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02/28/2005 Archived Entry: "Thornton-Shabazz Rematch Set For Friday, March 11th"
Thornton-Shabazz Rematch Set For Friday, March 11th
Ward-Kelly Promotional Debut To Honor Late Trainer Jimmy Farrell, Sr.
BOSTON, MA (February 17, 2005) – Boxing fans clamoring for a rematch between middleweights Martin Thornton and Khalif Shabazz will get their wish on Friday night, March 11, 2005, when promoters Martin Ward and Danny Kelly will stage a six-bout card at the United States National Guard Armory in Dorchester, MA.
The show will be dedicated to the memory of the late Jimmy Farrell, Sr., a popular trainer of area boxers including Thornton, and will feature several of his newer prospects. Among those scheduled to appear against opponents to be announced are Chris McInerney (Stoughton cruiserweight with a 1-0 record by KO), Sean Kennedy (Weymouth cruiserweight making his pro debut) and J.P. Keane (Quincy middleweight making his pro debut). All four fighters will have Jimmy Farrell, Jr. running their corners.
Thornton-Shabazz II, scheduled for eight rounds of boxing, will headline the March 11 show. In their first battle last October, fans protested the decision of the referee to halt the contest in the fifth round as it appeared that the barrage of punches being thrown by Thornton (9-1-1, 1 NC, and 4 KOs) were consistently landing on the elbows of Shabazz (11-15, 7 KOs) and not doing any damage. Promoters Ward and Kelly are determined to give the Boston Boxing Public the fights they want starting with this rematch.
A scheduled six-round match pitting cruiserweights Paschal “Packie” Collins (13-2-1, 4 KOs, Dublin, Ireland fighting out of Brockton for Goody Petronelli) and Worcester’s Bobby McAndrews (2-3-1, 2 KOs) will serve as the Co-Feature. Cruiserweight Tyrone Smith (2-0, 2 KOs), a Boston Police Officer, is scheduled to participate in a four-round bout.
“Jimmy Farrell, Sr., dedicated his life to the sport of boxing,” co-promoter Danny Kelly said. “Jimmy wasn’t in it for the money. He loved the sport and donated so much of his time to help local boxers fulfill their dreams. Marty and I decided to dedicate our inaugural show to his memory and feature a number of his protégés. We hope that all who loved him will come to the show and honor him in the way he is most deserving.”
Tickets for the March 11 are priced at $35 (Ringside) and $25 (General Admission) and may be purchased in advance at the Tara Pub, 1921 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, or the night of the fight at the US National Guard Armory, 70 Victory Road, Dorchester. Doors open at 7:00 pm. First Bout is at 8:00 pm.
