Baltimore, MD (August 20, 2013) – Jake “The Snake” Smith’s Baltimore Boxing Promotions will be honoring the Warthen Fuel Co as part of his “Hard Knock Life” fight card Saturday, August 31 at the William Myers Pavilion.
Bleacher tickets starting at $15 are available by calling 410-375-9175. In addition, floor seats are $35, individual VIP seats are available for $50, VIP mini tables of 4 at $200, reserved tables of 10 for $350 and first row VIP tables priced at $500 are currently on sale.
All VIP ticketholders can enjoy free hors d’oeurves and half price drinks from 7-8:15.
One of the most recognizable local businesses in Maryland, Warthen Fuel Co’s been in business since 1933. Family owned and operated since they opened their doors 80 years ago, Warthen Fuel’s helped families cope with rising fuel costs by setting up budget plans that provide financial relief. They also install and services Air conditioners and water heaters.
“Donnie Warthen and Warthen Fuel are not only very important to the community but they’ve been a big part of my life,” said Smith. “Donnie was my father’s best friend for 50 years and has always been a proud supporter of mine from the time I was an amateur boxer. I really appreciate all the Warthen’s have done and it’s only fitting that we honor them.”
In the main event of the evening, multi-time National Champion and local superstar Joey “Bazooka Joe” Veazey of the Baltimore Boxing Club takes on upset-minded Pennsylvanian Brandon Hadden. Veazy, who is backed by a large fan base every time he fights in the Baltimore area, was previously rated number one in the world. The “Hard Knock Life” card is expected to turn up even more Veazy than ever before, as he grew up a few blocks from the arena.
2013 Golden Gloves Champion and former Oklahoma State wrestling star Jerome Featherstone Jr. will have a stiff test when he meets former champion Kevin Ottley, who fights out of Mack Lewis’ Boxing Gym. Featherstone, a legend at Boys Latin HS who begun boxing less than two years ago, captured the 165 pound Golden Gloves regional title earlier this year, outpointing the best talent from Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia and the Marines.
Popular Baltimore Boxing Club heavyweight Sam Crossed will also appear in a special attraction bout against Darnell Daniel of Washington, DC.
The card also features eight additional bouts between fighters from Maryland, DC and Pennsylvania.
Doors open at 6:15 pm and the opening bell will sound at 8:15. All bouts are scheduled by USA Boxing.
“Hard Knock Life” is also being held in honor Jake’s father Murray Smith Sr. Smith Sr., who sadly lost his battle with cancer on July 12, was a well known member of the community. To honor Murray, who supported the many hats his son’s worn in boxing, Jake’s holding a 50/50 raffle along with a silent auction. All proceeds are going towards the Baltimore Boxing amateur program, a non-profit which rescued many local youths from the tough Charm City streets and helped develop them into boxers.
For more information, go to Baltimoreboxing.com
As in September, I once again ran out of gas in the 10th & 11th championship rounds of October & November with this column, but I recovered to complete them and will unleash a few more flurries to close out the 12th and final round.
In the first week of October, Hassan N’Dam won a UD over Curtis Stevens in an eliminator for the right to challenge Jermaine Taylor who defeated aging Sam Soliman to regain the IBF Middleweight title. How Taylor even earned this title shot is another story altogether, but it is all irrelevant as he is now the champion. However he will not have too much time to savor his victory as he has assault and battery charges pending against him and an upcoming court fight that may turn out to be the toughest fight of his life, just when things started to look up for him in boxing, we wish him luck.
