War is in the air as Nathan Martinez and Ricky de los Santos prepare to battle for the WBC USA Silver Championship

UNCASVILLE, CT – New England’s top featherweights collide at ‘Winter Brawl 2024′ when Nathan Martinez (8-2, 2 KOs) battles Ricky de los Santos (11-1, 3 KOs) for the vacant WBC USA Silver featherweight championship at Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday, February 3.

Winter Brawl 2024 tickets, starting at $67, are on sale now at CESfights.com, Ticketmaster or the Mohegan Sun Box office.

This contest is far and away the biggest fight of each pugilists’ respective career.  For the first time, each fighter will be entering the ring with a professional title on the line and bragging rights as to who is the best featherweight prospect in New England.  Both guys also realize that the WBC Silver title is a steppingstone to enter the world rankings with the hopes of world title opportunities down the line. 

“It means everything to me,” says Martinez of the prospect of picking up his first pro title.  “The WBC Silver title will be my first step to a world title.  If I win this fight, it’ll open up a lot of doors.  It’ll mean a lot for me and I’m excited for it.”

Boxing is in Martinez’s DNA. The New Britain, CT native followed his older brother into boxing when he was 11 years old and is trained by his father Jose at the Martinez Boxing Club.

“My uncle had his own boxing gym in the basement of his house,” recalls Martinez.  “My older brother was boxing, and I played football and baseball.  My Dad would pick me up from practice and take me to the gym, and I would watch my brother train.  One day I decided to try boxing myself.  We started training and it only took me a month or so before I had my first amateur fight.”

After 85 amateur fights that included Nationals, Golden Gloves, and Jr. Olympics tournaments, Nathan turned pro in 2018.  He won his first 6 pro bouts before suffering a setback against Yeuri Andajar in 2019.

The 24-year-old is 2-1 since that defeat, his only other loss coming via technical decision when a close bout against Jayron Lopez was stopped due to a cut Martinez suffered from an accidental headbutt. 

Despite turning pro only a year before Martinez, Ricky de los Santos is 10 years older. Hailing from Providence, Rhode Island, de los Santos took up boxing at 21 and after compiling a record of 12-1 and winning the New England Golden Gloves, he decided to go pro.

Assembling a training team consisting of head coach Orlando Valles, his father, Rolando de los Santos, his uncle Jose Castro, Mike Veloz (trainer of Demetrius Andrade) and strength and conditioning coach Gail Bolden, Ricky reeled off 10 consecutive wins before suffering a TKO loss to the hard-hitting Yeison Vargas in 2022.

“That was a big learning experience for me,” admits de los Santos.  “I was winning that fight easily.  I hurt him and moved forward, and then he caught me with a looping shot.  I had never been in that position before.  It was the end of the round and I didn’t think the fight should’ve been stopped, but it is what it is.  We learn from it and here we are now.” 

Ricky bounced back from that defeat last October, needing only 2 rounds to dispatch Jeno Tonte at the Fall River PAL.  The win propelled the half-Dominican, half-Puerto Rican fighter to the fight on February 3rd. 

As if fighting for a WBC USA Silver title wasn’t enough motivation, de los Santos is doubly inspired by the birth of his son on January 15th.  It’s his fifth child and first boy, and the fighter couldn’t be happier.

“It definitely motivates me to start off the year having my boy and reaching my goal of winning a title,” says de los Santos.  “This is another step towards what I want to do in this game.  I’m looking for better things after this, but one step at a time.”

Looking at the keys to victory for each man, at 5’7, de los Santos will enjoy a height and reach advantage over the 5’4 Martinez.  However, those are statistics that each pugilist will look to exploit.

“He’s a little taller, so I’ll work the body and put pressure on him,” says Martinez.  “From the video I’ve seen on him, he doesn’t do so well when you come forward and pressure him.”

For his part, de los Santos feels that he will have too much firepower for Martinez to handle.

“I don’t really care what he comes with,” says a confident de los Santos.  “I’m going to exploit whatever mistakes he makes and I’ll adjust as I need to, but I think it’s going to be him having to adjust to what I’m bringing. I think I’m too fast, too strong, and too slick for him.”

One of the key goals of both fighters is to be more active in 2024.  While Martinez has fought 3 times since 2020, de los Santos has been equally inactive in that time span.  It’s something that they each want to address.

“I want to be active,” says an adamant de los Santos.  “I’d like 4 to 5 fights this year, easy.  I want to be able to contend for one of these world titles by 2025.”

“This year I plan on fighting every 3 to 4 months,” agrees Martinez.  “I’m not in a rush for a world title just yet, but the WBC Silver title is the first steppingstone and when the time comes, I’ll be ready.” 

On February 3rd, the world will find out which man will be the steppingstone in the way of the other’s world title aspirations.
For more information, follow CES Boxing on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @CESBOXING.INFORMATIONCES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III” and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”.ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN ARENAMohegan Sun Arena finished 2021 with its first “#1 Indoor Arena” ranking for its capacity in the world according to Pollstar and VenuesNow, ranked among the top 10 venues in the U.S. regardless of size based on ticket sales, and was named “2021 Innovator of the Year” by Celebrity Access for its ViacomCBS residency.  In recent years, the “Most Beloved Venue in America” has also been the “#1 Casino Venue in the World,” “#1 Social Media Venue in the World” and a seven – time national award – winner for “Arena of the Year.”  For more information on concerts and other great events, visit Mohegan Sun. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711.
 


