Remillard defends youth title in Hartford

02/05/2008

Remillard defends youth title in Hartford

 WBC Youth featherweight champion Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard makes his title defense June 13 against Mexican challenger Jose Magallon in the 10-round main event headlining “Connecticut Conquest” at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.
 
“Connecticut Conquest,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc., will be taped live and air Saturday, June 14 at 7 PM/ET on CN8/The Comcast Network, as well as Friday, June 20 at 8 PM/ET on Cox Sports Television.
 
Remillard (13-0, 7 KOs), who hails from nearby Manchester, captured the WBC Youth crown this past January with a convincing 10-round decision versus Manuel Perez (11-3),  ending Matt’s 16-months inactive stretch due to a wrist injury that twice required surgery. Remillard won a stay-busy fight March 21 with a win by four-round against veteran Jesus Salvador Perez. Mexican-native Magallon (8-4, 2 KOs), fighting out of Las Vegas, has won two in a row.
 
In the eight-round co-feature, unbeaten Connecticut heavyweight Tony “TNT” Grano (13-0-1, 11 KOs), 2005 U.S. Nationals champion, takes on the stiffest test of his young career, Thomas Hayes (26-2, 18 KOs), of Chicago.
 
“Boxing is alive in Connecticut and six of the fighters on this card are from Connecticut,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield said. “This is a Connecticut show and we’re very excited about this card and being back in this beautiful building. The Connecticut Convention Center really wants to have boxing here.”
 
A six-round Special Welterweight Attraction pits Hartford’s Israel “Pito” Cardona (36-9, 26 KOs) against New Bedford (MA) police officer Jason “School Boy” Pires (20-3, 9 KOs) in an intriguing match-up of former champions. Cardona, who unsuccessfully fought Paul Spadafora for the IBF lightweight championship nearly nine years ago, once held the IBO super featherweight and light welterweight belts, as well as the USBA and NABF lightweight crowns. “Pito” announced that this will be his last fight. Former USBA super bantamweight title-holder Pires has not fought in more than five years during which time he attended college and became a police officer.
 
Others scheduled to fight June 13 against opponents to be determined include Hartford favorite, junior welterweight and prison guard Addy Irizarry (4-1, 2 KOs); Ledyard (CT)
super middleweight Brian Macy (3-0, 1 KO), 2000 National PAL amateur champion and
University of Connecticut graduate; Hartford super middleweight Tylon Burris (1-0, 1 KO).
 
Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Friday, May 2) and priced at $35.00 (VIP Bronze), $55.00 (VIP Silver), $80.00 (VIP Gold), $100.00 (Diamond) and $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club VIP). To purchase tickets go to or call CES (401.724.2253/2254), Connecticut Convention Center (860.249.000), Manchester PAL (860.645.6261), Willy’s Gym (860.614.2281), Connecticut Restorations (860.528.6800), Strikezone Gym (860.444.2845), L.A. Boxing Gym (860.221.5987) and 401 Boxing (401.261.9800).
 
For more information call CES (401.724.2253/2254), the Connecticut Convention Center (860.249.6000), or go on line at www.cesboxing.com. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout 7 PM/ET.