Tag Archives: Maine

amateur mixed martial arts, Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

FIGHTERS HOPE TO SETTLE THEIR DIFFERENCES IN THE CAGE AT NEF 22

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Lewiston, Maine (March 4, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE” on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card will feature a mix of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional lightweight contest to the MMA portion of the “NEF 22” fight card.  Matt “Ken Doll” Denning (2-1) will meet Josh “Hook On” Harvey (0-0) at a fight weight of 150-pounds.

 

Lewiston’s Matt Denning is coming off the first loss of his professional career this past November against Jon Lemke (5-4).  Prior to that defeat, Denning was riding a four-fight win streak, all four of those wins coming by way of submission.  He is a member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ).  Denning acknowledges personal issues have existed in the past between he and Harvey, culminating in a cageside confrontation between the two athletes at the close of “NEF XV” in the fall of 2014.

 

“I’m honored to have been asked specifically for this fight,” said Denning.  “Josh is the 155 ammy champ and is an amazing fighter.  I’m excited to watch him continue his career as a pro and move up to the top of the professional rankings.  We had some personal issues between the two of us because of a poor decision I made, and I hope with us fighting it will clear the air and I’ll be able to cross train with him and Young’s MMA.  We gotta give the fans what they want and this is what they wanted.  I look forward to seeing everyone April 23rd.”

 

The bout will indeed be the professional debut for Harvey after an amateur career in which he went 5-1.  He is the reigning NEF MMA Amateur Lightweight Champion, a title which he will now vacate as a professional.  Harvey capped off his amateur stint with a highlight reel knockout over Ryan Dibartolomeo (4-4), a victory that solidified his position as the northeast region’s top-ranked amateur lightweight.  Harvey is a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine.  He recently signed a long-term NEF developmental deal.

 

“I’m feeling blessed to be a signed professional cage fighter,” said Harvey.  “I’m one step closer to my goal and April 23rd I’ll take another.  I’ve wanted a chance to fight ‘Ken Doll’ ever since I met him – he is just one of those guys.  I’m thankful for the opportunity.”

 

“One thing is very clear in this matchup – Josh and Matt don’t like each other,” stated NEF matchmaker and co-owner Matt Peterson.  “There is some deep, pent-up frustration that has been percolating between these two for a long time – and on April 23rd, the cork comes out.  It’s going to be spectacular.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” takes place Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 22” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée 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 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 (“NEF”) is a fight 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.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

CAPE COD GETS ITS FIRST MMA CAGEFIGHTING EVENT; BATTLES & LAMONTE TO MAKE PRO DEBUTS

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Hyannis, Massachusetts (March 4, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, announced today that it will bring Cape Cod its first-ever mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event this spring.  The event, entitled “NEF 23: NEF CAGES THE CAPE,” will take place on May 14, 2016 at the Hyannis Youth & Community Center (HYCC) in Hyannis, Massachusetts.  Both professional and amateur MMA bouts will be presented that evening.

 

To date, NEF has held twenty-two events, a mix of MMA and boxing shows, in the state of Maine.  The promotion was formed in 2012 by business partners Nick DiSalvo and Matt Peterson.  NEF has a reputation of putting on action-packed events in venues filled with thousands of rabid fight fans.  The promotion has a large, dedicated fan base unmatched by any of its competitors on the regional level.  Over the years, NEF’s cage has played host to UFC veterans such as Marcus Davis (22-11) and two-time UFC World Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia (31-10), among others.  NEF co-promoted a nationally-televised event with Bellator in the spring of 2013.  Its fight highlights have been featured prominently on AXS TV, TUFF TV and the “World’s Greatest Knockouts” on Spike TV.

 

“The NEF brand is expanding,” noted DiSalvo.  “Cape Cod is hungry for an MMA event.  I’m surprised it’s taken this long to happen with so many great teams located in the area.  NEF is honored to be the first to present an MMA show on the Cape.”

 

One MMA team whose fighters will be featured prominently on the May 14 card will be Hyannis-based Team Juniko.

 

“This show will be the first MMA show on Cape Cod in Team Juniko’s backyard,” remarked Team Juniko coach Mike Gresh.  “Congrats NEF!”

