CES signs US National heavyweight champ Matt Godfrey

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CES signs US National heavyweight champ Matt Godfrey
Posted on Monday, April 19 @ 18:57:01 CDT
Pro debut May 14 on “Young Gunz” show

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (April 19, 2004) -- Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. has announced the signing of Matt Godfrey, the 2004 U.S. Nationals heavyweight champion and Team USA Olympic second alternate.

Providence-native Godfrey, 23, will make his pro debut May 14 in “Young Gunz,” shown live on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights from the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence. The same coaches Matt had as an amateur will continue working his corner in the pros – head trainer Peter Manfredo, Sr. and assistant trainer Roland Estrada. Godfrey will fight as a cruiserweight in a four-round bout versus TBA.

“I’ve known Matt since he was eight years old and we’re excited to have him on Team CES,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield said. “It’s like signing an Olympian. Matt’s had more than 200 amateur fights and he’s going to bring a lot more to the table as a pro. I’m tremendously happy. He makes Team CES much stronger. I believe he’s a future Team CES leader and world champion.

“Matt, Olympian Jason Estrada and Peter Manfredo, Jr. all started out together. Roland (Jason’s father) is like a second father to Matt and all of this is very important. Matt has every attribute in and out of the ring to market on television. He’s quiet, respectful and can really fight.”

NABO junior middleweight champion Peter Manfredo, Jr. (20-0, 10 KOs), of Providence, headlines “Young Gunz” in a defense against Anthony “The Bullet” Bonsante (24-3-3, 13 KOs), rated No. 2 by the NABO, in the 12-round main event. WBC Youth middleweight champ “Bad” Chad Dawson (15-0, 10 KOs), of New Haven (CT) makes his first title defense against Ian “The Truth” Gardner (15-1, 7 KOs), of Brockton, in the 10-round co-feature.

Also slated to fight on the “Young Gunz” card in separate matches are three unbeaten Rhode Island fighters: Providence’s “Steamin’” Josh Beeman (2-0), gold medal winner at the 2000 Eastern Olympic Trials, light heavyweight Joey “KO Kid” Spina (10-0, 7 KOs); world top 10 rated featherweight Missy “The Fighting Deputy” Fiorentino *8-0, 6 KOs), of Cranston (RI); middleweight Reynaldo Rodriguez (4-0, 2 KOs), of Woonsocket (RI). (All matches and fighters are subject to change.)

Tickets are priced at $150.00 Jimmy’s Platinum Club (limited), $100.00 Gold VIP Ringside, $75.00 Silver Reserved, and $40.00 General Admission. To order tickets or for more information call CES at 401.724.2253/2254 (860.432.4253 in Conn.) or visit www.cesboxing.com.