Dawson Returns Home.

Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. has announced its promotion of “Homecoming,” headlined by WBC Youth middleweight “Bad” Chad Dawson, fighting in his hometown for the first time Friday night, April 1 at a site to be announced in New Haven, Connecticut. Dawson (16-0, 11 KOs, 1 NC), rated No. 15 by the World Boxing Council, defends his title against upset-minded Jose Spearman (22-8-3, 9 KOs), of Indianapolis, in the 12-round main event. “Bad” Chad is coming off a near perfect performance December 10, in which, he stopped former world champion Carl Daniels in seven rounds.

Spearman upset (14-1) Rasheen Brown (WDEC8) last August and he has surprised (20-7-1) Bruce Rumbolz (WKO4) and (11-1-1) Sam Calderson (WDEC6). Jose also has been in against two former world champions, Mads Larsen and Brian Magee.

“We’ve thought about promoting a fight in Chad’s hometown for the last year,” CES president Jimmy Burchfield said. “Now we feel that the time is right. At 22, he’s already one of the top middleweights in the world, and Jose Spearman is going to be a tough test. It also gives CES an opportunity to showcase its future stars of boxing.” CES fighters go into the action with an aggregate pro record of 39-0, 27 KOs, 2 NC.

Also scheduled to fight on the card is Providence’s unbeaten super middleweight Joey “KO Kid” Spina (14-0, 11 KOs) in the eight-round co-feature, as well as former four-time U.S. National amateur champion, undefeated cruiserweight Matt Godfrey (6-0, 4 KOs), in his first six-round match.

Also slated to fight in separate four-round bouts are 2004 U.S. Olympian and one of America’s most decorated amateur boxing stars, Providence heavyweight Jason “Big Six” Estrada (1-0); Manchester (CT) featherweight Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard, two-time Everlast Under-19 champion, making his pro debut; Irish super middleweight Joe “Sugar” Rea (2-0, 1 KO, 1 NC), now fighting out of South Boston, in his CES debut. All matches and fighters are subject to change.