MASHANTUCKET, Conn.- Rapper/boxing promoter Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson will celebrate his birthday with a bang on Wednesday, July 2 as his company, SMS Promotions, presents a special edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights at Grand Theater in Fox Tower at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
Undefeated 50 Cent-promoted junior lightweight Mark “Too Sharp” Davis (18-0, 5 KOs) takes on Filipino knockout artist Michael “Hammer Fist” Farenas (38-4-4, 30 KOs) in a 12-round International Boxing Federation (IBF) title eliminator.
The winner of this main event fight will become the mandatory challenger for the winner of the July 10 title match between IBF junior lightweight champion Argenis Mendez and challenger Rances Barthelemy.
50 Cent, who owns a mansion in Farmington, Connecticut, is going home to celebrate his 39th birthday, technically speaking four days early, along with a star-studded list of friends and fans at a party in Foxwoods starting at 10 p.m. ET for those not attending the fights. All Tier 1 ($100.00) ticket holders will be entitled to free admission to 50’s birthday party.
“I’m on the road constantly so I really enjoy coming home to Connecticut to celebrate my birthday with my family and friends,” 50 Cent said. “I had so much fun last year that I had to make it an annual event. It’s going to be fantastic!”
Davis is a 27-year-old pure boxer. Fighting out of Cleveland, he had more than 200 amateur bouts, highlighted by his gold medal winning performance at the 2005 U.S. National Championships.
Farenas is a battle-tested veteran from the Philippines who has never been stopped in 47 professional fights. He lost a 12-round decision to another SMS fighter, multiple world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa, in 2012 for the interim World Boxing Association (WBA) super featherweight title, after fighting WBA super featherweight champion Takashi Uchiyama to a draw in Japan.
Former IBF featherweight champion Billy “The Kid” Dib (36-3, 21 KOs), from Australia, is moving up one weight class to super featherweight in the 10-round ESPN FNF co-feature against former WBA featherweight title challenger Alberto “Kichis” Garza (26-7-1, 21 KOs), of Mexico City.
Undefeated SMS Promotions lightweight prospect Ryan “Blue Chip” Martin (6-0, 3 KOs), fighting out of Cleveland, squares off with Albuquerque’s Matthew “Champ” Baca (4-1-1, 2 KOs) in the four-round ESPN opener.
Former S. Connecticut State University football player, unbeaten New Haven lightweight Jimmy Williams (6-0, 3 KOs), meets Bronx veteran Stephen Owusu (8-6, 4 KOs) in a six-round fight. Williams won the Connecticut State 154-pound title in his last fight, stopping Christian Lao in the opening round this past May 31st.
Undefeated WIBA International super bantamweight champion Shelly “Shelito’s Way” Vincent (11-0, 1 KO), of Providence, faces former IWBF bantamweight titlist Nadia “Da Phenomenal” Feliciano (7-5-3, 0 KOs), fighting out of the Bronx, in a six-round, non-title bout.
Also scheduled to fight on the undercard is a four-round intra-New England match-up between undefeated Nick DeLomba (3-0), of Cranston, RI, vs. New Haven (CT) welterweight Edwin Soto (9-1-2, 4 KOs)
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets are priced at $100.00, $75.00 and $45.00 and are on sale online at www.foxwoods.com, calling Foxwoods’ box office at (800) 200-2882, or in person at Foxwoods’ box office. Tickets will also be available to purchase through any Ticketmaster outlet and online at www.ticketmaster.com.
Doors at Grand Theater in Fox Tower will open at 6 p.m. ET. The first bout will start at 7 p.m. ET with ESPN FNF between 9-11 p.m. ET.
Doors to the after party will open at 10:00 p.m. ET. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.foxwoods.com, calling Foxwoods’ box office at (800) 200-2882, or in person at Foxwoods’ box office.
