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THE RETURN OF LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT SENSATION
JOE “THE BEAST” SMITH JR.
AT STAR BOXING’S “SLUGFEST AT THE SUN” JUNE 30TH AT MOHEGAN SUN
New York, New York, May 8, 2018
In the main event of Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing “SLUGFEST at the SUN” on June 30th, JOE “THE BEAST” SMITH JR. (23-2 19KO’s) will make his extremely anticipated return to the ring at the Mohegan Sun Arena.
Embracing the moniker the “Common Man,” Local 66 Laborers Construction Union worker, Smith Jr., exploded onto the national boxing scene beginning in 2016. Backed by his union brothers, Smith Jr. would wield a sledgehammer by day and lace up his gloves to train by night. His work ethic and humble personality gravitated fans towards him, as he quickly became the national champion of the working man.
2016 was truly the year of “THE BEAST,” as Smith Jr. took the boxing world by storm. In June, Smith Jr. marched into Chicago, the hometown of, at the time, #2 world rated light heavyweight contender ANDRZEJ FONFARA (then 28-4 16KO’s). Pre-fight numbers had Smith Jr. as a 16-1 underdog against the mighty Pole. However, just 1:57 into the first round Smith Jr. threw a right hand that caught everyone in the IUC Pavilion by surprise, dropping Fonfara. Smelling blood in the water, Smith Jr. did not give Fonfara any time to breath, smothering him with a flurry of punches, dropping him for the second time in just over 2 minutes, earning the WBC International Light Heavyweight title, putting his name on the map in the stacked division.
Fast forward to December of 2016, and “THE BEAST” was at it again, this time at the Fabulous Forum in California, on HBO, taking on boxing legend and former world champion, in his final fight, BERNARD “THE EXECUTIONER” HOPKINS(then 55-7 32KO’s). At the final press conference, Hopkins (then 55-7 32KO’s) promised that he would give Smith Jr. the boxing lesson he needed. However the next night, Hopkins found himself staring at the ceiling of the Forum, as he had been viciously beaten out of the ring with a five punch combination late in the 8thof the scheduled 10 rounds. Smith Jr. became the first ever boxer to knock out the legend Bernard Hopkins.
In his return to The Forum in July of 2017, Smith Jr. took on contender SULLIVAN BARRERA (then 19-1 14KO’s). After a brutal right hand that hit Barrera flush on the forehead, sending him to the canvas, Smith Jr. had his jaw broken late in the first round. “THE BEAST” went on to grit through the full fight (10 rds) to the judge’s decision, broken jaw and all, impressing fans yet again, this time for his will and determination.
After having his jaw wired shut for over six months, on June 30th, Joe Smith Jr. returns to the ring at the historic Mohegan Sun Arena, focused on climbing the ladder, back to Light Heavyweight supremacy.
JOE SMITH JR. had this to say about his return, “I cannot wait to get back in the ring on June 30th. I have been looking forward to this day since I was told I needed surgery. I plan on showing why I am still one of the best in the Light Heavyweight division.”
JOE DEGUARDIA, CEO and President of Star Boxing said this, “Joe Smith Jr. turned the boxing world on its head in his wins against Fonfara and Hopkins. I believe he is the hardest hitting light heavyweight, and he proves it every time he is in the ring. I am very excited to have him back on June 30th at the beautiful Mohegan Sun Arena.”
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Get your tickets to JUNE 30th, #SLUGFESTattheSUN live from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.
Tickets start at JUST $30.
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INFO:
“SLUGFEST at the SUN”: THE RETURN OF JOE SMITH JR.
After eleven months out of the ring due to a broken jaw, “THE BEAST” Joe Smith Jr. returns in a big way, at the beautiful Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. After coming off a stellar KO win on NBC against Andrzej Fonfara, and defeating the legend Bernard Hopkins on HBO, Smith Jr. has his eyes set on landing in the win column in his first bout of 2018.
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FACTS:
“SLUGFEST at the SUN” is presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing. The event takes place Saturday, June 30th at Mohegan Sun, in Uncasville, CT.
Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing “SLUGFEST at the SUN” series is the a premier professional boxing experience in Connecticut. Live from the beautiful Mohegan Sun Arena, “SLUGFEST at the SUN” has seen some of the best and brightest in boxing. This includes, two-time world champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade and world title challenger Delvin Rodriguez, amongst many others.
Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, Joe DeGuardia, has consistently given the boxing fans of Connecticut, world class fights, right in their own backyard. “SLUGFEST at the SUN” also gives the north east’s rising boxing stars an avenue to world title contention. From world title fights, to world class boxing skill, Mohegan Sun has seen it all, delivered by Star Boxing.
The “SLUGFEST at the SUN” series offers an affordable, fan friendly action packed, entertaining night out, that is guaranteed to have you on your feet from the opening bell.
On June 30th, Star Boxing plans to start your summer off right, with yet another thrilling “SLUGFEST at the SUN.”
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MEDIA:
SLUGFEST AT THE SUN: THE RETURN OF JOE SMITH JR.
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PREVIOUS RELEASES
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TICKETS:
Tickets for the live event start at $30 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.comby clicking HERE or by going to www.StarBoxing.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the Mohegan Sun Box Office at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.
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MOHEGAN SUN:
Mohegan Sun Arena is now ranked consistently among the top venues in the world according to Billboard Magazine, Pollstar and Venues Today. It has won “Casino of The Year” at the Country Music Awards in 2008 & 2010 and in 2013, was voted “Arena of The Year” at the G2E Global Gaming Conference in Las Vegas. Mohegan Sun Arena was also ranked among the top 10 arena venues in the nation for 2014, regardless of size. In 2015, Mohegan Sun took home the IEBA award for “Casino of the Year.” Mohegan Sun also won “Casino of the Year” in 2 categories at the 2013 & 2016 Academy of Country Music Awards. For more information on concerts and other great events, visit Mohegan Sun. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711, ext. 27163.
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CONTACTS:
Tony Palmieri, Star Boxing: (516) 456-0315, [email protected]
Credentials: Email [email protected]
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