MEMPHIS, May 17th – Former two-time WBA Featherweight Champion of the World Freddie Norwood 38-1-1 (22 KO’s) has signed an exclusive promotional contract with Memphis based Prize Fight Boxing. Norwood, 36, will make a return to the sport that he once dominated after a six year hiatus. Freddie Norwood reigned supreme amongst the featherweights during the late nineties and into 2000 before walking away from the sport to sort out some personal issues in his life..
“I am thirty six years young! My body is in it’s prime. This layoff has made me stronger physically, but most importantly it has made me stronger mentally,” stated Norwood from his St. Louis, Mo home. During his reign Norwood was famous for beating the best featherweights in the world in their own backyard.
He consistently battled the toughest the division had to offer or the toughest featherweights that were willing to fight him. Norwood originally won the WBA crown April 3, 1998 by defeating Puerto Rican Antonio Cermeno in Bayamon, Puerto Rico by a unanimous decision. Norwood successfully defended his title twice before being stripped for failing to make weight against Japanese challenger Koji Matsumoto in Tokyo on September 22, 1998. Even though he was stripped Norwood went on to batter Matsumoto eventually stopping the challenger in the tenth round. Norwood was able to recapture the WBA crown in and old fashioned way as he once again went to Puerto Rico and he once again defeated Antonio Cermeno in front of his home crowd on May 29, 1999.
After being crowned for the second time by the WBC Norwood successfully defended the title three times against formidable foes such as former champion Juan Manuel Marquez, current champion Takeshi Koshimoto, and former champion Julio Chacon. “I fought anyone, anywhere! I made my own way and I am here to do it again. I am with the number one up and coming promoter in this sport and looking to become a three time world champion. My goal is to unify the titles at 130 and to be considered the pound for pound best fighter in the world today,” an exuberant Norwood said. Norwood will begin his comeback June 30th at Fitzgerald’s Casino in Tunica, MS as he battles Frankie Zepeda 16-3 (9 KO’s) in an eight round main event. “Zepeda is a great fighter. This bout will really let us know what Freddie has left in the tank. If he is fortunate enough to get by Zepeda we will look at our options and start trying to line up a world title fight. All indications are that Freddie has not missed a beat. I am proud to call myself his promoter,” Prize Fight Boxing’s Brian Young said.