Connecticut Boxing Hall Of Fame photo gallery

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release UNCASVILLE, Conn. (Nov. 12, 2014) - Last Saturday night, the 10th annual Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF) Gala Induction Dinner was held in the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun. (Below find a photo gallery, courtesy of "Boxing" Bob Newman) Class of 2014 members inducted into the CBHOF were former two-time World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion John "The Quietman" Ruiz, two-time world title challenger and star of The Contender, Season 1 reality television show, Peter "The Pride of Providence" Manfredo, Jr., referee Michael Ortega, International Boxing Federation president Daryl Peoples, trainer Paul Cichon and the late boxing judge William Hutt. The 2014 CBHOF award winners honored at the dinner were undefeated New Haven super bantamweight prospect Luis "The KO King" Rosa, Jr. (17-0, 7 KOs), Conn. Professional Boxer of the Year; Hartford Izaih Melendez, Conn. Amateur Boxer of the Year; Hartford referee Danny Schiavone, William Hutt Professional Official of the Year; ringside physician Samantha Dare, Amateur Official of the Year - will be honored this Saturday night at the 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. Like CBHOF on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CTBHOF. (L-R) - Master of Ceremonies David Diamante, CBHOF board member John Laudati, CBHOF inductee Peter Manfredo Jr. and CBHOF president Glenn Feldman (L-R) - CBHOF president Glenn Feldman, Master of Ceremonies David Diamante, CBHOF inductee John Ruiz and CBHOF vice president Peter Hary CBHOF inductee Daryl Peoples CBHOF inductee Paul Cichon CBHOF inductee Michael Ortega (L-R) - Master of Ceremonies Dave Diamante, CBHOF president Glenn Feldman, Linda Hutt and New York State Athletic Commission chairperson Melvina Latham (L-R) - Connecticut Professional Boxer of the Year Luis Rosa Jr. and CBHOF board member Bill Morande    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.

Conn. Boxing HOF announces 2014 award winners Louis Rosa Jr. named 2014 Conn. Boxer of the Year

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Induction dinner Saturday at Mohegan Sun UNCASVILLE, Conn. (Nov. 3, 2014) - Undefeated New Haven super bantamweight prospect Luis "The KO King" Rosa, Jr. (17-0, 7 KOs) has been named by the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame as the 2014 Connecticut Professional Boxer of the Year. Rosa and the other 2014 award winners - Hartford Izaih Melendez, Conn. Amateur Boxer of the Year; Hartford referee Danny Schiavone, William Hutt Professional Official of the Year; ringside physician Samantha Dare, Amateur Official of the Year - will be honored this Saturday night at the 10th annual Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF) Gala Induction Dinner in the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun. The Class of 2014 being inducted into the CBHOF are former two-time World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion John "The Quietman" Ruiz, two-time world title challenger and star of The Contender, Season reality television show, Peter "The Pride of Providence" Manfredo, Jr., referee Michael Ortega, International Boxing Federation president Daryl Peoples, trainer Paul Cichon and the late boxing judge William Hutt. The 23-year-old Rosa, promoted by DiBella Entrertainment, is a native of Puerto Rico. He had an outstanding 95-10 amateur record and turned professional in 2010. This past June in Las Vegas, Rosa recorded his signature victory to date, winning a unanimous 10-round decision over Luis Orlando Del Valle (18-1) this past June in Las Vegas, after taking an eight-round decision from Jorge Diaz (17-2) last January. Melendez, 21, is a local Golden Gloves champion who trains at The Sweet Science Boxing Club/Bare Bones Boxing in East Hartford. Dr. Dane first came to USA Boxing in 2002, after her boxing coach, John Spehar, had mentioned to her that Larry Pelletier (Meriden Boxing Club) was in need of a ringside physician.  Ever since then she has been working with USA Boxing. Currently working in the emergency department of Griffin Hospital in Derby, Dane has traveled to pre-Olympic trials in New Jersey and the Poconos, in addition to serving as the local physician for the US, Brazilian, and Chinese teams when they competed prior to the Olympics in Bejing. Schiavone is no stranger to the squared circle having refereed more than 1,000 amateur bouts with USA Boxing during a six-year span. He started officiating pro fights in 2002 and he has been affiliated with the IBF, WBC and the NABF throughout his pro career. Schiavone has been the third man in the ring for such notable champions and world class fighters as Hasim Rahman, Adrien Broner, David Tua,Sergio Martinez, Chad Dawson, John Duddy and Peter Quillin. Limited tickets for the CBHOF 10th annual Gala Induction Dinner, reasonably priced at $90.00, are still on sale and available to purchase 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. Like CBHOF on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CTBHOF. 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.

