Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2014 Officially Announced

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release John Ruiz, Peter Manfredo, Jr., Daryl Peoples, Michael Ortega, Paul Cichon & William Hutt UNCASVILLE, Conn. (July 6, 2014) - Former two-time World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion John "The Quietman" Ruiz and Peter "The Pride of Providence" Manfredo, Jr. lead a six-member Class of 2014 into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF). New members will be inducted at the 10TH annual CBHOF Gala Induction Dinner on Saturday night, November 8 in the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun. The new CBHOF inductees also includes referee Michael Ortega, International Boxing Federation president Daryl Peoples, trainer Paul Cichon and the late boxing judge William Hutt. "I'm ecstatic about our 10th annual Class of Inductees," CBHOF president and Class of 2011 inductee Glenn Feldman said. "The board once again did a great job selecting these six men to be honored in November." Ruiz (44-9-1, 30 KOs), a Massachusetts native now living in New Hampshire, is the first and only Latino heavyweight champion of the world. He fought three times in Connecticut, including his 2001 WBA title defense with Evander Holyfield that ended in a draw. Manfredo (40-7, 21 KOs) starred in the inaugural season of NBC's reality television show, The Contender. The two-time world title challenger was born and raised in Providence and he now lives in Dayville, Connecticut. Eleven of his 47 professional fights were held in Connecticut. Ortega, the son of 2006 CBHOF inductee Gasper Ortega, has been a world class referee since 1996. He has officiated such notable fights at Paulie Malignaggi vs. Zab Judah, Johnathon Banks vs. Seth Mitchell, Arthur Abramah vs. Robert Stieglitz, Chad Dawson vs. Glen Johnson and Carl Froch vs. Jermain Taylor. Peoples has been a highly respected IBF official since 1995. In 2010, the IBF Board of Directors elected him as its President and Chief Executive Officer, a position that he still holds today. Cichon is director of boxing for the Manchester Ring of Champions Society. A veteran boxing trainer for more than 16 years, he was chief second for four-time national amateur champion Matt Remillard and guided him undefeated through his first 23 pro fights. He has also trained two-time Junior Olympics heavyweight champion Miguel Ayala. Cichon was the 2011 CBHOF Contributor to Boxing Award recipient. Hutt not only was considered one of the finest officials to ever judge a boxing match in Connecticut, but he also spent a lot of his free time helping to promote the sport he loved. He was a mainstay in Connecticut amateur and professional boxing. He judged fights all over the world including fights featuring Larry Holmes, Prince Naseem Hamed, James Toney, Julio Cesar Chavez, Bernard Hopkins, Chris Byrd and a pair of CBHOF past inductees, Micky Ward and Vinny Paz. The CBHOF official's award is named after Hutt, who passed away in 2001 at the age of 49. Tickets for the CBHOF 10th annual Gala Induction Dinner, reasonably priced at $90.00, are on sale now by calling Kim Baker at Mohegan Sun (1.860.862.7377) or Sherman Cain at the Manchester Journal Inquirer (1.800.237.3606 X321). Doors open at 5:30 p.m. ET, cocktails at 6 p.m. ET, followed by dinner. Go online to www.ctboxinghof.org for additional information about the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame, its 10th annual Gala Inductee Dinner, or past CBHOF inductees. ABOUT CBHOF: The Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame was founded in 2004 to honor and celebrate the careers of outstanding individuals involved in the sport of boxing. Its inaugural Induction Ceremony & Dinner was held in 2005. Connecticut's rich boxing history could never have flourished if it weren't for the achievements of those enshrined in the Hall of Fame. As a non-profit organization, the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame is deeply committed to keeping the fighting spirit of Connecticut thriving through various charitable contributions.

