HARTFORD (November 1, 2007) – Unbeaten cruiserweight Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey defends his NABF title against former WBO heavyweight title challenger Jeremy “Half-Man, Half-Amazing” Williams, 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 aired at dates and times to be determined across the country on numerous  Comcast regional stations and the American One Network, as well as internationally by KOTV. Pinnacle FiteNite is produced by 21 Lakes and distributed by Integrated Sports.
 
Providence native Godfrey (16-0, 9 KOs), rated No. 2 by the World Boxing Council, takes on Williams (42-5-1, 35 KOs), fighting out of Long Beach (CA), in the 12-round main event. Godfrey also is rated No. 4 by the International Boxing Federation and No. 6 by the World Boxing Association.
 
Williams, who was a trainer for the first two seasons on The Contender television reality series, campaigned as a relatively small heavyweight throughout his pro career until fighting this past August 18 as a cruiserweight, earning a win by eight-round decision against veteran Gary Gomez in Utah.
 
“I lobbied to bring this show to Hartford because of its rich boxing tradition,” CES president Jimmy Burchfield said, “starting with the great Willie Pep and continuing with Marlon Starling and so many others. We’re thrilled that these fights and fighters are going to be shown worldwide on Pinnacle FiteNite. Matt Godfrey is No. 2 in the world and he’s going to be fighting his most dangerous opponent, Jeremy Williams. We declined to fight in Germany for the mandatory No. 1 position in the WBC to take this fight.”

Undefeated Las Vegas 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). Additional fights will soon be announced. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
 
“We at Pinnacle FiteNite are excited to work with an experienced, respected promoter like Jimmy Burchfield,” Pinnacle FiteNite executive producer Ritch Danner commented. “We look forward to taking our television series to the East Coast and working with CES to showcase the talents from both companies – Matt Godfrey, Jeremy Williams, Aaron Williams and others. We plan on working with CES on future shows to feature other fighters with compelling stories like Marc Saggese, who’s fighting on this show, Shawn Hawk and Chuck Mussachio, to name a few.”
 
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 available for 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. Doors will open at 5:30 PM/ET, first bout at 6:45 PM/ET.
 
HARTFORD PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
 
Matt Godfrey: “The other night at the gym I was telling John (Godfrey’s new head trainer, John Scully) that I was surprised somebody like Jeremy Williams with 15 years as a pro, longer than I’ve been boxing (in his entire life), with all of his accomplishments, called me out after only 16 fights. It says a lot about me. I’m going to blow Jeremy Williams’ mind and everybody else’s with my ring generalship and skills. I’m not going to be a nice guy. I wish he was still on the phone but he hung up. He got under my skin a little bit, shooting his mouth off. He can’t fight. I’m going to hurt him, humiliate him. I’m the wrong guy to make an example of. Nobody fights the same. I expect him to bring his A game and I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t. It’s going to be great seeing him swing at air and getting hit. Beware of what you wish for, Jeremy, I’m not the guy to make an example of.”
 
Jeremy Williams (by phone): “I’m not terribly impressed with Matt ‘Too Smooth’ Godfrey. I saw his last three fights; he’s okay. It’s inconsequential what ESPN says about him. He has a good record but I have more knockouts that he has fights. I’m bringing the heat. I have Rico Hoye in camp.
 
(Godfrey interrupts: “Ha, ha, ha. I’m the wrong guy to reckon with. You’re making a big mistake. Nobody cares about you. You’re what, 37, and have been knocked out five times. You’re the one gunning for me and I’ve only had 16 pro fights. You’re going to see a big difference in styles. You’re ever seen anyone like me. You’re going to get hit more in 6-7 rounds than you’ve ever been hit in a 12-round fight.”)
 
Williams continues: “The most scared puppy does the most barking. There’s no easy win to become champion -- if there is, somebody outline it and email it to me. Matt Godfrey is in my way, so be it. This isn’t going to be easy, but it won’t be the hardest fight I’ve been in. I’m glad he’s up to the challenge. I’ve had 35 knockouts in the heavyweight division. I’m ready to put myself on the line to become the Cruiserweight Champion of the World. This is a step towards that but all I’m focused on right now is beating Godfrey.”
 
Matt Remillard: “I’m excited to be on another big card in Hartford, headlined again by Matt Godfrey. I’ve had an amazing training camp with Paul (his trainer, Paul Cichon), a long one. I had an issue with my wrist and I’m ready to resume my career and have a big 2008. Addy and I are the two local fighters and we’re going to do our best. I love fighting here, where I won my title (WBC Youth super featherweight), and I hope to fight here a lot more. I expect a good show on November 24.”
 
Addy Irizarry: “I’m really looking forward to fighting in my hometown of Hartford. You won’t be sorry; we have some excellent fighters on this card.”