PROVIDENCE (July 7, 2009) NABF and SNBC cruiserweight champion, Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey hopes the fourth time is the charm for him when he takes on unbeaten Shawn “The Sioux Warrior” Hawk in the main event on this week’s ESPN2 Friday Night Fights show from The Arena in Philadelphia. In a battle of full-blooded Native Americans, Godfrey (18-1, 10 KOs), rated No. 6 by the WBC and No. 7 by the IBF, is a Wampanoag fighting in the 10-round headliner against a Sioux, Hawk (18-0-1, 16 KOs)..
Godfrey was supposed to face Herbie Hide earlier this year in a WBC Eliminator, but Matt was unable to fight due to a hand injury, and an IBF title fight against Tomasz Adamek, planned for this weekend, fell through when Showtime passed on the opportunity to broadcast.
“I’m preparing for Hawk as if I were fighting Adamek,” Godfrey said during a break from a recent workout. “This is a very important fight because I have another opportunity to showcase my skills on live national television. Fights fall through, that’s boxing. I can’t do anything about it and all I can do is keep focused on this fight. I don’t know too much about Hawk other than I know I’m going to beat him. He doesn’t bring anything that strikes fear in me – nobody does! He’s heavy-handed and he doesn’t know how to lose. Those are his two best assets. I’m not worried but I’m still taking him serious.”
The 28-year-old Godfrey, rated No. 10-ranked by The Ring magazine, has had his three most impressive performances fighting on ESPN FNF, knocking out Emmanuel Nwodo, Felix Cora, Jr. and Shaun George.
“This is my fourth main event on ESPN and it’s an opportunity for the sanctioning bodies, media and fans to see me again in action,” Godfrey added. “Every year I believe I’m going to be fighting in a bigger spotlight. I’m hoping that the fourth time around will lead to a world title fight for me. I’m ready to prove that I’m one of the best cruiserweights in the world; I believe I’m the best. When you’re rated in the top 10 by Ring, you’re definitely one of the best because there’s no politics involved, and it lists all of the different champions, not just the top contenders. I’m hoping a convincing win will push me up a little more in the ratings.”
Sovereign Nations Boxing and MMA Champions in National Spotlight
NEW TOWN, N.D. (April 8, 2009) – Sovereign Nations Boxing Council (SNBC) cruiserweight champion Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey defends his belt against Shawn “The Sioux Warrior” Hawk in a battle of full-blooded Native Americans on this week’s ESPN2 Friday Night Fights at The Arena in Philadelphia.
Godfrey (18-1, 10 KOs) is rated No., 6 by the World Boxing Council and No. 7 by the International Boxing Federation. He is also the North American Boxing Federation cruiserweight title-holder and rated No. 10 by The Ring magazine.
Sovereign Nations Mixed Martial Arts (SNMMA) heavyweight champion Chris Tuchscherer is also in the news having secured a fighting position in the coveted Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC). Chris makes his UFC debut August 29 in “UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueora” against Gabriel Gonzaga in Portland, Oregon.
SNBC and SNMMA links federally recognized tribes throughout the United States and Canada. Its mission is to develop, promote and help regulate professional boxing and mixed martial arts in a fair and professional manner by federally recognized tribes that are sovereign nations.
The 28-year-old Godfrey, who captured the first SNBC title belt last November via a unanimous 10-round decision against Edward Gutierrez at 4 Bears Casino, fights out of Providence, Rhode Island. Three of Matt’s most impressive performances as a pro have been knockouts of Emmanuel Nwodo, Felix Cora, Jr. and Shaun George, all broadcast live on ESPN FNF.
“This fight on ESPN is a good opportunity to let everybody watching on national television that Native Americans are involved in everything,” Godfrey explained. “Native Americans are not seen very often boxing on national television, but two of the best will be fighting each other in Friday night’s main event. I want to let people know that not all Native Americans live in the Dakotas. We’re all over the place. I’m honored to be the Sovereign Nations Boxing Council’s first champion. Friday night the boxing world will watch two Native Americans fighting at the top of the boxing world.”
Godfrey, a Wampanoag, puts his belts on the line against Hawk (18-0-1, 16 KOs), a Sioux from Crow Creek Reservation, South Dakota, which is the poorest Native American reservation in the United States. Shawn, who trains in Minot, North Dakota, had a 108-12 amateur record, including victories in four national championships, highlighted by a gold-medal performance at the National PAL Tournament when he was 14.
