(APR 1) LINCOLN, R.I. -- Her
weight's on point, her conditioning is impeccable and her diet
is clean, right down to the last calorie.
Reigning Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) world champion Shelly
Vincent is in the best shape of her life as she prepares for her
first title defense Friday night.
But can she stop a "Bullitt?"
"The problem with bullets," Vincent said, referencing Friday's
opponent, Christina Ruiz (7-7-3, 4 KOs), nicknamed "Bullitt,"
"is when you shoot and hit cement, you have to worry about the
ricochet."
Vincent's Friday, April 3rd, 2015
showdown against Ruiz at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I.,
will be her toughest test to date. Not only is her perfect 13-0
record on the line, so, too, is the UBF title she won in
November, along with the vacant International Boxing Association
(IBA) super bantamweight world title.
Coming off a 10-round war against Jackie Trivilino six months
ago, Vincent now faces a 10-rounder against the "Bullitt," a
seasoned vet from San Antonio, Tex., with lightning speed and a
resume that's second to none in women's boxing.
This will be Ruiz's fourth title
bout, which includes a win over Christina Fuentes for the
then-vacant International Female Boxers Association (IFBA)
122-pound title. She's also faced Tyrieshia Douglas,
International Boxing Federation (IBF) title-challenger Jennifer
Han, former World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight world
champion Kaliesha West and 33-fight veteran Alicia Ashley, a
former World Boxing Council (WBC) title-holder in the super
bantamweight division.
"She's a lot like Jackie," Vincent said, "and, like Jackie, she
hasn't gotten a fair share at times when fighting on the road. I
haven't seen all of her fights, but she's been in there with
some killers.
"I don't underestimate anybody. Once again, I'm in a war."
Never one to settle or get lulled into a false sense of
security, Vincent continued to implement new strategies into her
training routine, this time working out of the H.E.A.R.T.
Performance, Strength & Conditioning gym in New Bedford, Mass.,
to help tie up the loose ends. With her manager, Kim Gifford,
working on her diet and her head trainer, Peter Manfredo Sr.,
continuing to tweak the mechanics, Vincent feels she's reached
her physical peak. The timing couldn't be better given the
magnitude of this fight.
"Everything feels perfect," Vincent said. "I haven't had a bad
sparring session. My diet's on point. Working at H.E.A.R.T. with
[Demetrius Andrade] and Kali [Reis], I've never felt this
strong. Everything's different. Pete really worked me this camp.
"Everything has come full circle. I've never felt this ready."
The change is noticeable in Vincent's physique and it could be
evident in her power, too, come Friday night. Though she only
has one knockout, she's gotten considerably stronger with each
fight as she's learned more regarding proper training and diet.
The results showed when she stopped Alisah McPhee in just four
rounds in 2013.
Still, few outsiders consider her a power puncher, which is just
the way she likes it.
"That's even better," she quipped.
"Everyone will be shocked by my power. I think she'll be
shocked. I have the knockouts, so they don't think I hit hard,
but it's clear I do. I landed some clean shots on Jackie and she
felt those.
"I know this will be a tough fight. Ruiz is only [5-foot-3], but
she brings a lot of pressure. She's a little shorter than
Jackie, but I'm expecting the same pace. I know she's strong."
Tickets for "The Revival" are priced at $40.00, $100.00 and
$125.00 and available for purchase online at www.cesboxing.com
or www.twinriver.com, by phone at 401-724-2253/2254 or at the
Twin River Players Club. All fights and fighters are subject to
change.
The card features seven total bouts, including the six-round
co-feature between undefeated Providence super middleweight
Angel Camacho Jr. (13-0, 4 KOs) and well-traveled Jersey City
vet Chris Chatman (12-4-1, 5 KOs), a fan-favorite at Twin River
since his Rhode Island debut six yeas ago against former
Olympian Demetrius Andrade.
Undefeated welterweight Nick DeLomba (6-0) of Cranston, R.I.,
battles Hartford, Conn., vet Joe Wilson Jr. (3-1) in a six-round
special attraction while unbeaten Worcester, Mass., junior
welterweight Freddy Sanchez (3-0, 2 KOs) faces Briam Granado
(1-0, 1 KO) of New Bedford, Mass., in a four-round bout.
Also on the undercard, unbeaten middleweight prospect Khiary
Gray-Pitts (5-0, 3 KOs) of Worcester battles New Haven, Conn.,
vet Greg McCoy (3-4-1, 1 KO).
Providence junior middleweight Luis Felix (0-4) faces New
Bedford, Mass., up-and-comer Ray Oliveira Jr. (3-0, 2 KOs) in a
four-rounder and cruiserweight Jean Pierre Augustin (4-0, 2 KOs)
of Lawrence, Mass., makes his CES and Twin River debut in a
four-round bout against veteran Solomon Maye (1-4, 1 KO) of New
Haven. Augustin is fighting under the guidance of his new
trainer, five-time world champ Vinny Paz, whom he met last year
during filming of the Chad Verdi-produced Paz biopic Bleed For
This.