Boxing Info: Duran vs. The Contender Reid in Feb. 9

ByBoxing Press

Former Commonwealth light middleweight champion Ossie Duran takes on The Contender I star Jonathan “Reid Dawg” Reid in the eight round co-feature on the Febarury 9th “Hearts Of Fire” pro-am show at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence.

Two-time world champions Mia “The Knockout” St. John and Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt headline “Hearts Of Fire, presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. (CES), in association with Lincoln Park, in the 10-round main event for the vacant IWBF lightweight title.

“Hearts Of Fire” will be taped live and air February 10 (7:00-9:00 PM/ET and Feb. 17 (12:00-2:00 PM/ET) on CN8, The Comcast Network. CN8 reaches 9 million homes in 12 states and 20 television markets. The event will also air on Cox Sports Television on Feb. 10 (10-12 PM/ET) and Feb. 17 (8:30-10:30 PM/ET).

Duran (22-5-1, 9 KOs), rated No. 26 by the WBC, has had problems finding opponents because he’s considered a risky fighter. His most notable win to date was a third-round knockout of Jamie Moore (20-1), former British lightweight champion, in 2004 for the vacant Commonwealth light middleweight championship. Ossie, who now lives in Providence by way of Ghana, successfully defended his title 15 months later with a 12-round unanimous decision (118-110, 119-109, 119-109) against previously unbeaten Colin McNeil (8-0) in London.

Nashville-native Reid (34-4, 19 KOs), whose popularity skyrocketed when he was a member of The Contender, Season One, is a former world title challenger, as well as ex-NABA middleweight champion.

IFBA lightweight title-holder St. John (43-7-2, 18 KOs), the former Playboy pin-up model, faces Clampitt (16-4-1, 7 KOs) for the vacant IWBF title. This long anticipated showdown features the d No. 3 and No. 4 rated lightweights, respectively, in the WBC and WBA.

“Hearts Of Fire” is dedicated to the memory of Enrique Palau, the unbeaten boxer who was killed last month in a car accident. Donations will be collected for Palau’s family.

A donation of $2.00 per each sold ticket will be donated to the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation (GGBCRF) and a portion of proceeds from VIP table sales will go to GGBCRF. CES has called for a “Pink Out” to be shown on the broadcasts with sales from “Pink T-Shirts” on sale at the event also going to GGBCRF. The main event fighters will show their support by wearing pink gloves.

Also scheduled to fight on the “Hearts of Fire” undercard in four-round bouts are Iraqi War veteran Chris Traietti (5-0, 3 KOs) versus super middleweight Greg Beerman (4-2, 1 KO), and popular Providence middleweight Richard “Bobo” Starnino (7-1-1, 1 KO) takes on James Shedrick, Jr. (4-7, 2 KOs).

A trio of newly signed young fighters make their CES debuts: Johnston (RI) super middleweight Angel Camacho, Jr. (3-0, 3 KOs) vs. TBA, Brockton (MA) light heavyweight Manuel Antonio Lopes faces Oliver Nusampasmoy in both of their pro debuts and Stoughton (MA) super middleweight Mical Weisberg, who is a senior at Bridgewater State College, makes his pro debut against an opponent to be determined. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

Four exciting amateur matches are also scheduled.

Tickets for “Hearts Of Fire” are now on sale for $20.00 (students), $37.00 (Bronze Reserved), $60.00 (Silver Reserved), $105.00 (Gold Ringside Reserved) and $155.00 (limited Jimmy’s VIP Platinum Club). VIP tables also are on sale for $3,000.00 or $2,500.00 with a portion of the proceeds going to GGBCRF. To purchase tickets or for more information call CES (401.724.2253/2254) or go to www.cesboxing.com), Rhode Island Convention Center (401.458.6000), Rhode Island Boxing Gym in Warwick (866.588.3957), Manfredo’s Gym in Pawtucket (401.723.1354), Box A Round Boxing Club in Stoughton (781.367.6385), Bishop’s Boxing & Fitness (W. Bridgewater), Petronelli Brothers Gym in Brockton (508.588.3238) and 401 Gym in Cranston (401.261.9800/3436). Doors open at 6 PM, first bout at 6:30 PM.