*****OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FROM FOXWOODS*****

PRESS RELEASE BILLY DIB 125 LBS. VS.    EVGENY GRADOVICH 125 LBS.    Ledyard, CT (2/28/13) - Earlier tonight IBF Featherweight Champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (35-1-1NC, 21KO's) and undefeated Russian Challenger Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8KO's) both made weight for their championship bout tomorrow night at MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods.  Both Dib and Gradovich looked to be in tremendous shape, with each fighter tipping the scales at 125 lbs.   The event tomorrow is promoted by 50 Cent's SMS Promotions and DiBella Entertainment and sponsored by SMS Audio.  The championship bout will be televised live tomorrow night on ESPN's Friday Night Fights.  Below are the complete weights for the entire card. IBF Featherweight Championship (12) Billy Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21 KOs), Champion, Sydney, Australia 125 LBS. Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8 KOs), Challenger, Igrim, Russia   125 LBS. NABF Super Welterweight Championship (10) Willie Nelson (19-1-1, 11 KOs), Champion, Cleveland, OH   152 LBS. Michael Medina (26-3-2, 19 KOs), Challenger, Los Angeles, CA   154 LBS. Junior Lightweights (8) Ryan Kielczweski (15-0, 3 KOs), Quincy, MA   127 LBS. Gil Garcia (5-3-1, 1 KO), Houston, TX   129 LBS. Super Bantamweights (8) Luis Rosa Jr. (12-0, 6 KOs), New Haven, CT   124 LBS. Jhovany Collado (4-6-2, 1 KO), Jamaica, NY   123 LBS. Junior Welterweights (4) Luis Oliveras (pro debut), Glendale, AZ   140 LBS. Rafael Munoz (1-1), Houston, TX   140 LBS. Female Junior Featherweights (6) Shelly Vincent (7-0), Providence, RI   124 LBS. Mikayla Nevel (0-3), Columbus, OH   122 LBS. Welterweights (4) Jimmy Williams (1-0, 1 KO), New Haven, CT   146 LBS. Raynard Younger (0-1), Alpharetta, GA   147 LBS. The 12-round main event on ESPN Friday Night Fights features International Boxing Federation (IBF) Featherweight Champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21 KOs), who is promoted by 50 Cent, defending against undefeated Russian challenger Evgeny Gradovich. NABF Super Welterweight Champion Willie "The Great" Nelson defends his title against Michael "Medina in the 10-round co-feature.             Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET with the first bout scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. ET.The ESPN Friday Night Fights card will air live at 9 p.m. ET. The Nelson-Medina bout is promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions. The event is sponsored by SMS Audio.    ***50 Cent will be performing live on fight night*** Tickets priced at $200, $100, $75 and $40 may be purchased online atfoxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods' box office at 800-200-2882, or in personat the Foxwoods' box office. OTHER PHOTOS CO-FEATURE NABF JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP  L-R: Michael Medina,Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Steve Smith (Rumble Time) and Willie Nelson   L-R: GIL GARCIA, LOU DIBELLA & RYAN KIELCZWESKI  L-R: LUIS ROSA & JHOVANY COLLADO  L-R: LUIS OLIVERAS, CURTIS "50 CENT" JACKSON AND RAFAEL MUNOZ TEAM SMS PROMOTIONS L-R: LUIS OLIVERAS, YURIORKIS GAMBOA, DONTE STRAYHORN  CURTIS "50 CENT" JACKSON, BILLY DIB & ANDRE DIRRELL ***50 Cent will be performing live on fight night*** PHOTO CREDIT: DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT/ED DILLER

