PRO BOXING WILL RETURN TO LEWISTON FOR FIRST TIME IN A DECADE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (July 31, 2014) – New England Fights (NEF), the Northeast’s premier fight promotion, today announced that the company will bring the first professional boxing event to Lewiston, Maine since 2004.  The show, which will mark the fight promotion's sixteenth in the state of Maine, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 11, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee with a bell-time of 7:00 pm EDT.  The NEF company came to prominence in 2012 when it began promoting mixed-martial arts (MMA) events in Maine, primarily in Lewiston.  Known to attract massive crowds of 2,500-3,000 to its events, NEF is widely-recognized as one of the most popular and successful regional promotions in the entire country.

"This has always been the plan with NEF," said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  "We always intended this promotion to be multi-faceted when it came to putting together different combat sporting events. With pro boxing once again legal in Maine, we felt this was the perfect time to make our move into the boxing arena as well.  For the MMA fans, do not fear.  We will still be doing just as many MMA events as we've always done, if not more."

There exists a long and rich history of professional boxing in Lewiston.  The first recorded event in the city took place in 1883. Regular pro boxing events were held in Lewiston from that time right through the mid-twentieth century.  During several periods there were stretches where shows were being promoted in-town on a weekly basis.  Perhaps the most famous bout in Lewiston history took place at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee, then known as "Saint Dominic's Arena," on May 25, 1965.  On that night, Muhammad Ali (56-5) successfully defended the World Boxing Council (WBC) Heavyweight Championship of the World against Sonny Liston (50-4) with a first-round knockout.  The controversial finish, dubbed the "Phantom Punch," was immortalized in an image snapped from ringside by world-renown photographer Neil Leifer.  The still-image, showing Ali standing over a prone Liston on the canvas, taunting him with his glove, has become one of the most iconic and recognizable photographs in all of sports. 

"It's great to see the history of the facility come to life," said current Androscoggin Bank Colisee General Manager Mike Cain on the return of pro boxing to the building. "I could only imagine boxing of this magnitude returning to the floor.  What a great partnership we have with NEF."

While the fight card has yet to be announced, and is subject to change and approval by the Combat Sports Authority of Maine, NEF officials have revealed that Stevie Gamache (4-0), son of Joey Gamache Jr. of the world-famous Gamache boxing family of Lewiston, will be featured on the fight card. The bout will mark Stevie's first-ever boxing match in his hometown of Lewiston. Joey Gamache Jr. (55-4) holds the distinction of the only professional boxer to come out of Maine and capture a world title.  He won the World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Featherweight Title in 1991, and then the WBA Lightweight Championship in 1992.

"I am excited to be part of the first pro boxing show in Lewiston in ten years," said Stevie Gamache when reached for comment. “Especially fighting for NEF.  Gamache is back."

The main event of the evening will feature Brandon "The Cannon" Berry (6-0).  Berry fights out of West Forks, Maine and is a member of Wyman's Boxing Club in Stockton Springs, Maine.

“There hasn't been pro boxing in Lewiston in nearly 11 years, so needless to say I am very excited to headline this event,” stated Berry when reached for comment. “I hope to bring a big crowd of people to help make this a successful 'comeback' of pro boxing to the Lewiston Area. I've been training very hard, and look forward to showing all of the locals that pro boxing is alive and well, and Brandon Berry is here to stay.”

Brandon "L-Jack" Brewer (11-0-1) from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada has also signed to fight on the card.  Brewer is the reigning Canada Professional Boxing Council (CPBC) Light Middleweight Champion.  Joel Bishop (0-0) will make his professional debut on the card.  In addition, former NEF MMA fighter-turned boxer, Josh Parker (0-1), has also signed to appear onOctober 11 in Lewiston.

Tickets for "NEF Boxing" start at just $25 and will go on sale to the general public on Monday, August 4, 2014 at 10:00 am EDT.  A special pre-sale will take place beginning on Friday, August 1 at 10:00 am EDT and run through the morning of Monday, August 4 for fans who use promo code NEFBOXING to unlock the sale. Tickets will be available online 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. In addition, you can watch NEF MMA fight videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow the promotion on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

About New England Fights

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a combat sports 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.

FORMER NEF MMA TITLEHOLDER TO COMPETE IN BELLATOR FINALS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (April 30, 2014) – New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (NEF MMA), the Northeast’s premier mixed martial arts promotion, is proud to acknowledge the accomplishments of the fight promotion's former lightweight champion Desmond "The Predator" Green (12-2).  On May 9, Green will face Germany's Daniel Weichel (33-8) in the final round of the Bellator MMA Season 10 featherweight tournament.  The bout, which will originate from Rama, Ontario, CN, is scheduled to be featured on Spike TV.  The winner will receive $100,000 in addition to a future shot at the Bellator Featherweight Championship.

