Chad Dawson vs. Quinton Rankin - June 29, 2019

[Ruthless-RKO]

Former two-time world champion "Bad" Chad Dawson, boxing's preeminent light heavyweight for nearly a decade in the early 2000s, ends a two-year layoff Saturday, June 29th, 2019 at Foxwoods Resort Casino to headline a loaded pro-am show promoted by regional giant CES Boxing.

Born in South Carolina, but raised in New Haven, Conn., since the age of 6, Dawson (34-5, 19 KOs) joins fellow New Haven boxer Tramaine Williams (17-0, 6 KOs) for a special "Homecoming" as part of a stacked lineup featuring eight professional bouts preceded by a preliminary amateur card at the historic Fox Theater. Williams hasn't fought in his home state since 2015. For Dawson, June 29th is his first appearance in Connecticut since April of 2016.

The preliminary card begins at 5:30 p.m. ET, followed by the main card at 7. The latter streams live on Facebook via FIGHTNIGHT LIVE. Tickets for the event are priced at $47, $77 and $157 (VIP) and can be purchased online at www.cesboxing.com or www.foxwoods.com, by phone at 401-724-2253 or 800-200-2882 or at the Fox Theater Box Office. All fights and fighters subject to change.

"Our 'Homecoming Kings' will take center stage June 29th," said CES Boxing president and CEO Jimmy Burchfield Sr. "Foxwoods Resort Casino is the only place you want to be that night.

"This card has it all. Fight fans in Connecticut have waited a long time to see Chad Dawson back in the ring, and Tramaine Williams is one of the best-kept secrets in New England, a future world champion who has done nothing but win -- and win convincingly -- since he launched his career.

"Nowhere else in boxing will you find a fight card featuring both the stars of today and the champions of tomorrow. The amateurs you see on the preliminary portion of this card will one day be headlining at venues throughout the world. With so much talent assembled under one roof, June 29th will set a new standard for professional and amateur boxing in New England. You don't want to miss this!"

Fighting for the first time in more than two years, Dawson faces Charlotte, N.C., southpaw Quinton Rankin (15-5-2, 12 KOs) in an eight-round bout while Williams, nicknamed "The Mighty Midget," battles Filipino Neil John Tabanao (17-5, 11 KOs) in a 10-round featherweight showdown, a bout presented in association with Roc Nation Sports.

Dawson's resume in the light heavyweight division is unmatched, and his history with CES Boxing dates back to the beginning of his career, including his second pro fight when he shared the stage with Rhode Island icon Vinny Paz, who recorded his 48th victory that night. Two years later, the hard-hitting Dawson reached a major milestone of his own, capturing the WBC World Youth Middleweight Title at Foxwoods with a win over Dumont Welliver.

Dawson's rise to prominence continued with NABO and NABF titles in 2005 and 2006, respectively, before he reached the top of the mountain a year later by upending Tomasz Adamek for the WBC World Light Heavyweight Title. Dawson defended the belt three times over the next year and a half, including a win over two-time world champion Glen Johnson. Six months later, he dominated three-time champ Antonio Tarver in the first of their two championship bouts, winning and subsequently defending the IBO and IFO world titles. In 2009, he returned to Connecticut and beat Johnson a second time to capture the interim WBC title and then won the WBC light heavyweight crown a second time in 2012 with a majority-decision victory over the iconic Bernard Hopkins in Atlantic City.

Rankin steps up to face Dawson in the midst of a three-fight win streak dating back to November, highlighted by a fourth-round knockout win over Columbian challenger Neller Obregon in April. The 32-year-old southpaw handed light heavyweight prospect Aaron Casper his first career loss in December and also battled Russian prospect Medzhid Bektemirov, Mike Gavronski and reigning NABA champion Charles Foster of New Haven.

Seventeen years since his professional debut, Dawson has come full circle as he reunites with the promoter who launched his career nearly two decades ago. CES Boxing's June 29th pro-am extravaganza is its 49th event at Foxwoods since the casino began hosting combat sports in 1992. Event No. 50 takes place in December as the second installment of CES Boxing's two-fight series in 2019 and will feature a celebration of some of the best fighters to compete on CES-promoted cards at Foxwoods over the past 27 years.

