“The Budweiser Night at the Fights” Series Opener at Twin River in RI
PROVIDENCE (May 2, 2007) – When “The Pride of Providence” Peter Manfredo, Jr. steps into the ring May 11 to fight veteran Ted Muller, he’ll be making a statement that he’s much more than a reality television star on The Contender, rather a legitimate world class boxer reloading to get another title shot.
Manfredo-Muller headlines “The Pride Is Back” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. (CES), kicking-off “The Budweiser Night at the Fights” series, in the 10-round main event at the new Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island.
Manfredo (26-4, 12 KOs) is bouncing right back from his April 7 loss by controversial stoppage to undefeated WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe. “I’m coming right back to stay busy,” Manfredo said. “Muller’s only been stopped twice (Jerson Ravelo & Zach Walters) and that’s what I’m planning to do. I’m going to give him the beating of his life. I’m angry I wasn’t given a chance to fight against Calzaghe and I’m mad to hear critics call me a TV reality fighter. I’ve had 30 pro fights and 165 more in the amateurs. I’ve beaten a lot of champions and contenders — (Joey) Gilbert, (Sherwin) Davis, (Joey) Spina, (Scott) Pemberton, (Anthony) Bonsante, (Grady) Brewer, (Alfonso) Gomez and (Frankie) Randall. All I wanted was a legitimate shot to fight Calzaghe. I’m going to beat Muller and move on from there. I’m going to stay busy, get a couple of other wins, and then I want to fight Jeff Lacy. I’m not looking past any fight, but I’m targeting Lacy.”
Muller (19-10-2, 9 KOs) has fought a draw against hot prospect Carlos De Leon and taken Allan Green, Elvir Muriqi and Bronco McKart the distance.
Unbeaten cruiserweight phenom Aaron Williams (12-0-1, 8 KOs) has been taken off the card due to dental surgery. Burchfield said Williams will make his debut on CES’ next show.
“The Pride Is Back” will air on Sunday, May 20 at 7 PM on CN8, The Comcast Network. The CN8 broadcast will air network wide, reaching 9 million homes in 12 states and 20 television markets. The event can also be viewed online at www.CN8.tv. Following the CN8 broadcast, “The Pride Is Back” will be available ON DEMAND at no charge to Comcast Digital Cable customers. “The Pride Is Back” will also air on Cox Sports Television at dates and times to be determined. The announcing team will be comprised of play-by-play announcer Nick Charles, five-time world champion Vinny Paz as color commentator, and boxing reporter Ron Borges.
Also scheduled to fight on “The Pride Is Back” is Providence’s 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada (8-1, 1 KO) in the six-round co-feature versus Robert Hawkins (21-7, 7 KOs), Providence middleweight Richard “Bobo” Starnino (7-2-1, 1 KO) faces Daniel “Da Man” Craycaft (10-15-3, 2 KOs), undefeated Johnston (RI) super middleweight Angel Camacho, Jr. (5-0, 3 KOs) meets Cecil Yost (3-3-1, 1 KO), unbeaten Pawtucket (RI) light welterweight Eddie “The Puerto Rican Sensation” Soto (7-0, 4 KOs) and exciting Philadelphia light welterweight “Hammerin'” Hank Lundy (4-0, 3 KOs) against opponents to be determined, and come-backing Providence light heavyweight Jarrod Tillinghast (7-0, 2 KOs) takes on John Owens (3-3, 2 KOs).
Three CES fighters will be honored at “The Pride Is Back” for their achievements in the ring: WBC No. 3 rated cruiserweight Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey (15-0, 9 KOs), the NABF, NABA, USNBC and WBC Continental Americas champion; 3-time world champion and reigning IWBF lightweight title-holder Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt (17-4-1, 7 KOs), WBC Youth super featherweight king Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard (11-0, 7 KOs).
Tickets for “The Pride Is Back” are $50.00 (Bronze), $65.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and $150.00 (limited Jimmy’s Platinum Club) and may be purchased by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), at the Twin River Event Center (100 Twin River Road, Lincoln), RI), any TicketMaster location, or by going on line at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com. For more information contact CES (401.724.2253/2254 or www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Event Center (877.82.RIVER or www.twinriver.com). Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.