ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra will originate from St. Charles, Mo. on August 12 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN3.com when former IBF welterweight titlist Kermit Cintron (32-4-1, 28 KOs) and junior middleweight “The Truth” Antwone Smith (20-2-1, 12 KOs) meet in the 10-round main event.
Joe Tessitore and Bernard Hopkins will be ringside at the Ameristar Casino describing the action, while studio host Brian Kenny will present all the latest boxing news and highlights. Hopkins, Ring Magazine’s current light heavyweight champion is sitting in for Teddy Atlas who has gone to Russia to train Alexander Povetkin for his late August fight in Germany. The card is presented by Rumble Time Promotions / DiBella Entertainment Inc.
Reading, Pa.’s Cintron will look to rebound after a 10-round decision loss to Carlos Molina in his last fight.
“This is going to be a career-changer, said trainer Ronnie Shields. “It’s either going to change his career for the better, or his career is over. Everything is on the line for Kermit in this fight – everything.”
Miami’s Smith is coming off a January third-round TKO win over Jose Gonzales. Smith said of Friday’s fight, “This is a big fight for me. It’s a golden opportunity. I saw Cintron’s last performance. I know when I come ready, I can beat him. I’m going to come in, be a little sharper, use speed, take my time and work my way into the fight. In my head, I know what I’m capable of doing, and that’s winning by any means necessary.”
Friday’s card will also feature lightweights “Dangerous” Dannie Williams (18-1, 14 KOs) and Antonio “El Bazooka” Cervantes (19-6-5, 13 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature. Ohio’s Williams has won his last six fights, including a 10-round unanimous decision over Oscar Cuero in his last fight. Mexico’s Cervantes is coming off a 12-round unanimous decision win over previously undefeated Reyes Velazquez.
