Matchmaker wins amateur debut

30/10/2006

Matchmaker wins amateur debut

Press Release: The City of Providence welcomed amateur boxing back at the historic Columbus Theatre on Saturday night, as over 800 fans turned out for the Tiny Ricci Memorial Show presented by the Rhode Island Boxing Gym, which is headed by two-time world champion Jaime "The Hurricane" Clampitt.   One of the highlights of the evening came in the fourth bout, when Clampitt's husband and boxing matchmaker Ted Panagiotis made his amateur debut. Panagiotis boxed well and used his speed to out-point Connecticut's Allan Miller over three rounds.  "It is a  lot harder than it looks," said Panagiotis, 29, who has been involved in the professional game for over 13 years. "I felt good in there and once I got into the ring my nerves went out the window. Basically I had fun, and I think that is what amateur boxing is all about."  Now at 1-0, Panagiotis hopes to continue to progress.  "I dropped 20 pounds to get ready for this fight and I really think I could lose another 10 or so to get down to welterweight," said Panagiotis. "I don't know when I'll fight again, but I will be back in there again for sure. None of it would have been possible without my wife's help in the gym and also great help from my friends at Everlast. It's when you put those trunks on, it all really begins to set in." More information on the gym is available at RIBoxingGym.com.