CES Boxing: Babe Wood To Be Inducted Into Ring Of Honor

The late Charles “Babe” Wood will be posthumously inducted into the CES Ring of Honor during a special ceremony Friday night, March 6 at “Mayflower Madness,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc., in historic Plymouth Memorial Hall.

“Mayflower Madness” is the first in a four fight arrangement, “The Radisson Hotel Plymouth Harbor Fight Series,” scheduled in 2009 at Plymouth Memorial Hall and promoted by CES.

Promoter Jimmy Burchfield, president of CES, established the CES Ring of Honor in 2005 to honor inductees for their special accomplishments and contributions to New England boxing.

Charter members include 5-time world champion Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Paz, former WBA and WBC welterweight title-holder Marlon “Magic Man” Starling, and three timeThe Ring Fighter of the Year, 2001-2003, participant “Irish” Micky Ward.

Other CES Ring of Honor members include the late, great Rocky Marciano, former three time world champion “El Gallo” Jose Antonio Rivera, world light heavyweight contender “Iceman” John Scully, famed Connecticut trainer Johnny Dukes, 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrious “Boo Boo” Andrade, Gary “Tiger” Balletto, and four time national amateur champion Bobby Harris.

“We lost Babe last year and everyone dearly misses him, especially in this area where he lived,” Burchfield said. “He trained world champions Rocky Marciano, Sonny Liston and Paul Pender, among the most notable fighters he coached and advised for so many years.

“‘Babe’ embodies everything that I envisioned for inductees when we started the CES Ring of Honor and we’re delighted to honor ‘Babe’ and his family.”

New Bedford police officer Jason “School Boy” Pires, former USBA champion and 1996 US Olympic Team Alternate, headlines in an eight round welterweight bout against former IBF Intercontinental champion Louie Leija.

Pires, 21-3 (9), returning from a 5 ½ year lay-off to complete his education at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth and become a police officer, won a six round decision against Frank Houghtaling last November.

Leija, 21-9-1 (15), fighting out of San Antonio, has fought some of the world’s top fighters such as Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Ben Tackie, and Jesus Chavez. Leija’s cousin is former WBC super bantamweight champion “The Texas Tornado” Jessie James Leija.

Former New Bedford fighter Paul “The Truth” Delgado, 19-8-1 (4), now based in Atlanta, returns home to Massachusetts for a six round welterweight bout versus Troy Smith, 6-9-3 (0), of Brockton. Delgado has faced the iron during his 10 year pro career, including Paulie Malignaggi (twice), Dmitry Salita and Demetrius Hopkins.

Tickets for “Mayflower Madness” are priced at $35.00 (Bronze), $45.00 (Silver), $55.00 (Gold), and $75.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club). VIP tables of eight are also available. To purchase call CES (401.724.2253/2254) or go on line at www.cesboxing.com.

Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) for more information. Doors open at 6:15 PM/ET, first bout at 7:15 PM/ET.