Vargas scores knockout win over Delossantos at Rhode Wars 2?

Warwick, RI (March 26) – A wild night at the Crowne Plaza Hotel ended with an unexpected finish in the main event.

Cartagena, Colombia veteran Yeison Vargas (19-9, 14 KOs) spoiled Rhode Island native Ricky Delossantos’ homecoming and handed the previously unbeaten featherweight his first loss as a pro Saturday at Rhode Wars 2 via third-round knockout.

After falling behind in the first two rounds, the hard-hitting Vargas cracked Delossantos (10-1) with a right hand that buckled his legs and sent him crashing to the canvas midway through the third. Delossantos got back to his feet and appeared poised to survive the round, but Vargas landed two more hard rights, the second which sent Delossantos to the canvas again and prompted referee Danny Schiavone to stop the fight with nine seconds remaining.

For Vargas, it’s his second consecutive win and second in three weeks after scoring a knockout win March 25 in his native Colombia. Prior to Saturday, Delossantos hadn’t fought since July and had only fought once since August of 2019.

In the co-main event, New Bedford, MA, super lightweight Wilson Mascarenhas (6-1) continued his winning ways, beating previously undefeated Mexican challenger Abraham Perez (3-1) by unanimous decision, 60-54 across the board. Fresh off a knockout win in February, Mascarenhas looked even sharper Saturday, out-boxing and out-working the hard-charging challenger, who continued to come forward despite Mascarenhas’ superior speed and footwork. Mascarenhas has now won six in a row.

The much-hyped bout between unbeaten New London, CT, lightweight Alejandro Paulino (9-0) and Indiana native Andrew Rodgers (6-10-2) was as good as advertised with Paulino surviving a scare midway through the fight to earn the unanimous decision win, 58-55 on all three scorecards. Paulino looked sharp through three rounds, but Rodgers caught him with an overhand right to score a knockdown early in the fourth. Paulino wisely tied up his opponent as best he could through the remainder and survived the bell before rebounding in the fifth and sixth. The fight remained competitive to the final bell as Paulino snapped Rodgers’ two-fight win streak.

In the heavyweight division, Pittsfield, MA, native Quintin Sumpter (3-0) remained unbeaten by handing Providence’s Timothy Hatfield (3-1) his first loss via majority decision, 38-38, 40-36, 40-36. Sumpter set the tone early with a series of overhand rights in the opening round, and Hatfield subsequently spent the rest of the fight tentative and unable to generate any offense. Sumpter, despite being much shorter than Hatfield, continued to land the overhand right and circled the ring to keep Hatfield at bay. Judge Eddie Scunzio scored it a draw, but Peter Hary and Joe Apice had it in favor of Sumpter.

In the opening bout of the event, Italy’s Nicola Quarneti (6-2-1) scored his first win on United States soil, defeating Rhode Island’s Keenan Raymond (1-2) by split decision, 37-39, 40-36, 40-36. Ken Ezzo scored it in favor of Raymond while Scunzio and Hary gave the nod to Quarneti. The Rimini, Italy native debuted in Rhode Island in February, but lost by technical decision when his opponent suffered a cut in the third round.

Visit CESFights.com for more information. Updates on CES Boxing can also be found on Facebook in addition to Instagram and Twitter by following @CESBoxing.

INFORMATION

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions in the northeast and one of the few to successfully promote both mixed martial arts and professional boxing. Launched in 1992 by longtime boxing judge Jimmy Burchfield Sr., the promotion is the only in professional boxing to boast two reigning WBC Youth world champions in lightweight Jamaine Ortiz and featherweight Irvin Gonzalez. CES Boxing recently teamed with UFC FIGHT PASS, the world’s No. 1 streaming platform for combat sports, to showcase its events to a worldwide audience, and worked as a promotional consultant for the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. pay-per-view event in November of 2020.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel Providence-Warwick is the first choice of those seeking the best in accommodations, convenience, service and sophistication in Rhode Island. A nine-time winner of the Intercontinental Hotel Group’s Torchbearer Award, one of the most prestigious accolades in the hotel industry, the Crowne Plaza Hotel has 266 guestrooms and 45,000 square feet of meeting space. Whether you’re a business traveler seeking respite from a long flight, a family on vacation visiting nearby Newport, a trade association holding its annual convention, or a young couple planning a wedding, the Crowne Plaza is ready to satisfy your every need. Located 10 minutes from downtown Providence and two miles from T.F. Green Airport on a spacious landscaped 17-acre site featuring abundant, free parking, the Crowne Plaza Hotel is prepared to treat you like royalty.



Delossantos primed for main event showdown with hard-hitting Vargas at Rhode Wars 2

WARWICK, RI (March 25) – Listed below are official weights for the participants in Rhode Wars 2, promoted by CES Boxing and scheduled for Saturday, March 26 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Headlining Rhode Wars 2 is unbeaten featherweight Ricky Delossantos (10-0, 2 KOs) of Pawtucket, RI, in a six-round bout against power-punching Columbian veteran Yeison Vargas(18-9, 13 KOs) while super lightweight Wilson Mascarenhas (5-1, 2 KOs) stars in the co-main event in a six-round bout against undefeated Mexican challenger Abraham Perez (3-0, 2 KOs).

