UNFINISHED BUSINESS LEADS TO LONG-AWAITED REMATCH

Bruce Boyington protests to referee Jimmy Bickford after his first fight with John Raio is stopped

Lewiston, Maine (April 21, 2015) - New England Fights (NEF), Amerika se nommer een plaaslike stryd bevordering, sal sy agtiende gemengde martial arts-hou (Plaasmoorde) gebeurtenis, “NEF XVIII: Made in America,” op Saterdag, Junie 13, 2015 by die Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Vroeër vandag, the promotion announced that NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-8) sal voldoen John “First Class” Ray (2-7) on the card in a non-title bout at a weight of 150-pounds.

 

Boyington and Raio first met in February 2014 by “NEF XII” in Lewiston. Boyington dominated the early moments with his striking. Coming towards the end of the first round, Raio would take Boyington’s back and apply a rear-naked choke on the mat. The future lightweight champion waved his hand in the air, a signal which referee Jimmy Bickford took to indicate Boyington’s submission. Bickford stopped the bout and awarded the fight to Raio, drawing an immediate protest from Boyington who stated he was waving to his fans in the crowd as a sign that he was not in danger.

 

In die dae daarna, a heated debate would rage on social media over the controversial finish to the fight. Both fighters, boasting arguably the two largest fan bases in all of New England, were at the center of an epic war of words between their respective supporters. It seemed as though everyone had an opinion, and the entire state of Maine was split.

 

Things were crazy that week after the bout,” recalled NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. “Our Facebook page was flooded with comments and private messages. Everybody and their mother was weighing in. It’s probably the most controversial moment in NEF history. Fans have been asking us for over a year when the rematch would happen. The time has finally come, Junie 13 in Lewiston!”

 

Boyington would go on to have a highly successful finish to 2014, winning not one but two regional MMA titles, including the NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Championship. He would also win his professional boxing debut at NEF’s inaugural boxing event in October 2014. Boyington has, in die feit dat, won four of his last five since the Raio loss.

 

“This fight is solely about redemption and giving the fans what they have been wanting to see,” stated Boyington when reached for comment. “Sometimes you have to step outside of what is best for you in this sport and entertain and that’s what I’m doing. I like a challenge—the biggest challenge—and that time will come, but for now, its about showing people what was about to happen last time and I can still show I’m three-levels above him by making the statement I’m about to embark on. I’m done with mishaps in that cage. I’m seizing every opportunity and will not let something slip again. Mark my words, its about to get werklike in my fight.”

Raio is coming off two losses in a row to his archrival, Derek Shorey (2-1), including one defeat earlier this month at “NEF XVII.” In need of a win, the founder of First Class MMA may now be more determined than ever to return to the NEF cage.

 

“I know this is a fight that I want, Bruce wants, and a lot of MMA fans have asked for,” stated Raio when reached for comment. “I look forward to fighting Bruce. Hopefully when the fight is over, there will be no controversy.”

 

NEF se volgende MMA geval, “NEF XVIII: Made in Americawill originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on June 13, 2015. Kaartjies vir “NEF XVIII” begin by net $25 en is nou te koop by www.TheColisee.com of deur die Colisee loket by207.783.2009 x 525. Vir meer inligting oor die geleentheid en stryd kaart updates, Besoek gerus die bevordering se webwerf by www.NewEnglandFights.com. Daarbenewens, jy NEF videos kan kyk op www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, volg hulle op Twitternefights en sluit aan by die amptelike Facebook-groep "New England gevegte."

 

Oor New England Fights

 

New England Fights ("NEF") is 'n stryd gebeure promosies maatskappy. NEF se missie is om die hoogste gehalte gebeure vir Maine se vegters en fans te skep. NEF se uitvoerende span het uitgebreide ondervinding in 'n geveg sport bestuur, gebeure produksie, media verhoudings, bemarking, wetlike en advertensies.

Laat 'n antwoord