Jeremy Williams Vs Matt Godfrey

Former WBO heavyweight title challenger Jeremy “Half-Man, Half-Amazing” Williams has vowed to capture the world cruiserweight championship, which is the primary reason why he’s fighting a young buck like unbeaten NABF cruiserweight Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey, headlining “Pinnacle FiteNite: The Heat’s On In Hartford,” on November 24 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.

“Pinnacle FiteNite: The Heat’s On In Hartford,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment, Inc. (CES), in association with Sports Entertainment & Media, Inc., will be taped live and air on dates and times to be determined across the country on numerous Comcast regional stations including Comcast West, American One Network, Fight Network in Canada, Sports Net New York, GTV in Africa, as well as internationally on KOTV. Pinnacle FiteNite is produced by 21 Lakes and distributed by Integrated Sports.

A victory against 26-year-old Providence native Godfrey (16-0, 9 KOs), rated No. 2 by the World Boxing Council, as well as ranked No. 4 by the International Boxing Federation and No. 6 by the World Boxing Association, certainly would jump-start Williams’ comeback in terms of positioning him for a possible world title shot. Williams was inactive 2 ½ years, largely spent as a trainer for the first two seasons of The Contender television reality series, campaigning as a mixed-martial-arts fighter, and building his businesses in Long Beach. Jeremy fought all of his pro career as a relatively small heavyweight until his ring return last August 18 as a cruiserweight in an eight-round split decision win against Utah veteran Gary Gomez.

“With all I’ve accomplished as an amateur (two World titles and a pair of National Golden Gloves championships) and pro (WBC Americas heavyweight belt), my boxing career would not be complete without a world title,” Williams said. “When I fought (Henry) Akinwande for the (WBO heavyweight title, I took the fight on very, very short notice, got a ton of money and, at what age, 23, or whatever I was, I thought it was the fastest way to a championship. I’m 35 now, but I’m not old. I don’t drink, do drugs or abuse my body. I walk around at 215 (pounds). A 35-year-old fighter today isn’t like one from the eighties or early nineties. I’m not beat-up and I don’t have a sparring syndrome problem. Time isn’t of the essence; it’s about the way you live life. (Evander) Holyfield just fought again for the world heavyweight title, we had a 50-year-old heavyweight champion (George Foreman), and Bernard Hopkins is still great at 42.

“Today, I’m a father and a businessman. I just started a new clothing line (Ring & Cage Clothing, Co.) with worldwide distribution and I own property in California and Arizona. I coach Pop Warner football, too. I’m not fighting to pay the mortgage. Winning the world title is my passion. I’m not your typical boxer. My first fight back after being out 2 ½ years was against a tough guy, Gary Gomez, in his hometown (Salt Lake City) at 4,200-foot elevation. I wasn’t at my best but I guarantee I’ll look a lot more like myself on November 24th.”

Godfrey also was a celebrated U.S. amateur boxer who was the second heavyweight alternate on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team. He will be defending his NABF title against Williams in the 12-round main event.

“Godfrey won everything I won (as an amateur) and his pro career has been very good to this point,” Wiliams remarked. “But if you look at the details, who has he fought? (Felix) Cora is a journeyman type. He’s tough but I’ve fought a lot of tough guys and I was never really a heavyweight, fighting guys 30-40 pounds heavier. The cruiserweight division is one of the best with good athletes and not obtrusive giants. I know Godfrey’s acclaimed by ESPN and others, but who has he fought? He has been dominant and in control, but he’s never had to bite down on the mouthpiece, as they say, and gut it out as I have throughout my career.

“A lot of things in life are about timing and opportunity. I’m taking advantage of this situation to fight Godfrey. A win will catapult me; if I lose my career will be over. I am not taking this fight lightly and counting on just being the bigger, stronger man. I’ve really working hard to go with the ability I have. I watch Matt Godfrey’s last four fights every day to see new things that I may not have seen. It’s an area of maturity where I’ve grown.”

Unbeaten Las Vegas-based cruiserweight prospect Aaron Williams (15-0-1, 11 KOs), former nine-time United States amateur champion, is scheduled to fight in the eight-round co-feature. On the undercard in separate bouts are WBC rated No. 23 super middleweight Joey “KO Kid” Spina (20-1-1, 15 KOs), of Providence; Jackie Kallen-managed Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard (11-0, 7 KOs), of Manchester (CT), the former WBC Youth super featherweight champion; cruiserweight Marc “The Defender” Saggese (3-0, 3 KOs), the high-profile defense attorney from Las Vegas known as the toughest pound-for-pound lawyer; Hartford junior welterweight Addy Irizarry (2-1, 2 KOs). All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets are priced at $35.00 (Bronze), $50.00 (VIP Silver), $100.00 (VIP Gold), and $150.00 (limited Jimmy’s Platinum Club). Group discounts are available. Discount tickets are being offered to members of the Connecticut police and fire departments, men and women active in the U.S. military, and students. VIP Presidential Tables (total of 10 tables, 8 per table) are available by calling CES at 401.724.2253/2254. Call CES at 401.724.2253/2254, the Connecticut Convention Center (860.249.6000), Manchester PAL (860.645.6261) and Connecticut Restoration (860.528.6800), or go on line at www.cesboxing.com, to order tickets or for more information. Visit www.pinnaclefitenite.com for additional information. Doors will open at 5:30 PM/ET, first bout at 6:45 PM/ET.