March 26 also features the Jimmy Burchfield Classic Invitational VI, an all-ages, separate-admission amateur boxing event beginning at 2 pm. Rhode Wars 2 follows immediately at 7 pm. Tickets for both events are available online at CESFights.com.

Ricky Delossantos
Pawtucket, RI
10-0, 2 KOs
125

Yeison Vargas
Cartagena, Colombia
18-9, 13 KOs
125

Wilson Mascarenhas
New Bedford, MA
5-1, 2 KOs
142

Abraham Perez
Cancun, Mexico
3-0, 2 KOs
140

Alejandro Paulino
New London, CT
8-0, 8 KOs
135

Andrew Rodgers
Elkhart, IN
6-9-2, 2 KOs
137

Timothy Hatfield
Providence, RI
3-0, 3 KOs
237

Quintin Sumpter
Pittsfield, MA
2-0, 2 KOs
222

Nicola Quarneti
Rimini, Italy
5-2-1
153

Keenan Raymond
Providence, RI
1-1
155

INFORMATION

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions in the northeast and one of the few to successfully promote both mixed martial arts and professional boxing. Launched in 1992 by longtime boxing judge Jimmy Burchfield Sr., the promotion is the only in professional boxing to boast two reigning WBC Youth world champions in lightweight Jamaine Ortiz and featherweight Irvin Gonzalez. CES Boxing recently teamed with UFC FIGHT PASS, the world’s No. 1 streaming platform for combat sports, to showcase its events to a worldwide audience, and worked as a promotional consultant for the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. pay-per-view event in November of 2020.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel Providence-Warwick is the first choice of those seeking the best in accommodations, convenience, service and sophistication in Rhode Island. A nine-time winner of the Intercontinental Hotel Group’s Torchbearer Award, one of the most prestigious accolades in the hotel industry, the Crowne Plaza Hotel has 266 guestrooms and 45,000 square feet of meeting space. Whether you’re a business traveler seeking respite from a long flight, a family on vacation visiting nearby Newport, a trade association holding its annual convention, or a young couple planning a wedding, the Crowne Plaza is ready to satisfy your every need. Located 10 minutes from downtown Providence and two miles from T.F. Green Airport on a spacious landscaped 17-acre site featuring abundant, free parking, the Crowne Plaza Hotel is prepared to treat you like royalty.



Rising prospects Delossantos, Mascarenhas headline Rhode Wars 2 at Crowne Plaza Hotel

Warwick, RI (March 16) – After successfully launching its new 2022 fight series in February, CES Boxing returns to the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Saturday, March 26 with Rhode Wars 2, featuring New England’s best and brightest up-and-comers.

Headlining Rhode Wars 2 is unbeaten featherweight Ricky Delossantos (10-0, 2 KOs) of Pawtucket, RI, in a six-round bout against power-punching Columbian veteran Yeison Vargas (18-9, 13 KOs) while super lightweight Wilson Mascarenhas (5-1, 2 KOs) stars in the co-main event in a six-round bout against undefeated Mexican challenger Abraham Perez (3-0, 2 KOs).

March 26 also features the Jimmy Burchfield Classic Invitational VI, an all-ages, separate-admission amateur boxing event beginning at 2 pm. Rhode Wars 2 follows immediately at 7 pm. Tickets for both events are available online at CESFights.com.

Delossantos’ return ends an eight-month layoff and is his first fight in his home state since August of 2019 when he defeated Yeuri Andujar at Ballys Twin River Lincoln. Vargas, the challenger, has scored knockouts in each of his last three wins, including a second-round knockout win over Jose Palacio on March 5 in Santa Marta, Columbia. Mascarenhas makes his second appearance of the year at the Crowne Plaza just five weeks after a sensational knockout win over southpaw Akeem Jackson at Rhode Wars in February.

Making his Rhode Island debut, lightweight Alejandro Paulino (8-0, 8 KOs) – a national amateur standout – of New London, CT, faces his toughest test to date in a six-round bout against 17-fight veteran Andrew Rodgers (6-9-2, 2 KOs) of Elkhart, IN. Within nine months of making his professional debut, Paulino has accumulated eight wins, all by knockout, and has yet to be pushed past the third round. The 29-year-old Rodgers is a worthy adversary, boasting back-to-back victories against previously-unbeaten Philadelphia lightweight Greg Outlaw and 10-1-1 Thomas Velasquez in Atlantic City.

Also fighting March 26, Providence, RI, heavyweight Tim Hatfield (3-0, 3 KOs) puts his unbeaten record on the line against fellow undefeated heavyweight Quintin Sumpter (2-0, 2 KOs) of Pittsfield, MA, and super featherweight Michael Valentin (6-1-1, 1 KO) of Providence makes his long-awaited return in an interstate showdown against Justin Morales (1-1) of New Bedford, MA, both in four-round bouts.

Italian junior middleweight Nicola Quarneti (5-2-1), whose United States was cut short in February due to an accidental headbutt, returns to the ring to face Rhode Island’s Keenan Raymond (1-1) in a four-round bout. Brockton, MA, super lightweight Kevin Walsh (5-0, 3 KOs) also makes his Rhode Island debut in a four-round bout.

