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“Pito” Cardona out of fight, going in CES
Ring of Honor Remillard -Magallon
HARTFORD (June 4, 2008) – Hartford’s popular boxer Israel “Pito” Cardona
injured his elbow, forcing him to withdraw from his scheduled June 13th
fight against Jason Pires, but promoter Jimmy Burchfield has announced that
Cardona will be inducted into the CES Ring of Honor during a special
ceremony mid-way through the “Connecticut Conquest” pro boxing card at the
Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.
Promoter Jimmy Burchfield, president of Classic Entertainment and Sports,
Inc. (CES), established the CES Ring of Honor in 2005 in order to pay
respect to inductees for their special accomplishments and contributions to
New England boxing. Charter members include 5-time world champion Vinny “The
Pazmanian Devil” Paz, former WBA and WBC welterweight title-holder Marlon
“Magic Man” Starling, and 3-time The Ring Fighter of the Year (2001-2003)
participant “Irish” Micky Ward. Other CES Ring of Honor members include
former 3-time world champion “El Gallo” Jose Antonio Rivera, world light
heavyweight contender “Iceman” John Scully, “Sucra” Ray Oliveira, famed
Connecticut trainer Johnny Dukes, and 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrious “Boo
Boo” Andrade. The last inductee was the late, great Rocky Marciano.
“Connecticut Conquest,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment
and Sports, Inc., (CES) will be taped live and air Saturday, June 14 at 8
PM/ET on CN8,The Comcast Network, as well as Friday, June 20 at 8 PM/ET on
Cox Sports Television.
WBC World Youth featherweight champion Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard (11-0,
7 KOs), fighting out of nearby Manchester and recently named the NABF Top
Prospect of the Year, headlines in his first title defense versus Mexican
challenger Jose Magallon in the 10-round main event.
“He is one of the most exciting fighters in modern New England boxing
history,” Burchfield spoke about Cardona. “Coming up, ‘Pito’ was a very
entertaining television fighter. He has been a tremendous role model to
Latinos in the Hartford area, He could also knockout an opponent at anytime,
whether he was winning or losing. ‘Pito’ Cardona very much deserves to be in
the CES Ring of Honor.”
Cardona (36-9, 28 KOs) most significant victory was a third-round stoppage
of “Mighty” Ivan Robinson (23-1) for the USBA lightweight championship. In
his previous bout, Robinson had lost the IBF welterweight belt to Philip
Holiday and three fights after his loss to Cardona, Ivan beat Arturo
“Thunder” Gatti for the first of two times in their 1998 Ring Magazine Fight
of the Year.
“Pito,” who also captured the IBO super featherweight and light welterweight
titles, as well as the NABF lightweight crown, lost his only major world
title fight to undefeated Paul “The Pittsburgh Kid” Spadafora (26-0) won a
12-round decision for the vacant IBF lightweight championship.
“It’s a great honor to be inducted into the CES Ring of Honor and to be
considered in the same class as great fighters like Vinny Paz, Jose Antonio
Rivera, John Scully, Ray Oliveria and all of the others,” Cardona commented.
I wish I was fighting but my left is my weapon and I injured my left elbow.
I’m still going to have fun on June 13th and I’ll be supporting by CES
teammates in my hometown. I go way back with Jimmy and I thank him for this
honor. I hope all of my friends, family and fans will be there supporting
me.”
Unbeaten Hartford heavyweight Tony “TNT” Grano (13-0-1, 11 KOs), 2005 U.S.
Nationals champion, is in the 8-round co-feature against an opponent to be
announced. Former USBA super bantamweight title-holder Pires (20-3, 9 KOs),
now a fulltime New Bedford (MA) police officer, returns to the ring in a
6-round junior welterweight bout after a five-year absence.
The newest member of the CES stable, former world middleweight title
challenger Kingsley “Sharp Knuckle” Ikeke (23-3, 13 KOs), makes his CES
debut in a six-round super middleweight clash. Ikeke is a former NABF, NABO,
NBA and WBC FECARBOX middleweight champion.
Others fighting on the undercard include Hartford favorite and prison guard,
junior welterweight Addy Irizarry (4-2, 2 KOs), coming off a very close loss
by decision in Germany, undefeated, top super middleweight prospect Brian
Macy (3-0, 1 KO), of Ledyard (CT), the 2000 National PAL amateur champion
and University of Connecticut graduate vs. Adrian Redmond (3-5-1, 3 KOs).
Tickets are on sale now. The $150.00, $100.00 and $55.00 tickets have been
sold out. Limited $35.00 (VIP Bronze) and $80.00 (VIP Gold) tickets are
still available. To purchase tickets go to or call CES (401.724.2253/2254),
Connecticut Convention Center (860.249.000), Manchester PAL (860.645.6261),
Willy’s Gym (860.614.2281), Connecticut Restorations (860.528.6800),
Strikezone Gym (860.444.2845), L.A. Boxing Gym (860.221.5987) and 401 Boxing
(401.261.9800). |
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