PRO BOXING A STONE’S THROW FROM PLYMOUTH ROCK IN MARCH

Posted on | February 21, 2009 | No Comments

PROVIDENCE (February 18, 2009) – Professional boxing returns March 6 to historic Plymouth as Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES) promotes “Mayflower Madness” at Memorial Hall.

“Mayflower Madness” is the first in a 4-fight arrangement, “The Radisson Hotel Plymouth Harbor Fight Series,” scheduled in 2009 at Plymouth Memorial Hall and promoted by CES.

“We’re looking at three or four home bases and all we’ve studied had to be interested in wanted us,” CES president Jimmy Burchfield said at today’s press conference held on the steps of Memorial Hall. “We found that management here at Memorial Hall wants CES to promote fights here in Plymouth. We very happy to have signed an exclusive deal here for boxing and now it’s up to Plymouth to show it wants major league boxing here. We’re all confident of making it work here.”

New Bedford police officer Jason “School Boy” Pires, former USBA champion and 1996 U.S. Olympic Team Alternate, headlines in an 8-round welterweight bout against former IBF Intercontinental champion Louie Leija. Pires (21-3, 9 KOs), returning from a 5 ½ year lay-off to complete his education at the U. of Massachusetts at Dartmouth and become a police officer, won a 6-round decision against Frank Houghtaling last November. Leija (21-9-1, 15 KOs), fighting out of San Antonio, has been in against some of the world’s top fighters such as Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Ben Tackie, and Jesus Chavez. Leija’s cousin is former WBC super bantamweight champion Jessie James “The Texas Tornado” Leija.

Former New Bedford fighter Paul “The Truth” Delgado (19-8-1, 4 KOs), now based in Atlanta, returns to Massachusetts for a 6-round welterweight bout versus Troy Smith (6-9-3, 0 KOs), of Brockton. Delgado has faced the iron during his 10-year pro career, including Paulie Malignaggi (twice), Dmitry Salita and Demetrius Hopkins.

Light heavyweights Manuel Antonio Lopes (4-0-1, 1 KO), of Marshfield (MA), and Bridgewater State College graduate Mical Weisberg (1-0, 1 KO), of Stoughton (MA), are fighting in separate 4-round matches against opponents to be determined.

Also fighting on the undercard in 4-round fights are unbeaten Lynn (MA) junior bantamweight Isander “Peachy” Beauchamp (5-0-1, 2 KOs) against Elton Dharry (2-4-1), of Brooklyn, Providence junior middleweight Kali Reiss (1-0, 1 KO) versus pro debuting Alexsandra Magdziak Lopes. Alexsandra is married to Manuel Lopes’ father, Wayne, who’ll be working the corners for his wife and son. All fights and fighters are subject to change.