Remillard earning bones vs. Mexican fighters

By InsideFighting Wire

Mexican fighters are feared worldwide because of their toughness in the ring. WBC World Youth featherweight title-holder Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard, however, has accelerated his relatively young pro career by defeating a series of Mexican opponents.

Remillard (14-0, 7 KOs), fighting out of nearby Manchester, takes on new Texas State champion Adauto Gonzalez (10-5, 3 KOs) for the vacant WBC USNBC featherweight title in the 10-round co-feature on the “Title Wave” card, airing live this week on ESPN Friday Night Fights from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Four of Remillard’s last six opponents have been of Mexican heritage and Gonzalez continues that trend.

NABF cruiserweight champion Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey defends his belt against challenger Emmanuel Nwodo. Godfrey (16-1, 9 KOs), rated No. 5 by the WBC, faces former USBA champion, Nigerian-born Nwodo (22-4, 18 KOs), currently rated No. 12 by the WBA and No. 14 by the WBC, in the 12-round main event on “Title Wave,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), in association with Mohegan Sun and ESPN.

Remillard, recently named the NABF Top Prospect of the Year, was one of the most decorated U.S. amateur boxers during the early part of this century. He passed on an opportunity to qualify for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team and signed a pro contract with CES in 2005. As an amateur boxer, Matt Remillard defeated several highly rated national opponents, including top pro prospects such as Brandon Rios (18-0, 12 KOs) and John Jackson (12-1, 12 KOs).

Two years ago, Matt suffered a serious wrist injury that twice required surgery, keeping him sidelined for nearly 1 ½ years, as well as costing him his WBC Youth super featherweight title belt.

While rehabilitating his wrist, Remillard remained in the gym daily to stretch, run, walk and do calisthenics. Unable to use his left hand, he strengthened his right, and eventually learned how to comfortably fight as a southpaw. His versatility has paid off in three impressive wins since his return.

2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada (13-1, 3 KOs), rated No. 11 by the NABF and NABO, faces Texas champion Domonic Jenkins (13-8-1, 6 KOs) in an eight-round Special Heavyweight Attraction.

In a pair of four-round bouts, Ledyard’s (CT) unbeaten super middleweight Brian Macy (4-0, 1 KO), 2000 National PAL champion and U. of Connecticut graduate, faces Shawn Kirk (4-2, 2 KOs), while light heavyweight Keith Kozlin makes his pro debut versus Borngard Washington (0-3).

In two four-round female bouts on the undercard, Hartford’s popular welterweight Addy Irizarry (5-2, 2 KOs) is up against her toughest challenge in former world champion Yvonne “Silk” Reiss (7-12-1) and Mystic (CT) super bantamweight Karen Dulin (0-1) goes for her first pro victory versus Christina Leadbeater (1-1, 1 KO). All fighters and bouts are subject to change.

Tickets for “Title Wave” are priced at $30.00, $45.00, $75.00 and $100.00 and available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going on line at www.cesboxing.com or www.mohegansun.com, at the Mohegan Sun box office or any TicketMaster outlet.

Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) for more information. Doors open at 6:30 PM/ET, first bout at 7:30 PM/ET.