Visit CESFights.com for more information. Updates on CES Boxing can also be found on Facebook in addition to Instagram and Twitter by following @CESBoxing.

INFORMATION

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions in the northeast and one of the few to successfully promote both mixed martial arts and professional boxing. Launched in 1992 by longtime boxing judge Jimmy Burchfield Sr., the promotion is the only in professional boxing to boast two reigning WBC Youth world champions in lightweight Jamaine Ortiz and featherweight Irvin Gonzalez. CES Boxing recently teamed with UFC FIGHT PASS, the world’s No. 1 streaming platform for combat sports, to showcase its events to a worldwide audience, and worked as a promotional consultant for the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. pay-per-view event in November of 2020.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel Providence-Warwick is the first choice of those seeking the best in accommodations, convenience, service and sophistication in Rhode Island. A nine-time winner of the Intercontinental Hotel Group’s Torchbearer Award, one of the most prestigious accolades in the hotel industry, the Crowne Plaza Hotel has 266 guestrooms and 45,000 square feet of meeting space. Whether you’re a business traveler seeking respite from a long flight, a family on vacation visiting nearby Newport, a trade association holding its annual convention, or a young couple planning a wedding, the Crowne Plaza is ready to satisfy your every need. Located 10 minutes from downtown Providence and two miles from T.F. Green Airport on a spacious landscaped 17-acre site featuring abundant, free parking, the Crowne Plaza Hotel is prepared to treat you like royalty.



Rib injury sidelines Delossantos for Thursday’s fight card at Twin River

Providence, RI (Monday, March 9) – Undefeated featherweight prospect Ricky Delossantos has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled bout Thursday at Twin River Casino Hotel due to a strained intercostal muscle, CES Boxing announced Monday.

Delossantos (9-0, 1 KO), a Pawtucket, RI, native, sustained the injury during training camp in preparation for his scheduled eight-round bout against fellow unbeaten prospect Edward Vazquez (7-0, 1 KO) of Fort Worth, TX. An intercostal muscle strain is an injury affecting the muscles between two or more ribs.

Thursday’s event is headlined by the return of Providence native Toka Kahn Clary (27-2, 18 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight main event bout against Mexican challenger Dennis Contreras (21-10-1, 19 KOs). Massachusetts rivals Ray Oliveira Jr. (8-3, 1 KO) of New Bedford and Springfield’s Derrick Whitley Jr. (6-1-1) face one another in a special six-round welterweight attraction and undefeated Providence super welterweight Lamont Powell (5-0, 1 KO) steps up to battle the dangerous Carlos Huerta(6-5-2, 3 KOs) of Guadalajara, Mexico, in a six-round bout. CES Boxing President and CEO Jimmy Burchfield Sr. said plans are in place to reschedule the Delossantos-Vazquez bout for a later date.

“Given the severity of the injury, I did not feel comfortable with Ricky stepping into the ring in the toughest fight of his career and risking the possibility of further aggravating the injury and missing even more time down the road,” Burchfield said.

“We sought out multiple opinions, and I accompanied Ricky this morning to see an orthopedic surgeon. After seeking out a third opinion and examining all the facts, it became increasingly obvious he would be unable to fight. As important as this fight was to both sides, nothing is more important than the long-term health of the fighters. This was a difficult decision, but a necessary one.

“We encourage anyone who’s a fight fan to come out and join us Thursday night. This event is loaded from top to bottom, starting with Toka Kahn Clary’s long-awaited homecoming, plus the return of several of New England’s top prospects, including Lamont Powell and Elijah Peixoto, and Ricky will be in attendance to greet his fans. Our No. 1 goal is to put on a world-class event Thursday and I’m confident we’re well on our way to another sold-out show.”

“After putting together one of the best camps of my career in what was to be my biggest, most important fight, I sustained an injury that will prevent me from competing Thursday night,” Delossantos said.

“We did everything we could, including seeking second and third opinions from doctors and specialists. This is a tough pill to swallow, but it’s God’s plan, and I won’t let it stop me on my journey. I am thankful for everyone who has supported me along the way. Even though I am not fighting, I will be in attendance Thursday rooting on my teammates, many of whom I came up with in the amateurs, and I encourage everyone to join me for what is going to be a great night of boxing. I’ll be signing autographs, passing out shirts and taking pictures with my fans.”

Tickets for Thursday start at $47 and are available online at CESBoxing.com and ShowClix.com, or by phone at 401.724-2253. Doors open at 6 p.m. ET with the first bout starting approximately at 6:45. The official weigh-in is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11 at 4 p.m. at the Twin River Casino Hotel Event Center, the site of Thursday’s event.

Another potential show-stopper Thursday is the six-round welterweight battle between Marqus Bates (7-3, 5 KOs) of Taunton, MA and crafty Culpeper, VA, vet Roque Zapata (6-3-5). Unbeaten Providence super welterweight Anthony Concepcion (4-0-1, 4 KOs) puts his unbeaten record on the line in a four-round bout against 11-fight vet Martez Jackson (4-4-3, 2 KOs) of Valdosta, GA.