 

Gresh is a longtime, respected leader in the New England MMA community.  Two of his team’s members have been confirmed as making their professional debuts on May 14 – Erin “Fun Size” Lamonte and Brendan “Lockdown” Battles.

 

Scituate’s Erin Lamonte put together a perfect 6-0 record as an amateur competitor.  She is coming off back-to-back submission victories in Lewiston, Maine.

 

“I cannot wait for NEF to come to the Cape,” exclaimed Lamonte.  “All but one of my fights have been out of state, so I am so excited to fight in front of all my family and friends in my own backyard!  Don’t miss it.  May 14th ‘Fun Size’ goes pro and makes her presence known in the women’s straweight division!”

 

Brendan Battles is a native of nearby Eastham, Massachusetts where he was a three-time All-American wrestler for Nauset Regional High School.  Battles won two state championships and three New England regional championships while amassing a total of 161 wins over the course of his high school wrestling career.  Later, Battles played defensive end and tackle for the University of Connecticut.

 

“It’s an honor to fight down the street from my hometown and the gym where I train,” said Battles.  “It gives me the chills to fight my very first professional fight on my home turf, with my family, friends, and all who supports me to see the work I’ve put in and the fighter I have evolved into at this point of my career.”

 

“NEF 23: NEF CAGES THE CAPE,” takes place Saturday, May 14, 2016 at the Hyannis Youth & Community Center in Hyannis, Massachusetts.  Tickets for “NEF 23” are $40 for general admission and $60 for cageside.  They are on sale now at www.NewEnglandFights.com/Tickets/ .

 

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

Amateur MMA, boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

SECOND PRO BOXING BOUT ANNOUNCED FOR NEF 22

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Lewiston, Maine (February 25, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE” on Saturday, April 23, 2016at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card will feature a mix of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a light-heavyweight contest to the boxing portion of the “NEF 22” fight card.  Crowsneck Boutin (0-0-1) is scheduled to face Brandon Montella (3-0, 2 KOs) in a four-round bout.

 

Crowsneck Boutin, a regular on NEF MMA cards since 2012, made his professional boxing debut earlier this month on the “NEF 21” event in Lewiston.  He fought Joel Bishop (0-0-2) to a draw in an exciting slugfest that had the Colisée crowd on the edge of its collective seat.  Boutin, considered the underdog in that bout, expertly worked his jab to control the first two rounds of the fight.  Like the Bishop match, Boutin is preparing for another war with Montella on April 23.

 

“Brandon is a very tough opponent,” said Boutin.  “He’s going to present me with many obstacles. My training is grueling and I’ll be prepared for a war.”

 

Brandon Montella is a 1998 graduate of Carrabec High School in North Anson, Maine.  Following graduation, Montella joined the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and served until 2003 with an honorable discharge.  Montella worked in construction in Virginia until 2011 when he moved with his wife to the Boston, Massachusetts area.  He owns and operates The Way, LLC boxing gym in Woburn, Massachusetts.

 

“Coming back home from to Maine after all these years to fight in a place of such history is an amazing feeling,” said Montella.  “It will bring my friends and family from the past and the present together under one roof for an awesome event.”

 

Montella had a very successful amateur boxing career with a final record of 14-7.  In 2011, he won the prestigious Rocky Marciano Tournament.  Montella went on to win the New England Golden Gloves the following year.  He turned pro in 2015 and has won his first three bouts with two finishes.

 

“As far as my opponent Crowsneck Boutin, I have seen his fights and read his back story,” Montella continued.  “What I see is a man like myself – someone who is determined to change his life and take matters into his own hands instead of sitting around like too many men do today. When two men as determined as we are get in the ring in front of a large crowd, magic happens. We grow larger than life and the fans get one hell of a treat.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” takes place Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 22” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée 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 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 (“NEF”) is a fight 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.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

BOXING HEADLINER ANNOUNCED FOR NEF 22

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Lewiston, Maine (February 22, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE” on Saturday, April 22, 2016at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card will feature a mix of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the main event of the boxing portion of the “NEF 22” fight card.  Northeast Junior Welterweight Champion Brandon “The Cannon” Berry (11-1, 7 KOs) will take on James Lester (10-9, 4 KOs) in a non-title, six-round bout at 140-pounds.

