CES Boxing: Local Luminaries Manfredo, Spina Highlight “August Annihilator” Set For Twin River Event Cente

Two of the most popular fighters from the The Contender reality television series, “The Pride of Providence” Peter Manfredo, Jr. and Donny “The Savage” McCrary, battle for the NABF Interim Super Middleweight title in the 12 round main event, headlining “August Annihilator” on Friday night, August 22 at Twin River Events Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island.

“We put our fighters in with real fighters,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield said. “This is what boxing’s supposed to be all about. People don’t want to know the winners before the fights. Peter Manfredo, Jr. and these other guys are like fighters from old warrior days when they’d fight anybody.”

Manfredo, 30-5 (15), rated No. 18 by the WBC, will be fighting at home against Missourian invader McCrady, 24-7-2 (13).

“This is just another stepping stone,” said Manfredo. “McCrary is a tough kid. He was one of my sparring partners when I was getting ready for Jeff Lacy. He’s tough but he doesn’t have the heart, skill and determination to be a world champion like me. I’m not looking past him, but he isn’t going to beat me August 22nd. Not on his best day or my worst.

“Everything happens for a reason, no excuses for my fight with Calzaghe. I had no control because the ref didn’t give me a shot to fight. After that I didn’t take fighting serious and it showed in the Lacy fight. I had him in the first three rounds and just blew it. I used to fight for money but now I’m fighting because I love it.”

Former USNBC and IBF Intercontinental super middleweight champion Joey “KO Kid” Spina, 22-1-1 (15), also fighting out of Providence, takes on former IBC Americas heavyweight title holder Jim “Steel Chin” Strohl, 27-6 (21), in a six round bout.

“I’m fighting a tough guy from Las Vegas who I’ve fought [sparred],” said Spina. “He’s big, strong and has 21 knockouts as a heavyweight. I’m back to super middleweight. My last few fights I was heavier. I wasn’t serious but this fight I’m going to be the best I’ve ever been. Come August 22nd I will knockout this guy out; I guarantee. I’m No. 13 in the world [WBO] right now. This guy is going to stand in front of me and I’m going to do what I do…knock him out!”

In a pair of six-round super middleweight matches, Rhode Island super middleweight Angel Camacho, Jr., 10-0 (4), puts his unbeaten record on the line against Brooklyn’s Ariel Espinal, 6-3-2 (2), while Providence favorite Richard “Bobo The Bull” Starnino, 9-4-1 (2), faces Lowell, MA slugger “Irish” Joey McCreedy, 8-2 (5).

“I’m very excited to be on this card with Peter, Joey and Bobo,” said Camacho Jr. “I grew up watching them train and aspired to be like them. I train with my friend, Omar [Pena].”

“August 22nd I’m going to fight like it’s for my life,” said Starnino. “I’m a gladiator who gives it all I got. He has the fight of his life. I get stronger as the fight goes on. I can’t wait.”

“It’s a great card with Peter and Joey [heading the bill],” said McCreedy. “Bobo is an Italian, I’m Irish. Everyone knows what happened when they fight; toe-to-toe all the way. I hope you’re in shape, Bobo, because it’s going to be war. I do respect you. I’ll be punching from the first round until the end.”

Also on the undercard card is undefeated middleweight prospect Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez, 7-0 (5), a former two-time US national amateur champion out of Worcester, MA, who meets Marcus “Team Savior” Upshaw, 8-2 (3) in a six round bout. Providence junior welterweight Jesus Caro, 1-0 (1), squares off against Larry Foster, 0-3, in a four rounder.

“I’m very excited to be on this card,” said Rodriguez. “I cant’ wait to be in the ring to put on the pain. There are a lot of middleweights in New England who are unbeaten that I’m better than, like Angel Camacho. Maybe Jimmy [Burchfield] can put that fight together?”

“Peter Manfredo, Sr. has been training me real good,” said Caro. “I’m going to show everybody at the show what we’ve been doing. We’re going little by little and will work to go up in the ratings.”

Fighting opponents to be determined are the two newest members of Team CES, former world title challenger, featherweight Sandy “Lil’ Tyson” Tsagouris, 7-1 (3), and Providence junior lightweight Omar Pena, in his pro debut.

“Everyone in the street has been asking me when I’m going to make my pro debut,” said Pena.”It’s finally going to happen August 22nd. I’ll definitely put on a good show.”

All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

“August Annihilator,” part of the Budweiser Night at the Fights series, is promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), in association with Twin River, Budweiser, The Tournament of Contenders, and CN8, The Comcast Network.

The show will be taped live and air Saturday, August 23 at 7:30 PM/ET on CN8, The Comcast Network as well as Cox Sports Television.

Tickets for “August Annihilator” are priced at $40.00, $50.00, (Bronze), $75.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and limited $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club) and are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going on line at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at the Twin River Event Center (100 Twin River Road, Lincoln, RI), at the Players Club booth at Twin River, or any TicketMaster location.

Tickets are also on sale at Manfredo’s Gym in Pawtucket (RI), 401 Gym in Cranston (RI), Rivera Brother’s in Lynn (MA), Balletto’s Gym in providence, Big Six Academy in Providence, and Larry Army (508.407.5152).

Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Events Center on 877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.

Twin River Events Center has waived its 18+ rule for “August Annihilator.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.