08.11.05 – PROVIDENCE, RI — The press conference to announce the exciting November 23rd event at the Rhode Island Convention Center was void of opposition for the local talent as CES worked hard to produce the best possible matchups for the fans. Today, CES announced the opposition in the two main bouts, both of which should prove to be great matchups of world class talent..
In the evening’s main event, WBC U.S. Super Middleweight champion (USNBC) Joey “The KO Kid” Spina (17-0, 12 KO’s) puts his unbeaten record and #21 world rating from the WBC on the line against former amateur standout, former IBO world title challenger, former NABF title challenger and former NABA title challenger Jose Spearman (24-9-3, 10 KO’s). For Spina this represents the toughest opponent of his career as Spearman has been in with some of the world’s best fighters and is coming off a decision win over contender Rocky Smith (13-4, 11 KO’s).
“Jose Spearman is a veteran warrior,” said CES President Jimmy Burchfield. “He is a very difficult foe for Joey, one that if he is able to overcome, will speak volumes of the progress that Joey Spina has made over the past year and a half.”
Spearman has been in with the likes of James Butler, Anthony Hanshaw, Brian Magee and Lucian Bute. Last year he scored a major upset when he outpointed undefeated power-punching prospect Rasheem Brown of Philadelphia, PA on ESPN2. That bout was held at Mohegan Sun.
For Spina, this marks his fourth fight of 2005. He began the year off with his first 8 round bout, a decision win over tough Manu Ntoh and went on to capture his first professional championship in defeating former world champion Carl Daniels this past June. He defended his belt on August 26th against veteran title challenger Anwar Oshana. Spina has moved quick in 2005, stepping up the level of competition with each bout as he has also stepped up his training regimen under the tutelage of former world light heavyweight champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad.
“Since moving his base of operations to Las Vegas I have seen a great change in Joey,” said Burchfield. “His conditioning is great and each fight out he seems to improve. I don’t think he is many fights away from moving into the top ten and getting ready to challenge for one of the world championships. As long as he continues this progress.”
In another major fight, Narragansett’s Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt puts her IWBF world lightweight title on the line against the reigning WIBA Iberian-American champion Gisselle “Magic” Salandy of Trinidad. Salandy comes into the fight with an undefeated record of 10-0, 4 KO’s and lofty world ratings of WIBA #4, WBC #5 and IWBF #7. Salandy poses a very difficult task for Clampitt. At just 5’5″ Clampitt will be battling a much taller foe in 5’9″ Salandy, who is also much younger at just 19 years of age.
“What can you do,” said Clampitt. “This is the opponent that I have and I have to adjust thats all. It’s not like I have never been at a height and reach disadvantage. Even in my last fight, Shelby Walker was slightly taller than me too. It’s something I have grown accustomed to and I am sure that I will have to deal with again in the future. As for the age, I believe you’re only as old as you feel. I may be 29 but I feel younger, I feel great and I will be ready to do my job on November 23rd.”
Clampitt won the IWBF lightweight crown on August 26th with a 4th round TKO over Shelby Walker at the Convention Center. The win made Jaime only the second Rhode Islander to become a two-time world champion, joining five-time world champion Vinny Paz.
The November 23rd event will take place at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Downtown Providence. The doors for the event will open at 6 PM with the first bout beginning at 7 PM. The event will feature 7 world class matchups including the aforementioned two fights, along with appearances by female star Missy “The Fury” Fiorentino (12-1, 7 KO’s) in a world title fight, 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada (4-1, 1 KO), WBC U.S. Cruiserweight Champion Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey (9-0, 5 KO’s), 2000 Olympic Trials Gold Medallist “Steamin” Josh Beeman (3-1-2, 1 KO) and Exciting Puerto Rican Prospect Eddie Soto (2-0, 1 KO). Tickets, on sale now, are priced at $32, $52, $102 and a limited amount of $152 VIP seats. They are available by calling CES at 401-724-2253 or logging on to their web site at www.cesboxing.com.
In addition, the event will be televised on a taped delay basis on both CN8, The Comcast Network, which reaches more than 7 million homes from Maine to Virginia, and Cox Sports Television in Rhode Island. CN8 will be broadcasting the event on Saturday, November 26 at 7:00 PM/EST and Cox will present the event on Friday, November 25 at 8:00 PM/EST. The CN8 commentating team is made up of Ed Berliner, five-time world champion Vinny Paz and Phil Burton.