 

Berry, the pride of small-town West Forks, Maine, has shined since returning from a shoulder injury last year.  He has won his last three in a row, including a technical knockout (TKO) stoppage of Tollison Lewis (2-1, 1 KO) earlier this month in Lewiston.  The upcoming fight with Lester will see Berry return to his native 140-pound junior welterweight division for the first time since his injury.  All three of his recent wins have come in the heavier welterweight and super welterweight divisions.

 

“April 23rd will be a big turning point in my boxing career,” said Berry when reached for comment.  “This will be my fourth time headlining NEF’s boxing portion of the event, and I want to thank Nick (DiSalvo, NEF promoter), Matt (Peterson, NEF matchmaker) and Pete (Czymbor, NEF Director of Boxing Operations) for the opportunity.  I asked for a challenge and to make it back down to my regular fight weight of 140-pounds, and that’s what I’m getting with Detroit’s James Lester.  I think the crowd will be very happy and impressed with the talent level James brings. This is a big test for me and I hope that with nine weeks to prepare it’s a test that I can pass.  He brings so much to the table that can give me problems in the ring, so me showing up anything less than 100% will be unacceptable.

 

“I know that Tommy (Duquette), Ed (LaVache), Luke (Yetten) and the rest of Boston Boxing will push me to the limit and bring me into the ring prepared.  James Lester has been around and fought some very good fighters.  He had an amazing amateur career, and has spent years training at one of the most legendary boxing facility’s in the world, the Kronk Gym.  Who doesn’t want to see this fight?  See you all April 23rd, and as always thank you all so much for the amazing support.  The tickets sales are unreal.”

 

As Berry noted, James Lester is a product of the world-famous Kronk Gym of Detroit, Michigan.  It was there he honed his craft alongside world champions like Thomas “Hitman” Hearns (61-5-1, 48 KOs), Oscar De La Hoya (39-6, 30 KOs), Lennox Lewis (41-2-1, 32 KOs) and Wladimir Klitschko (64-4, 53 KOs), to name a few, under legendary trainer Emanuel Steward.  As an amateur, Lester was ranked nationally at number-two.  He competed against the likes of future Olympian Andre Dirrell (24-2, 16 KOs) and future WBC Super Middleweight Champion Anthony Dirrell (28-1-1, 22 KOs) while in the amateur ranks.   The bout with Berry will mark the second time Lester has ventured to New England in his professional career.  He competed on a card in Worcester, Massachusetts in 2011.  Lester looks forward to making his return to the region.

 

“Fighting Brandon will be exciting, and I’m ready for anything he has to bring,” said Lester.  “Fighting in New England was awesome a few years ago against Ryan Kielczewski (24-1, 7 KOs).  I met some real good people there and can’t wait to come put on a show for them again.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” takes place Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 22” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée 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 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 (“NEF”) is a fight 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.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

BOYINGTON RETAINS, THREE NEW CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT NEF 21

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Lewiston, Maine (February 7, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, held its most recent event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” Saturday night at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The Colisée was a packed house for the promotion’s second hybrid mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing event.  Fight fans were treated to a marathon evening of nonstop action featuring 26 bouts in total.

 

In the MMA main event of the evening, in what can only be described as a “thriller,” Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (13-8) defeated Jon Lemke (5-4) via split decision to retain the NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Title.  Boyington and Lemke battled back-and-forth for five brutal rounds in what many in attendance were calling one of the best fights in NEF history.

 

In the boxing headliner, Northeast Junior Welterweight Champion Brandon “The Cannon” Berry (11-1) handed Tollison Lewis the first loss of his professional boxing career (2-1) with a second-round stoppage via technical knockout (TKO).

 

On the amateur MMA portion of the card, three inaugural champions were crowned.  Ryan Glover (3-1) took home the light heavyweight title after defeating Mike Williams (1-1), while Johnny Crafts (4-0) captured the bantamweight strap and Ricky Dexter (5-2) won the welterweight championship.

