Cardona continues boxing comeback – Godfrey-Cora headlines April 6 show

Former world title challenger Israel “Pito” Cardona’s comeback continues April 6 against Juan Manuel Buendia in the eight-round co-feature on “Collision Course,” headlined on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights by cruiserweights Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey against Felix “Bad News” Cora, Jr., at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Cardona (26-6, 28 KOs) has gone through a role reversal, of sorts, for his fight against Buendia (13-1-1, 8 KOs), a Mexican warrior and former Illinois State welterweight title-holder. Cardona, a lieutenant for a security company in Hartford, as well as a boxing trainer at LA Boxing in Hartford, was supposed to fight former world champion Zab Judah on April 27, but Judah
pulled out to fight WBO champion Miquel Cotto.

“Judah was my break,” Cardona said. “I’m very disappointed not to be fighting him because beating him probably could have gotten me another world title shot. But I’ve been in this sport a long time and I know what it’s like. What I still haven’t figured out is why he wouldn’t fight me. Am I too dangerous? We still have a signed contract but he’s fighting somebody else
April 13.

“Now I’m focusing on my April 6th fight. I’m fighting a tough Mexican. I had nothing to lose and everything to gain against Judah. Now, he (Buendia) has nothing to lose. He’s an up-and-comer who has never really been tested. I’m going to destroy this kid. I’m in the best shape I’ve been in for years. We’re going to put on a great show. The first week after Judah pulled out I was frustrated. But I’ve gotten everything together and I’ll be bringing my A game to Mohegan Sun.”

Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. is promoting “Collision Course” in association with Mohegan Sun and ESPN2.

Godfrey and Cora, roommates at the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials, will fight in the 12-round main event for Godfrey’s NABA title and the vacant NABF cruiserweight belt, as well as a possible world title fight opportunity later this year.

Providence-native Godfrey (14-0, 8 KOs), also the reigning WBC Continental Americas and USNBC cruiserweight champion, is rated No. 6 by the WBC, as well as No. 9 by the IBF and No. 10 by the WBA. Cora (18-1-2, 9 KOs), rated No. 12 by the WBC, is the former USBA and NABF cruiserweight champion.

Providing chief support on the undercard is Providence heavyweight Jason “Big Six” Estrada (7-1, 1 KO), 2004 U.S. Olympian, in a six-round bout. Also scheduled to fight on the under in separate four-round matches against opponents to be determined are super middleweights Chris Traietti (6-0, 4 KOs), Iraqi War veteran and Westfield State College student, and Angel
Camacho, Jr. (4-0, 3 KOs); light heavyweight Manuel Antonio Lopes (1-0, 1 KO); Connecticut prison guard Addy Irizarry making her pro debut as a light welterweight.

Tickets, priced at $75.00, $40.00 and $25.00, are available through Mohegan Sun’s box office. For more information contact Mohegan Sun (www.mohegansun.com/1.800.226.7711) or CES
(www.cesboxing.com/1.401.724.2253/3354).