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04/22/2004 Archived Entry: "Torch passed from Vinny Paz to Manfredo"
Torch passed from Vinny Paz to Manfredo
CES sends out seven unbeaten fighters in “Young Gunz 2004”
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The torch symbolizing superiority in Rhode Island professional boxing officially was passed, literally and figuratively, today for the first time in two decades from recently retired Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Paz, former five-time world champion, to the May 14 headliner in “Young Gunz 2004, “The Pride of Providence” Peter Manfredo, Jr.”
“I have to pass the torch on to Peter and the other CES fighters,” Paz said today at a press conference in the Hi Hat Restaurant and Club. “Peter has the heart and balls of a lion. Today I’m also announcing for the first time that I’m taking Peter into ‘The Contender’ series on NBC.”
Manfredo (20-0, 10 KOs) defends his NABO junior middleweight title May 14 for the first time against Anthony “The Bullet” Bonsante (24-3-3, 13 KOs), IBA middleweight title-holder, in the 12-round main event. He is one of seven unbeaten fighters from CES’ (Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc.) stable appearing on the “Young Gunz” card, shown live on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights from the Rhode Island Convention Center in downtown Providence.
“This is a big honor for me and everybody on the CES team,” Manfredo said about the passing of the torch. “I’d like to thank Vinny and (promoter) Jimmy (Burchfield), We’re all proud of Vinny; he’s a warrior. These are big shoes (Vinny’s) to fill for me and everybody else on the team. It’s like trying to fill those big clown shoes with my little foot. I want to bring boxing back to Providence like Vinny did.”
The most highly anticipated fight featuring two New England based boxers since Paz-Dana Rosenblatt (mid-nineties) matches WBC Youth middleweight champ “Bad” Chad Dawson (15-0, 10 KOs), of New Haven (CT) making his first title defense against Ian “The Truth” Gardner (15-1, 7 KOs), of Brockton, in the 10-round co-feature.
Promoter Jimmy Burchfield’s latest signing is Providence-native Matt Godfrey, the 2004 U.S. Nationals heavyweight champion and Team USA Olympic second alternate. Godfrey, 23, will make his long awaited pro debut on “Young Gunz” against Glen Morgan (1-1, 1 KO), of San Antonio (TX), in a four-round cruiserweight match. Godfrey’s longtime friend and stablemate, Team USA Olympic super heavyweight Jason Estrada, will be in Matt’s corner May 14.
Other “Young Gunz” fighters scheduled on the May 14 card are Providence’s “Steamin’” Josh Beeman (2-0), gold medal winner at the 2000 Eastern Olympic Trials, vs. TBA; light heavyweight Joey “KO Kid” Spina (10-0, 7 KOs) vs. TBA; world top 10 rated featherweight Missy “The Fury” Fiorentino (8-0, 6 KOs), of Cranston (RI), against Olga “Hurricane” Heron (3-3, 1 KO), of Ontario, Canada; middleweight Reynaldo Rodriguez (4-0, 2 KOs), of Woonsocket (RI), versus Bobby McAndrews (2-3-1, 2 KOs), of Worcester. (All matches and fighters are subject to change.)
Tickets, on sale Friday, are priced at $150.00 Jimmy’s Platinum Club (limited), $100.00 Gold VIP Ringside, $75.00 Silver Reserved, and $40.00 General Admission. Tickets will be available at CES’ corporate (401.724.2253/2254) and Connecticut offices (860.432.4253), R.I. Convention Center (401.458.6000) and Manfredo’s Gym (401.723.1359). Visit www.cesboxing.com for additional information.