"We're so proud of Dez," said NEF MMA co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  "We knew he had that star quality the first time he stepped in the NEF cage as an amateur.  It's hard to believe that was only two years ago.  He made it so far in such a short time."

A native of Rochester, New York, Green was a standout wrestler in high school, earning himself a scholarship to the University of Buffalo.  In late 2011, Green took an amateur MMA fight last minute and was victorious.  Soon after, he joined Ryan Ciotoli's well-respected Team Bombsquad and began competing regularly on MMA cards across the Northeast.  Green won his NEF MMA debut at NEF I in February 2012 over Nate Charles (1-7) before scoring professional victories over Bruce Boyington (6-7) and Brandon Fleming (3-2).  He became a quick favorite of the Maine fight fans who would cheer wildly the second his "Buffalo Soldier" entrance music would play.  In May 2013, Green met and defeated UFC veteran Henry Martinez (9-6) in a dominant performance to capture the Maine State MMA Lightweight Championship at NEF VII.

Just weeks after winning the title, however, Green would vacate the belt to sign with top national fight promotion Bellator.  Losing his first Bellator bout, Green rebounded with an impressive second-round stoppage of Angelo Sanchez (11-6) a month later in a non-tournament bout.  He would then enter the featherweight tournament in Season 10 of Bellator where he would score back-to-back decision victories over Michael "The Marine" Richman (16-4) and Will Martinez (9-3-1) to earn his spot in the finals.

"In two weeks I will be fighting for a chance to win a world title and I am so focused and ready," said Green when reached for comment. "I've been training super hard in Ithaca and Rochester with Matt Lee at Ultimate Athletics.  This has been a short but rigid road to get here in the past two years, and I really am appreciative for NEF helping me get here through their support of me and giving me fights and allowing me to have my first championship through them."

"Dez is the blueprint of what we strive for all NEF athletes to become," said NEF MMA co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. "We want to properly promote fighters, get them the right fights to develop themselves, and launch them to Bellator or the UFC.  That is the goal here.  There are several fighters on the NEF roster right now who are just a win or two away from becoming the next 'Dez Green.'  When NEF comes to town, if you're a fan of the sport, get your tickets, because you never know when you're going to see the next big breakout star in MMA on one of our cards!"

NEF MMA's next event, “NEF XIII,” is scheduled to take place onSaturday, May 10, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of 7:00 pm.  In the main event of the evening, “The" Ryan Sanders (6-4) will rematch Maine State MMA Welterweight Champion Gil de Freitas (15-5) nearly two years after de Freitas defeated Sanders for the inaugural title.  Tickets for "NEF XIII" 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. In addition, you can watch NEF MMA videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

About New England Fights

New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (“NEF MMA”) is a Mixed Martial Arts promotions company. NEF MMA’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF MMA’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

Origin Becomes NEF MMA’s Official Apparel Partner

Rumford, Maine (April 18, 2014) – New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (NEF MMA), the Northeast’s premiere mixed martial arts promotion and Origin, America’s leading BJJ lifestyle brand, announced today a new relationship making Origin the “Official Apparel Partner” of NEF MMA.

On Saturday, May 10^th, the alliance formally kicks off during NEF MMA’s “NEF XIII” at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Origin will be strategically integrated throughout the NEF MMA live event experience. Origin will own highly visible inventory inside the NEF MMA cage and offer products for sale at various consumer touch points in-arena.  Origin will also be a category-exclusive sponsor of all NEF MMA events and the two Maine-based companies will cross-promotionally publicize and advertise their partnership through a multi-faceted activation plan and wide variety of traditional and new media marketing channels.

In addition, Origin will be sponsoring the “Origin Submission of the Night” financial bonus that will be awarded to the best submission finish from the professional bouts that take place during “NEF XIII” and future NEF MMA events.

Both companies also announced that they will be expanding their respective sponsored-athlete rosters with exclusive packages designed to benefit fighters financially and to increase their public profiles.

“This alliance is a game changer,” stated NEF MMA co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “We’ve been working on the details of this deal for a long time and couldn’t be more excited to share the news of this powerful partnership with the world. The combination of Origin and NEF MMA’s shared principles and vision will have a dramatic impact on the Northeast combat sports scene and beyond. We’re thrilled to be working with Origin and excited for the opportunities this will create for athletes and fans alike.”

“We are all about American Made products,” stated Origin co-owner Pete Roberts. “We are building products in our Maine-based factory for martial arts. Maine is our home, it’s the place we love and want to support. NEF is a big part of the fabric of Maine combat sports. The synergy between our two companies was too much to ignore. We are looking forward to a long partnership and making Maine and New England a Mecca for martial arts and combat sports”

“Our focus since the day we launched NEF MMA has always been on the combatants competing for us and the ticket buyers that attend our events,” stated NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. “The benefits of joining forces with Origin to bring people the highest quality apparel and clothing are limitless and we look forward to a long, fruitful relationship with them.”

