Ardent boxing fans have made it a practice since the fall of 1998 to catch or record ESPN’s Friday Night Fights each week to watch exciting bouts and listen to expert analysis by the commentators.
For the first time in the show’s history, the national telecast will beam locally tomorrow (Friday, August 12) as Rumble Time Promotions presents a thrilling card at the Ameristar Casino featuring local lightweight product Dannie Williams, as well as former IBF world champion Kermit Cintron.
“Dangerous” Dannie Williams had a spectacular amateur career before turning pro and amassing a record of 18-1 with an impressive seventy-four percent knockout rate.
He will appear in the co-main event and will face a stern test in the form of Antonio “El Bazooka” Cervantes (16-5-5). “El Bazooka” is a tough customer from Baja, California who will look to upset the hard-charging hometown man in front of his following.
Kermit “The Killer” Cintron (32-4-1) is a Puerto Rican product who has made quite a name for himself since his pro debut eleven years ago.
With 28 wins coming by stoppage, it’s clear that when “The Killer” steps through the ropes there is always an expectation of fireworks.
Cintron will be looking to right the ship after a pair of decision losses to Paul Williams and Carlos Molina.
Challenging him will be Antwone “The Truth” Smith (20-2-1), a rising prospect from Miami looking to build on a five year career that has taken him from Florida to Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
Regular readers of this column will be familiar with the name Stephon Young, the highly decorated amateur mentioned many times over the years.
He will make his professional debut tomorrow night, where those in attendance can watch him take the first steps in his next career.
Keandre Gibson is another athlete we’ve watched grow from tournament to tournament. The welterweight will look to continue his momentum after a knockout win in April as he puts his undefeated 3-0 record on the line against Dean McBaine.
In addition to an exciting lineup, there will also be cruiserweight and heavyweight tussles included to raise the temperature.
Tomorrow night the eyes of the boxing world will be focused on St. Louis as hot local and national prospects look to showcase their skills and make new fans from coast to coast.
Tickets for Friday Night Fights at Ameristar are priced at $35, $55 and $100 and are available at the Ameristar Casino gift shop or by calling (314)662-2000.
