November 24, 1999

Cranston, RI - At 10:30 PM the fans at the Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet fight card were anxiously anticipating the main event so that the show wouldn't end too late. Friday night, in front of his supportive fans, New Bedford super-middleweight prospect Scott "The Sandman" Pemberton sent Tony Pope of Virginia Beach, VA to the canvas three times and his fans home earlier as they had hoped.

Pemberton 20-2-1, 15 KO's threw an explosive jab-right hand combination which sent Pope reeling and the same combination to knock Pope down moments later. Pope rose at Referee Charlie Dwyer's count of "Five" but had nothing more to offer Pemberton but second and third chances to play yo-yo with him. After the third knockdown, Dwyer halted the one-sided affair at 1:53 of the second round.

"I had the opportunity to go to Germany to spar with two world champions (recently crowned WBC Super-middleweight Champion Marcus Beyer and reigning IBF counterpart Sven Ottke)," said the Sandman "I'll tell you what, I looked a hell of a lot better against those guys than I did tonight. I'm glad I won but I wasn't able to display the talent that I got. Usually I have a jack hammer of a jab. Tonight, I was like 'Beep, beep, beep' (gestures as if he is telegraphing) sending a telegram before I was throwing it.

Ranked #3 at Super-middleweight for the NABF, Scott believes he requires more seasoning before he is ready to challenge any of the 168 pound champions.

"I was looking to fight Bryant Brannon before but I was a little bit leary of the idea. Brannon's only loss prior to James Butler was to the man I consider the greatest fighter that ever lived, Roy Jones Jr. Right now I'd like to fight Butler the current USBA champion and see where I'm at.

On the undercard, Providence super-lightweight prospect Anthony "Candyman" Chase continued to impress as he improved his unbeaten record to 9-0, 3 KO's. After fighting competitively for the first three rounds, the Candyman began landing sweet combinations to the head and body to win a six round unanimous decision victory over Dominican Republic's Damian Brazoban.

Many of the fans came out to see another Providence favorite, Gary "The Tiger" Balleto administer another of his heavy bag like beatings. This time the victim was Detroit native, Ted Worth. Balleto 15-0-1, 15 KO's pounded Worth at will in each corner of the ring. Fortunately, Worth's corner ended their fighter's practice in masochism after two rounds had completed.

Richard "The Alien" Grant invaded the show only to be destroyed by a perfectly timed right hand thrown by his Brooklyn neighbor, Apolinar Hernandez. Once Grant rose from the canvas, Hernandez put the finishing touch, another right hand that again decked Grant causing Referee Joe LoPino to call a halt to the action at 2:18 of the second round.

Charles Wade, of Hartford, decisioned Gary Goodman, of Philadelphia in a close contested 4 round bout of super-lightweights. It was Wade's second win in just as many starts.

Narraghansett welterweight, "Irish" Jeff Horan knocked out a bewildered John Lowery at 1:52 of the 1st round to improve his record to 2-1, 2 KO's.

Prison guard and Butterbean-look-a-like, John Mihalos (279 pounds) won a four round decision over Butterbean-opponent-look-a-like, Jose Torres (192 pounds). Mihalos is now 7-2, 2 KO's

In the opener, Massachusetts Cruiserweight Champion, John Rainwater scored thudding body shots to floor Philadelphia heavyweight, Orion Sistrunk in the third round and earn a 4 round unanimous decision. Rainwater passes the .500 mark at 8-7, 3 KO's.

Promoter: Jimmy Burchfield's Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. (CES)
Matchmakers: Teddy Panagiotis & Tiny Ricci
Referees: Charlie Dwyer and Joe LoPino
Time Keeper: Paul Goodwin
Ring Announcer: Mike Cabral