QUINCY, Mass. (February 3, 2022) — Hometown favorite Kevin “Lucky” Lewis will make his professional debut in a grudge match against fellow Framingham fighter Saul “The Spider” Almeida (0-14-4), one of the top MMA fighters in New England, on February 26th at Sheraton Hotel in Framingham, Massachusetts.

Last October, super middleweight Lewis was matched against Almeida, who weighed in considerably more than the contract weight, and their fight was cancelled. Lewis and Almeida will final square-off, albeit in a light heavyweight match.

“I weighed 168-pounds on the money,” Lewis explained. “He weighed in at 188. We had signed a contract two months before to fight at 168. It wasn’t suggested that I take the fight. I’ve gained 20 pounds and I am at that weight now.”

Lewis may be making his pro debut, but he’s sparred in more than 300 different gyms from across the U.S. and around the world, including the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and most recently Ireland.

“I am excited to finally make this fight happen after the fiasco that occurred in the fall,” Granite Chin president Chris Traietti remarked. “Saul didn’t do right by Lewis in the first affair, but both guys seem eager to fight. Once both guys agreed to fight at a much higher weight, it only made sense to get contracts out to both guys and give them a chance to fight.”

The “Showcase Boxing” main event has changed after veteran Tyrone “Hands of Stone” Luckey (15-16-4, 11 KOs) withdrew from his 8-round fight versus Jeffrey Torres (9-1, 5 KOs) due to a family issue. Torres’ opponent will soon be announced.

“Showcase Boxing,” presented by Granite Chin Promotions, will be streamed live on www.bxngtv.com for $19.99.

“Showcase Boxing” will also mark Granite Chin’s first event in Massachusetts in more than 2 years, as well as being only the second professional boxing show ever in the City Framingham, which is located 23 miles west of Boston.

The 6-round co-featured event matches red-hot welterweight prospect Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (7-0, 5 KOs), of Holyoke (MA), against Alfred “Keenan” Raymond (1-0), of Cranston, Rhode Island. Denzel is trained by his father and uncle, Derrick and Darrin, who were respected pro fighters in New England, while Raymond turned in an impressive pro debut last November 13, upsetting previously undefeated Julien Baptiste (3-0) by way of a 4-round split decision.

Another rapidly climbing prospect, Boca Raton (FL) welterweight Josniel “TG” Castro (8-0, 6 KOs), returns to his second home for a showdown with Mexican veteran Juan Jesus Rivera Garces (18-27, 12 KOs), the former WBC Youth World Super Lightweight Champion.

Holyoke (MA) junior welterweight Carlos Castillo (4-0, 3 KOs) and Pittsfield (MA) super middleweight Steve Sumpter (3-0, 3 KOs) are slated to fight in their first scheduled 6-rounders, respectively, versus Antonio Chaves Fernandez (9-41-4, 3 KOs) and Rodrigo “The Young Lion” Almeida (2-11, 1 KO).

Veteran middleweights Manny “Shake Em’ Up” Woods (17-15-1, 6 KOs), of Saint Petersburg (FL), and Larry “Slo Mo” Smith (12-50-4, 8 KOs), of Dallas, will open the night in a 10-round bout.

Nationally decorated amateur Felix Parilla (3-0, 3 KOs), of New Haven, is in a 6-round fight against junior lightweight Ronny Arana (0-4). Parrilla is a 4-time New England Golden Gloves Champion, as well as a 2018 National Golden Gloves silver medalist.

Also scheduled to be in action in 4-round bouts are light heavyweight Scott “Scotty Bomb” Lampert (2-3, 2 KOs) vs. Stephen “Clubber” Langlais (3-1, 2 KOs), Springfield (MA) super middleweight Laurent Humes (3-0, 3 KOs) vs. Juan Celin Zapata (6-20-2, 4 KOs), Pittsfield junior middleweight Jamer Jones (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. Maycon Oller Da Silva (0-3), Framingham’s pro-debuting light heavyweight Kevin “Lucky” Lewis vs. crosstown rival Sal “The Spider” Almeida (0-14-4), and Swansea (MA) junior middleweight Anthony Andreozzi (0-2) vs. Robert Bricks (0-8).

