Biosse-Spina Face Off Thursday

LINCOLN, R.I. (May 23, 2012) – Reigning New England super middleweight champion Vladine Biosse has a bone to pick with whoever came up with the title, “Up For Grabs,” for tomorrow night’s long-awaited showdown at Twin River.

“I earned that title in my first fight on ESPN two years ago,” Biosse said Wednesday in reference to his win over Joey McCreedy in July of 2010 on “Friday Night Fights” at Twin River. “There’s nothing up for grabs tomorrow night.”

The truth is Biosse (12-1-1, 6 KOs) will be defending his title and his reputation as “Mr. Providence” when he faces fellow Providence native Joey “K.O. Kid” Spina (26-2-2, 18 KOs) in the eight-round main event of Thursday’s show at the Event Center, presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports.

Both fighters made weight Wednesday with no issue; Biosse clocked in at the super middleweight limit of 168 pounds while Spina – traditionally a light heavyweight – came in at 167 ½.

“We trained hard for this fight,” Biosse said. “I understand Joey’s the ‘K.O. Kid,’ but everything has been taken away from me. I guess I’m the underdog. Believe me, you will see the underdog come through. Tomorrow is going to be a great night for me. I’m bringing everything.

“People say I can’t punch. People say I can’t box. I can’t do anything. Tomorrow night is going to be my night. Expect everything from me tomorrow.”

Burchfield, who has guided both fighters to the top under his promotional guidance, upped the ante at Wednesday’s weigh-in, promising an additional incentive for the winner.

“It’s going to be a great, gigantic opportunity,” Burchfield said, “but, at the same time, I will never step aside from the loser of the fight either. I will never let our fighters down when they get up there and give everything they’ve got.

“It takes special, special human beings to get in that ring, because you’ve got no teammates. You’re alone. The teammates are your fans. Those are your teammates.”

Biosse is coming off a unanimous-decision win over veteran George Armenta in March while Spina is looking to rebound from a split-decision loss to Jerson Ravelo, also in March.

“I just fought a month ago,” Spina said. “I haven’t fought at 167 pounds in five years, so I’m excited to be light. Vla’s a tough guy. He’s a very durable person – very tough – but I’m trying to make this my year and be done with boxing. I’m in my last stages. I want to get a couple more fights and get a world title shot. Vla’s a stepping-stone right now. I have to get through him to get to the next step.

“It’s not personal; it’s business. Come out tomorrow and you’ll see why they call me the ‘K.O. Kid.’

Only $35.00 and $50.00 tickets are available; they can be purchased online at www.twinriver.com, at the Players Club booth at Twin River, or at the Event Center box office. Doors open 6 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 7.

The undercard features unbeaten Burlington, Vt., super middleweight Kevin Cobbs (3-0, 1 KO) facing veteran Kentrell Claiborne (2-5, 1 KO) of Cleburne, Tex., in a four-round bout while unbeaten middleweight Thomas Falowo (6-0, 4 KOs) will battle Cedar Hill, Tex., native Samuel Clarkson (4-0, 4 KOs) in a six-round bout.

Medford, Oreg., cruiserweight Mike Wilson (5-0, 3 KOs) will face Atlanta’s Joseph Rabotte (11-20-1) in a four-round bout, and fan-favorite Richard “Bobo The Bull” Starnino (9-7-2, 2 KOs) of Providence will face Harwich, Mass., native Paul Gonsalves (3-2, 3 KOs) in a six-round light heavyweight bout.

“Up For Grabs” also features the return of former reality television star Richard Gingras (11-2, 7 KOs) of “The Contender,” who will battle Terrance Smith Jr. (7-13-2, 4 KOs) of Oklahoma City in the six-round cruiserweight special attraction. Female bantamweight Shelito Vincent (2-0) of Providence will battle newcomer Carmen Cruz of Fort Myers, Fla., in a four-round bout, and unbeaten Providence light heavyweight Alex Amparo (3-0, 2 KOs) will face Luis Felix (0-2) of Cranston, R.I., in a four-round bout.

Super lightweight Zack Ramsey, a former New England amateur champion from Springfield, Mass., will make his long-awaited debut against Providence’s Alan Beeman (0-1), while super middleweight Joe Gardner (8-4-1, 1 KO) of Woonsocket, R.I., will face Julio Garcia (4-3, 3 KOs) of Rincon, Puerto Rico in a four-round bout.

“Up For Grabs” will be dedicated to the memory of Jason Pisano, a former wheelchair marathoner from West Warwick, R.I., who passed away earlier this month at the age of 40. Pisano, who completed 52 marathons in his wheelchair, will be inducted in the CES Ring Of Honor on Thursday night.

(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “Up For Grabs.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult and must enter through the West entrance.)