Warner Boxing: Firtha vs. Shappard For NABA Title August 20

ByBoxing Press

Warner Promotions is proud to present a heavyweight Championship fight in Cleveland on Friday, August 20th live from Nautica Pavilion in the Flats!

The star studded night of boxing will feature Akron’s own and newly crowned NABA U.S. Heavyweight Champion Nick “The Stoneman” Firtha in the main event as he will defend his title against “Lightening” Mike Sheppard of Palestine, West Virginia in a ten round bout.

The Vacant Ohio State Heavyweight Title will also be on the line! Firtha (18-7-1, 8 KO’s) is coming off the biggest win of his career as he dismantled Tony Grano in June at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut to win the title.

Firtha scored a second round technical knockout over Grano, who came into their bout as the favorite and had a professional record of 17-1-1, with 13 KO’s.

Sheppard (15-10-1, 8 KO’s) comes into this fight having won four of his last five bouts. His lone loss was a ten round decision to the WBO #10 ranked heavyweight in the World, Chauncy Welliver.

Firtha has been busy on the Cleveland media scene, having been a guest on Tony Rizzo’s “Really Big Show” on ESPN 850 WKNR, Mark “Munch” Bishop’s “Lunch With Munch” show on ESPN 1540 KNR2, and News Channel 5’s Sports Sunday program with Andy Baskin.

Firtha is scheduled to appear on Michael Reghi and Kenny Roda’s “Afternoon R & R” show on ESPN 850 WKNR, Bruce Drennan’s “All Bets are Off” show on Sports Time Ohio, and the Fox 8 Morning show this week as well.

Firtha also threw out the first pitch for his hometown Akron Aeros last Thursday.

In the Co-featured bout of the evening, undefeated Cleveland Junior Middleweight Dante Moore will battle his toughest opponent to date, Corey “Collateral Damage” Rodriguez of Minneapolis, MN in a six round bout.

Moore (6-0, 4 KO’s), a former United States Junior Olympic National Champion as an amateur, will bring his powerful style to the bout against Rodriguez (4-1-1, 3 KO’s) and will be fighting in a six round bout for the first time in his career. These two were scheduled to face each other in April before Moore had to withdraw due to a training injury.

“The Pride of Lorain” Wilkins Santiago (1-0), coming off a scintillating pro-debut in April will also see action in a four round middleweight bout against Matt “The Celtic Warrior” Keglovic (1-1, 1 KO) in a Lorain versus Cleveland showdown.

Santiago is one of the area’s best middleweights and is a promising prospect with a hard-punching style to please all fans. Keglovic, a former Cleveland Golden Glove Champion, is a full time licensed union electrician and will be looking to electrify the crowd and shock Santiago!

The fight of the night could be the four round all Cleveland heavyweight affair between Jason “Big Daddy” Massie (5-0, 4 KO’s) and Mujaheed “King Dia” Moor (4-3, 3 KO’s).

Massie will be looking to stay unbeaten, but will be facing his toughest opponent to date in Moor, who was a two-time Cleveland Golden Glove Champion and has fought extremely tough opposition.

Rounding out the card will be Cleveland junior middleweight Michael Moore (2-0, 2 KO’s) against Indiana’s Eric Draper (1-3). in a four round bout.

Three bands, Jackie, Tenafly Vipor, and A Punch’s Pilot will open the show at 5:00. Doors open at 4:00. The first bell will start at 7:30.

Tickets for Friday Night Fights are on sale at all Ticketmaster locations, Livenation.com, or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Tickets start at just $25 for general admission. There are also tables seating eight for $600, Tables seating four for $300, Ringside for $75, and floor seats for $50. For more information please call 216-854-0485.