MANSFIELD, Mass. (January 12, 2008) – Reigning IWBF featherweight
and NABF super featherweight champion Missy “The Fury” Fiorentino,
headlines “The Ultimate Showdown II” pro-am boxing show, presented
by Peter Manfredo, Sr. in association with Bash For Cash, on January
26 at the Mansfield SportsPlex in Mansfield, Massachusetts.
Fiorentino (16-1, 6 KOs), a Rhode Island Sheriff out of Cranston,
fights for her third world title belt in three different weight
classes having already captured the IWBF featherweight and
lightweight titles. She has since relinquished the latter belt
because of IWBF rules restricting champions to only one division.
Roger Williams College graduate Fiorentino battles Ela “Bam Bam”
Nunez (5-2, 1 KO), a single mother of four, in the 10-round main
event despite Missy risking a mandated title shot against WBC super
featherweight champion Jelena Mrdjenovich (21-2, 11 KOs). Fiorentino
earned that with a unanimous 10-round decision last July against
previously unbeaten Cindy Serrano (15-0-1) in a WBC title
elimination fight that was also for the NABF belt.
“She (Mrdjenovich) has until April (to make her mandatory) and I
haven’t fought since July,” Missy said. “I needed a fight in between
as long as it was at 130 pounds. I want to win world titles in three
different weight classes. It’ll be nice fighting close to home. Some
people came to New York for my last fight but I’ll have a lot more
support there this fight. Nunez is aggressive, comes forward, which
is good. Her style is the same as mine and I’d rather fight somebody
like than chasing ‘em around the ring. It’s going to be a good
fight.”
Three of New England’s brightest pro prospects are also on the card
-- New Hampshire cruiserweight Rich Gingras, Whitman (MA) super
middleweight Mark “The Italian Bazooka” DeLuca (3-0, 2 KOs), and
Worcester (MA) middleweight Edwin Rodriguez making his pro debut.
Gingras (7-0, 4 KOs), of Claremont (NH), was the 2006 Ringside World
heavyweight champion before turning professional a year ago. He
faces 18-fight veteran Carlos “The Headbanger” Jones in a six-round
bout. DeLuca (3-0, 2 KOs), the 2004 National Silver Gloves champion,
takes on Cory Jones (2-1) in a four-round match.
The 22-year old Rodriguez, born in the Dominican Republic, is making
his much-anticipated pro debut after winning 89 of 93 amateur
matches, highlighted by gold-medal performances in the 2006 National
Golden Gloves Championships and 2005 United States Championship.
Seven amateur matches also scheduled featuring four Master’s
Division matches: Foxboro police officer David Fascaldo vs. Mass.
Department of Corrections officer Eric Flaherty;. “Easy” Ed Nelson,
of Brockton, vs. former New York City police officer Steve “The
Steel” Gentile; retired U.S. Navy Seals Captain Tony “The Tiger”
O’Brien, of Brockton, vs. Louisiana firefighter Bruce McDaniels;
Foxboro police officer Frank Acevedo vs. Louisiana firefighter J.R.
“The Lion” Moore.
Other amateurs on the card are 29-year-old heavyweight James DeLuca,
as well as 15-year-olds James Perella, of Mansfield, and Toka Kahn,
of Pawtucket.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project
assisting U.S. armed forces men and women severely injured during
conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other places around the world.
PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Missy Fiorentino: “I’m training hard and looking forward to fighting
for my third world title at three different weight classes. My last
fight I won the North American title at 130 pounds. Peter’s (Manfredo,
Sr.) is my trainer and he’s going to have me in great shape.”
Rich Gingras: “I’m not much of a talker but I bring a big game. I’m
going to dominate the fight from the start. If it goes six rounds
it’s up to him.”
Mark DeLuca: “I’m excited to be fighting locally instead of New
York, Kansas or anywhere else we’ve fought as amateurs. I’m excited
to be a New England fighter. We have some tough fighters here –
Missy’s probably the toughest. I’m excited to be on this card with
her, Edwin and Rich. I’m going to try and blast this guy out in the
first round. I’m going to bring the heart back to Boston and New
England.”
Edwin Rodriguez: “I’m looking forward to my pro debut. I’m ready.
I’m dying to get into the ring and do what I do – box!