Undefeated prospect Toka Kahn-Clary Back in Las Vegas ring Friday

PROVIDENCE (July 9, 2013) - Undefeated Providence super featherweight prospect Toka "T Nice" Kahn-Clary (5-0, 4 KOs) returns to ring Friday night for his first scheduled six-round bout.  The 21-year-old native of Liberia faces newly-crowned Texas State lightweight champion Pedro Pablo Torres (7-5-2, 5 KOs) on the non-televised portion of the Top Rank-promoted ESPN Friday Night Fights card at Texas Station Casino in Las Vegas. In his last fight this past April, Kahn-Clary dropped Gadiel Andaluz (4-5-1, 2 KOs) three times in the opening round en route to a victory by technical knockout at the1:32 mark. "This fight means a lot to me," Kahn-Clary said.  "It's my understanding that this guy is going to give me rounds.  I'm looking forward to that because I haven't fought a lot of rounds as a pro (12).  I've been sparring a lot of hard rounds, especially with Thomas (Falowo, 10-1 middleweight with 7 KOs), who keeps coming forward throwing punches.  I feel great; I'm in top shape, already on weight. "I'm looking forward to fighting again in Las Vegas. This is a big opportunity that a lot of fighters don't get.  (Kahn-Clary won a four-round decision over Jesus Garza on December 6, 2012 at The Mirage in Las Vegas.)  Hopefully, I'll keep going out there and keep winning." Kahn-Clary's promoter, Bob Arum's Top Rank, has kept him active with this already his seventh professional fight since turning pro only a year ago.  He had one "no contest" last October due to a cut over his eye from an unintentional head butt. "He's won all of his four-round fights - five plus the 'no contest' - and it's time for him to move up to a six-rounder," Toka-Kahn's head trainer Peter Manfredo, Sr. explained.  "He has steadily improved and looked good sparring 6-8 rounds.  We can't keep him back.  It's time!  Toka is the most dedicated and disciplined fighter I've ever trained.  At this stage, he's the best fighter I've ever trained, including my son (Peter Manfredo, Jr.), Edwin Rodriguez, Jessie Brinkley and Ossie Duran. "There's no video available on his opponent, but he's Mexican and they all come forward.  Toka has to control the fight with his jab; everything comes off his jab. He's worked nicely with angles and needs to continue sitting on his punches, going to the body, and taking advantage when his opponent's off balance with strong counter punching like he did so well in his last fight." Kahn-Clary was a standout amateur who captured a gold medal at the 2010 U.S. National Golden Gloves Tournament.  He fights out of the new Manfredo Boxing Sports Fitness gym in Narragansett, Rhode Island.

Undefeated super featherweight prospect Toka Kahn-Clary's star shining after last Weekend's impressive win in NYC

PROVIDENCE.(April 18, 2013) - After his awesome and complete destruction of Gadiel Andaluz  last Saturday night, on the Nonito Donaire-Guillermo Rigondeaux undercard at the famed Radio City Music Hall in New York City, Providence's undefeated super featherweight prospect Toka "T Nice" Kahn-Clary's (5-0, 4 KOs) star is shining brighter than ever. Liberia-native Kahn-Clary dropped Andaluz (4-5-1, 2 KOs) three times in the opening round en route to a victory by technical knockout at the 1:32 mark. "I wanted to make a statement to fans, friends and my promoter, Top Rank, that I'm a good fighter and will be one of the top fighters in the world someday," the 20-year-old Kahn-Clary said.  "My opponent had been knocked out once in nine pro fights.  The plan was for me to out-box him and go four rounds.  We knew that he was a pressure fighter and he'd run into a lot of my shots.  I stepped back, hit him with a left, and down he went.  I didn't expect that to happen but I knew I hurt him on the first knockdown." "We hit a home run, make that a grand slam," added Kahn-Clary's head trainer Peter Manfredo, Sr.  "He hit a tough guy with some really good shots.  We knew he was a tough Puerto Rican kid who would be the aggressor.  We had worked in the gym at Toka using his jab and then bringing in the left.  He did that right from the start and boom; he hurt Andaluz with a big left.   We'd also been working on Toka relaxing when he threw punches, stepping back, being quick, and accuracy.  It all paid off last Saturday night. "Toka jumped on his opponent after the eight-count.  Everything comes off his jab, he popped him with another left and put him down again, and then he did it the third time when the fight was stopped.  Everybody who is anybody in boxing was there and Toka turned in a great performance under pressure.  He proved he could do the job under the bright lights.  He's really matured and that's what has impressed me the most." Kahn-Clary's fight was the swing bout but Top Rank moved it to the second-to-last fight of the night, right before the high-profile Donaire-Rigondeaux main event, in front of a packed house.  "It was exciting to fight in front of so many people, almost like I was in the co-feature, only not on HBO," Kahn-Clary noted.  "Peter told me to calm down when I'm throwing punches and I did that.  I wanted to show all of my skills for people to see what I can do. "I'm hoping that my next fight is a six-rounder.  I'd like to fight four or five rounds.   I've had five fights now as a pro and I've only fought 12 rounds.  I need more experience because I know I'm not going to knockout everybody I fight." Promoted by Bob Arum's Top Rank, Kahn-Clary was a standout amateur who captured a gold medal at the 2010 U.S. National Golden Gloves Tournament.  He fights out of the new Manfredo Boxing Sports Fitness gym in Narragansett, Rhode Island.

Hot prospect Toka Kahn-Clary Remains undefeated

HAWAIIAN GARDENS, Calif. (February 24, 2013) - Super featherweight prospect Toka "T Nice" Kahn-Clary (4-0, 3 KOs) remained undefeated, registering a victory by way of second-round technical knockout over Pablo Cupul 6-11, 4 KOs), last night (Saturday) at C. Robert Lee Activities Center in Hawaiian Gardens, California. Toka-Kahn, a 20-year-old from Liberia who moved to Providence 14 years ago, dropped Cupul in the opening round. The referee halted the bout in the second as Toka-Kahn unleashed a vicious assault on his over-matched and out-classed Mexican opponent. "Toka continues to impress people," his trainer Peter Manfredo, Sr. said. "A lot of boxing elite came up to me after the fight saying someday he's going to be world champion, and that they were equally impressed by how well he handles himself in and out of the ring." Promoted by Bob Arum's Top Rank, Kahn-Clary was a standout amateur who captured a gold medal at the 2010 U.S. National Golden Gloves Tournament. He fights out of the new Manfredo Boxing Sports Fitness gym in Narragansett, Rhode Island. His four professional fights have been in four different states: Nevada, California, New Jersey and Rhode Island.

