PROVIDENCE- Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. (CES) has signed undefeated cruiserweight phenom Aaron Williams (12-0-1, 8 KOs) to an exclusive promotional contract, CES president Jimmy Burchfield announced.
Williams, 21, is a nine-time U.S. amateur champion, highlighted by gold medals in the 2003 U.S. National PAL Championships as a heavyweight and International Junior Olympics. Williams, trained by former world light heavyweight champion Eddie Mustapha Muhammad, is co-managed by Pat Doljanin and Albert Falcon.
“All reports from members of Team CES – Matt Godfrey, Jason Estrada and Peter Manfredo, Sr. – were that Aaron Williams is a very talented fighter, based on a lot of their experiences in the amateurs. Everyone on Team CES welcomes Aaron. With his age and talent, he is championship material, the kind of fighter we want on our team. We always look for a fighter with championship potential, of course, but we also want marketable fighters who handle themselves well in and out of the ring. Aaron Williams is that kind of fighter and I’m delighted we’ve signed him.”
Cleveland-native Williams, now fighting out of Las Vegas, is scheduled to make his CES debut in the co-feature on the May 11th “The Pride Is Back” card at Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island.
Williams describes himself as a boxer-puncher who loves to throw body shots and lacks only professional ring experience. “I’ve known Jimmy Burchfield for three years,” Aaron spoke about signing with CES. “He took a liking to me but I didn’t want to sign with a promoter back then. When I became friends with (CES fighter) Joey Spina, after he signed with my co-managers, I got friendly again with Jimmy. We always liked each other and I’m very happy to sign with CES.
“CES is going to push me, get me a lot of exposure, and take me to another level through fights I need. My short-term goal is to stay busy. Someday, though, I plan to win a world title as a cruiserweight or heavyweight.”
Doljanin’s relationship with Burchfield, through Spina, opened the door to Williams’ signing with CES. “Jimmy’s track record speaks for itself,” Pat explained. “Look what he’s done for Vinny Paz, Scott Pemberton, Joey Spina, Peter Manfredo, Jr., Ray Oliveira, Gary Balletto and so many others. From working with Joey, I saw how Jimmy handles his fighters, and how his operation works. Jimmy runs a top notch, world-class boxing company. It’s a good partnership.
“Aaron is a student of the game and a gym rat. At the Top Rank gym in Las Vegas where he trains, he’s around all top boxing people like the Mayweathers. Aaron soaks-up everything. His former trainer, Jessie Reid, had too many commitments and now Aaron’s trained by Eddie, who also trains Joey. They’re (Eddie and Aaron) both Muslims and now it’s like a father-son relationship. Aaron also has one of the best strength-and-conditioning coaches in boxing, Axel Merullo.”
Williams’ most notable victories to date have been against Zach Page (11-7 by six-round decision), who has a win against former world champion Lou Del Valle, and Charles Davis (17-11-1 by sixth-round decision), whose victims over the years include former world title-holder King Arthur Williams and 18-1-1 Javier Mora.
CES’ growing stable also includes No. 3 world rated cruiserweight contender Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey (15-0, 9 KOs), NABF, NABA, USNBC & WBC Continental Americas champion: USNBC and IBF Intercontinental super middleweight title-holder Joey “KO Kid” Spina (19-1-1, 14 KOs), 2004 U.S. Olympian and heavyweight prospect Jason “Big Six” Estrada (8-1, 1KO), world-rated welterweight Ossie Duran (21-5-1, 9 KOs), WBC Youth super featherweight champion Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard (11-0, 7 KOs), and three-time world champion and reigning IWBF lightweight belt holder Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt (17-4-1, 7 KOs).
For more information about CES call 401. 724.2253 or go to www.cesboxing.com.