FINAL PRESSER QUOTES DIB & GRADOVICH PROMISE FIREWORKS 50 CENT IN LIVE PERFORMANCE

PRESS RELEASE ESPN Friday Night Fights at MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino (L-R) Billy Dib, 50 Cent, Lou DiBella and Evgeny Gradovich (Presser Gallery Below - All pictures by Edward Diller)  NEW YORK (February 27, 2013) - Co-promoters Lou DiBella, of DiBella Entertainment, and 50 Cent, of SMS Promotions, hosted the final press conference today at the Strand Hotel in New York City for this week's (Mar. 1) ESPN Friday Night Fights at the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. In the 12-round main event, SMS Promotions' IBF Featherweight Champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21KO's) puts his world title on the line against Russia's undefeated IBF #11 rated Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8KO's). In the televised co-feature, former amateur standout and now top-ten rated junior middleweight contender Willie Nelson (19-1-1, 11KO's) squares off against Michael Medina (26-3-2, 19KO's) in a 10-round showdown for Nelson's NABF super welterweight title. The Nelson-Medina bout is promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions. The event is sponsored by SMS Audio. Both bouts will air on ESPN's Friday Night Fights beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET. 50 Cent will perform live on fight night. Tickets priced at $200, $100, $75 and $40 may be purchased online atfoxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods' box office at 800-200-2882, or in personat the Foxwoods' box office.    PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES LOU DIBELLA: "First and foremost, I want to thank everyone here for coming out and also everyone that is involved in this event, particularly 50 cent, Foxwoods and our great sponsor, SMS Audio.  "We have an outstanding event coming up this Friday and I think it is important for everyone to know that we are not doing this event to make a ton of money.  We are doing this to give the public an opportunity to see a great event and also to give this great champion, Billy Dib, the exposure that he truly deserves here in the US.   "We have a terrific card from top to bottom, including a dynamite co-feature with NABF Junior Middleweight Champion Willie Nelson defending his title against Michael Medina. It is a co-feature that easily could have been a main event on its own, in fact, it was originally, but then we had this great opportunity to put Billy Dib in the main event, defending his world championship live on ESPN and we just couldn't pass that up.  I want to thank Doug Loughrey from ESPN for giving us this opportunity and for working so hard on making this a reality. "There are an awful lot of haters when you start a new business, especially in the boxing world. No one has laid out a red carpet for Curtis "50 Cent' Jackson. Everything that he has achieved thus far he has worked to get.  I am totally impressed by working with him to see his intellect and how hard he actually works.  I only see great things for him in this sport moving forward and just wanted to say it really is an absolute pleasure to work with you and your company."    CURTIS "50 CENT" JACKSON: "I am excited about Friday night. This has been a great partnership I have formed with Lou (DiBella) and it has just been an amazing process for me.  This is the first boxing event that I have been involved with for the entire process, from beginning to end, and it really is going to be a special night for me on Friday night. "To actually be in Billy's camp and to see the sacrifices that he makes day in and day out is really something special.  It makes you realize really what these fighters go through. It gives you a whole new appreciation for them and for this great sport. "The level of the actual talent involved in this promotion is exciting for me and excites me for what the future has to hold for me in this sport. I believe by combining the right elements we can bring back that younger demographic to this sport, and that is something we are going to be working on constantly." BILLY "THE KID" DIB: "I want to thank everyone who was involved with this promotion. March 1st is going to be a great event. The whole team has worked very hard. This is my second coming. I am coming back here to America to showcase my ability. I am a completely different animal right now and you will see that Friday night.  I know Gradovich is going to fight out of his skin, being this is his first world championship opportunity, so I can promise you that this is going to make for fireworks in this fight. We respect Gradovich; we know that he is ready, and these are the type of fights we want."  EVGENY GRADOVICH: "Thank you for this opportunity, I am very excited. I know that this is going to be a great fight. We trained very hard for this fight, and I know it is going to be a very good fight for everyone involved, especially the fans in attendance and those watching at home on ESPN."

