Two popular blasts from the past, Vinny Paz and "Irish" Micky Ward, will be in opposite corners on March 14 as honorary captains of Team Italy and Team Ireland, respectively, for the Italian-Irish themed "Rumble at the River" pro boxing show at Twin River Events Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island.
"Rumble at the River," part of "The Budweiser Night at the Fights" series at Twin River, is promoted by Jimmy Burchfield's Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc., in association with Twin River, Budweiser and Tournament of Contenders.
World super middleweight challenger "The Pride of Providence" Peter Manfredo, Jr. (28-5, 13 KOs), star of The Contender I television reality series, headlines "Rumble at the River" against Shane "The Irish Hitman" Benfield (17-1, 9 KOs) in the 10-round main event.
Paz is a former 5-time world champion who won 50 pro fights, while Ward participated in three "Fights of the Year," highlighted by his famed trilogy fighting Arturo Gatti. "Vinny Paz and Micky Ward are two of boxing's all-time great warriors," promoter Jimmy Burchfield said of the two charter members of CES' Ring of Honor. "They have both kept their fires burning in boxing, Vinny as a television analyst and Micky as a trainer. Many young fighters, especially in New England, are involved in the sport because they watched these two fighters in action. We're thrilled that they are involved in 'Rumble at the River' as team captains. I'm very happy to call Vinny and Micky my personal friends. They know what boxing has done for them and they give a lot back to the boxing community. They'll be available to pose for pictures and sign autographs. Our unbeaten heavyweight contender, "Baby" Joe Mesi, will also be there for fans to meet."
IWBF lightweight champion Jaime "The Hurricane" Clampitt (18-4-1, 7 KOs), fighting out of Cranston (RI) puts her belt on the line against veteran contender Belinda "Brown Sugar" Larcuente (23-20-3, 9 KOs), the GBU junior welterweight title-holder from New York City, in the 10-round co-feature. Clampitt is a 3-time world champion, while 20 of Larcuente's last 21 bouts, dating back nearly five years, have been against world champions.
Stoughton (MA) cruiserweight Chris McInerney (9-1-1, 6 KOs) meets former New England title-holder Tim "The Hammer" Flamos (19-4-1, 7 KOs), of Brockton, in a six-round rematch of a bout McInerney won by sixth round TKO last December.
Undefeated Russian middleweight Andre Nevsky (3-0, 3 KOs), of Worcester (MA), faces Eric Pinarreta (2-1, 2 KOs), of New Bedford (MA), in a four-round match. USBA No. 4 super middleweight Joey "KO Kid" Spina (20-1-1, 15 KOs), of Providence; light heavyweight "Irish" Joey McCreedy (6-1, 4 KOs), of Lowell (MA); unbeaten Lynn (MA) flyweight Isander Beauchamp (3-0) and Providence junior welterweight Diego Pereira making his pro debut are also on the undercard against opponents to be determined. All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Manfredo, Spina, Flamos and Pinarreta are on Paz' Team Italy; Benfield, Clampitt, McInerney and McCreedy are captained by Ward on Team Ireland.
Tickets for "Rumble at the River" are priced at $35.00 (ADA stage seating only), $40.00, $50.00, (Bronze), $75.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and $150.00 (Jimmy's Platinum Club) and may be purchased by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going on line at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at the Twin River Event Center (100 Twin River Road, Lincoln, RI), or any TicketMaster location. Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Events Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.
(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for "Rumble 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.)