight bout has been added between Guatamala-born Castulo Gonzalez (9-5, 3 KOs), fighting out of Lynn (MA), against Florida tough guy Robert “Don’t Lose” DaLuz (10-11-2, 9 KOs).

Also scheduled to fight on the May 17 card are Whitman (MA) super middleweight Mark “The Italian Bazooka” DeLuca (3-0, 2 KOs), 2004 National Silver Gloves champion; Hinkey’s younger brother, heavyweight Tyler Hinkey (2-0-1, 2 KOs); Providence junior welterweight Jesus Caro, New England Golden Gloves champion; Brockton (MA) welterweight Alexandria Madgziak. Caro and Madgziak will be making their pro debuts. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at $40.00 (general admission), $55.00 (reserved), $75.00 (ringside) and $100.00 (Golden Ringside), are on sale at Freeport Hall and Manfredo’s Gym. Call 401.723.1359 for additional information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.