“Origin’s roots are firmly embedded in the soil of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and combat sports,” stated Origin co-owner Andre “Dedeco” Almeida. “As a brand, we have been watching the growth of NEF over the last couple years and their strategy and vision were so much in line with our own, we had to become part of their movement.”

“NEF XIII” is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of7:00 pm.  "The" Ryan Sanders (6-4) will rematch Maine State MMA Welterweight Champion Gil de Freitas (15-5) nearly two years after de Freitas defeated Sanders for the inaugural title.  Tickets for "NEF XIII" 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. In addition, you can watch NEF MMA videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

To learn more about Origin brand please visit www.originbjj.com.

About New England Fights

New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (“NEF MMA”) is a Mixed Martial Arts promotions company. NEF MMA’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF MMA’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

About Origin

ORIGIN brand was created by BJJWeekly.com co-creator Pete Roberts back in 2009. Pete's vision was not to create a "fight brand", but instead a BJJ lifestyle brand that spoke directly to the needs of the everyday BJJ enthusiast. As a designer and entrepreneur, Pete brings 15 years of branding experience into an industry which he is passionate about growing.

NEF MMA IS HOT FOR TEACHER WITH NEW CAGE GIRL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (April 10, 2014) – New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (NEF MMA) is pleased to announce the addition of a new cage girl to the fight promotion's roster.  Kaity Pearson will make her debut at "NEF XIII" on May 10, 2014 in Lewiston, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.

Many will recognize Pearson as the Fitchburg, Massachusetts teacher's aide who made international headlines earlier this year when she was suspended with pay from her day job after school administrators were informed that she had been moonlighting as a model, occasionally in semi-nude photo shoots.  After only a few days, Pearson was reinstated to her position in the school district's Special Education department.  The story was picked up by several major news outlets including the New York Daily News and theHuffington Post.

"Having a well-educated teacher's aide as a cage girl, we at NEF believe, is a good move," stated NEF MMA promoter and co-owner Nick DiSalvo on the hiring of Pearson.  "We won't have to worry about her screwing up the round cards.  That's especially important on a card like this one where we have not one but two five-round titles fights.  When they're dealing with more than three cards... that's... that's when they seem to get confused."

The fight promotion has had its fair share of ring girl mishaps in the past.  In early 2013, a Youtube video of a ring girl mistake at an NEF MMA event went viral with over four million views.  The video and accompanying story became the top news headline on Yahoo! and held that position for more than 24 hours.  It brought the regional fight promotion quite a bit of attention on the global stage.  The incident also brought the ring girl new found fame with appearances on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, as well as Inside MMA on AXS TV.  Since that time, according to NEF MMA executives, a steady stream of  models have inquired about working with the fight promotion to further their careers.  It is an opportunity that Pearson will try to capitalize on.

"I am very excited to be hired by NEF MMA," exclaimed Pearson.  "I look forward to putting my best foot forward and moving on with my modeling career.  Having such great support from fans and now NEF MMA means a lot to me and makes me feel special."

"Kaity is a nice young lady," said NEF MMA co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson when reached for comment.  "Very nice."

To view pictures from Kaity Pearson's recent photo shoot for the NEF MMA website please visit the cage girl gallery at www.newenglandfights.com/ring-girls/ .

“NEF XIII” is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of7:00 pm.  In the main event of the evening, Maine State MMA Bantamweight Champion Paul Gorman (10-8) defends against undefeated Kin "Kong" Moy (5-0).  In addition, "The" Ryan Sanders (6-4) will rematch Maine State MMA Welterweight Champion Gil de Freitas (15-5) nearly two years after de Freitas defeated Sanders for the inaugural title.  Tickets for "NEF XIII" 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. In addition, you can watch NEF MMA videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

About New England Fights

New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (“NEF MMA”) is a Mixed Martial Arts promotions company. NEF MMA’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF MMA’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

Ryan Sanders Defeats Marcus Davis; Mike Zichelle Crowned New Middleweight Champion in Lewiston

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (February 8, 2014) – New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (NEF MMA) hosted its most-recent cage fighting event, “NEF XII,” at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee earlier this evening.  A packed house of over 3,000 fight fans was on hand to witness the most anticipated MMA fight in state history between Marcus "The Irish Hand Grenade" Davis (22-11) and his former student "The" Ryan Sanders (6-4).  The bout was stopped after the first round by the ringside doctor when Davis lost his vision in one eye.  Fans also witnessed the crowning of a new Middleweight Champion when Mike Zichelle (7-3) unseated Jesse Peterson (7-5).

