Photo: Raquel Gonzalez, Brickcityboxing.com- Kevin “Kingpin Johnson

One of Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing’s hottest up and coming prospects, Yathomas Riley (2-0, 2KO’s) will compete in a four round light heavyweight contest this Friday night at Bally’s Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ. Riley is scheduled to face Zeferino Albino (3-7-2, 1KO) in a four round light heavyweight contest. In the main event The Pride of Greece, “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis (19-2-2, 9KO’s) now fighting out of Atlantic City, NJ takes on Nasser Athumani (20-6-2, 16KO’s) in a ten round Jr. welterweight contest.

In the co-main event of the evening the number seven rated heavyweight in the world, Star Boxing’s Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson (19-0-1, 6KO’s) takes on former heavyweight champion of the world Bruce “The Atlantic City Express” Seldon (38-6, 34KO’s) in an intriguing heavyweight match-up. The entire card will be broadcast live on www.GoFightLive.tv
RILEY LOOKS TO IMPRESS ONCE AGAIN

“I am very excited for this fight Friday,” said Riley. “It means a lot for me to be fighting in Atlantic City. So many great fighters have fought here, and I am really looking forward to following in their successful footsteps. I have had a great and hard training camp, which I have come accustomed to now. I know as long as I put my work in, in the gym that I will come out victorious.”

The 26-year-old Riley, unlike some fighters, got a late start to boxing, as he didn’t first put on the gloves until he was 21 years old. A natural athlete, Riley excelled in basketball and football while growing up on the rough streets of Florida’s Miami-Dade County, where Riley first learned to fight. When he was 21, Riley met trainer Travis Stocking. Stocking convinced the tough street kid to give boxing a shot and Riley instantly fell in love with the sport. The sport seemed to come natural to Riley and in a very limited amount of time Riley began impressing anyone and everyone who saw him fight. Riley had a very successful amateur career which was highlighted by winning a 2006 National PAL Championship, a 2006 National Golden Gloves Championship, boxing in the Pan-Am and U.S. National Box offs, and also competing at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

“Growing up I was always good at any sport I played,” stated Riley. I was getting in some trouble getting into street fights though and then I met Travis and he convinced me to give boxing a shot and that brings us to today. I always liked contact sports growing up. I wrestled when I was in high school. I was thinking that after I win the lt. heavyweight championship and there is no one else to challenge me in boxing, maybe I will go into the UFC and challenge one of those guys,” said a smiling Riley.

Regarding his fight this Friday Riley said, “I am going to put a lot of pressure on this guy right from the opening bell. That’s always my game plan and my biggest strength, to put constant, persistent, but controlled pressure on my opponents and either catch them with a big shot, or break them down. The most important thing for me is to obviously come out victorious, but also I want give the fans in attendance a good performance that they can be excited about.”

Although he has had just two fights in the professional ranks, Riley has been extremely impressive in both bouts, throwing crisp combinations to both the body and head that have left both of his opponents in a world of hurt. When asked where he sees himself, Riley is very confident in his ability and his future in the lt. heavyweight division. “I feel I am ready right now to make an immediate impact on the lt. heavyweight division. I do not feel that any of the champions or top guys out there are better or have more ability then me. Unless God says otherwise, there is going to be no stopping me. I have a tremendous promoter in Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and I am very happy with the way our relationship has been. I know Joe is moving me in the right direction and that it will only be a matter of time until we get to the top. I am really looking forward to fighting come September 5th. I already have many fans and supporters down in Florida and out west in California so I am excited to show the northeast once again who Yathomas Riley is. I appreciate everyone who is coming out to the show at Bally’s and promise you that I will not disappoint.”

Tickets are priced at $90 and $60 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1(800) 736-1420 or going online to ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available by calling Star Boxing at (718) 823- 2000 or by going online to www.starboxing.com Visit Our Website
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