PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (September 3, 2004) –- Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. (CES) has signed an exclusive deal to promote boxing shows at the Bayside Expo Center in Boston. The inaugural event there will be Friday night, October 1, headlined by former world title contender “Sucra” Ray Oliveira in the International Boxing Union World welterweight championship match.
“This is a strategic move combining the Boston and Providence markets,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield explained CES’ expansion into Boston from Rhode Island. “The Expo Center is centrally located, only a 30-minute drive from Providence, and one mile south of downtown Boston. The way boxing is today, fans want to see great, entertaining fights at a place where they know these type of shows will be held on a consistent basis. Boxing needs a Boston home and we have it in the Expo Center. It’s convenient to get to and a wonderful venue with great parking and concessions. Tickets will be reasonably priced, too.
“For years I’ve been trying to find a venue like this where management really wants boxing and will aggressively work with us to market shows. That’s why we’ve partnered with the Bayside Expo. We also have a show scheduled there November 26 and plan on doing 7-9 shows in 2005. The great sports fans in Boston want a site to watch boxing on a regular basis. We’ve found a great home for New England boxing fans at the Bayside Expo Center.”
“Sandman” returns Oct. 29 at Foxwoods
IBU super middleweight champion Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton (28-3-1, 23 KOs) will defend his title Oct. 29; live on CN8/The Comcast Network, against former IBF contender James Crawford (40-7-2, 15 KOs) at Foxwoods Resort Casino. Pemberton is rated No, 3 by the WBC and No. 14 by the IBF.
Oliveria (46-9-2, 22 KOs), of New Bedford, is the former IBU world welterweight champion, as well as two-time ex-NABF super lightweight champion. He holds the only victory against WBA junior light welterweight champion “Vicious” Vivian Harris, as well as wins against former world title-holders Charles Murray (twice) and Vince Phillips.
Also scheduled to fight on the Oct. 1 card is former world light welterweight champion Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt (13-3, 5 KOs), of Narragansett (RI), two South Boston fighters from Ireland, junior middleweight Martin “The Irish Assassin” Thornton (8-1-1, 3 KOs) and middleweight Joe “Sugar” Rea (1-0, 1 KOs); South Boston junior welterweight “Cocky” Kevin Watts (18-6-, 7 KOs), unbeaten Peabody light heavyweight Wayne “Lights Out” Johnsen (4-0, 3 KOs), Worcester heavyweight Rashad Minor making his pro debut, and Philadelphia welterweight Phillip McCants (0-0-1).
The Bayside Expo Center is located in South Boston, off I-93, close to the University of Massachusetts at Boston. Go to www.baysideexpo.com for more information.
For tickets or more information call CES’ corporate office at 401.724.2253/2254 or visit its web site at www.cesboxing.com