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KO Kid
Spina’s 1st co-feature
March 18, 2005
PROVIDENCE (March 18) – Although, technically-speaking, the April 1
“Homecoming” Pro-Am boxing card is named for WBC Youth middleweight
champion “Bad” Chad Dawson, fighting in his hometown of New Haven for
the first time, it’s also a homecoming of sorts for Joey “KO Kid” Spina,
who returns to New England from his new home in Las Vegas to fight in
his first co-feature event.
“Homecoming,” co-promoted by CES and Guilty Boxing, will be held at the
New Haven Athletic Center.
Spina (14-0, 11 KOs), 26, left the comforts of Providence for the glitz
and glitter of Las Vegas in order to develop as a pro fighter. Joey
hooked up with a former Providence friend, his new manager Derrick
Parent, who is a successful businessman in Las Vegas and former light
heavyweight world champ Eddie Mustafa Muhammad joined Spina’s corner as
head trainer.
Known strictly as a powerful puncher, Joey now demonstrates newly
learned boxing skills in the ring, particularly head and foot movement,
and he’s maintained his power despite dropping from light heavyweight
(175 pounds) to super middleweight (168). The good-looking Italian
powerhouse boxer feels that his time has arrived.
“I’m excited to come back home and fight in my first co-feature,” he
said. “I’ve been working with Eddie to become a better boxer. I still do
what I do best – knock people out! I’ve work hard, knock guys out, and
put on a good show. This is the next step in my career and someday I
want to be a world champion.”
Spina faces his toughest test April 1 in Manu Ntoh (15-9-1, 9 KOs), from
Atlanta via Cameroon. Ntoh brings a lot of valuable experience in
against Spina having beaten Vitali Kopotko (23-5) and Jose Spearman
(21-6-2). He also has been in “I honestly believe that Joey Spina,
pound-for-pound, is one of the biggest punchers in boxing,” promoter
Jimmy Burchfield offered. “Joey was one of the best as a light
heavyweight and he brought that same power down to super middleweight.
He’s going to be seriously challenged in his first co-feature by Ntoh.
He’s very dangerous and a helluva test for Joey, but we’re confident
Joey can take care of business and entertain the crowd at the same
time.”
WBA rated No. 14 Dawson (16-0, 11 KOs, 1 NC), only 22 years old, rated
No. 14 by the World Boxing Council, defends his WBC Youth title against
upset-minded Efrain Garcia (17-4-1, 11 KOs), of Texas, in the 10-round
main event.
Also on the card are two other Providence fighters -- undefeated
cruiserweight Matt Godfrey (6-0, 4 KOs), the former 4-time National
amateur champion, in his first six-round match versus Tony De La Garza
(3-2-2, 1 KO), of Texas; 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada
(1-0), against heavyweight Jerry Lee Simpson (2-1), of Florida, in a
four round match. Former world heavyweight champion Tony “TNT” Tubbs
trains Simpson.
Manchester featherweight Matt Remillard, managed by Jackie Kallen, makes
his pro debut against Arlington Pandy (0-1), of Brooklyn, and Irish
super middleweight Joe “Sugar” Rea (2-0, 1 KO, 1 NC), now fighting out
of South Boston, will make his CES debut. All matches and fighters are
subject to change.
CES also plans to present four amateur matches, one featuring New
Haven’s Ring One 65-pound National Silver Mittens champion Tramaine
Williams, the 12-year-old affectionately known as the “Mighty Midget.”
Other Connecticut amateurs scheduled to box include New Haven’s
10-year-old Georgie Nacierio, USA rated No. 4; Manchester’s Melissa
Roberts, 2005 New England Golden Gloves champion; New London’s Ricky
Ledesma.
Three of New England’s all-time greatest and most popular fighters will
be the first inductees into the CES Ring of Honor: Vinny “The Pazmanian
Devil” Paz, Marlon “Magic Man” Starling and “Irish” Micky Ward.
“Homecoming” will be taped live and air on “Guilty Fight Night” (check
television listings) and CN8, The Comcast Network will broadcast
“Homecoming” on Saturday, April 9 at 7:00 PM/ET to 6.4 million homes
from Maine to Maryland. CN8’s coverage of “Homecoming” will also be
available on Comcast Digital Cable’s ‘ON DEMAND” service and online at
www.cn8.tv.
“Guilty Fight Night” is shown in more than 100-million households
worldwide via America One and The Urban Network in the U.S., Fox Sports
International in the Middle East and portions of Africa, BEN Television
in Great Britain and Ireland, and other cable outlets.
Tickets are priced at $100 (Platinum), $60 (Gold), $40 (Silver
Reserved), $25 (General Admission) and $15 (high school and college
students). Tickets my be purchased at the following outlets or by
calling CES’ corporate headquarters (401.724.2253) or its Connecticut
office (860.432.4253): Greater New Haven Convention & Visitors Office
(203.777.8550), Humphrey’s East (203.782.1506), Fireside Restaurant &
Bar (2-3.466.1919), Ring One Boxing Gym (203.787.1200), Manchester PAL
(860.645.6261), Taino Boxing (860.645.6261), Jimmy’s Urban Clothing
(203.333.3939 & 374.7172 in Bridgeport, 203.934.2900 in West Haven,
203.907.0384 in Hamden, 203.855.1799 in Norwalk, 203.323.9200 in
Stamford); Sports Stuff (203.787.2293 in New Haven, 203.630.0889 in
Meriden, 203.757.9126 in Waterbury. New Haven police and fire fighters
receive $5.00 off any tickets they purchase.
In a show of support for Spina, Teamsters Union, Local 251 is offering
free bus service from Providence to New Haven and back for “Homecoming.”
Seating is limited and call Glenn Teolis at 401.253.5300. The deadline
is Monday, March 28 (12 noon).