"I'm glad to be back where it all started and I'm happy to build stronger relationships with CES and collaborate on bigger projects in the future," Dawson said. "CES is where my professional career started, so I'm looking forward to working with them again and working my way to the top. Boxing is life for me and I'm grateful for this opportunity."

The well-traveled Williams makes his Foxwoods debut June 29th in just his second pro fight in his home state. Promoted by Roc Nation Sports, the 26-year-old southpaw has fought everywhere from El Paso to Long Beach, including stops in New Hampshire, Kansas and Pennsylvania.

Williams began his surge toward the top of the featherweight division in 2017, obliterating 30-win vets Christopher Martin and William Gonzalez via knockout in back-to-back bouts. Later that year, he dominated Mexican journeyman German Meraz, a veteran of 120 bouts, by unanimous decision, and then opened 2019 with victories over Jose AlfredoRodriguez and Ernesto Guerrero, who entered with 32 and 31 wins, respectively.

Tabanao may be the toughest test of Williams' career. The 25-year-old native of Mandaue, Philippines, boasts an impressive resume that includes a knockout win over Australian title-challenger Ibrahim Balla, plus a WBC youth title showdown with former world champion Isaac Dogboe in 2016.

"I can't wait to fight at home again," Williams said. "I'm especially excited to be fighting on the same card as Chad Dawson, who I came up the ranks with. It's going to be a great show so, Connecticut, be ready!"

"I'm extremely excited and pleased about Tramaine taking the next step of his amazing journey on June 29 in his home state of Connecticut at Foxwoods Resort Casino," said Dino Duva of Roc Nation Sports. "Tramaine is on a mission, and will not be stopped until he fights for, and wins the world championship! I'm also very happy to be collaborating on this event with my old friend, Jimmy Burchfield, and his CES Boxing team -- a sincere thank you to them. I look forward to doing many great things together with them in the future."

The June 29th undercard features New England fan-favorites, beginning with Manchester, Conn., junior middleweight Jose Rivera (7-4, 5 KOs) facing Miami's Luca Podda (7-3, 3 KOs) in a six-round bout, along with Bridgeport, Conn., lightweight Oscar Bonilla (5-3-2, 1 KO) battling Julio Perez (4-3) of Worcester, Mass. Super lightweight Wilson Mascarenhas (1-1) of New Bedford, Mass., makes his Foxwoods debut in a four-round bout against Jose Arzola (0-0) of Hartford, Conn., and female bantamweight Marisa Messer-Belenchia (0-0) of New Haven, an accomplished amateur who also competes in mixed martial arts, makes her professional boxing debut against Florida's Delaney Owen (0-2) in a four-round bout.

Undefeated featherweight Nathan Martinez (3-0, 1 KO) of New Britain and Bridgeport super featherweight Jacob Marrero (3-0, 2 KOs) will be featured in separate four-round bouts. The 20-year-old Marrero debuted with CES Boxing in October, stopping challenger Fierce Taylor at the 2:30-mark of the second round.

The amateur preliminary card is the third installment of the Jimmy Burchfield USA Boxing Amateur Classic. Ten bouts are scheduled, including the amateur debut of Lennox Estrada, the son of former U.S. Olympian and heavyweight contender Jason Estrada of Providence; plus William Guilmette of Coventry, R.I.; 2019 Southern New England Golden Gloves Champion David Ribeiro of Brockton, Mass.; and 2019 New England Golden Gloves Champion Mark Solis of New Haven.

[tigermoth87]

Chad Glass Jawson is still around?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Chad Glass Jawson is still around?

He’s been out for 2 years. I think his last bout was a loss to Fonfara.

[Onetimeonly]

I was a big Chad fan. Very underrated, should get a hof look but he won't. Really good dude.

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Dawson has solid wins over hop, tarver, adamek, and johnson

However tarver, hop and johnson were old men when he beat them

Pascal, stevenson, and ward all beat him fairly easily.