In addition, NEF MMA announced that its next event, "NEF XIII," would see the fight promotion return to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on May 10, 2014.  The night will feature Maine State MMA Bantamweight Champion Paul Gorman (10-8) defending the strap against the challenge of undefeated Kin "Kong" Moy (5-0) in a battle of the #2 and #3 ranked 135-pounders in the region.

The full fight card results for “NEF XII” are listed below:

PROFESSIONAL

CATCH Ryan Sanders def. Marcus Davis via doctor stoppage, round 1

185*Title Mike Zichelle def. Jesse Peterson via TKO, round 2 (Zichelle wins title)

CATCH John Raio def. Bruce Boyington via rear-naked choke, round 1

170 Jarod Lawton def. John Ortolani via TKO, round 2

155 Jesse Erickson def. Tollison Lewis via triangle choke, round 1

170 Ryan Cowette def. Dave Claroni via tap to strikes, round 1

AMATEUR

 

155 Jeremy Tyler def. Corey Hinkley via arm triangle, round 2

285 Kevin Smith def. Devon Newell via guillotine choke, round 3

200 Crowsneck Boutin def. Brandon Gibbs via unanimous decision

145 Charlie Stambach def. Carl Langston via split decision

145 Aaron Lacey def. Joshua Greenlaw via TKO, round 1

CATCH Stephen Desjardins def. Dustin Veinott via unanimous decision

185 Mike Vangelist def. Dan Connaughton via arm triangle choke, round 2

145 Matt Denning def. Caleb Costello via triangle choke, round 2

120 Jason Carpenter def. Dan Thayer via split decision

135 John Crafts def. Ryan Daley via referee stoppage-armbar

150 Alex Clark def. Trevor Hebert via unanimous decision

“NEF XIII” is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of7:00 pm.  Already announced, Maine State MMA Bantamweight Champion Paul Gorman (10-8) defends against undefeated Kin "Kong" Moy (5-0).  Tickets for "NEF XIII" 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.  In addition, you can watch NEF MMA videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

About New England Fights

New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (“NEF MMA”) is a Mixed Martial Arts promotions company. NEF MMA’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF MMA’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

NEF MMA ANNOUNCES THE RESULTS OF NEF XII WEIGH-INS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (February 7, 2014) – New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (NEF MMA) weigh-ins have been completed from the Fusion Lounge of the Lewiston Ramada Conference Center in preparation for NEF MMA’s “NEF XII” event at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.  "NEF XII" will take place onSaturday, February 8, 2014 with doors opening to the public at 6 pmand first fight at 7 pm.

The weigh-in results for “NEF XII” are listed below (card subject to change):

PROFESSIONAL

CATCH Marcus Davis (171.5) vs Ryan Sanders (169.1)

185*Title Jesse Peterson (184.4) vs Mike Zichelle (182.3)

170 Jarod Lawton (170.1) vs John Ortolani (170.7)

155 Jesse Erickson (155.2) vs Tollison Lewis (155.4)

170 Ryan Cowette (170.6) vs Dave Claroni (173.6)

CATCH Bruce Boyington (149.8) vs John Raio (149.7)

AMATEUR

285 Kevin Smith (265.3) vs Devon Newell (281.4)

200 Brandon Gibbs (200.7) vs Crowsneck Boutin (194.2)

185 Dan Connaughton (183.6) vs Mike Vangelist (185.3)

155 Jeremy Tyler (155.3) vs Corey Hinkley (153.1)

145 Caleb Costello (145.2) vs Matt Denning  (147.3)

145 Charlie Stambach (145.5) vs Carl Langston (144.7)

145 Aaron Lacey (145.9) vs Joshua Greenlaw (144.0)

135 Ryan Daley (133.2) vs John Crafts (135.5)

CATCH Stephen Desjardins (133.2) vs Dustin Veinott (128.2)

150 Trevor Hebert (144.7) vs Alex Clark (150)

120 Dan Thayer (120.8) vs Jason Carpenter (120.4)

“NEF XII,” is scheduled to take place this Saturday, February 8, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of 7:00 pm.  In the main event, Maine MMA legend Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade” Davis (22-10) faces his former student “THE” Ryan Sanders (5-4) in a much-anticipated welterweight contest.  In addition, Maine State MMA Middleweight Champion Jesse Peterson (7-4) will return to action for the first time in nearly a year to defend his title against “Ruthless” Mike Zichelle (6-3).  Tickets for "NEF XII" 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.  In addition, you can watch NEF MMA videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

About New England Fights

New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (“NEF MMA”) is a Mixed Martial Arts promotions company. NEF MMA’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF MMA’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.