Thursday’s card also features the professional debut of Pawtucket super middleweight Hassler Chacon in a four-round bout against Brazilian Raush Manfio of Florida in addition to the return of East Providence, RI, native and decorated amateur Elijah Peixoto (2-0, 1 KO) in his third professional bout as he faces Philadelphia native Zaymar Brothers (0-1-1) in a four-round super lightweight bout. The 24-year-old Peixoto won four Southern New England Golden Gloves titles as an amateur and amassed an impressive 119-27 record that also included a trip to the 2018 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifiers.

Visit CESBoxing.com, Twitter.com/CESBoxing or Facebook.com/CESBoxing for more information, and follow CES Boxing on Instagram at @CESBOXING.

INFORMATION

CES Boxing promoted its first event in 1992 headlined by future Champion Sucra Ray Oliveira. Over the years, CES has earned the reputation as the Heart and Soul of boxing with a rich history that includes the development of former U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada, plus Vinny Paz and Rhode Island legends Gary Balletto and Peter Manfredo Jr., both of whom rose to fame on The Contender reality television series. Through the years, Jimmy Burchfield Sr has earned several noteworthy awards, among them the NABF Promoter of the Year, and 2011 inductee into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame.

Twin River Casino Hotel, located in Lincoln, Rhode Island, is the state’s largest gaming and entertainment venue as well as its top tourist and cultural attraction, offering 162,000 square-feet of gaming space with more than 5,000 gaming positions. The casino operates more than 4,200 video slot machines and virtual table games (including blackjack and roulette), as well as 119 live table games including blackjack, roulette, craps, a poker room and more. A great alternative to Connecticut and Massachusetts casinos, this unique gaming facility also hosts simulcasting of the best thoroughbred and greyhound racing from around the country, a 29,000+ square foot Twin River Event Center with headline entertainment, free concerts at the Lighthouse Bar, signature cocktails and premium cigars at Blackstone Cigar Bar, and award-winning beer and live music at the Shipyard Pub. Home to the incredible Fred & Steve’s Steakhouse, you can have an award-winning steak and seafood dinner, or enjoy the exciting sports bar scene at Wicked Good Bar & Grill, as well as 18 other dining outlets. Twin River offers both smoking (1st Floor) and smoke-free (2nd Floor) casinos. Twin River Casino is situated just 10 minutes from Providence and less than an hour from Boston.



Delossantos, Vazquez trade barbs ahead of Thursday’s battle of unbeatens

Providence, RI (Monday, March 9) – The ultimate spectator sport, boxing provides fans with an adrenaline rush few sports have the ability to replicate.

No matter the venue, the combatants, or the circumstances, boxing rarely fails to deliver, but there’s something a little extra special about two undefeated fighters putting their records – and reputations – on the line.

On Thursday night at Twin River Casino Hotel, undefeated prospects Ricky Delossantos (9-0, 1 KO) of Pawtucket, RI, and 24-year-old Fort Worth, TX, native Edward Vazquez (7-0, 1 KO) risk their perfect records in a highly-anticipated featherweight showdown under promotional giant CES Boxing.

The fight is scheduled for eight rounds and marks the second year in a row CES Boxing has opened its annual Twin River Casino Fight Series with a battle of unbeatens. In 2019, it was Jamaine Ortiz and Ricardo Quiroz battling for the WBC Youth World Lightweight title. Now it’s Delossantos and Vazquez, two fighters with different backgrounds and different paths to the squared circle, except for that one common denominator – their unblemished records and the expectations that come with them.

The fight is just days away and Vazquez is brimming with confidence as he prepares for his first trip up north and what may be the biggest challenge of his young career.

“He’s going to have to kill me if he wants to beat me,” Vazquez said. “I hope you’re working your ass off, because I am. You have no idea what you’ve got coming to you.”

Tickets start at $47 and are available online at CESBoxing.com and ShowClix.com, or by phone at 401.724-2253. Doors open at 6 p.m. ET with the first bout at 6:45. The official weigh-in is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11 at 4 p.m. at the Twin River Casino Hotel Event Center, the site of Thursday’s event.

A late bloomer who didn’t make his professional debut until the age of 27, Delossantos has grown in confidence and stature with each fight. He pieced together arguably his most impressive performance in his last night, sending Yeuri Andujar to the canvas twice in the sixth and final round of their August bout en route to a decisive unanimous decision win.

“I feel like more of a veteran in that ring,” Delossantos said. “Skill-wise and confidence-wise, things continue to get better. I’ve been learning fast. Every fight is a showcase to prove myself and show my fans what I’m about and what I bring to the table.”

As for Vazquez’s style, Delossantos described his opponent as an elusive, slick boxer who “likes to move around a lot, box on the outside, and then jump in.” Will that deter Delossantos’ straight-forward approach?

“It’s nothing I haven’t seen before,” he said. “I feel like I can get him out of there by the fifth round. He won’t be able to take the pressure. He won’t be able to dance around with me that long.”

Aside from their unbeaten records, Vazquez and Delossantos couldn’t be more different. Vazquez, nicknamed “Kid,” began boxing at 8 years old, amassed an amateur record of 82-8 and advanced to the Junior Olympic semifinals before launching his pro career in 2016 under the guidance of Roy Jones Jr. Promotions. He recently upended previously unbeaten California prospect Brandon Cruz by split decision.

Delossantos admits he got into a light of fights while starring as a two-sport athlete at Pawtucket’s Tolman High School. He took up boxing to put his aggression toward a more worthwhile cause and keep himself out of trouble. Under the guidance of lifelong trainer Orlondo Valles, he enjoyed a brief amateur career before turning pro in 2017 with a win over fellow debut fighter and New England rival Philip Davis.

