CES Signs Hot Boxing Prospects

ByBoxing Press

Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. (CES) has signed Swedish super lightweight prospect Benjamin Kalinovic and Philadelphia amateur star “Hammering” Hank Lundy, CES president Jimmy Burchfield announced today. Swedish native Kalinovic (3-0, 2 KOs), 24, is now based out of Vero Beach, Florida, where famed Buddy McGirt trains him. Benjamin was the 2001-2002 Swedish amateur champion, bronze medallist at the 1999 European Junior Championships, and holds a victory against former world amateur champion and present pro prospect, Frenchman Willy Blain (13-0).

Kalinovic represented Sweden in the World Amateur Championships. He captured gold at the 2002 Tampere Tournament, 2002 Karl Leman Tournament and 2003 multi-national tournament in Ireland, where he defeated current pro junior middleweight prospect James Moore, 19-15.

Kalinovic turned pro November 25, 2004 in Yugoslavia, but an unintentional head butt cut him early and the bout against local Vuk Mitic was stopped in the second round and declared a no contest. As a pro, Benjamin has defeated Ray Meyers (TKO1), Arnold Hill (DEC4) and Larry Cunningham (TKO2) in his last outing (February 2, 2006).

Lundy was the No. 5 rated amateur in the world before signing with CES. He was the 2006 “Most Outstanding Boxer” at the Middle Atlantic Tournament, silver medallist at the 2005 National Golden Gloves Tournament, and 2004 Philadelphia Golden Glove champion.

Kalinovic and Lundy, fighting as a lightweight, will make their CES deb! uts July 7 on the “Let Freedom Ring” card, Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. (CES) in association with Lincoln Park, at the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis, Massachusetts. The headliner is a 12-round super middleweight fight between USNBC super middleweight champion Joey “KO Kid” Spina (18-0-1, 13 KOs) and challenger Jay Pina (16-1, 12 KOs) for the USNBC and vacant IBF International championships.

“We’re thrilled to sign young talents like Benjamin and Henry,” Burchfield said. “Classic Entertainment & Sports is much more than a New England promoter. We’re building an internationally flavored stable with fighters from all over the world. Kalinovic and Lundy are going to be instant fan favorites because of their exciting styles.”

CES’ stable also includes Spina, NABA & USNBC cruiserweight champion Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey (12-0, 7 KOs), 2004 U.S. Olympian and unbeaten heavyweight Jason “Big Six” Estrada ! (6-0, 1 KO), world-rated welterweight Ossie Duran (21-5-1, 9 KOs), for mer world heavyweight title challenger Charles Shufford (20-6, 9 KOs), undefeated featherweight prospect Matt “Sharpshooter” Remillard (9-0, 6 KOs), Irish middleweight prospect Joe “Sugar” Rea (5-0, 4 KOs), IWBF lightweight & featherweight champion Missy “The Fury” Fiorentino (14-1, 6 KOs), and two-time world champion Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt (16-4-1, 7 KOs).

Duran, Shufford and Rea also are scheduled to fight July 7 on “Let Freedom Ring.” All bouts and boxers are subject to change.

“Let Freedom Ring” will be broadcast in New England on Saturday, July 8 at 7:00 PM/ET on CN8. The event will re-air network wide on Saturday, July 29 at 7:00 PM/ET.

Tickets for “Let Freedom Ring” are priced at $40 and $50 (general admission), $75 (Silver VIP), $100 (Gold VIP) and a limited Jimmy’s Platinum Club tickets are available. To order tickets call CES (401.724.2253), the Cape Cod Melody Tent (508.775.5630) or go to www.ticketmaster. Tickets also are on sale at David’s Gym in South Dennis (508.394.7199), Pizza 1 – Subs 2 in Falmouth (508.457.1212), Mike’s Barber Shop in Dennisport (508.798.8913), Cape Cod Nutrition in Hyannis (508.775.5697), and Goose Hummock in Orleans (508.255.0455). For additional information, or sponsorship/advertising opportunities, call CES or go to www.cesboxing.com. Doors open at 6:00 PM, first bout at 7:15 PM.