MEDINA GOING TO 'WOODS' TO TAKE NABF BELT BACK FROM NELSON

March 1 ESPN Friday Night Fights co-feature at MGM Grand at Foxwoods   Michael "El Magnifico" Medina (photo by Chris Farina)  NEW YORK (February 27, 2013) - Former North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super welterweight champion Michael "El Magnifico" Medina (26-3-2, 19 KOs) challenges present NABF titleholder Willie "The Great" Nelson (19-1-1, 11 KOs) tomorrow in the 10-round co-feature on ESPN Friday Night Fights, airing live from the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. "I wasn't active," Medina explained, regarding why he was stripped by the NABF. "Now, I'm getting my belt back. I feel that it's really still my belt. He's the NABF champion but he didn't take my belt from me. I'm looking forward to this fight. He's a strong, young fighter and it'll be awesome to add his name to my resume. A win will take me from this level to a higher one with bigger fights. I'm confident that, after this fight, I'll be getting more fights on television networks." The ESPN Friday Night Fights card, co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and 50 Cent's SMS Promotions, will air live at 9 p.m. ET. The Nelson-Medina bout is promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions. The event is sponsored by SMS Audio. The 12-round main event on ESPN Friday Night Fights features International Boxing Federation (IBF) Featherweight Champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21 KOs), who is promoted by 50 Cent, defending his title against undefeated Russian challenger Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8 KOs), who is rated No. 11 by the IBF. WBC No. 17-ranked Medina captured the NABF belt on December 22, 2011, winning a 10-round decision over veteran Grady Brewer. However, Medina was later stripped of his belt because he failed to defend his title due to him being unable to land fights, not because he turned down opponents. "He didn't have a promoter and Mike just got caught in the middle of things," his manager Steve Feder noted. "I wasn't with him until his last fight which, ironically, was on the same card (Sergio Martinez vs. Julio Caesar Chavez Jr. PPV, September 15, 2012, in Las Vegas) that Willie Nelson last fought. So, Mike will be fighting for the same belt that he didn't lose in the ring. He signed with Lou (DiBella) and now he's in a fight to get his belt back. He's always wanted to be in these kinds of fights. This is a good fight for both guys. "Mike's a good boxer who adapts well depending on who he's fighting. He gets a lot of different looks sparring at Wild Card Gym. Eric Brown (Medina's trainer) has done a good job with him. Mike likes to mix it up. He's hoping that the two of them stand there and go at it. He's not looking to box and move, which should make for a lot of action." Nelson won the vacant 154-pound title stripped from Medina by way of a 10-round decision in his aforementioned title fight against World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth champion and Virgin Islands Olympian, John "Dah Rock" Jackson (13-1, 12 KOs). Standing 6'4" with an imposing 84-inch reach, WBC No. 5-rated Nelson (19-1-1, 11 KOs) is a freakishly built super welterweight, against whom Medina will be giving away three-and-a-half inches in height, as well as a nine-inch reach advantage. "It's unusual," Medina spoke about fighting such a tall opponent. "I haven't fought guys that tall but I have been sparring with taller guys, middleweights and super middleweights, and I've also been working with good technical boxers like (Nobuhiro) Ishida. He's a good teacher and I'm comfortable that I'll benefit from that. "He's (Nelson) tall but I've watched some tapes of his fights and he likes to fight on the inside. If he does, that will help me because I'm aggressive. His height and reach can only be a factor if he jabs and moves, but we've been working on different strategies for whatever way he fights." Tickets priced at $200, $100, $75 and $40 may be purchased online atfoxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods' box office at 800-200-2882, or in personat the Foxwoods' box office.