“Matt Godfrey is a great champion and it’s an honor to have him as the current SNBC cruiserweight champion,” SNBC/SNMMA president Pat Packineau said. “Shawn Hawk feels the belt should be his but he knows that he has to earn it because Matt isn’t going to give it to him for free.”
Fargo-native Tuchscherer (17-1-0) a former 2-time NCAA, Division II All-America wrestler now representing the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy, where he trains with his good friend, UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar. Tuchscherer won the SNMMA crown this past March, recording a fourth-round technical knockout (by punches) against Brandon Lee Hinkle at 4 Bears Casino.
“Chris is a great champion and will do very well in the UFC,” Packineau noted. “He is still the current SNMMA heavyweight champion. Chris represents our organization with great respect like the true professional that he is.”
ESPN 2 BOXING PRESS CONFERENCE IN PHILADELPHIA TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY JULY 8TH AT 1PM AT THE FOX & HOUND ON 1501 SPRUCE STREET
Plus the World’s Number-One Heavyweight, “Fast” Eddie Chambers to appear
PHILADELPHIA (July 7, 2009)—On July 8th at the FOX & HOUND ON 1501 Spruce Street in Philadelphia, There will be a major press conference in conjunction to one of the biggest boxing shows in Philadelphia that will take place two nights later at The Arena in South Philadelphia.
THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
The show is promoted by Blaine Garner’s Shalyte Entertainment in association with Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment Sports (CES).
In the main event, which will be televised by ESPN 2, Matt Godfrey will be defending his NABF Cruiserweight title against the undefeated Shawn Hawk.
The co-feature will pit Shaun George taking on Chris Henry in an important Light Heavyweight bout. This bout is co-promoted with DiBella Entertainment.
In addition to those two bouts there will be nine undercard bouts which will include the WBF All America’s Light Heavyweight title between Tony Ferrante and Billy Bailey. There will be a Jr. Middleweight bout between Derek Ennis and John Mackey in addition to two ladies bouts featuring Olivia Fonseca and Jackie Davis plus undefeated Coy Evans and Issac Suarez in separate bouts
Also scheduled to appear at the press conference will be “Fast” Eddie Chambers who is fresh off his dominating victory this past Saturday over Alexnader Dimitrenko to earn a shot at Wladimir Klitschko for the Heavyweight championship of the world
“The Fox & Hound is the premiere Sports Bar in Philadelphia and I want everyone in The Center City area to come in and have a nice lunch and meet, get autographs and take pictures with all of these world class athletes”, said promoter Blaine Garner of Shalyte Entertainment
FOOD AND BEVERAGE WILL BE SERVED TO THE MEDIA
WHO: Matt Godfrey (18-1, 10 KO’s)-NABF Cruiserweight champion
Shaun George (18-2-2, 9 KO’s)–#8 WBC Light Heavyweight
Tony Ferrante (7-0, 4 KO’s) –Undefeated Light heavyweight from Philadelphia
Derek Ennis (17-2-1, 12 KO’s) – Jr. Middleweight contender
Olivia Fonseca (2-2-2, 1 KO)—Exciting Ladies Welterweight
“Fast” Eddie Chambers (35-1, 18 KO’s)–THE WORLD NUMBER-ONE RANKED HEAVYWEIGHT
PLUS OTHER FIGHTERS ON CARD
WHAT MAJOR PRESS CONFERENCE IN CONJUNCTION WITH BIG ESPN 2 BOXING SHOW
THAT WILL TAKE PLACE OM FRIDAY JULY 10 AT THE ARENA IN PHILADELPHIA
WHERE FOX & HOUND RESTAURAUNT AND SPORTS BAR
1501 SPRUCE STREET IN CENTER CITY PHILADELPHIA
WHEN: Wednesday July 8th at 1pm—Media Lunch at 12:30
THE ARENA IS LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF SWANSON AND RITNER STREETS IN SOUTH PHILADELPHIA
Tickets for this exciting night of boxing cost $45 for advanced; $60 for Ringside; $65 for VIP and can be purchased by Calling The Arena at 267-687-7560; Shalyte Promotions at 215-287-7949 or Le Crown Barbershop at 215-927-5027