A hof consideration is not happening

[Ruthless-RKO]

Dawson has solid wins over hop, tarver, adamek, and johnson

However tarver, hop and johnson were old men when he beat them

Pascal, stevenson, and ward all beat him fairly easily.

A hof consideration is not happening

Let’s be honest. Hopkins was still one of the best LHW then. Tarver was only a few years removed from when he beat RJJ. But I never really rated him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I was a big Chad fan. Very underrated, should get a hof look but he won't. Really good dude.

Guys like Chad are those that never really officially retire. If someone officially retires, then you know there’s a chance he could be considered a HOF.

Btw, does a boxer have to retire to be inducted?

[Onetimeonly]

Guys like Chad are those that never really officially retire. If someone officially retires, then you know there’s a chance he could be considered a HOF.

Btw, does a boxer have to retire to be inducted?

They have to not fight for 5 years. He has no chance, but he should.

[Ruthless-RKO]

They have to not fight for 5 years. He has no chance, but he should.

When did Foreman get inducted?

He didn’t fight for 10 years?

[Onetimeonly]

When did Foreman get inducted?

He didn’t fight for 10 years?

I imagine he got inducted long before his comeback.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Tramaine Williams vs. Neil John Tabanao on Chad Dawson Card

Roc Nation Sports today announced that featherweight boxer Tramaine Williams (17-0, 6 KOs) will continue his amazing journey in 2019 when he returns the ring in a ten-round bout on June 29th at Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Mashantucket, CT where he will take on tough veteran opponent Neil John Tabanao (17-5, 11 KOs). “Homecoming Kings”, is Live Championship Boxing presented by CES Boxing, that will also feature several additional fights including another New Haven boxer, Chad Dawson.

Williams, fighting out of New Haven, Conn., is a former 10-time national amateur champion and at one point was ranked among the top 10 featherweights in the world. He has kept very busy in 2019, with this being his third fight of the year.

In his last fight on April 4, 2019, Williams claimed victory over Ernesto Guerrero (31-26, 21 KOs) of Mexico by eight round unanimous decision at The Rim in Hampton, N.H. Williams has hopes that a win in his home state of Connecticut will be a major step towards a title fight later in 2019.

The William-Tabanao fight and event will be broadcast on Facebook’s Fight Night Live.

“Cannot wait for my homecoming on June 29th,” said Williams. “I’m sure the fans are excited too because it will be one for the books. Looking forward to impressing this sold out crowd”

“With his fast track schedule in 2019, Tramaine has established himself as the hottest prospect in the 122 lb. division,” said Roc Nation Sports boxing promoter Dino Duva.

“If he takes care of business Saturday night, I predict he will next have something very exciting lined up quickly that will be a career defining fight. I want to sincerely thank my old friend Jimmy Burchfield for putting Tramaine on his show at Foxwoods. Tramaine’s home fan base is buying tickets in droves for the fight, it will be an exciting night for him and New Haven fans.”

Ticket prices are $47.00, $77.00 and $157.00 and available to purchase online at www.webtixs.foxwoods.com (search word: Live Championship Boxing). Doors open at 5:30 p.m. ET.

[RScarf1]

I imagine he got inducted long before his comeback.

Foreman was inducted in 2003. The first boxers inducted such as Muhammad Ali was in 1990.

[Onetimeonly]

Foreman was inducted in 2003. The first boxers inducted such as Muhammad Ali was in 1990.

I'm surprised I didn't know that.

[Ruthless-RKO]

MASHANTUCKET, Conn. – Back in the ring for the first time in more than two years, former world champion and pound-for-pound king Chad Dawson shook off some early rust and survived a flash knockdown Saturday at Foxwoods Resort Casino to earn a hard-fought win over Quinton Rankin at the Fox Theater.

The 36-year-old New Haven, Conn., southpaw won for the first time since April of 2016, beating Rankin (15-6-2) by unanimous decision, 80-68, 78-72, 78-72, despite getting dropped by an uppercut in the fifth round.