SOLID UNDERCARD ANNOUNCED FOR DIB-GRADOVICH

PRESS RELEASE March 1 ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS at MGM Grand at Foxwoods NEW YORK (February 26, 2013) - Co-promoters DiBella Entertainment and 50 Cent's SMS Promotions have announced a solid undercard supporting this week's ESPN Friday Night Fights event, featuring International Boxing Federation (IBF) Featherweight Champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21 KOs) defending his title against undefeated Russian challenger Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8 KOs), airing live (9 p.m. ET start) from the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The 12-round main event pits Australia-native Dib, promoted by 50 Cent, against Gradovich. In the 10-round ESPN Friday Night Fights co-feature, North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super welterweight champion Willie "The Great" Nelson (19-1-1, 11 KOs) makes his first title defense against Michael "El Magnifico" Medina (26-3-2, 19 KOs). The Nelson-Medina fight is being promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions. The event is sponsored by SMS Audio.  Undefeated prospect Ryan "Polish Prince" Kielczweski (15-0, 3 KOs), fighting out of Quincy (MA), takes on Houston's Gil "La Metrealleta" Garcia (5-3-1, 1 KO) in an eight-round junior lightweight bout. Another unbeaten New Englander, New Haven super bantamweight Luis "KO King" Rosa Jr. (12-0, 6 KOs), is matched against New York City-veteran Jhovany Collado (4-5-2, 1 KO) in an eight-rounder. World Boxing Association (WBA) No. 11-rated welterweight Charlie Ota (21-1, 15 KOs), fighting out of Japan by way of Harlem, has been added to the card in a six-round bout against hard-hitting Brandon "The Business" Baue (12-9, 10 KOs). Ota joined the US Navy in 2000 and was stationed in Japan.  Reigning OPBF and Japanese champion Ota was slated to fight this past Thursday in New York City but the fight fell through.  Baue, who lives in Troy, Missouri, lost a six-round decision in his last action to former world champion Yuri Foreman. The fastest rising New England female boxer, New London's (Conn.) undefeated junior featherweight Shelly "Shelito's Way" Vincent (7-0), who is trained by Peter Manfredo Sr. in Rhode Island, faces Mikayla Nebel (0-3) in a six-round fight. Also fighting on the undercard in four-round bouts are former Southern Connecticut State College football player, New Haven junior middleweight Jimmy Williams (1-0, 1 KO), against Raynard Younger (0-1), from Georgia, and Arizona junior welterweight Luis Olivares makes his professional debut versus Houston's Rafael Munoz (1-1), while Cincinnati lightweight Donte Strayhorn meets Cranston's (RI) Joe Pingitore in a battle of pro-debut fighters.    The event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and 50 cent's SMS Promotions and sponsored by SMS Audio. Tickets, priced at $200, $100, $75 and $40, may be purchased online at foxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods' box office at 800-200-2882, or in person at the Foxwoods' box office. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET with the first bout scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. ET.

LIVE UNDERDOG EVGENY GRADOVICH PREPARED TO CASH IN ON 50 CENT'S IBF CHAMP BILLY DIB

March 1 ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS headliner at MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods   Evgeny Gradovich   NEW YORK (February 21, 2013) - One of the best kept secrets in boxing, late replacement Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8 KOs), will be a live underdog on March 1 as he challenges International Boxing Federation (IBF) Featherweight Champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21 KOs), in the 12-round main event on ESPNFriday Night Fights, co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and 50 Cent's SMS Promotions, airing live at 9 p.m. ET from MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. In the 10-round ESPN Friday Night Fights co-feature, North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super welterweight champion Willie "The Great" Nelson (19-1-1, 11 KOs) makes his first title defense against Michael "El Magnifico" Medina (26-3-2, 19 KOs). The Nelson-Medina fight is being promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions. Australia-native Dib, who is promoted by hip-hop superstar 50 Cent, was originally supposed to fight Luis Franco who unexpectedly withdrew from the title fight. Gradovich immediately accepted the challenge without any reservations. "I train most of the time and I'm always in shape," Gradovich said. "To fight for a world title in only my 16th pro fight is quick, but I have good experience and this is a great opportunity for me." Gradovich was discovered by rising Russian manager Egis Klimas, who first heard about his latest star from his most well known boxer, world light heavyweight title contender Sergei Kovalev. "Evgeny had more than 150 amateur fights and he was a member of the Russian National Team," Klimas explained. "I went with Don Turner to scout him at the 2009 Russian National Championships. Evgeny lost but Don said that he was really good and to sign him if I could. All of my Russian fighters are trained in North Carolina by Don (19 world champions) when they first come to America. "I didn't build up his record. I had him fight opponents with equal records. If Evgeny was 5-0, he fought a guy with a similar record and so forth as he developed. Gradovich is a punching machine. He's going to pressure his opponent and throw a lot of punches, especially in good combinations. Being a late replacement won't be a problem. He'll have five weeks of training in Oxnard (CA) with Robert Garcia for this fight and he never blows up in weight between fights like other guys. We're not going to Foxwoods to meet 50 Cent; we're coming to take Dib's world title belt back with us." Called the Mexican-Russian by other fighters in his gym because of their respect for tough style of fighting, Gradovich is living the American dream: promoted by Top Rank, managed by trusted fellow countryman Klimas, trained by Garcia, and fighting for the world title in only his 16th pro fight. "Yes, I am," he agreed. "I like this country a lot. I wouldn't be fighting for the world title now if I had stayed in Russia. Boxing is difficult in Russia but you can move forward in America. I have a good team here that helps motivate me. I've been working with Robert Garcia, who trains a lot of world-class athletes, for the past year and I think he's the best trainer in boxing." Gradovich reports that Klimas, Kovalev and Turner will all be supporting him at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods on March 1. Tickets priced at $200, $100, $75 and $40, may be purchased online atfoxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods' box office at 800-200-2882, or in personat the Foxwoods' box office.

