If Matt Remillard can pick up his fifth victory Friday night in Providence, his manager Jackie Kallen is expected to reward the Manchester featherweight with a trip to Los Angeles.
Jackie wants to fly Matt to Los Angeles on Saturday so he can begin sparring with Manny Pacquiao,” Paul Cichon, Remillard’s trainer said. “That would be a great opportunity. It will be a good motivator for Matt Friday night, knowing that he may get to spar with one of the best featherweights in the game.”
First, Remillard (4-0) must take care of business against Ricky Alexander (3-0) of Stillwater, Okla., on the undercard of a show at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Remillard fought just 20 days ago, scoring an impressive knockout victory.
“I expect Matt to top that,” Cichon said. “I expect him to get better each time out. This kid he’s facing will be a little more polished. He’s 3-0 with two knockouts, but he’s only 5-foot-5. He’s got a real powerful right hand, but no left hand. He’s a slick mover. We’ve been working on countering his right hand. Matt will probably go to the body more to slow this kid down.” Pacquiao is training for a Sept. 10 bout with Hector Velazquez that will be part of a doubleheader shown on HBO. The other fight pits Erik Morales against Zahir Raheem. The doubleheader is supposed to set the stage for a rematch between Morales and Pacquiao. Morales, the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association super featherweight champion, beat Pacquiao in their first meeting in an epic battle. Remillard would likely stay in Los Angeles until after the Pacquiao bout.
Friday night’s main event pits Providence super middleweight Joey Spina (16-0) against Chicago’s Anwar Oshana (23-4). Dawson pads record New Haven middleweight Chad Dawson had a fight in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Aug. 6 for promoter Gary Shaw. Dawson (19-0) scored a third-round technical knockout over Ronald Boddie (15-30-4).
Dawson is trying to get out of his promotional agreement with Jimmy Burchfield of Providence and is willing to go to court to do it. Dawson has also severed ties with Lou Mayo, who let Dawson live and train at his home in Manchester when training for bouts. Mayo had been part of Dawson’s management team. Harding fight in October East Hartford light heavyweight Eric Harding’s fight with Daniel Judah has been rescheduled for Oct. 1 at the Moehgan Sun Arena. Harding and Judah were originally slated to fight Saturday, but Harding pulled out of the bout with an injury.
The Foxwoods Resort Casino, meanwhile, is planning a pro show for Oct. 14, and an amateur show on Veterans’ Day, Nov. 11.
