World rated light heavyweight Joey “KO Kid” Spina, former USNBC and IBF Intercontinental champion, has rededicated himself for his loyal fans as he prepares for his next fight February 6 at Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island.
Spina (23-1-1, 16 KOs), rated No. 14 by the WBO and No. 15 by the WBC, takes on Kansas veteran Matt Gockel (12-9, 7 KOs) in the 8-round main event. Spina, who holds victories against former world champion Carl Daniels and super middleweight contender Jesse Brinkley, has had a somewhat sputtering pro career that he’s vowed to turn around starting Feb. 6.
“I’ve been like the weather – sometimes hot, sometimes cold, dedicated and not so focused at times,” he explained. “I’m 31 with a 23-1-1 record and I don’t plan on fighting until I’m 40. I’m ready to do what I’m capable of doing in the ring. I’m going to bust my butt this year, fighting better and better fighters, and then get in position to fight for a title next year. I want a chance to fight for a world title and be considered a real contender. That’s my goal. Fans either love or hate Joey Spina, either way they love to watch me fight. I want to thank my loyal fans for supporting the ‘KO Kid’ for the past 10 years. Hearing their yells is inspiring.
“I’m sharper than I’ve ever been. I’ve been working on my balance, shifting my hips, and pressing forward with my hands up. I’m going to wear down opponents. I already have seen a difference. Throw in a slip, force my opponent to go backwards, and then put them to sleep. Gockel is coming down from cruiserweight to fight at light heavyweight; I’m going back up because I can fluctuate between 168 and 175. I’m strong at either weight. He’s not going to be able to stand in front of me. The “KO Kid” is back!”
Providence favorite Bobo “The Bull” Starnino (9-4-2, 2 KOs) faces “Irish” Joey McCreedy (9-2-1, 5 KOs), of Lowell (MA), again in a rematch of a draw they fought to last year, for the vacant Eastern Boxing Association (EBA) super middleweight title in the 8-round co-feature.
Former 4-time U.S. national amateur champion Bobby Harris will be inducted into the prestigious CES Ring of Honor during a special “February Frenzy” card ceremony. Burchfield established the CES Ring of Honor in 2005 in order to pay respect to inductees for their special achievements and contributions to New England boxing. CES Ring of Honor inductees include Rocky Marciano, Vinny Paz, Micky Ward, Marlon Starling, Jose Antonio Rivera, John Scully Ray Oliveira, Gary Balletto and Demetrius Andrade. Harris reached the 1992 U.S. Olympic Box-Offs and captured a gold medal at the 1993 National Golden Gloves Tournament. The Worcester (MA) resident went on to a 20-2-1 (13) pro record as a heavyweight and last fought in 1999.
Harris will be in the corner of his younger brother, unbeaten Worcester cruiserweight Adam “The Hitman” Harris (10-0, 7 KOs), who will fight Philadelphia boxer David Williams (5-2-1, 2 KOs) in a 6-round bout.
Undefeated Pawtucket fighter Eddie “The Puerto Rican Sensation” Soto (10-0, 4 KOs) meets another Lowell native, Sean Eklund (6-2, 1 KO), who will have his uncle and head trainer, “Irish” Micky Ward, in his corner for their 6-round bout for the EBA New England lightweight belt.
Also on the undercard in 4-round bouts are U. of Connecticut graduate Brian Macy (5-0, 2 KOs) vs. Anthony Pietrantonio (4-2, 3 KOs); Providence junior welterweight Jesus Caro (3-0, 3 KOs) vs. Olade “One Shot” Thomas (1-3, 0 KOs); W. Warwick (RI) super middleweight Keith Kozlin (2-0, 1 KO) vs. Daren Graham (1-4, 1 KO); Worcester heavyweight Rashad Minor (1-0, 1 KO) in his CES debut vs. Shawn McLean (2-4, 1 KO); Providence cruiserweight Jay Holland making his pro debut vs. Kevin Varnadore (0-4); Providence junior welterweight “Steamin’” Josh Beeman (4-2-2, 2 KOs) vs. Jamar Saunders (2-1, 1 KO).
Tickets for “February Frenzy” are priced at limited $25.00 SRO, $35.00, $45.00 (Bronze), $65.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and limited $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club) and are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going on line at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at Twin River’s Players Club booth at Twin River, or any TicketMaster location.
Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Event Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 5::30 PM/ET, first bout at 6:30 PM/ET.
(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “February Frenzy.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.)