Card subject to change.

Tickets are on sale for purchase at www.TicketRiver.com (Search: SHOWCASE). Ticket prices are $50.00 (General Seating), $75.00 (Ringside), and $1,000.00 for a table of 10.

Doors open at 7:00 pm. ET with the first bout at 7:00 p.m. ET.

INFORMATION:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (October 11, 2021) – Hometown favorite Kevin Lewis will make his professional debut in a 4-round bout against fellow Framingham resident, super middleweight Saul “The Spider” Almeida (0-14-4), one of the top MMA fighters in New England, this Saturday night in the first professional boxing show ever held in Framingham, Massachusetts.

“Fight Night in Framingham” card, presented by Shearns Boxing Promotions, will benefit the “Fighting Life” program, at Sheraton Hotel in Framingham, Massachusetts[BT1] . “Fighting Life” is an after-school youth boxing program and academic empowerment program, available 100-percent free of charge to students beginning in elementary school through high school education.

High Octane Classics is the presenting sponsor. Other sponsors include Platts Landscaping and Shamrock Sports.

The 39-year-old Lewis may be making his pro debut, but he’s sparred in what may be a record 299 different gyms from around the world, Massachusetts to California, and including the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Nevada, and so many more states.

A reformed drug and alcohol substance abuser, Lewis started his gym journey five years as part of his new lifestyle. A week after his pro debut, Lewis will be traveling to Ireland, where he plans to hit the magical 300-mark gyms where he’s sparred.

“Twenty years ago,” Lewis said, “I started boxing and today I’m certified a personal trainer. I was born in Marshfield, moved to Reno chasing a dream, and to Framingham six years ago. I have the record (299 gyms sparred in), but there’s no record keeper for this. I did it for the love of the sport and this has become a passion for me. I’m happy and clean.

“I’m taking this one step at a time. I wanted to give it a shot, because I felt that it’s only right that I turn pro, if I’m training fighters to go pro. This may be just one time, or I could have a few more fights. Let’s see how it goes. I’m going through this process and have learned that it’s a business. My goal is to own my own gym.”

Marlboro (MA) super lightweight Nelson “Chino” Perez (3-0, 2 KOs), another past New England Golden Gloves champion and “Fighting Life” program graduate, headlines against Ryan Venable (2-6) in the 6-round main event.

Undefeated Florida-based super welterweight Josniel “TG” Castro (5-0, 3 KOs), a Puerto Rico native who grew up in Massachusetts, faces Las Vegas fighter Rynell Griffin (8-47-2, 2 KOs) In the 6-round co-featured event.

A 3-time New England Golden Gloves champion, as well as a 2015 USA Nationals silver medalist, New Haven super middleweight Elvis Figueroa (7-0, 4 KOs) will fight for the first time in more than two years, against veteran Dallas fighter Larry “Slo Mo” Smith (12-49-2, 8 KOs), in a 6-round bout.

Figueroa’s stablemate, Felix Parrilla, a 4-time New England Golden Gloves champion in addition to being the 2018 National Golden Gloves silver medalist, who will make his pro debut in a 4-round fight versus Sidell Blocker (1-11-1).

Also fighting on the undercard in 4-round bouts is pro-debuting heavyweight Sean Evans, of Shrewsbury, MA, vs. pro-debuting Levi Guimareas, and Philadelphia welterweight Jeffrey Torres (7-1, 3 KOs) vs. Framingham’s Jader Alves de Oliveira (0-12).

Priced at $75.00 ringside and $60.00 general admission, tickets are available to purchase online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fight-night-in-framingham-tickets-171408807357, at UpperKuts gym, or from any of the local fighters on the card.

Doors open at 6 p.m. PT, first bout at 7:00 p.m.

INFORMATION:

Facebook.com/ShearnsBoxingPromotions

Twitter: @ShearnsBoxing

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (March 11, 2020) – Mixed-martial-arts fighter Kastriot “Slaughterhouse” Xhema, fighting out of Greenwich, Connecticut, will make his pro boxing debut against another MMA fighter, Brazil-native Saul “The Spider” Almeida (0-10-3, 20-11 in MMA), Friday night, March 20, on the “Fight Night In Framingham” card at Sheraton Framingham Hotel in Framingham, Massachusetts.

