PROVIDENCE (May 19, 2005) – Promoter Jimmy Burchfield has announced that his company, Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc (CES) has entered into an agreement with the Rhode Island Convention Center and Dunkin’ Donuts Center to promote boxing shows in downtown Providence, commencing June 17 with “Providence’s Prime Time Fights” in The All-New Theatre at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center..
The series will be broadcast on a tape-delayed basis on CN8, The Comcast Network and Cox Sports. CN8, The Comcast Network and CES announced an agreement to broadcast six boxing shows during the next 12 months, commencing with “Providence’s Prime Time Fights” which will air on CN8, SUNDAY, June 19 9:00 PM/ET. CN8’s Ed Berliner will provide blow-by-blow commentary for all of the six New England boxing shows. The CES package is part of CN8’s Primetime Fights series, a monthly show featuring New England and Mid-Atlantic boxing events.
“We are bringing a brand new franchise to Providence, Rhode Island,” Burchfield explained at Wednesday’s press conference at The Hi-Hat. “You’re looking at some of the franchise (boxers seated at the dais). This is our franchise and we are all pros. We want fight fans in the state, New England and all over the world to watch how we can play ball in our backyard. Everybody has worked so hard to put us where we are today. This will be a franchise like the Providence Bruins and Pawtucket Red Sox, if we can get the cooperation of people in Providence, Rhode Island and New England.
“We have a big-time program.We looking into doing some Pro-Am shows with two or three amateur fights on our shows. We did that in New Haven (April 1) and got nearly 5000 fans with another 1000 outside trying to get in. If we could do that there, I know we can do it here in providence. The Dunkin’ Donuts Center and R.I. Convention Center are working together to helps us execute this. We started discussing this only 30 days ago and we only have three weeks to the first show. I’m so enthused by where the Providence franchise is headed and fighters from all over, not just Providence will be part of it.”
The June 17 show will be headlined by the World Boxing Council affiliated USNBC super middleweight championship match for the vacant belt between Providence’s Joey “KO Kid” Spina (15-0, 12 KOs) and upset specialist Sam Reese (20-12-4, 8 KOs) in the main event.
Also scheduled to fight on the card in separate bouts are Providence heavyweight Jason “Big Six” Estrada (2-0, 1 KO), 2004 US Olympian; Providence cruiserweight Matt Godfrey (7-0, 5 KOs), four-time National amateur champ; Narragansett (RI) light welterweight Jaime “Hurricane” Clampitt (14-3-1, 5 KOs), former IWBF & NABA champion; Cranston (RI) featherweight Missy “The Fury” Fiorentino (10-1, 6 KOs), former world title challenger; Manchester (CT) featherweight Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard (2-0, 2 KOs), two-time Everlast Under-19 National gold medalist; Buffalo middleweight “Lightning” Les Ralston (14-1, 7 KOs) and Providence via Puerto Rico junior welterweight Eddie Soto in his pro debut.
Tickets, priced at $150 (limited Jimmy’s platinum club), $100 (Gold reserved) and $60 (reserved ringside), go on sale Friday, May 20. To purchase tickets or for more information call CES’ corporate headquarters at 401.724.2253/2254 or go on line to www.cesboxing.com.
Burchfield also announced that the June 17th show will be presented in a tribute to the memory of fallen Providence police officer Sgt., Detective James Allen. Donations for his family will be accepted at the June 17 show and CES will match the total amount raised.
Member of police and fire departments in Rhode Island will be entitled to special discounts on all ticket purchases. Providence’s Peter Manfredo, Jr. a finalist in The Contenders reality show will be in attendance and honored at the June 17 show.
Providence City Council President John Lombardi: “I’m impressed with the collaboration to bring boxing back to Providence. Boxing belongs here. Estrada, Manfredo and Spina belong here. The Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Rhode Island Convention Center, Police and Parks Department are all in agreement to do this, but the chief engineer is my friend, Jimmy Burchfield. Providence will be the mecca of boxing, not only in New England, but all over the world. Estrada, Manfredo and Spina will all be champions and barometers for where the sport goes in the next five to 10 years.”
Ray Lepre, Cox Sports Operational Manager: “I was excited when Jimmy first called us about getting involved. It’s a great opportunity for Cox Sports. The folks at CN8 are pros who put on a great production. We’re happy to be working with them. We’re looking for bigger and better things and what better place than Providence.”