Press Release: Former two-time WBA featherweight title holder Freddie Norwood 38-1-1 (22 KOs) has signed an exclusive promotional contract with Memphis-based Prize Fight Boxing. Norwood, 36, will make a return to the sport after a six year hiatus. “I am thirty six years young! My body is in it’s prime. This layoff has made me stronger physically, but most importantly it has made me stronger mentally,” stated Norwood from St. Louis. During his reigns, Norwood  beat some top featherweights in their own backyard. He originally won the WBA crown April 3, 1998 by defeating Puerto Rican Antonio Cermeno in Bayamon, Puerto Rico by unanimous decision. Norwood defended his title twice before being stripped for failing to make weight against Koji Matsumoto in Tokyo on September 22, 1998. Even though he was stripped, the fight went on and Norwood stopped Matsumoto in the tenth round. Norwood was able to recapture the WBA crown when he back to Puerto Rico and once again defeated Antonio Cermeno in front of his home crowd on May 29, 1999. Norwood successfully defended that title three times against Juan Manuel Marquez,  Takeshi Koshimoto, and Julio Chacon, all of whom have held world titls at some point. “My goal is to unify the titles at 130 and to be considered the pound for pound best fighter in the world today,” Norwood said.  Norwood will begin his comeback June 30, 2006 at Fitzgerald’s Casino in Tunica, MS as he battles Frankie Zepeda 16-3 (9 KO’s) in an eight round main event. “This bout will really let us know what Freddie has left in the tank. If he is fortunate enough to get by Zepeda we will look at our options and start trying to line up a world title fight. All indications are that Freddie has not missed a beat.” Prize Fight Boxing’s Brian Young said.