The first pro boxing event ever in Framingham, “Fight Night In Framingham” is a presentation of Shearns Boxing Promotions (SBP), for the benefit of Fighting Life, an after-school youth boxing and academic empowerment program, Fighting Life, which is available 100-percent free of charge, to students beginning in elementary school through high school education.

The son of Albanian immigrants, Xhema has a 3-4 MMA record, mostly in top-rated Bellator competition. His route into combat sports was the result of the courts sending him into an anger management program.

“I got into a lot of street fights when I was young and then I went away to prison,” Xhema explained. “When it was time for me to get out a close friend kept encouraging me to try MMA at a local gym. I got out, started training, and began MMA fighting. Fighting is humbling. I’m hurting people all the time (in MMA and boxing), so there are no reasons to street fight anymore.

“I grew-up boxing but got into MMA because it’s the closest to street fighting. I still plan to do MMA. I just had back-to-back MMA fights that resulted in me breaking both hands. I needed surgery. The smaller gloves (in MMA) are different. I hit hard but I can’t hit as hard with MMA gloves. (Tyson) Fury, (Deontay) Wilder and others got me excited again about boxing.”

Xhema’s opponent, Almeida, is a popular, experienced New England-based MMA fighter (20-11) who will be fighting in front of his hometown friends and family from Framingham. He is winless in 13 pro boxing matches with three draws.

“I don’t know my opponent, but I respect him,” Xhema said. “I don’t care about records or what people say. They don’t matter It’s going to be a fun night and I’m definitely excited. I can’t wait to get in there and do what I love. Hey, I get excited going to spar.

“For a short time, I did kick boxing. I just love to fight!”

Framingham super featherweight Timmy Ramos (5-0-2, 5 KOs), a two-time New England Golden Gloves champion, faces Carlos Marrero, III (2-3-1), of Bridgeport, CT, in the 6-round main event.

Nearby Marlboro, MA lightweight Nelson “Chino” Perez (2-0, 2 KOs), another former N,.E. Golden Gloves champion, has a new opponent in battled-tested “Relentless” Agustine Mauras (6-7-3, 3 KOs), of Lawrence, MA, in a potentially explosive 6-round, co-featured event.

Boston heavyweight Tracey Johnson (4-7-6), whose brother is past Olympian and reigning WBO super middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade, meets Larry “Hitman” Pryor (11-22-5, 5 KOs) in a 6-round bout.

Revere, MA super middleweight Jarel “Sandman” Pemberton (3-0, 1 KO), also a N. E. Golden Gloves champion, takes on his Brazilian opponent, Leandro Silva (2-3, 2 KOs), in a 4-round match.

Also fighting on the undercard in a pair of 4-round fights is Southbridge, MA welterweight Wilfredo “El Sucaro” Pagan (6-1, 3 KOs) vs. Tyrone “Hands of Stone” Luckey (9-12-4, 7 KOs), and Worcester, MA super featherweight Ranse Andino (1-1) vs. Henry Garcia (0-5-1), of New Bedford, MA.

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets prices are $75,.00 ringside (rows 1-3), $60.00 (seated), $45.00 standing room, and VIP tables (of 10) for $1000.00 and may be purchased HERE, at UpperKuts gym, or from any of the local fighters on the card.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET, first fight at 7 p.m. ET.

Street Light Ventures is the presenting sponsor. Other sponsors include Bernardi Auto Group, East Coast Herbalist, Tecate, Ashwood Advisors LLC, Baystate Engineering, Buzz Cuts, Northeast Chili, Clocktown Liquors, Needham Plumbing, Reiki Energy, Exposure Hair Design, Granite Chin Promotions, Pauley Advertising, and A Affordable Insurance.

INFORMATION:

Facebook.com/ShearnsBoxingPromotions

Twitter: @ShearnsBoxing, @UpperKutsBoxing, @sheratonframingham

Instagram: @ShearnsBoxingPromotions, @Upperkuts_boxing_club, @sheratonframingham