Stars supporting May 19 Battle of the Badges 4 @ Foxwoods

Sports & Entertainment Stars supporting Battle of the Badges 4 FDNY vs. N.E. Law Enforcement May 19 at Foxwoods Resorts Casino MASHANTUCKET, CT (May 10, 2012) - Sports and entertainment celebrities are coming out May 19 to show their support for "Battle of the Badges 4," featuring amateur boxers representing the nationally-acclaimed New York City Fire Department Boxing Team ("FDNY") against a New England Law Enforcement ("Team N.E.") squad, at Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.  "Battle of the Badges 4" ("BOB4") is presented by National Public Safety Athletic League ("NPSAL") in association with the FDNY Boxing Bravest, Mass Corrections Officers Federated Union Boxing Team (MCOFU) and Foxwoods Resort Casino. Defending champion Team N.E. trails FDNY in the series, 2-1.  Five world champion boxers and two former world title challengers join a three-time Super Bowl champion, the funniest man of the planet, one of the hottest singers in the country, and a popular Boston newscaster at BOB4. World champion boxers lending their support to BOB4 are two-time (2001-2003, 2004-2005) World Boxing Association ("WBA") Heavyweight Champion John "The Quietman" Ruiz, of Chelsea (MA), the first and only world heavyweight champion of Latino heritage; World Welterweight Champion (1955) Tony "The Pride of Fleet" Street" DeMarco, from Boston's famed North End, who recently wrote his biography, "Memoirs of a Boxing Champion";  WBA & World Boxing Council ("WBC") (1979) Middleweight Champion Vito Antuofermo, of Brooklyn; WBA Welterweight (2003-2005) & Light Middleweight (2006-2007) Champion Jose Antonio "El Gallo" Rivera, of Worcester (MA); International Boxing Organization ("IBO" Middleweight Champion (2010) Peter Manfredo, Jr., of Providence. Other prizefighters committed to attending BOB4 include former world light welterweight (1976) title challenger Tony Petronelli, of Brockton (MA); former IBO world light heavyweight title challenger (1998) John "Iceman" Scully, of Hartford, who was chief second for "Bad" Chad Dawson in his recent WBC light heavyweight title-winning performance against Bernard Hopkins; 1991 New England Heavyweight Champion Paul Poirer, of New Bedford (MA). Former New England Patriots offensive lineman Joe Andruzzi, who owns three Super Bowl rings, will be in the house with his family.  He has three brothers that are members of the FDNY who responded to the 9/11/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.  Joe is a cancer survivor who established the Joe Andruzzi Foundation. Also making BOB4 appearances are comedian extraordinaire, Lenny Clarke, star-in-the-making singer James Massone, who competed in the television show, "The Voice," as well as popular WCVB (#5) newscaster in Boston, Michelle McPhee. The world renowned FDNY bagpipers will also be involved in festivities. "We're so grateful for having these celebrities, who not only are supporting our event, but will be there to meet-and-greet fans," BOB4 spokesperson Denis Marrese said. "Everyone will have a great time watching entertaining boxing matches and mixing with these stars.  It's all about helping raising funds for Work Vessels For Veterans, NPSAL and FDNY Boxing Bravest in order for these great charities to continue doing their tremendous charity work." Proceeds from the May 19th charitable event will benefit Work Vessels For Veterans, NPSAL and FDNY Boxing Bravest Team. More than a dozen matches are scheduled pitting FDNY against Team New England, which is primarily comprised of MCOFU boxers. Tickets, priced at $30.00 (general admission), $50.00 (reserved seating) and $100.00 (VIP/Ringside), are available to purchase at the Foxwoods Box Office, on line at www.foxwoods.com or www.Ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-855-660-6606 041-800.200.2882, or at any Ticketmaster outlet.  Doors open at 6:30 PM/ET with the first match scheduled to start at 7:30 PM/ET. Go to www.BattleoftheBadges.info or www.foxwoods.com for additional information.    NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY ATHLETIC LEAGUE: "NPSAL" is committed to fundraising and promoting efficient techniques to promote recreation and sport/physical activities for youths and adults for the purpose of maintaining a healthy and positive lifestyle. FDNY BRAVEST BOXING TEAM:The organization donates all funds after expenses and has already donated more than $100,000 to various charities includes The Wounded Warrior Project and Building Homes For Heroes. WORK VESSELS FOR VETERANS:  "WVFV" assists veterans returning to the United States as they being their civilian careers or continue their educational pursuits by donating to them the necessary start-up tools (laptops, vehicles, machinery, tools, commercial vessels, etc.).  The organization was started in 2008 with the donation of a commercial fishing boat to a returning veteran and to date has helped more than 500 veterans in their transitions.   www.wvfv.org