CES Boxing: Youth vs. Experience as Godfrey Prepares For Williams Clash November 24

ByBoxing Press

Undefeated NABF cruiserweight champion Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey, rated No. 2 by the World Boxing Council, is positioned for a world title fight in 2008. The 26-year-old from Providence has some unfinished business, though, defending his title belt November 24 against outspoken Jeremy “Half-Man, Half-Amazing” Williams in the 12-round main event headlining “Pinnacle FiteNite: The Heat’s On In Hartford” at the Connecticut Convention Center.

“Pinnacle FiteNite: The Heat’s On In Hartford,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment, Inc. (CES), in association with Sports Entertainment & Media, Inc., will be taped live and air worldwide on dates and times to be determined.

Godfrey (16-0, 9 KOs), also rated No. 4 by the International Boxing Federation and No. 6 by the World Boxing Association, relinquished his NABA, WBC Continental Americas and USNBC championships.
Godfrey-Williams is a classic match-up of youth versus experience between Godfrey and 35-year-old Williams, who once fought for the WBO heavyweight championship.

“Williams is a big talker but whatever he says he’ll have to back-up in the ring,” Godfrey said. “I’m unlike any fighter he’s ever been in with. I’m sure he’s thinking that I’ll crack under his pressure, but I’m too smooth for that. He’s on the downside and this is his last hurrah. I’m young, fast and hit hard. He’s going to get hit often and hard. I’m going to prove that I belong in the top 5 in the world.”

“It’s going to be a good fight,” Godfrey’s manager Bret Hallenbeck added. “Matt’s going to prove that he belongs up there with the best cruiserweights in the world.”

In 2007, Godfrey registered his career-defining victory to date, stopping 18-1-2 prospect Felix Cora, Jr. in the second round on ESPN2 for the NABF title, along with a win by unanimous 10-round against 13-2-3 Derrick Brown.

“It’s been a great year,” Godfrey commented. “I had a very important win against Cora on national television, capturing the NABF title, and a stay busy type victory against a tough guy, Derrick Brown. I’ll be capping off the year against an opponent with 48 pro fights — all but one in the heavyweight division — and against some high-level competition. He is the perfect opponent to end the year with a bang. I want fans to see the style changes since my last fight; they’ll see me being aggressive, punching more, and taking more chances.”

Godfrey is promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc., managed by Bret Hallenbeck and trained by “Iceman” John Scully.

Tickets are priced at $35.00 (Bronze), $50.00 (VIP Silver), $100.00 (VIP Gold), and $150.00 (limited Jimmy’s Platinum Club).

Group discounts are available. Discount tickets are being offered to members of the Connecticut police and fire departments, men and women active in the U.S. military, and students.

VIP Presidential Tables (total of 10 tables, 8 per table) are available by calling CES at 401.724.2253/2254. Call CES at 401.724.2253/2254, the Connecticut Convention Center (860.249.6000), Manchester PAL (860.645.6261) and Connecticut Restoration (860.528.6800), or go on line at www.cesboxing.com, to order tickets or for more information. Visit www.pinnaclefitenite.com for additional information. Doors will open at 5:30 PM/ET, first bout at 6:45 PM/ET.