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.