Boxing News Boxing News
© Emily Harney / CES
Twenty months since her last fight and eight after she became a mother for the first time, 4-time world champion Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt starts her comeback Friday night in “Autumn Classic,” presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, R.I.
New England and EBA super middleweight champion, “Irish” Joey McCreedy (11-3-1, 6 KOs) takes on “The Next Great Champ” winner, Otis “Triple OG” Griffin (20-6-2, 8 KOs), in the 8-round, non-title main event on the Irish-themed pro boxing card.
Clampitt (19-4-1, 7 KOs) won a 10-round decision March 14, 2008 at Twin River against Belinda Laracuente for the IWBF lightweight title. This past March 17 on St. Patrick’s Day – appropriately enough considering this show’s Irish theme – Jaime gave birth to her daughter, Neyla.
“I just felt so good after having my baby,” Clampitt explained when asked why she’s returning to the ring. “I missed the sport. So many people were saying I couldn’t or shouldn’t box again, but I’ve always liked challenges. Things are different today. So many women athletes have children.”
Clampitt, a Canadian native who lives in Warwick (RI), has run a boxing program for the past two years at a gym in East Greenwich (RI) called Battle Ground. She has about 40 clients and still trains a few amateur boxers. But she won’t be encouraging her daughter to become a boxer in the future. “It’s a tough sport,” Jaime said with a smile. “I don’t want her to fight. We’ll have plenty of things to do together, but, whatever she chooses, I will support her.”
Clampitt faces WBAN No. 3 rated Rachel Clark (4-2-1, 3 KOs) in the 6-round, junior welterweight co-feature.
Unbeaten junior welterweight prospect and 2008 U.S. Olympic Team alternate, Danny O’Connor (9-0, 3 KOs), of Framingham (MA), faces dangerous James Hope (4-2, 4 KOs) in the 6-round special attraction.
Also fighting on the undercard in 4-round bouts are Providence super middleweight Vladine Biosse (4-0, 3 KOs), a former University of Rhode Island football player, against 24-fight veteran Jeffrey Osbourne; Long Island (NY) light heavyweight Joe “The Irish Bomber” Smith Jr. (1-0, 1 KO), the 2008 New York Golden Gloves champion, meets pro-debuting Brandon McGowen; Worcester (MA) heavyweight Rashad Minor (2-1, 2 KOs) squares-off against Lance Gauch (1-1, 1 KO); Boston light heavyweight Maceo Crowder, whose brother is 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade, makes his pro debut versus Duane King in his pro debut.
Rollback ticket prices for “Autumn Classic” are $25.00, $35.00, $50.00, $75.00, and $100.00 and available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going online at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at Twin River’s Players Club booth, or any TicketMaster location.
Contact CES at 401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com or the Twin River Event Center at 877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.
