Fireworks on tap for ‘Let Freedom Ring’
Lundy vs. Molina on ESPN FNF
PROVIDENCE – Fireworks will be delayed but only for a few days, exploding in the four-cornered ring July 9 when ESPN Friday Night Fights comes to Twin River Event Center for the “Let Freedom Ring” pro boxing card, presented by Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), in Lincoln, R.I.
The main event features NABO lightweight champion “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy (18-0-1, 10 KOs), rated No. 13 by the World Boxing Association, in his first title defense against challenger John John “The Hammer” Molina (20-1, 16 KOs), ranked No. 9 by the NABO.
“We’re bringing ESPN here to this beautiful casino,” CES president Jimmy Burchfield announced. “We want to thank ESPN. We’ve switched things around a little to have Hank Lundy defend his NABO title against John John Molina. It’s going to be an unbelievable fight. We’re very excited about this fight. Molina comes to fight and this will be the toughest fight of Hank’s career.”
New England and EBA super middleweight champion “Irish” Joey McCreedy (11-4-2, 6 KOs), trained by “Irish” Micky Ward and fighting out of Lowell (MA), makes has first middleweight fight in the 8-round co-feature against an opponent to be determined.
The potential Fight of the Night could turn out to be a special 6-round bout in which Providence’s Vladine Biosse (6-0, 4 KOs), a former University of Rhode Island football player, puts his undefeated record on the line in his stiffest test to date against Quincy (MA) light heavyweight Chris Traietti (8-2, 5 KOs), a college graduate and Iraq War veteran.
“We’re building New England boxing back to where it once was years ago when intense rivalries were developed between fighters from neighboring cities and states,” Burchfield added. “Pride and bragging rights were always at stake and that’s where we’re at now. Some of the best young talent in New England will be featured July 9 on ‘Let Freedom Ring.’ We’ll celebrate the birth of this great nation with another evening of competitive, entertaining fights. Fireworks will be going off all night in the ring.”
Quincy (MA) welterweight Aleksandra Magdziak Lopes (2-1, 1 KO) plans to avenge her only loss against Providence’s Kali Reis (2-0 1 KO), who won a hotly-contested 4-round decision in their first meeting, in a 6-round rematch.
Providence firefighter Eric Estrada makes his long-awaited pro debut as a cruiserweight in a 4-round match versus TBA. Estrada, whose brother is 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada, was perfect as an amateur with a 6-0 record, including victories in the New England Golden Gloves Tournament and Rocky Marciano Tournament.
Roxbury (MA) super middleweight Maceo Crowder (2-0, 1 KO), whose brother is 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade, takes on Worcester (MA) mixed martial arts fighter Ralph Johnson, making his pro boxing debut.
Also slated to fight in 4-round bouts against opponents soon to be announced are Warwick (RI) super middleweight Keith Kozlin (5-1, 3 KOs), Woonsocket (RI) super middleweight Joe Gardner (4-1-1, 1 KO), Lincoln light welterweight Diego Pereira (4-0, 2 KOs), and Fall River (MA) middleweight Dustin Reinhold (1-1, 1 KO). All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets for “Let Freedom Ring,” priced at $35.00, $50.00, $75.00 and $100.00, are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going online at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at Twin River’s Players Club booth at Twin River, or any TicketMaster location.
Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or the Twin River Event Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.
(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “Let Freedom Ring.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.)
