BATTLE OF RHODE ISLAND COMING THIS THURSDAY

Press Release: Joey “K.O. Kid” Spina, preparing for Thursday's big Rhode Island show at the Twin River Casino promised to finish his opponent, Vladine Biosse off early. “Fourth-round knockout,” Spina said defiantly. “I just don’t think he’s up to my ability.” Spina (26-2-2, 18 KOs) will face Biosse on May 24th, 2012. In addition to Biosse’s New England super middleweight title, bragging rights will be on the line as both fighters enter the ring representing their hometown of Providence. For Spina, his biggest concern at the start of training camp was making the mandatory super middleweight limit of 168 pounds. A light heavyweight (175) most of his career, Spina says he has hit 168 pounds three times in the past two weeks, including Saturday, when he tipped the scales at 167.

“I’ve been in the gym for a while now getting ready for this, so I feel good,” said Spina, who lost a split decision to Jerson Ravelo on March 30th in Atlantic City. “I stressed about the weight because I’m a big guy – 6-foot-1, almost 6-2 – and I walk around at 200 pounds while fighting at 168, but I’m point right now.

“Vla’s a great kid – a tough kid – but he stays too long in front of you. I just don’t see him handling my power,” he continued. “I punch too hard and I’m too big.”

Tickets can be purchased by calling CES at 401.724.2253/2254, online at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at the Players Club booth at Twin River, or through any TicketMaster location.

The undercard features unbeaten Burlington, Vt., super middleweight Kevin Cobbs (3-0, 1 KO) facing Kentrell Claiborne (2-5, 1 KO) of Cleburne, Tex., in a four-round bout while middleweight Thomas Falowo (6-0, 4 KOs) battle Cedar Hill, Tex., native Samuel Clarkson (4-0, 4 KOs) in a six-round bout.

Medford, Oreg., cruiserweight Mike Wilson (5-0, 3 KOs) will face Atlanta’s Joseph Rabotte (11-20-1) in a four-round bout, and fan-favorite Richard “Bobo The Bull” Starnino (9-7-2, 2 KOs) of Providence will face Harwich, Mass., native Paul Gonsalves (3-2, 3 KOs) in a six-round light heavyweight bout.

“Up For Grabs” also features the return of former reality television star Richard Gingras (11-2, 7 KOs) of “The Contender,” who will battle Terrance Smith Jr. (7-13-2, 4 KOs) of Oklahoma City in the six-round cruiserweight special attraction. Female bantamweight Shelito Vincent (2-0) of Providence will battle newcomer Carmen Cruz of Fort Myers, Fla., in a four-round bout, and unbeaten Providence light heavyweight Alex Amparo (3-0, 2 KOs) will face newcomer Ben Peak of Worcester, Mass., in a four-round bout.

Super lightweight Zack Ramsey, a former New England amateur champion from Springfield, Mass., will make his debut against Providence’s Alan Beeman (0-1), while super middleweight Joe Gardner (8-4-1, 1 KO) of Woonsocket, R.I., will face Julio Garcia (4-3, 3 KOs) of Rincon, Puerto Rico in a four-round bout.

“Up For Grabs” will be dedicated to the memory of Jason Pisano, a former wheelchair marathoner from West Warwick, R.I., who passed away earlier this month at the age of 40. Pisano, who completed 52 marathons in his wheelchair, will be inducted in the CES Ring Of Honor on Thursday night.