“THE TRILOGY”
WOODS vs CONNOR III
FIGHTS AT THE FITZ AUGUST 25, 2012 – Featuring a Guest Appearance By United States Olympic Gold Medal Boxer CLARESSA SHIELDS
MEMPHIS, TN – Prize Fight returns on August 25th as it presents the latest installment of “Fights at the Fitz” from the Grand Ballroom at Fitzgerald’s Hotel & Casino in Tunica, MS. There have been many first class line ups featuring many world class boxers during the impressive eight year run of the “Fights at the Fitz” series, but the August 25th show is sure to be a special event. This Fights at the Fitz features the long awaited third showdown of Kim Connor and “Notorious” Nicole Woods. The first two battles between these two women were epic and unforgetable and the third shapes up to be possibly better than it’s predecessors.
These ladies first met on January 30, 2010 at Fitz and stunned the audience with a back and forth war that had the capacity crowd on their feet throughout the stimulating eight rounds of gloved combat. As the final bell rang both women staggered to their respective corners and the crowd cheered wildly. The fights was in the hands of the judges now and it was sure to be ahrd fight to score as both women had dominating moments throughout the contest. Consequently, after the scores were tallied the bout was ruled a draw as the three judges saw it all different from eachother. Judge David McNeil scored the bout 80-72 for Kim Connor, judge Reccia Mullins scored the bout 76-76 a draw and judge Gerald Deming scored the bout 77-75 for Nicole Woods as the eventual outcome of the fight was a Draw.
Neither Connor nor Woods were satisfied with the open ended resolution of the first bout and were eager to square off agin in a rematch. That eventual rematch came to fruition just ten months later on November 6, 2010 once again at the Fitz. Connor vs Woods II sure did not fail to meet the fireworks of the original as both women went toe to toe from the opening bell. The first bout ten months previous was all the feeling out process these ladies needed as they exchanged heavy leather from the opning bell. Connor seemed to have an advantage in the early going but was still receiving punishment in return for her constant pressure of Woods. This strategy caught up to Connor in round six as she walked into a straight right hand left hook combination from Woods that put her on the canvas. Subsequently, Connor was able to answer referee Randy Phillips’s count by eigth and the fight continued. Connor fought the seventh and eighth as if she was never knocked down in the sixth and closed the match with a flurry of unanswered punches. Finally, as they had to ten months previous, both girls had to wait on the judges to render the final outcome of this classic boxing match. As the sold out crowd and anxious fighters waited the ring announcer read the final verdict. This one would not end in question as all three judges scored the fight exactly the same, 77-76 for Kim Connor.
Now after waiting over one and a half years fight fans and these ladies will get what they have been asking for. Nicole Woods feels like she won both fights and will get the opportunity to prove it on August 25th. Kim Connor aims to silence any doubt from the previous two fights. Both boxers stated a goal to not leave the third bout to the judges and end it in a knockout. No matter the outcome one thing is for sure; fight fans are in for a night of fighting that they will never forget as these two women put on a mezmerizing event every time they enter the boxing ring against eachother. Woods vs Connor III is scheduled for eight rounds for the Mid-South Lightweight Championship.
As if the aforementioned Trilogy between the women wasn’t worth the price of admission alone, Prize Fight is set to deliver a star studded four bout undercard. One of the fights featured on this undercard is the professional debut of star studded United States amateur sensation Tony Mack. Mid-South boxing fans may remember him from his stint representing the Memphis Force with the World Series of Boxing. Mack has long been considered one of the top amateur performers in United States boxing circles and will make his professional debut at the Fitz against AJ Johnson of Sardis, MS. There will also be another female attraction on the card as Southaven, MS’s Marketa Mamiaro makes her professional boxing debut against former Louisiana Tech University basketball standout April Williams. Mamiaro, a personal trainer at the DeSoto Athletic Club in Southaven embarks on her professional journey against Williams who took up boxing following a successful basketball career. Both women will be making their professional debuts. Another intriguing bout on the card will showcase a rematch between Josh Williams of Little Rock, AR and Scott Russell of Batesville, AR.
Prize Fight has invited 2012 United States Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields to appear at the event and be vailable to meet with all fight fans in attendance.
Shields started boxing at age 11 after being introduced to the sport by her father, Bo Shields. Shortly after beginning her amateur career, the 5-foot-10, 170-pound Shields immediately excelled, winning two Junior Olympic championships. At her first open tournament, the National Police Athletic League championships in October 2011, Claressa went on to win middleweight title and qualified for the Olympic trials.
“At first I wanted to just get the full enjoyment out of boxing,” said Shields, who has an amateur record of 28-1 with 14 knockouts. “My last 12 matches have come in the last year. When I was in juniors, I was fighting twice a year and going nine months without fighting.
“But now in open division, I get to fight a lot more,” she added. “I actually like that.” Shields suffered her only loss to Savannah Marshall of Great Britain during the Olympic Trials, but was an at-large pick for the U.S. team. Once in London, she defeated Sweden’s Anna Laurell, Marina Volnova of Kazakhstan, and Russia’s Nadezda Torlopova to win the Gold, making history in the process.
You won’t want to miss this opportunity to meet an inspirational young woman and American hero in person.
Tickets for this exciting 5 bout card can be purchased by calling the Fitz Casino Gift Shop at (800)-766-LUCK(5825), by calling ticketmaster at (800)-745-3000, or by visiting http://www.ticketmaster.com. The doors for this event will open at 6:30 PM and the first fight will start at 7:30 PM.