Golden Gloves president Rodney Berman and Banner Promotions president Art Pelullo will co-promote South African contenders Phillip “Time Bomb” Ndou and Zolani “Untouchable” Marali.
Art Pelullo said, “I’m really looking forward to working with Rodney in co-promoting Ndou and Marali. Both are very talented fighters, and I think both are capable of winning world titles in the near future.”
A former world title challenger at lightweight, Ndou will return to the ring in the jr. welterweight division on February 14 in St. Quentin, France, in an eight round bout against Tony Drilzane on the undercard of Cristobal Cruz’ first defense of the International Boxing Federation featherweight world title against Cyril Thomas.
It will be Ndou’s first fight since May, 2004. The South African Press Association called it, “The eagerly anticipated return of one of the country’s most devastating punchers.”
Before his retirement, Ndou, of Johannesburg, was considered South Africa’s top fighter “Pound for Pound.” He was voted South Africa’s “2001 Boxer of the Year,” and his fight against Cassius Baloyi in November, 2001, was voted South Africa’s “2001 Fight of the Year.” Still only 31 years old, he has a record of 31-3 with 30 knockouts. He also represented South Africa in the 1996 Olympics.
Marali, who is also 31 years old, is a lefthanded jr. lightweight with a record of 19-2 with 13 knockouts. A native of Mdantsane, South Africa, who is also a musician and rap artist, he is scheduled to fight for the vacant IBO world title on March 21 in Johannesburg against Fahsai Sakkreenin of Thailand. Zolani said, “I don’t care who the IBF, WBA or WBC champions are, I’m looking to hunt them down, one at a time. My skills are such that I don’t consider losing, and this will be the year when the whole of the world knows my name.”
Marali previously held the IBO jr. featherweight world title, as well as the South African jr. featherweight title.
2nd Annual John Bray
Free Youth Boxing Clinic!
he John Bray Boxing Foundation is holding the 2nd Annual John Bray Free Youth Boxing Clinic in an effort to continue to help the community in preventing and combating violence while promoting discipline and academic success among school-age students by interfacing with local community leaders as well as professional boxers. After holding his inaugural boxing clinic last year, John Bray was so impressed by its success that he vowed to make it an annual event. Although it is considered a boxing clinic, these young kids will also listen to inspirational speakers; learn about nutrition, life skills and attitude development!
This year, the John Bray Boxing Foundation has teamed up with the LAPD Foothill Jeopardy Program, which is a program within the LAPD’s juvenile division that targets children “at risk” of becoming involved in gang activity and offers them a variety of educational and physical projects; from tutoring to boxing. Both non-profits have arranged this Free Youth Boxing Clinic because of the issues with kids that are of crucial importance to the community. Children and young adults face many temptations everyday, whether it be drugs, gangs or peer pressure. The John Bray Boxing Foundation and Foothill Jeopardy Program want to provide these promising young men and women with an alternative where they can feel at home and escape the pressures they have to deal with on a daily basis.
Everyone of all ages are welcome. We have arranged special guest appearances by Former World Champions Gabriel and Rafael Ruelas, Former Contender TV Series Star and current WBC CABOFE Middleweight Champion Miguel Espino, Female Bantamweight Sensation Kaliesha “Wild Wild” West and trainer Juan West, Flyweight Contender and 2000 Olympian Jose Navarro, Heavyweight Contender Juan Carlos Gomez, Super Middleweight Contender Fernando Zuniga, Light Middleweight Contender Jose Celaya, Former Middleweight Contender Alex “the Bronx Bomber” Ramos, Former Heavyweight Contender and Trainer Justin Fortune, Former Welterweight Contender Randy Shields, Former Heavyweight Contender Macka Foley, Former Heavyweight Contender Jeremy Williams and Carlos “The Cutman” Vargas from the Reality TV Series Contender.
The 2nd Annual John Bray Free Youth Boxing Clinic is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2009 from 10:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The event will take place at the LAPD Foothill Jeopardy Facility located at 11844 Glenoaks Boulevard in San Fernando, California.
We would like to graciously thank the following sponsors for making this event a reality: Everlast Worldwide Inc., Glaceau Vitamin Water, Convicted Artists.com, Visual Impact Stunt Equipment Company and the International Stunt Association.
For additional information regarding this event and/or on the John Bray Boxing Foundation, please visit www.johnbrayboxingfoundation.org or contact Jerry Gonzalez at (559) 643-9313.