HARTFORD (September 13, 2006) – A live outdoor boxing workout will be held Tuesday, September 19, from 11:30 AM to 1 PM at the Old State House (800 Main St.) in Hartford to promote the September 23rd “Night of the Rising Stars” Pro-Am boxing show at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford..
Three local pros fighting on the “Night of the Rising Stars” card – Manchester super featherweight Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard, Hartford welterweight Israel “Pito” Cardona and Hartford super bantamweight Mike “Machine Gun” Oliver – along with Hartford trainer “Iceman” John Scully will participate. John Spehar, owner of Fighting Fitness Performance Centers in New Haven, will serve as the event announcer.
Training techniques will be taught including shadow boxing moves and footwork. Photo opportunities and autograph sessions with the fighters will be available for the public. Two tickets to “Night of the Rising Stars” show will be raffled. Attendees will receive a free day pass to LA Boxing in Glastonbury, as well as learn about Hartford’s rich boxing history.
Official Weigh In & Final Press Conference
The official weigh in and final press conference for “Night of the Rising Stars” will be open to the public on Friday, Sept. 22, 4 PM, at the Connecticut Convention Center.
Pro Bouts
Main Event – 12 Rounds – WBC USNBC & WBC Continental Americas Cruiserweight Championships
Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey (12-0, 7 KOs), Providence (RI), USNBC & NBA Champion, WBC Rated No. 10
vs.
Danny “Boy” Batchelder (24-2-1, 11 KOs), Greenwich (NY), WBC Continental Americas Champion, WBC No. 12
Co-Feature – 10 Rounds – WBC Youth Super Featherweight Championship
Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard (10-0, 7 KOs), Manchester (CT), Everlast Under-19 National Amateur Champ (2)
vs.
Jose Hernandez (6-0, 2 KOs), Fort Worth, TX
Special Heavyweight Attraction – 8 Rounds
Jason “Big Six” Estrada (6-0, 1 KO), Providence (RI), 2004 U.S. Olympian
vs.
Cliff “Twin Tyson” Couser (26-10-2, 14 KOs), St. Louis (MO), NAMA North American Heavyweight Champion
Special Welterweight Attraction – 6 Rounds
Israel “Pito” Cardona (35-6, 27 KOs), Hartford (CT), former USBA & NABF Lightweight Champion
vs.
Shaka Moore (9-10-3, 1 KO), Norwalk (CT), former IBC International Welterweight Title Challenger
6 Rounds – Super Bantamweights
Mike “Machine Gun” Oliver (15-0, 7 KOs), Hartford (CT), USBO Super Bantamweight Champion
vs.
Oscar De La Cruz (4-3, 2 KOs), Atlanta, GA
4 Rounds – Heavyweights
Tony Grano (4-0-1, 4 KOs), Hebron (CT), U.S. Championships amateur heavyweight champion
vs.
Mike Miller (2-3, 2 KOs), Akron, OH
4 Rounds – Middleweights
Enrique “El Palo” Palau (4-0, 4 KOs), Worcester (MA)
vs.
James North (8-13-2, 2 KOs), Weston (WV
Amateur Matches
Three top amateur matches are planned, including a sensational contest between New Haven’s 13-year-old “Mighty Midget” Tramain Williams and 13-year-old Dusty Harrison, representing Washington D.C.
Williams (40-6) is a five-time National champion, two-time rated No. 1 in the Silver Gloves, and Outstanding Boxer at the Silver Gloves. The 75-pounder has won 22 of his last 23 matches spanning 2 1/2 years. Harrison has had an amazing 135 matches.
CES Ring of Honor Inductions
World Boxing Association super welterweight champion “El Gallo” Jose Antonio Rivera and retired boxer and present trainer “Iceman” John Scully will be inducted into the CES Ring of Honor during a special ceremony.
Rivera (38-4-1, 24 KOs), of Worcester (MA), is a three-time world champion. Last May, he captured the WBA title by flooring defending champ Alexandro “Terra” Garcia five times en route to a decisive 12-round decision. It marked the first time that Scully had worked Rivera’s corner as his co-head trainer.
Scully (38-11, 21 KOs) captured a Bronze medal at the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials and fought Henry Maske for the IBF light heavyweight title in 1988. Now a highly regarded trainer, he also handles Lawrence Clay-Bey, Israel “Pito” Cardona and Mike “Machine Gun” Oliver.
Rivera and Scully join charter members Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Paz, Marlon “Magic Man” Starling, of Hartford, and “Irish” Micky Ward in the CES Ring of Honor, which honors some of the great modern era New England boxers.
Show dedicated to Johnny Duke, Willie Pep honored
“Night of the Rising Stars” is dedicated to the memory of the late Hartford-based trainer Johnny Duke. Hartford’s ageless star Willie “Will o’ the Wisp” Pep (230-11-1, 65 KOs), three-time world featherweight champion, also will be honored.
Ticket Information
Tickets for “Night of the Rising Stars,” promoted by Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. are now on sale at the Connecticut Convention Center (860.249.6000) or by going on line at www.cesboxing.com. Ticket prices are $35.00, $50.00, $75.00, $100.00 and $150 Platinum VIP (not including Connecticut taxes).
Two VIP corporate tables (8 seats per table) remain available, which includes a full-page ad in the program, banner (supplied by sponsors) at the event and two live ring announcements. Call 401.724.2253 for a special discounted price.