The stage has been set for what should be another epic CES Boxing showcase Thursday night at Twin River. There’s not much more to be said until that first bell rings. It may be the last time either fighter can claim to be undefeated.

“I believe I’m the smarter fighter,” Vazquez said. “I’m the more experienced fighter. I’m the better fighter. I’m a hard worker. The thrill of stepping into that ring and competing at the highest level is what drives me every day.”

Added Delossantos: “That record doesn’t mean anything until you’re in the ring with someone who can match you punch for punch. I’ve looked at some of the video to study his style, but that changes once you’re in the ring. He’s going to have to adjust to what I’m doing.”

Thursday’s event also features the return of Providence native Toka Kahn Clary (27-2, 18 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight main event bout against Mexican challenger Dennis Contreras (21-10-1, 19 KOs). In perhaps another showstopper, Massachusetts rivals Ray Oliveira Jr. (8-3, 1 KO) of New Bedford and Springfield’s Derrick Whitley Jr. (6-1-1) face one another in a special six-round welterweight attraction.

Another fight threatening to steal the show is a six-round welterweight battle between Marqus Bates (7-3, 5 KOs) of Taunton, MA and crafty Culpeper, VA, vet Roque Zapata, who returns to Twin River following a back-and-forth showdown with Bates’ stablemate Victor Reynoso in November. Unbeaten Providence super welterweight Lamont Powell (5-0, 1 KO) returns in a six-round bout against Mexican challenger Carlos Huerta (6-5-2, 3 KOs) and fellow 154-pounder Anthony Concepcion (4-0-1, 4 KOs) of Providence puts his unbeaten record on the line in a four-round bout against 11-fight vet Martez Jackson (4-4-3, 2 KOs) of Valdosta, GA.

Next Thursday’s card also features the professional debut of Pawtucket super middleweight Hassler Chacon in a four-round bout against Brazilian Raush Manfio of Florida in addition to the return of East Providence, RI, native and decorated amateur Elijah Peixoto (2-0, 1 KO) in his third professional bout as he faces Philadelphia native Zaymar Brothers (0-1-1) in a four-round super lightweight bout. The 24-year-old Peixoto won four Southern New England Golden Gloves titles as an amateur and amassed an impressive 119-27 record that also included a trip to the 2018 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifiers.

Visit CESBoxing.com, Twitter.com/CESBoxing or Facebook.com/CESBoxing for more information, and follow CES Boxing on Instagram at @CESBOXING.

INFORMATION

CES Boxing promoted its first event in 1992 headlined by future Champion Sucra Ray Oliveira. Over the years, CES has earned the reputation as the Heart and Soul of boxing with a rich history that includes the development of former U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada, plus Vinny Paz and Rhode Island legends Gary Balletto and Peter Manfredo Jr., both of whom rose to fame on The Contender reality television series. Through the years, Jimmy Burchfield Sr has earned several noteworthy awards, among them the NABF Promoter of the Year, and 2011 inductee into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame.

Twin River Casino Hotel, located in Lincoln, Rhode Island, is the state’s largest gaming and entertainment venue as well as its top tourist and cultural attraction, offering 162,000 square-feet of gaming space with more than 5,000 gaming positions. The casino operates more than 4,200 video slot machines and virtual table games (including blackjack and roulette), as well as 119 live table games including blackjack, roulette, craps, a poker room and more. A great alternative to Connecticut and Massachusetts casinos, this unique gaming facility also hosts simulcasting of the best thoroughbred and greyhound racing from around the country, a 29,000+ square foot Twin River Event Center with headline entertainment, free concerts at the Lighthouse Bar, signature cocktails and premium cigars at Blackstone Cigar Bar, and award-winning beer and live music at the Shipyard Pub. Home to the incredible Fred & Steve’s Steakhouse, you can have an award-winning steak and seafood dinner, or enjoy the exciting sports bar scene at Wicked Good Bar & Grill, as well as 18 other dining outlets. Twin River offers both smoking (1st Floor) and smoke-free (2nd Floor) casinos. Twin River Casino is situated just 10 minutes from Providence and less than an hour from Boston.



Kahn, Delossantos headline March 12 edition of ‘Thursday Night Fights

Providence, RI (Monday, March 2) – A rare assemblage of talent headlines CES Boxing’s upcoming showcase March 12 at Twin River Casino Hotel in a special edition of the promotion’s long-running “Thursday Night Fights” series.

Next week’s event features the return of Providence native Toka Kahn Clary (27-2, 18 KOs) in his first fight in his home state since 2017, plus a highly-anticipated battle of undefeated featherweight prospects as Ricky Delossantos (9-0, 1 KO) of Pawtucket, RI, faces his toughest test to date in an eight-round showdown against 24-year-old Fort Worth, TX, native Edward Vazquez (7-0, 1 KO).

Tickets start at $47 and are available online at CESBoxing.com and ShowClix.com, or by phone at 401.724-2253. Doors open at 6 p.m. ET with the first bout at 7. An official press conference to announce the event will be held Wednesday, March 4 at 4 p.m. at Skyline at Waterplace, located at 1 Finance Way, Providence, RI.

