McCreedy’s bandwagon filling up fast

Posted on | May 18, 2009 | No Comments

Joey “KO Kid” Spina vs. Tiwon Taylor headlines Friday night’s show at Twin River Event Center, RI

PROVIDENCE (May 18, 2009) – Super middleweight “Irish” Joe McCreedy has developed into one of New England’s favorite fighters, based on support he’s received from his growing legion of passionate fans from Lowell, the same Massachusetts city that produced one of boxing’s all-time most popular ring warriors, “Irish” Micky Ward.

EBA super middleweight champion McCreedy (10-2-1, 5 KOs) is matched against veteran Willis “The Prophet” Lockett (11-7-5, 5 KOs) on Friday night’s (May 22) “Rage At The River” show, promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), at Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island.

McCreedy is as tough as any fighter, evident by his performances since his first loss. After starting out his career with victories in his first five pro bouts, Joe suffered his first lost in October of 2006 to Andre Hemphill. McCreedy’s jaw was broken early but he kept fighting until it was fractured in the second place, which resulted in the ending of the fight in the third round. Joe’s boxing career was in jeopardy but the former high school running back came back strong one a year and a half later to beat previously unbeaten Bay State rival Chris Traietti (7-0) by 6-round decision.

Two fights later, the now 24-year-old McCreedy lost a 6-round decision to Henry Mayes but Joe avenged that loss in his next fight, defeating Mayes by 6-round decision. A natural Irish-Italian, Massachusetts-Rhode Island throw-down was arranged between two CES boxers, McCreedy and Richard “Bobo the Bull” Starnino, last August in which the two fought non-stop, toe-to-toe to a 6-round draw. McCreedy then outclassed veteran Joe Johnson to set-up a rematch against Starnino this past February. In another fan-friendly brawl an even better conditioned McCreedy won an 8-round decision for the vacant Eastern Boxing Association title, much to the joy and delight of his many vociferous backers in the stands.

“Joe McCreedy is a brawler who fights like Vinny Paz and Micky Ward,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield said. “He gives fans their money’s worth every fight. He just keeps coming straight ahead and Joe’s very dangerous. I think he’s at the top of his game right now. His fan base is growing fast because he gives them what they enjoy. He’s fun to watch. There’s no such thing as a boring fight with Joe McCreedy.”

The 8-round main event puts world-rated light heavyweight Joey “KO Kid” Spina (24-1-1, 17 KOs), fighting out of Providence, against veteran Tiwon Taylor (26-14-1, 19 KOs), former Carolina Boxing Association title-holder, who has been in against world champions Adrian Diaconu, Fabrice Tiozzo and Lou Del Valle. Power-punching Spina is rated No. 12 in the WBA and WBC, No. 13 by the WBO and No. 15 by the IBF.

Middleweight James McGirt, Jr. (19-2-1, 9 KOs) makes his CES debut in a 6-round bout versus Patrtick “La Sasa” Perez (25-4, 14 KOs), while Ward works the corner for his nephew and another Lowell fighter, lightweight Sean Eklund (6-3, 1 KO), against Jose Guzman (3-4-1) in a 4-round match.

The Legends Meet & Greet

James “Buddy” McGirt (73-6-1, 48 KOs), former IBF light welterweight and WBC welterweight champion, past Boxing Writers of America Association’s Trainer of the Year, as well as “Irish” Micky Ward (38-13,27 KOs), EBU light weight champion and 3-time participant in Ring Magazine’s Fight of the Year, will be joined by Gary “Tiger” Balletto (31-3-2, 26 KOs), former IBU lightweight champion and star of The Contender III, for a very special meet-and-greet May 22nd with “Rage At The River” show ticket holders. They will be available in the entrance area of the Twin River Event Center between 6-7 PM/ET to sign autographs, pose for pictures and talk to fans. They had a combined 142-22-3 (101 KOs) pro record.

Also world featherweight title challenger Sandy “Lil’ Tyson” Tsagouris (9-1, 4 KOs) versus TBA in a 6-round bout, as well as supporting 4-round matches are Providence cruiserweight Jay Holland (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Chris “The Archbishop” Boykins (0-3), Pawtucket light welterweight Diego Periera (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. Melchor Guillen, Jr. (1-0) and Providence light welterweight Omar Pena (1-0-1, 0 KOs) vs. Omar Brito (1-1, 1 KO). All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets for “Rage At the River” are priced at limited $25.00 SRO, $35.00, $45.00 (Bronze), $65.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold – includes a free $15.00 play that night at Twin River) and limited $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club – includes a free $25.00 play that night at Twin River) 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, 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 6::00 PM/ET, first bout at 7:00 PM/ET.

(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “Rage At The River.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.)

-CES-