Connect with us

Articles of 2005

Providence’s Prime Time Fights

Published

on

Promoter Jimmy Burchfield continues his quest to make New England a boxing hotbed on Friday, June 17, when he presents “Providence’s Prime Time Fights” at the Dunkin Donuts Theater in the Down City section of Providence, Rhode Island. The ten-round main event features local super middleweight Joey “KO Kid” Spina (15-0 12 KOs) against former WBA champion Carl Daniels (49-6-1 31 KOs) of St. Louis.

In the eight-round co-feature, hard-punching undefeated cruiserweight Matt Godfrey (7-0 5 KOs), who also hails from Providence, will square off against battle-tested Jermal “The Truth” Barnes, a 30-year-old high school science teacher from Rochester, New York. The 24-year-old Godfrey, a four-time national amateur champion, is reportedly having trouble finding suitable opponents.

“They (potential opponents) don’t want to get embarrassed by the new kid,” said the supremely confident Godfrey. “These other guys want opponents with sub-500 opponents to pop up their wins. I’ll fight anybody. Whenever I’ve been given a name, I just say let’s fight.”

While Spina and Godfrey are proven commodities in Providence, the most enigmatic local fighter on the card is Jason “Big Six” Estrada. The 24-year-old Estrada, a veteran of nearly 300 amateur fights, which included wins over current professional prospects Malik Scott, DaVarryl Williamson, Malcolm Tann, Donnell Holmes and Felix Cora Jr.,  represented the United States in the 2004 Olympic Games but was severely criticized for his non-effort against Cuban Michel Nunez Lopez in the quarterfinals. Besides the fact that he looked pitiably out of shape, the indifference he displayed in his post-fight comments were offensive to everyone who heard them.

“This is just part of my life,” said Estrada, who had been the 2003 Pan American Games gold medalist, as well as a three-time National and National PAL champion, and had already beaten Nunez prior to the Games. “If I’m going to lose, I’m going to get hit as little as possible.”

In essence, Estrada said he didn’t care about losing because he was destined to be a professional champion, regardless of what happened in Athens. The press, as well as United States coach Basheer Abdullah, condemned him with equal intensity.

“All the doubts people have about me just gives me more to prove,” Estrada now says. “I really wasn’t as calm as I appeared after the loss. I wanted to curse and throw stuff, but chose not to.”

Estrada turned professional under Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. banner (CES), and is 2-0 (1 KO) going into Friday’s bout with Demetrice King, 7-7 (2 (KOs), of Flint, Michigan. Among the opponents King lost to are Shannon Briggs and Kevin Montiy, the latter of whom is best known for being Kevin McBride’s warm-up opponent for Mike Tyson.

Unless the 6’1” Estrada comes down with another case of severe lethargy, there’s no reason to think Montiy will be any luckier with him than he was with Briggs or McBride.

In the past there have been several other Olympians or Olympic hopefuls who were smeared for their lackluster efforts in the most important bouts of their amateur careers. Two who come to mind are Larry Holmes, who was dismissed for his lack of aggression  against Duane Bobick at the 1972 Olympic trials, and Riddick Bowe, who was labeled as lazy and untrainable after losing to Lennox Lewis at the 1988 Games in Seoul. Both, of course, went on to prove their detractors wrong by becoming heavyweight champions.

“Coming off his Olympic performance, Jason has an awful lot to prove about his attitude,” said Showtime boxing analyst Steve Farhood. “He claims he was misunderstood, but his quotes certainly didn’t sound like fighter who had given his all. However, he deserves the benefit of doubt because of his amateur credentials, and he had already beaten the Cuban who beat him in Athens. No other boxer on that team had his level of experience and, with the exception of Samuel Peter, there are no [professional] heavyweight prospects that are under 30 years old. That alone makes Estrada a welcome addition to the division.”

Also scheduled to fight is teenage sensation Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard of Manchester, Connecticut. Just 19 years old, Remillard (2-0 2 KOS) thinks of himself as a throwback fighter because he lives, eats and breathes boxing. A decorated amateur who had a 115-25 record, he is managed by Jackie Kallen and is unquestionably on the fast track to stardom.

Scheduled to be in attendance is Peter Manfredo Jr., who recently made it to the finals of “The Contender” television series. The show is dedicated to a fallen Providence police officer named Detective Sergeant James Allen. Donations for his two children’s educational fund will be accepted at the show, and ten dollars from any ticket purchased by a police officer or firefighter will go directly to the fund.

To purchase tickets or for more information, call CES at 401-724-2253/2254 or visit www.cesboxing.com online.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles1 week ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles1 week ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles6 days ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles3 days ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 days ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 days ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles3 days ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles6 days ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles1 week ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles1 week ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles1 month ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending