CES Boxing: Grano vs. Childs Heavyweight Slugfest Added To “Connecticut Conquest

ByBoxing Press

Unbeaten Hartford heavyweight prospect Tony “TNT’ Grano, one of New England’s most popular fighters, steps up in class on June 13 when he takes on Missouri knockout artist Leroy Childs in the eight round co-feature on “Connecticut Conquest” at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.

NABF Top Prospect of the Year, WBC World Youth featherweight champion Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard, 11-0 (7), fighting out of nearby Manchester, headlines in his first title defense versus Mexican challenger Jose Magallon in the 10 round main event.

Grano, 13-0-1 (11), 2005 U.S. Nationals champion, faces his toughest test in Childs, 13-1 (12), who has stopped 12 of his 13 career victims.

“Childs can really hurt people,” CES president Jimmy Burchfield noted. “This will be Tony’s toughest fight of his career and you have to give him and his team a lot of credit for accepting the challenge to fight Childs.

“Team Grano wants to make an impact in the heavyweight division, starting with his June 13th fight against Childs. What better way to do it than fighting a very tough opponent at home in front of his family, friends and fans? I know they can’t help him in the ring, but Tony will take care of that himself.”

Hartford’s popular boxer Israel “Pito” Cardona injured his elbow, forcing him to withdraw from his scheduled June 13th fight against Jason Pires, but former world title challenger Cardona will be inducted into the CES Ring of Honor during a special ceremony.

Former USBA super bantamweight title-holder Pires, 20-3 (9), now a full-time New Bedford, MA police officer, returns to the ring in a six round junior welterweight bout after a five-year absence.

The newest member of the CES stable, former world middleweight title challenger Kingsley “Sharp Knuckle” Ikeke, 23-3 (13), makes his CES debut in a six round super middleweight clash. Ikeke is a former NABF, NABO, NBA and WBC FECARBOX middleweight champion.

Others fighting on the undercard include Hartford favorite and prison guard, junior welterweight Addy Irizarry, 4-2 (2), coming off a very close loss by decision in Germany, undefeated, top super middleweight prospect Brian Macy, 3-0 (1), of Ledyard, CT, the 2000 National PAL amateur champion and University of Connecticut graduate vs. Adrian Redmond, 3-5-1 (3).

Tickets are on sale now. The $150.00, $100.00 and $55.00 tickets have been sold out. Limited $35.00 (VIP Bronze) and $80.00 (VIP Gold) tickets are still available. To purchase tickets go to or call CES (401.724.2253/2254), Connecticut Convention Center (860.249.000), Manchester PAL (860.645.6261), Willy’s Gym (860.614.2281), Connecticut Restorations (860.528.6800), Strikezone Gym (860.444.2845), L.A. Boxing Gym (860.221.5987) and 401 Boxing (401.261.9800).

For more information call CES (401.724.2253/2254), the Connecticut Convention Center (860.249.6000), or go on line at www.cesboxing.com. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout 7 PM/ET.