One of Rhode Island’s most accomplished fighters, Kahn Clary makes his fourth appearance with CES Boxing and first since 2016. The wildly-popular southpaw super featherweight moved to the United States from his native Liberia at the age of 6, the same year he was orphaned following the tragic death of his father. Kahn Clary ultimately landed in Rhode Island and, under the guidance of head trainer Peter Manfredo, developed into one of the state’s most accomplished amateurs, winning 111 fights and a National Golden Gloves Championship before competing in the 2011 U.S. Olympic Trials in Mobile, AL.

As a pro, Kahn Clary rose quickly to the top of the featherweight division with victories in each of his 19 fights, including 12 by knockout. Reunited with Manfredo, Kahn Clary returns to the ring March 12 for his first since August after capturing the then vacant NABA Super Featherweight Title. He will headline in an eight-round bout in search of his third consecutive win and ninth in his last 10 bouts.

In what may be the most exciting bout on the card, Delossantos puts his unbeaten record on the line against “Kid” Vazquez, who amassed an amateur record of 82-8 and advanced to the Junior Olympic semifinals before launching his pro career in 2016 under the guidance of Roy Jones Jr. Promotions. Vazquez’s most impressive victory was in January of 2019 when he upended previously unbeaten California prospect Brandon Cruz by split decision. He began boxing at 8 years old

A late bloomer by most standards, the 30-year-old Delossantos made his pro debut at 27, but has made up for lost time with an impressive string of victories over the past three years, highlighted by his dominant win over Yeuri Andujar in August and a unanimous decision victory over Javar Jones in February of 2019.

The undercard features other noteworthy bouts, including perhaps another showstopper between Massachusetts rivals Ray Oliveira Jr. (8-3, 1 KO) of New Bedford and Springfield’s Derrick Whitley Jr. (6-1-1), who face one another in a special six-round welterweight attraction.

Both fighters are household names among regional fight fans and come from impressive bloodlines. Oliveira, the son of New England icon and former world-title challenger “Sucra” Ray Oliveira, won his first seven fights under the guidance of CES Boxing and makes his first Twin River appearance since 2018. Whitley, the son of “Double Impact” Derrick Whitley, a veteran of 52 pro fights, and the nephew of Derrick’s twin brother Darren Whitley, who fought 44 times as a pro, makes his just second appearance at Twin River and first since dominating Carlos Galindo for his fourth career win in 2018.

Another fight threatening to steal the show is a six-round welterweight battle between Marqus Bates (7-3, 5 KOs) of Taunton, MA and crafty Culpeper, VA, vet Roque Zapata, who returns to Twin River following a back-and-forth showdown with Bates’ stablemate Victor Reynoso in November. Bates looks to get back in the win column following an upset loss to Evincii Dixon last summer, but still boasts five wins in his last six fights, including four in a row against New England rivals Mohamad Allam, Carlos Hernandez, Jair Ramos and Wilfredo Pagan, establishing himself as one of the top 140- to 147-pounders in the northeast.

Unbeaten Providence super welterweight Lamont Powell (5-0, 1 KO) returns in a six-round bout against Mexican challenger Carlos Huerta (6-5-2, 3 KOs) and fellow 154-pounder Anthony Concepcion (4-0-1, 4 KOs) of Providence puts his unbeaten record on the line in a four-round bout against 11-fight vet Martez Jackson (4-4-3, 2 KOs) of Valdosta, GA.

Next Thursday’s card also features the professional debut of Pawtucket super middleweight Hassler Chacon in a four-round bout against Brazilian Raush Manfio of Florida in addition to the return of East Providence, RI, native and decorated amateur Elijah Peixoto (2-0, 1 KO) in his third professional bout as he faces Philadelphia native Zaymar Brothers (0-1-1) in a four-round super lightweight bout. The 24-year-old Peixoto won four Southern New England Golden Gloves titles as an amateur and amassed an impressive 119-27 record that also included a trip to the 2018 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifiers.

Visit CESBoxing.com, Twitter.com/CESBoxing or Facebook.com/CESBoxing for more information, and follow CES Boxing on Instagram at @CESBOXING.

INFORMATION

CES Boxing promoted its first event in 1992 headlined by future Champion Sucra Ray Oliveira. Over the years, CES has earned the reputation as the Heart and Soul of boxing with a rich history that includes the development of former U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada, plus Vinny Paz and Rhode Island legends Gary Balletto and Peter Manfredo Jr., both of whom rose to fame on The Contender reality television series. Through the years, Jimmy Burchfield Sr has earned several noteworthy awards, among them the NABF Promoter of the Year, and 2011 inductee into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame.

Twin River Casino Hotel, located in Lincoln, Rhode Island, is the state’s largest gaming and entertainment venue as well as its top tourist and cultural attraction, offering 162,000 square-feet of gaming space with more than 5,000 gaming positions. The casino operates more than 4,200 video slot machines and virtual table games (including blackjack and roulette), as well as 119 live table games including blackjack, roulette, craps, a poker room and more. A great alternative to Connecticut and Massachusetts casinos, this unique gaming facility also hosts simulcasting of the best thoroughbred and greyhound racing from around the country, a 29,000+ square foot Twin River Event Center with headline entertainment, free concerts at the Lighthouse Bar, signature cocktails and premium cigars at Blackstone Cigar Bar, and award-winning beer and live music at the Shipyard Pub. Home to the incredible Fred & Steve’s Steakhouse, you can have an award-winning steak and seafood dinner, or enjoy the exciting sports bar scene at Wicked Good Bar & Grill, as well as 18 other dining outlets. Twin River offers both smoking (1st Floor) and smoke-free (2nd Floor) casinos. Twin River Casino is situated just 10 minutes from Providence and less than an hour from Boston.