In what turned out to be a bizarre, somewhat sloppy, finish, Rankin had two points deducted – one in the fifth for swinging at Dawson while he was down and again in the seventh for hitting his opponent on the break. Even with the knockdown, Dawson (35-5) still dominated the majority of the rounds, ripping Rankin to the body and using his height and reach advantage to keep the free-swinging southpaw from boxing on the inside.

[Ruthless-RKO]

In the co-main event, co-promoted by CES Boxing and Roc Nation Sports, New Haven featherweight Tramaine Williams (18-0) remained unbeaten with a methodical, 99-91, 99-91, 98-92 unanimous decision win over tough Filipino Neil John Tabanao (17-6). Williams’ hand speed was the difference and he consistently landed two-punch combos while boxing effectively on the outside. There weren’t a lot of long, drawn-out exchanges as neither fighter seemed too eager to box on the inside, but Williams no doubt got the better of his opponent with superior speed and footwork.

In another wildly entertaining bout, Manchester, Conn., junior middleweight Jose Rivera (8-4) won his Connecticut homecoming, defeating Italian slugger Luca Podda (7-4) by unanimous decision, 59-54 on all three scorecards. The two came out throwing haymakers with Podda landing a few solid shots, but once Rivera regained his footing and slowed the fight down, he consistently backed Podda against the ropes and pressed the action. Rivera closed strong and scored a knockdown in the fourth round to seal the fight.

Bridgeport, Conn., lightweight Oscar Bonilla (6-3-2) remained hot, winning his third consecutive bout and second in a row at Foxwoods with a 59-55 unanimous decision across the board against Worcester, Mass., vet Julio Perez (4-4). Bonilla’s work to the body was just too much for Perez to overcome as he maintained a consistent pace from the opening bell.

The female flyweights kicked off the pro card in style with an entertaining, back-and-forth battle as New Haven’s Marisa Belenchia (1-0) earned the win in her professional boxing debut, beating Clearwater, Fla., native Delaney Owen (0-3), by unanimous decision, 40-36, 39-37, 39-37.

An accomplished amateur boxer, Belenchia is also a professional in mixed martial arts, where she currently boasts a 3-0 record. Her win Saturday came less than one month after her third career MMA win, which highlighted the preliminary card of CES MMA 56 in Hartford on May 31.

In what might’ve been his most performance to date, New Bedford, Mass., super lightweight Wilson Mascarenhas (2-1) dominated Philadelphia pro debut Anthony Ramirez (0-1) to earn a 40-36 unanimous decision on all three scorecards. Fighting for the second time since April, Mascarenhas weaved in and out of traffic effectively, using his footwork to baffle Ramirez. The 24-year-old right-hander has now won back-to-back fights since taking a loss in his pro debut.

New Britain, Conn., featherweight Nathan Martinez (4-0) remained undefeated with an impressive unanimous decision win over Minnesota’s Jose Homar Rios (2-7-1) in what turned out to be a fast-paced slugfest with Martinez earning the 40-36 score on all three cards. Rios held his own, even landing a few effective body blows, but Martinez was the aggressor the entire night and simply kept applying the pressure to pile up points on the scorecard.

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Chad was knocked down and a judge gave him all the rounds?

[conan_the_cribber]

Chad was knocked down and a judge gave him all the rounds?

Yeah, can happen. Seemed odd. If it's a 10pt must round and Dawson dominated the rest of the round, then I guess he just gave it as a 10-10 round.

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

I think the other guy got a point deducted for the round?

Thats pretty rare

[jamamb]

ya that card is bizarre

so the judge gave chad a 10 in every round despite being floored, and somehow found a way to deduct 4 points of rankin from the standard 72. but the ref only deducted 2 points to my understanding. so then he gave chad 10-8 rounds?

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Lol

Maybe he thought it wasnt a knockdown because of the deductions?!?!?

[Ruthless-RKO]

ya that card is bizarre

so the judge gave chad a 10 in every round despite being floored, and somehow found a way to deduct 4 points of rankin from the standard 72. but the ref only deducted 2 points to my understanding. so then he gave chad 10-8 rounds?

Apparently a judge doesn’t have to follow the ref’s orders?

I read that somewhere.