PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Oct. 10, 2012) – Fights fans might have a hard time recognizing Shelito Vincent when she enters the ring for her fifth professional bout next week at Twin River Casino.
Thanks to the work of her new strength and conditioning coach, Gerdy Abelard, Vincent will unveil a leaner, more muscular, physique Thursday, October 18th, 2012 when she faces Ivana Coleman in a rematch of their bout in July, and if anyone happens to forget who’s standing in the opposite corner, the roar of the crowd should provide a friendly reminder.
“I don’t think there’s anyone in New London who doesn’t have a ticket yet,” said Vincent (4-0), who was raised in Connecticut and now fights out of Providence, R.I. “Given the fact I’ve got all these people coming here to watch me fight, it’s going to be hard to beat me with all my family and friends in attendance.”
Coleman (0-1), who lost to Vincent by unanimous decision in July, will face an uphill battle in next week’s rematch, especially with Vincent beginning to peak both physically and mentally. She’s reached a comfort level with her new trainer, Peter Manfredo Sr., and has been pushing her body to the limit during camp while maintaining proper nutrition under the guidance of her strength and conditioning coach.
“I feel amazing,” Vincent said. “Everything is on point in this camp. Gerdy has been telling me what to eat, when to eat – just keeping my diet up to par. He’s totally transformed me. I can’t even describe it. You’ll just have to wait and see.
“I’m super fast and super strong; the other day in sparring I landed a body shot and the girl almost hit the floor. I’ve never felt this good or this ready.”
Vincent promises the rematch will be “easier” than the first fight since she’s in the best shape of her life, and perhaps she’ll get that elusive first knockout after studying what she did wrong the first time she faced Coleman.
“I dropped my hands a little bit and played around too much,” Vincent said. “I waited too much. The uppercut was there all night. She was just bigger than me, but this time I’ll be more her more size. I’m going to stay inside more and move less.
“I really think I might get the stoppage,” she continued. “Not to take anything away from her – she’s got a strong right hand – but I already know what she’s got. I’m going to be all over her this time.”
The main event of the Oct. 18 show at Twin River, which is titled, “Closing Statement,” and is presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, features an eight-round battle interstate rivals Joseph “Chip” Perez (9-1, 3 KOs) of East Hartford, Conn., and Hartford’s Chazz “Magnificent” McDowell (6-2, 1 KO) for the vacant New England Junior Lightweight title.
“Closing Statement” also features two, four-round rematches, the first between Providence, R.I., super middleweight Alex Amparo (4-0, 2 KOs) and Nick Lavin (2-3, 2 KOs) of Shelton, Conn., who will face another again almost one year to the date of their first showdown in October of 2011, a fight Amparo won by majority decision, 39-37, 38-37, 38-38, at Twin River.
Sparks will fly in the heavyweight division when hard-hitting Alex Santos (6-0, 5 KOs) of Lawrence, Mass., puts his undefeated record on the line against Providence’s Josh Harris (8-6-1, 6 KOs). The show also features two additional regional battles as former The Contender reality television star Rich Gingras (11-3, 7 KOs) of Attleboro, Mass., returns to face Providence’s Richard “Bobo The Bull” Starnino (9-9-2, 2 KOs) in a six-round light heavyweight bout and newcomers Jon Smith of Cranston, R.I., a former three-time New England Golden Gloves champion, and Dinis Paiva Jr. of East Providence, R.I., who has five professional mixed martial arts fights under his belt, square off in a four-round welterweight bout.
“The Vermont Bully” Kevin Cobbs (5-0, 1 KO) of Burlington, Vt., will look to keep his perfect record intact when he faces tough veteran Alexander Mancera (8-4-1, 5 KOs) of Queens, N.Y., in a four-round light heavyweight bout and middleweight Thomas Falowo (7-1, 5 KOs) of Pawtucket, R.I., will battle Ontario, Canada veteran Michael Walchuk (9-6, 2 KOs) in a six-round bout. Woonsocket, R.I., middleweight Joey Gardner (8-5-1, 1 KO) will face Philip Burnette (2-5, 1 KO) of Myrtle Beach, S.C., in a six-round bout. Providence junior lightweight Toka Kahn (2-0, 2 KOs) will also be featured on the undercard in a separate four-round bout.
Tickets for “Closing Statement ” are $40.00, $75.00 and $125.00 (VIP) and 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. Doors open 6 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 7.
(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “Closing Statement.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult and must enter through the West entrance.)
