IWBF lightweight and featherweight champion Missy "The Fury" Fiorentino takes on six-time world title challenger Belinda "Brown Sugar" Laracuente in a six-round, non-title super featherweight bout on Friday night's (December 1) "Jingle Bell Pop" pro-am show at the Rhode Island Convention Center in downtown Providence.
Fiorentino (14-1, 6 KOs) and Laracuente (22-15-3, 9 KOs) had a memorable fight July 8, 2005 on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights with Missy winning a unanimous six-round decision. Fiorentino, the crowd favorite R.I. Deputy Marshall, has since defeated Esther Schouten (18-2-1), former WIBF & European super bantamweight champion, and defending champion Jaime "Hurricane" Clampitt (16-3-1) in a pair of exciting 10-round bouts by unanimous decision for the vacant IWBF featherweight and lightweight titles, respectively.
Laracuente has beaten former world title-holder Mitzi Jeter and been in against the iron of
women's boxing, including world champions Christy Martin, Mary Jo Sanders, Sumya Anani,
Jessica Rakoczy, Emiko Raika and Chavelle Hallbeck.
Jimmy Burchfield's Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. (CES), in association with Lincoln Park, Goflix.com and Graphic Ink, is promoting "Jingle Bell Pop," which will be broadcast in New England on CN8, The Comcast Network Saturday, December 9 (7-9 PM/ET) and Saturday, Dec. 16 (12-2 PM/ET). The event will also air Friday, Dec. 15 (8 PM start) and Saturday, Dec. 16 (9 PM start) on the Cox Network.
"Jingle Bell Pop" has been dedicated to Rhode Island's 91-year old Ralph "The Ripper" Zanelli
(92-48-7, 31 KOs), who beat Hall of Fame Boxer Fritzie Zivic twice during his entertaining career.
The Contender 2 star Gary "Tiger" Balletto (30-3-2, 25 KOs), former IBU World lightweight
champion, returns to his Providence roots as a junior welterweight to headline against former CBA welterweight champion "Mayhem" Matthew Strode (20-1, 9 KOs), fighting out of Greensboro (NC), in the 10-round main event.
World Boxing Council No. 7 rated cruiserweight Matt "Too Smooth" Godfrey (13-0, 7 KOs)
meets NABC cruiserweight champion Lloyd "Jabba" Bryan (22-14, 10 KOs) in the eight-round,
non-title co-feature. Godfrey is the reigning NBA, NABC and WBC Continental Americas
cruiserweight title-holder.
Fighting on the undercard is Iraqi War veteran Chris Traietti in his CES debut against Troy
Higgins (0-2); Richard "Bobo" Starnino (7-1-1, 1 KO) faces Adrian Redmond (2-4, 2 KOs),
Eddie Soto (6-0, 4 KOs) squares off against Omar Ballard (5-8, 2 KOs); Jose Sanchez (1-0, 1
KO) tangles with Phil Nazario in his pro debut. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
Four excited amateur matches are also scheduled: 85 lbs., Bruce Soscia (RI Boxing) vs. Devan Pena (Kananze Boxing); 90 lbs., Jimmy Perella (Manfredo's Gym) vs. Brian DeJesus (Ring 1);
155 lbs.; Publio Pena (401 Boxing) vs. Rubin Ortiz (Balletto's Gym); 170 lbs., Keith Kozlin (RI
Boxing) vs. James Montero (Kananze Boxing).
Tickets for "Jingle Bell Pop" are now on sale at the Rhode Island Convention Center
(860.249.6000) or by going on line at www.cesboxing.com. Ticket prices are $20.00 (students), $30.00 (general admission), $55.00 (Silver VIP), $100.00 (Gold VIP) and $150.00 (limited Jimmy's Platinum Club). Special group rates are available. For more information call CES (401.724.2253/2254 or go to www.cesboxing.com), Rhode Island Convention Center
(401.458.6000), 401 Gym (401.261.9800/3436) and Manfredo's Gym (401.723.1354). Doors open at 6 PM, first bout at 6:30 PM
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