 

NEF also announced that its next event would take place on April 23, 2016, once again at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston.

 

The results from Lewiston, Maine:

 

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

 

Brandon Berry def. Tollison Lewis via TKO, round 2

Evincii Dixon def. Antonio Chaves Fernandez via unanimous decision

Crowsneck Boutin fought Joel Bishop to a unanimous draw

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

Bruce Boyington def. Jon Lemke via split decision (Boyington retains lightweight title)

Josh Lange def. Derek Shorey via rear-naked choke, round 1

Zach Elkins def. Mike Hansen via guillotine, round 1

CJ Ewer def. Zenon Herrera via ankle lock submission, round 1

Alex Henry def. Andrew Tripp via KO, round 1

Brandon Warne def. Norman Fox via guillotine, round 1

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

Ryan Glover def. Mike Williams via armbar, round 2 (Glover wins light heavyweight title)

Ricky Dexter def. Caleb Farrington via TKO, round 1 (Dexter wins welterweight title)

Johnny Crafts def. Henry Clark via TKO, round 3 (Crafts wins bantamweight title)

Rafael Velado def. Mike Peitersen via split decision

Erin Lamonte def. Randi Beth Boyington via rear-naked choke, round 1

Erik Nelson def. Julio Martinez via unanimous decision

Matt Glover def. Gravin Guillen via TKO, round 1

Taylor Costantino def. Frank Johanson via TKO, round 1

Brendan Battles def. Dave Smith via TKO, round 1

Ras Hylton def. Zak Bergeron via TKO, round 1

Adam Nielsen def. Ruben Redman via TKO, round 1

Dustin Shorey def. Juan Meneses via TKO, round 1

Tom Burgess def. Caleb Swoveland via unanimous decision

Chad Murillo def. Tony Agust via split decision

Jake Denham def. Justin Witham via verbal submission, round 2

Richmond Pierce Wiegman def. Clifford Redman via TKO, round 2

Caleb Costello def. David Thompson via KO, round 1

 

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” takes place Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 22” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at207.783.2009 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 videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

NEW ENGLAND FIGHTS TO HOLD WEIGH-INS THIS FRIDAY AT LEWISTON RAMADA

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Lewiston, Maine (February 3, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” this Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts with an MMA cage and a boxing ring set up side-by-side.  Earlier today, the promotion announced that it would hold the event weigh-in this Friday, February 5, 2016, at 2:00 pm EST at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Center.  The Ramada is located at 490 Pleasant Street in Lewiston, Maine.

 

Weigh-ins are open to the public and free to attend.  All of the fighters competing on Saturday night will be at the weigh-in, including MMA headliners Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (12-8) and Jon Lemke (5-3), as well as boxing main event participants Brandon “The Cannon” Berry (10-1) and Tollison Lewis (2-0).  Fans and press are encouraged to attend.  For those unable to make it to the Ramada on Friday, weigh-ins will be streamed live on the NEF Youtube page at www.Youtube.com/nefmma.

 

The “NEF 21” fight card:

 

