Boxing News: Godfrey-Barnes Added to Providence Card

PROVIDENCE (June 5, 2005) – A classic match between promising prospect Matt Godfrey (7-0, 5 KOs) and proven warrior Jermall “The Truth” Barnes (17-8, 4 KOs) have signed to as the eight-round co-feature on “Providence’s Prime Time Fights,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc (CES) – Providence’s newest professional sports franchise – Friday night, June 17 in The All-New Theatre at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Down City Providence.

“We’ve reached out to all of the top cruiserweights in New England – Roy Payne, John Rainwater and Richie LaMontagne – and nobody wants to fight Matt Godfrey,” Burchfield said. “Matt’s having trouble finding sparring partners his own weight. He has to spar with heavyweights. Matt’s ready for his first co-feature and it’s right in his hometown. This is a dangerous fight; Barnes is going to test him. He’s not coming to Providence to lose. It’s going to be a helluva fight.”

Godfrey, 24, was a four-time National amateur champion. He already is rated No. 15 by the NABF.

“They don’t want to get embarrassed by the new kid,” Godfrey spoke about his problems finding quality opponents. “These other guys want to five opponents with sub-500 records to pop up their wins. I’ll fight anybody. Whenever I’ve been given a name, I just say let’s fight.

“I love fighting at home in Providence. I’ve been waiting for this opportunity. I’m right where I wanted to be, career wise, fighting in my first co-feature after one year as a pro. I’m fighting a guy who knows how to fight. Hopefully, he has a good chin because he’s going to take some shots. People are going to see me fight a few rounds. I’ve trained real hard for this fight. Even though I’ve only had seven pro fights, I’ve been fighting for 13 years and I have more experience than he does.”

Barnes, 30, is a high school science teacher in his native Rochester (NY). He’s a proven boxer-puncher who has beaten the only New Englander he’s fought, Hector Sanjurjo, in 2002.

“I’ve four times as many fights as Godfrey even though he has an extensive amateur background,” Jermall added. “We both lace ‘em up one at a time. I’m used to fighting in my opponent’s backyard. It doesn’t matter. It’s important for me to come out steaming for the first four or five rounds, maybe all eight if it lasts. I’m used to going 12 and he’s not. I’m going to steam roll him; fight as fast and as long as I can.”

The main event is a 10-round USNBC super middleweight championship match between Providence super middleweight Joey “KO Kid” Spina (15-0, 12 KOs) fights former WBA champion Carl Daniels (49-6-1, 31 KOs). Daniels, fighting out of St. Louis, also held the USBA and Missouri State title belts and he has fought Bernard Hopkins, Julio Cesar Vasquez and Terry Norris.

CES recently entered into an agreement with the Rhode Island Convention Center and Dunkin’ Donuts Center to promote boxing shows in downtown Providence.  CES’ overall boxing series, however, will emanate from sites throughout New England and be broadcast on a tape-delayed basis on CN8, The Comcast Network and Cox Sports.

CN8, The Comcast Network and CES have 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. Former five-time world champion Vinny Paz will serve as color analyst. The CES package is part of CN8’s Primetime Fights series, a monthly show featuring New England and Mid-Atlantic boxing events.

Also scheduled to fight on the June 17th card is Providence heavyweight Jason “Big Six” Estrada (2-0, 1 KO), 2004 US Olympian; 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 medallist; 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 $62 (reserved ringside), are on sale. To purchase tickets or for more information call CES’ corporate headquarters at 401.724.2253/2254 or go on line to www.cesboxing.com.

The June 17th show would be presented in tribute to the memory of fallen Providence police officer Sgt. Detective James L. Allen. Donations for his family will be accepted at the June 17 show and CES will match the total amount raised.

Members of police and fire departments in Rhode Island will be entitled to special $5.00 discount on all ticket purchases. Providence’s Peter Manfredo, Jr. from “The Contender” will be in attendance and honored at the June 17 show.