CES Boxing: Spina vs. Oliveira Foxwoods Clash Turns Unfriendly

WBA No. 6 rated light heavyweight contender Joey “K.O. Kid” Spina must get past his respectful friendship with his next opponent, former multi-world title challenger “Sucra” Ray Oliveira, as well as fight at a lighter weight than normal in order to win the pivotal Oct. 2 match-up, which headlines the “Last Man Standing” card in Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.

“Last Man Standing” is being presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), in association with Foxwoods Resort Casino. Spina-Oliveira is being fought at the 168-pound super middleweight limit.

Spina (25-1-2, 17 KOs), fighting out of Providence, puts his undefeated Foxwoods record (6-0, 5 KOs) on the line, fighting at Fox Theater for the first time since his signature victory to date in 2006 against Jesse Brinkley, former star of The Contender, Season One television reality show.

Spina stopped Jesse Brinkley with a vicious body shot in the 11th round of a fight Joey trailed so badly he needed a knockout to win. Brinkley is now preparing to challenge IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute for the world title Oct. 15.

Spina, who is coming off of a 10-round draw last October against former world champion Lou Del Valle, also holds wins against former world champion Carl Daniels, Jay Pina and Anwar Oshana.

“K.O. Kid” has been knocking on the door for a major fight, but he must defeat his CES stable mate, Oliveira, to get a big money and/or world title fight shot. “I love Ray,” Spina said.

“He’s a good friend but this fight is strictly business. He was a great fighter in his time when he fought at 140 pounds, but I walk around at 210 and I’m just too big for him. I’m a big puncher and all of his pitter-patter punches won’t help him. I’m just going to keep coming at him.”

Oliveira, 41, has always been an action fighter in addition to being a 3-time world title challenger. The slick boxer and defensive genius from New Bedford (MA) is a former IBU welterweight, NABF light welterweight and New England lightweight champion.

Foxwoods, though, hasn’t been a friendly house for “Sucra,” who is making a comeback to finish his career with 50 pro wins, needing only three more. He has won six of 14 fights with one draw at Foxwoods, including a pair of world title-fight losses there to Jake Rodriguez and Zack Padilla.

Oliveira did defeat former world champion Vince Phillips at Foxwoods in 2000. He also holds victories against former world titlist Charles Murray (twice), as well as Saul Duran, Vivian Harris, and Tracy Spann, and he’s also been in against world champions Ricky Hatton and the late Vernon Forrest.

New England super middleweight champion Vladine “Mr. Providence” Biosse (8-0, 4 KOs), a former University of Rhode Island football player, has been added to the “Last Man Standing” card in the 6-round co-feature against upset specialist Ariel “Iron” Espinal (8-15-3, 4 KOs) in a non-title fight.

Fighting on the undercard in 4-round bouts are David Bauza (5-0, 3 KOs), of Hartford, vs. TBA; New Haven super lightweight Edwin Soto (4-0-1, 2 KOs) vs. Trenton Titsworth (3-9-1, 2 KOs); Stamford (CT) light heavyweight Ahmad Mickens (1-0) vs. TBA; hometown favorite Karen Dulin (1-6, 0 KOs), a super bantamweight from nearby Mystic, vs. Katrina “Kat” De La Cruz (0-4-1); New Haven super middleweight Greg McCoy (1-1-1) vs. Reynaldo Rodriguez (5-1, 2 KOs), fighting out of Woonsocket (RI); Hartford super featherweight Joseph “Chip” Perez (4-0, 1 KO) vs. Ernest Butts III (0-1); Byfield (MA) featherweight Derek Silveira (2-0, 1 KOs) vs. Phillip Bernette (0-1); and New Haven featherweight Luis Rosa Jr. (3-0, 2 KOs) vs. TBA. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at $40.00, $60.00 and $100.00, are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254) or Foxwoods (800-200-2882), going online at www.cesboxing.com or www.foxwoods.com, or in person at Foxwood’s box office.

For more information contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Foxwoods Resort Casino (www.foxwoods.com). Doors open at 6:00 PM/ET, first bout at 7:00 PM/ET.