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

149 POUNDS: Tollison Lewis vs. Brandon Berry

147 POUNDS: Evincii Dixon vs. Antonio Chaves Fernandez

175 POUNDS: Crowsneck Boutin vs. Joel Bishop

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

155 POUND TITLE: Jon Lemke vs. Bruce Boyington (c)

145 POUNDS: Derek Shorey vs. Josh Lange

185 POUNDS: Zach Elkins vs. Mike Hansen

155 POUNDS: Zenon Herrera vs. CJ Ewer

170 POUNDS: Andrew Tripp vs. Alex Henry

125 POUNDS: Norman Fox vs. Brandon Warne

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

205 POUND TITLE: Mike Williams vs. Ryan Glover

170 POUND TITLE: Ricky Dexter vs. Caleb Farrington

135 POUND TITLE: Henry Clark vs. Johnny Crafts

145 POUNDS: Rafael Velado vs. Mike Peitersen

120 POUNDS: Erin Lamonte vs. Randi Beth Boyington

140 POUNDS: Erik Nelson vs. Julio Martinez

265 POUNDS: Gravin Guillen vs. Matt Glover

155 POUNDS: Frank Johanson vs. Taylor Costantino

265 POUNDS: Brendan Battles vs. Dave Smith

230 POUNDS: Zak Bergeron vs. Ras Hylton

170 POUNDS: Adam Nielsen vs. Ruben Redman

155 POUNDS: Dustin Shorey vs. Juan Meneses

160 POUNDS: Caleb Swoveland vs. Tom Burgess

155 POUNDS: Tony Agust vs. Chad Murillo

125 POUNDS: Justin Witham vs. Jake Denham

140 POUNDS: Clifford Redman vs. Richmond Pierce Wiegman

135 POUNDS: David Thompson vs. Caleb Costello

 

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes place this Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Bell time is 7:00 PM EST.  Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée 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 videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

amateur mixed martial arts, Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA

GLOVER AND WILLIAMS TO FACE OFF FOR NEF GOLD

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Lewiston, Maine (February 1, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” this Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. The fight card is scheduled to feature both mixed martial arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts. Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of an amateur light heavyweight championship bout to the card. Ryan Glover (2-1) will face Mike Williams (1-0) for the inaugural NEF amateur 205-pound title.

 

Prior to competing in MMA, Ryan Glover was a standout dual sport athlete at Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, Maine. A state champion wrestler, Glover made his biggest mark on the football field where he was named the “Football Player of the Year” by the Lewiston Sun Journal in 2010.

 

Last year, Glover faced Billy “Bigfoot” Leahy (3-1) for the NEF amateur heavyweight championship. Glover lost a close decision in an exciting, hard-hitting physical contest. Now, faster and more agile at a lower weight, Glover has his sights set on finally achieving NEF gold.

 

“The weight cut has not been fun, but has gone easier than expected,” stated Glover, when asked about his cut down to 205-pounds. “I feel a lot better as I approach 205 and I think I’ll like fighting at this weight. It’s going to be bittersweet to hold the belt at 205. I lost a close slugfest last June simply because I didn’t stick to our game plan. I dropped the ball that night and you can rest assured that’s not going to happen again. I hope Williams has been training as hard as I have, because, if so, it’s going to be a fight that no one wants to miss. I’ll see you February 6th and don’t be late—this is a show worth traveling 1000 miles for.”

 

Mike Williams took a collective gasp out of the Androscoggin Bank Colisee when he came out guns blazing in his debut at “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” last November. Williams, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) blue belt and member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (CMBJJ) in Auburn, blasted fellow newcomer Joe Krech (0-1) out of the gate before securing a fight-ending armbar in a spectacular 26-seconds into the first round. The dizzying debut was enough to earn the impressive young Williams a shot at NEF gold.

 

“This fight is just another step and he’s in the way,” stated Williams flatly when asked for comment.

 

“This is another Easter egg of a fight on a star-studded card that is destined to deliver for the whole night,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “When I look at this fight and the skill sets that both Ryan and Mike bring to the cage, I get goose bumps. Both are athletic, aggressive, young and hungry guys that want to turn heads when they compete—and will stop at nothing to win. Based on what I’ve witnessed in their fights so far, I don’t see an ounce of quit in either fighter. I can’t wait to watch the way this one goes down on Saturday.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes place Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at207.783.2009 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 videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

amateur boxing, Amateur MMA, boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

SIZE AND POWER MEET TECHNIQUE IN NEF 21 BOXING MAIN EVENT

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Lewiston, Maine (January 5, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card is scheduled to feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the main event of the professional boxing portion of the “NEF 21” fight card.  Northeast Junior Welterweight Champion Brandon “The Cannon” Berry (10-1) will take on the undefeated Tollison Lewis (2-0) in a super welterweight contest scheduled for six rounds.

 

“This is a classic battle of size and strength against technique,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “In one corner you have a polished boxer with a solid amateur background in the form of Brandon Berry, and he will be fighting in a heavier weight class in this bout.  In the other corner you have a powerful brawler with an MMA background in the form of Tollison Lewis, and he has fought most of his career at 155 and 170-pounds.  You can’t script a better contrast in styles for a bout like this.  Just about anything could happen.  It’s anyone’s fight.  It’s going to be wild in the Colisee when this one goes off.”