KIELCZWESKI & ROSA CARRY NEW ENGLAND BANNER

Dib-Gradovich headlines March 1 ESPN FNF at MGM Grand at Foxwoods Ryan "Polish Prince" Kielczewski (Photo by Emily Harney) NEW YORK (February 19, 2013) - The next wave of standout New England boxers, headed by undefeated prospects Ryan "Polish Prince" Kielczweski (15-0, 3 KOs) and Luis "KO King" Rosa Jr. (12-0, 6 KOs), will showcase their talents on March 1, on the undercard of the ESPN Friday Night Fights event, airing live from the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The ESPN Friday Night Fights card, co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and 50 Cent's SMS Promotions, will air live at 9 p.m. ET. The 12-round main event features International Boxing Federation (IBF) Featherweight Champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21 KOs), who is promoted by 50 Cent, defending his title against undefeated Russian challenger and IBF No. 11-rated Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8 KOs). In the 10-round ESPN FNF co-feature, North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super welterweight champion Willie "The Great" Nelson (19-1-1, 11 KOs) makes his first title defense against Michael "El Magnifico" Medina (26-3-2, 19 KOs). The Nelson-Medina fight is being promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions. Kielczweski, fighting out of Quincy (Mass.), and New Haven's (Conn.) Rosa are both scheduled to fight in eight-round fights against opponents to be determined. They are following in the footsteps of another New Englander and DiBella stable-mate, Edwin "La Bomba" Rodriguez, of Worcester (Mass.), one of the top super middleweights in the world.In fact, they've fought on several cards headlined by "La Bomba" and each hope that another impressive performance will help to elevate them to heights reached by Rodriguez, now a championship-caliber, top-rated contender. The angelic-looking Kielczweski has a crowd-pleasing style and proudly wears his red-and-white Polish colors in the ring for his growing legion of fans. The flashy 23-year-old junior lightweight has boxed since the age of six. He accumulated an amateur record of 118-26, highlighted by his runner-up finish in the 2008 National Golden Gloves Tournament. A merchandiser for Polar Beverages, as well as a carpenter, Ryan trains at the Cyr-Farrell Boxing Gym in Quincy.   Luis "KO King" Rosa, Jr. (Photo by John James)  The 21-year-old Rosa is trained by his father Luis Rosa Sr., in New Haven, alongside current world light heavyweight champion "Bad" Chad Dawson. A 2007 National PAL Tournament amateur champion, "KO King" also won a silver medal at the Ringside World Championships and was a member of the 2009-2010 US Boxing Team. The compact, well-rounded super bantamweight is a consummate boxer. Another popular New Englander on the March 1 card in a female six-round match is New London's (Conn.) unbeaten Shelly "Shelito's Way" Vincent (7-0), who is trained by Peter Manfredo Sr. in Rhode Island. The popular junior featherweight is coming off of her best performance, a win by six-round decision over Nydia Feliciano in January. A former Southern Connecticut State College football player, junior middleweight Jimmy Williams (1-0, 1 KO), is also slated to fight in a four-round bout. The New Jersey transplant lives in New Haven. The full undercard will soon be announced. Tickets priced at $200, $100, $75 and $40, may be purchased online atfoxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods' box office at 800-200-2882, or in personat the Foxwoods' box office.