FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (September 16, 2014) –New England Fights (NEF), America's number-one regional fight promotion, will present its inaugural boxing event on October 11, 2014 at the historic Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. It will be the first professional boxing event in Lewiston in more than ten years and the first in the building, famous for the Muhammad Ali-Sonny Liston World Heavyweight Title rematch of May 1965, in close to twenty years. That night, Clinton, Maine's Joel Bishop is scheduled to make his professional boxing debut on the card against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) black belt Jarod "Last Minute" Lawton. Bishop trains out of Wyman's Boxing Club in Stockton Springs, Maine.
"I'm very excited," exclaimed Bishop. "I've wanted to turn pro for a long time, but the timing wasn't right. But boxing is back in Maine, and it's back big. I don't think anyone will be discouraged by my efforts on October 11th. My ultimate goal in boxing is to go all the way to a world title. I set the bar high. I'm not turning pro just to have something cool to say. I'm doing this because I want to be successful in it and I think I can make it to the top."
Bishop cut his teeth in the amateur ranks of the sport, putting together a record of 10-4. Bishop was able to avenge each of his four losses in rematches. He is the 2009 New England Tournament of Champions Heavyweight Sub Novice champion. Bishop has also been a finalist twice in the Northern New England Golden Gloves. He credits his friendship with Wyman Boxing Club teammate Brandon Berry as the catalyst to his involvement in the sport.
"I've been around boxing since I was 14 and had my first amateur fight in 2009. I started hanging out with Brandon Berry and his older brother Gordon and started following them to the boxing gym. I ultimately ended up at Skeet's (Ken Wyman) gym, and he got me some fights as a heavyweight. He's always believed in me. Brandon Berry and I have been friends since I was 12 years old in sixth grade. We train together and have ever since we were kids. We're really close and we help push each other in the gym. It's nice to have a good friend there with you in the gym to help motivate you."
Bishop grew up in Bingham, Maine where he graduated from Valley High School in 2004. He currently works for Flood Brothers Dairy Farm in Clinton. While he might be in against a mixed martial artist and Jiu-Jitsu specialist on October 11 in the form of Jarod Lawton, Bishop is not taking Lawton's standup striking skills lightly. NEF fans will recall Lawton's highlight-reel knockout of John Ortolani earlier this year on an NEF MMA card.
"Jarrod Lawton is tall and a tough guy. He's seven inches taller than me. That poses a challenge, but I've fought tall guys as the amateurs. I know how to get inside and beat them."
NEF's next event "NEF BOXING" takes place on October 11, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. The fight card will feature rising star Brandon "The Cannon" Berry (6-0), as well as Stevie Gamache (4-0), the son of former World Champion Joey Gamache. Tickets for "NEF BOXING" start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at 207.783.2009 x 525. For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.
About New England Fights
New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.
No comments:
Post a Comment