 

Berry is coming off what many consider to be the defining win of his still-young professional career over gritty Mexican veteran Roberto Valenzuela (73-70-2) last November at “NEF XX.”  Despite suffering a bad cut above his eye early in the fight, Berry maintained his composure and looked sharp on his way to a unanimous decision victory in the first eight-round fight of his career.  The West Forks, Maine native was a 2013 Northern New England Golden Gloves champion as an amateur.  The fight with Lewis is expected to be the last Berry will compete in above his usual 140-pound junior welterweight division.

 

“It’s great to be getting back in action inside the ring so soon, especially after suffering such a nasty cut over my eye from my last fight in November,” said Berry.  “Thank you NEF for putting yet another very tough opponent in front of me.  Tollison is a class act in and out of the ring, and I think our styles will make a crowd pleasing bout.  I remember being undefeated still and I know how important keeping the ‘0’ on the record is.  Tollison is a big, strong athlete and I’m sure he will be more than prepared.  Both him and I understand competition, and will most likely be friends after this event.  I’m glad to be sharing this main event fight with him, and may the best man win!”

 

Tollison Lewis’s foray into the boxing world was unplanned.  In October 2014, just 24-hours prior to the start of the first “NEF Boxing” event, Lewis stepped in to face boxing veteran John Webster (8-7-1) after Webster’s previous opponent fell out.  NEF executives, familiar with Lewis’s striking prowess in his MMA bouts, asked Lewis to take the fight at the last minute and Lewis did not hesitate to oblige.  He went on to bully Webster for four rounds, (including knocking Webster out of the ring onto the timekeeper’s table), scoring a unanimous decision victory.  This past November, in yet another dominant performance in the NEF boxing ring, Lewis stopped Zenon Herrera (0-1) with a third-round TKO.  A win over a boxer of Berry’s caliber, no doubt, would propel Lewis to the next level in the sport.  Lewis is a member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) in Lewiston where he trains under boxing coach Scott Frost.

 

“Brandon is a tough guy and a good boxer,” said Lewis.  “I’m expecting a war.  I’ll be bringing everything I got, and I know he will too, but I’m planning on staying undefeated.  I’m not going to run my mouth.  I have a lot of respect for Berry, but fans do not want to miss this.  This fight will be a war and steal the night.  Thank you NEF and Brandon, let’s do it man!”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes placeSaturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée 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 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 (“NEF”) is a fight 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.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

OF CROWS & BULLS: FIRST BOXING MATCH ANNOUNCED FOR NEF 21

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Lewiston, Maine (December 9, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card is scheduled to feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the first professional boxing match officially signed for the “NEF 21” fight card.  Joel “Baby Bull” Bishop (0-0-1) will meet Crowsneck Boutin (0-0) in a four-round light-heavyweight contest.

 

Joel Bishop is a 2004 graduate of Upper Kennebec Valley Senior High School in Bingham, Maine.  It was during high school that Bishop began boxing.  He put together an amateur boxing record of 10-4, and in 2009 won the New England Tournament of Champions Heavyweight Sub Novice championship.  Bishop has twice made it to the finals of the Northern New England Golden Gloves.  In October 2014, Bishop made his professional debut against another NEF MMA regular, Jarod Lawton (0-0-1) and fought to a draw in Lewiston in what was a back-and-forth slugfest.

 

“I’m very excited to get back in the ring at NEF 21,” exclaimed Bishop.  “I was at the last dual show and there was a ton of energy and excitement.  On February 6th, I’ll be fighting a very tough, active fighter in Crowsneck Boutin, and I will do my best to give the fans an exciting bout.”