Delossantos, Gonzalez add flair to Feb. 23rd card

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Feb. 11th, 2019) — The highly-anticipated CES Boxing season opener continues to get better with two major additions to the lineup.

Unbeaten Pawtucket, R.I., super featherweight Ricky Delossantos (6-0, 1 KO) returns for his toughest test to date Saturday, Feb. 23rd, 2019 at Twin River Casino Hotel while decorated New York amateur Arnold Gonzalez makes his long-awaited professional debut on the undercard of a stacked fight card featuring three title bouts.

Delossantos, a former two-sport star at Rhode Island’s William E. Tolman Senior High School, faces Indianapolis native and U.S. Army National Guardsman Javar Jones (7-1, 2 KOs) in a six-round bout while Gonzalez battles Falls Church, Va., veteran Stacey Anderson (0-4) in a four-round super lightweight bout.

The addition of Delossantos and Gonzalez adds even more appeal to a fight card already generating considerable buzz throughout New England and the northeast. Worcester, Mass., lightweight Jamaine Ortiz (9-0, 4 KOs) faces Ricardo Quiroz (10-0, 5 KOs) of Oxnard, Calif., for the vacant WBC World Youth Lightweight Title in an intriguing battle of unbeatens. Heavyweights Juiseppe Cusumano (17-2, 15 KOs) of Carini, Sicily and Brendan Barrett (7-1-2, 5 KOs) of Ventura, Calif., battle for the vacant NBA World Title and Marcia Agripino (3-1-1) of Ledyard, Conn., faces undefeated Amanda Pavone (6-0, 2 KOs) of Boston for the vacant New England Female Super Bantamweight Title.

Tickets start at $47 and are available online at www.cesboxing.com or www.showclix.com, or by phone at 401-724-2253. The main card will stream live on the subscription-based 4K ultra high-definition platform VIVE Network TV. Visit https://tickets.vivetv.network to purchase. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Gonzalez, a two-time Golden Gloves champion who boasted a 59-9 amateur record, recently sparred 24 rounds with Manny Pacquiaoas the pound-for-pound great prepared for his world-title bout against Adrien Broner. The 24-year-old Ecuadorian prospect is trained by the world-renowned Freddie Roach out of the Wild Card Boxing Gym in California and is managed by George Foreman III, the son of two-time heavyweight champion George Foreman.

Delossantos is a familiar face in New England. The 29-year-old debuted in April of 2017 and continues to improve with each performance. He hasn’t lost a round since his second professional fight and recently blanked tough, New Jersey veteran Jose Ortiz over six rounds last September. He faces a tall order against Jones, an accomplished Army boxer who began his career with seven consecutive wins, two by knockout, and works as a surface maintenance technician for the Indiana National Guard.

The entire card is headlined by the long-awaited return of female featherweight sensation Shelly Vincent (23-2, 1 KO) of Providence, R.I., by way of New London, Conn., who faces Budapest veteran Edina Kiss (15-9, 9 KOs) in an eight-round rematch of their 2015 bout, won by Vincent by majority decision. Vincent fights at Twin River for the first time since 2016. She is best known for two highly-publicized bouts against Heather Hardy, both of which were nationally televised. The rematch aired live on HBO in October, just the second female boxing bout televised by the network in 25 years.

Regional rivals collide on the undercard as Taunton, Mass., welterweight Marqus Bates (5-2, 3 KOs) faces Jair Ramos (5-2-2, 2 KOs) of Waterbury, Conn., in a six-round bout and super lightweight Nicholas Briggs (2-0, 2 KOs) of Worcester puts his unbeaten record on the line against Andy Aiello (1-1-1) of Bridgewater, Mass., in a four-round bout.

Junior middleweights Victor Reynoso (2-0, 2 KOs) and Lamont Powell (2-0, 1 KO) of Providence face their toughest tests in separate four-round bouts. Reynoso battles 1-0 John Williams of Baton Rouge, La., who scored a knockout win in his pro debut in August, while Powell battles 29-year-old Kenneth Chery (1-1, 1 KO) of Montreal Quebec.

The undercard also features the return of Providence lightweight Michael “Bling Bling” Valentin (4-0, 1 KO), the eclectic 19-year-old who fights despite being born with a rare intestinal disease known as Hirschsprung’s. Valentin endured bullying throughout childhood and fights wearing a colostomy bag. He returns Feb. 23rd one year to the date of his last fight and will dedicate his fifth pro bout to the memory of Seven Bridges, a 10-year-old Kentucky boy who committed suicide after being bullied for wearing a colostomy bag. Valentin faces Philadelphia’s Christopher Burgos (1-3-1, 1 KO) in a four-round bout.

Visit www.cesboxing.com, www.twitter.com/cesboxing or www.facebook.com/cesboxing for more information, or follow CES Boxing on Instagram at @CESBOXING.