 

Crowsneck Boutin is a mainstay of the NEF roster, having competed in no less than 14 of the promotion’s previous MMA events as both an amateur and a professional.  In 2014, he was voted “Fighter of the Year” by the NEF fans after going undefeated with three wins that year.  Boutin will be making his professional boxing debut at “NEF 21,” but he will undoubtedly be prepared for the task, training under boxing coach Jon Pinette, an international boxing champion himself, at the Choi Institute in Portland, Maine.
“Very thankful, very fortunate for this opportunity,” said Boutin.  “Joel is a tough opponent, but it isn’t my intention to let this fight reach the scorecards. It will be my pleasure to stand and gun.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes placeSaturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée 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 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 (“NEF”) is a fight 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.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

FINALLY!  LONG-AWAITED BATTLE FOR BANGOR TO TAKE PLACE AT NEF 21

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Lewiston, Maine (December 8, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card is scheduled to feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the main event of the MMA portion of the fight card. Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (12-8) will defend the NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Championship against the challenge of number-one contender Jon Lemke (5-3).  Both Boyington and Lemke are veterans of the United States Marine Corps (USMC).

 

Boyington is riding high on a three-fight win streak.  Earlier this fall, he made his debut on the national stage, defeating Rodrigo Almeida (13-3) on a World Series of Fighting (WSOF) card in Connecticut.  Boyington followed up that win with a decisive third-round TKO victory over Jimmy Davidson (7-2) last month at “NEF XX” in a successful defense of his title.  A product of Young’s MMA, and the head of Boyington’s Taekwondo Academy, both located in Bangor, Maine, Boyington has been on an unstoppable tear since losing a non-title fight to Jamie Harrison (6-1) early in 2015.  He has won six of his last seven in the MMA cage, and holds another victory in the NEF boxing ring during the course of that run.

 

“I wouldn’t want to be Jon Lemke going into that cage with me right about now, that’s what I’m thinking, if I’m being honest,” said Boyington.  “I don’t really understand why he would want a fight with me right now, and I do believe he will show up and give his best effort, but I wouldn’t want to fight me right now. I’m dangerous, and my confidence is through the roof and when it’s like this, it is going to take a world-class athlete to stop me, and my focus this whole camp will be on remaining humble and focused. When February 6th comes, I will be the most dangerous Bruce Boyington that has ever stepped foot in the cage, and I know if I want to be in there right now, I’m really going to be hungry by then.”

 

The bout is one that Maine fight fans have waited a long time to see.  Boyington and Lemke have stood atop the NEF lightweight division together for several years now, their careers paralleling one another.  With Lemke competing out of Marcus Davis’ Team Irish in nearby Brewer, Maine, the cross-town rival of Young’s MMA, Boyington and Lemke seemed like natural rivals.  But they often passed like ships in the night, and the stars never aligned for an encounter between the two.  That was until “NEF XX” last month when, just moments before Boyington took to the cage against Davidson, Lemke vanquished Matt Denning (2-1) in that evening’s co-main event.  It was an impressive performance that saw Lemke overwhelm a game Denning as the first round went on.  With both Lemke and Boyington scheduled to appear on the February card, and neither having an opponent signed, the time was ripe for the “Battle for Bangor,” as fans have dubbed it, to finally take place.

“I am so incredibly grateful and excited to be fighting for NEF once again and especially an opportunity to fight for the title,” said Lemke.  “Those who know my story know what a long road this has been for me, which makes it all the more special.  Bruce is the man and has done a phenomenal job promoting himself as champion, and in the process brought a lot of attention to the rest of the MMA community in the area.  He has a couple of titles with different promotions and had fights on the national stage.  He presents a unique and explosive set of challenges that I very much look forward to rising up and meeting that challenge head on. This is going to be a great fight that fans are not going to want to miss, so get your tickets and come on down.”

 

“I don’t know if there’s any single fight fans ask us to see more than this one,” exclaimed NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “It seems like at least a few times a week we’re getting messages asking ‘when are we going to see the Battle for Bangor between Lemke and Boyington?’  Well, it’s happening onFebruary 6 at ‘NEF 21,’ and everyone within our organization is just as excited as the fans to see it!”

 

“The back story to this bout is incredible,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.  “Nothing is manufactured – it’s completely authentic and gut wrenching.  This fight has been a long time coming, and I have a feeling that the lead-in to February 6th will be unlike anything we’ve ever witnessed in the countdown to a showdown of this magnitude where so much more than just bragging rights are on the line.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes placeSaturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée 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 videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”