Lewiston, Maine (March 5, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America's number-one regional fight promotion, returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on April 11, 2015 with its seventeenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event. The fight card will feature Bruce "Pretty Boy" Boyington (10-7) defending the NEF MMA Lightweight Title against number-one contender Jamie Harrison (5-1) in the main event. In addition, Boyington's wife, Randi Beth Knowles (0-0), will make her amateur MMA debut against Alex Walker (0-0) in the female 115-pound strawweight division. It will be the first time a couple has competed together on an NEF fight card.
Knowles is currently training under her husband at Boyington's Taekwondo Academy and Young's MMA in Bangor, Maine. A regular at bodybuilding and fitness competitions across the region, Knowles is no stranger to performing before large audiences. She has been cage-side for many of Boyington's past bouts, and she welcomes the challenge that will come when she finds herself on the other side of the cage wall on April 11.
"After watching so many of Bruce's fights, I couldn't be more excited to get a taste of what it's like on the inside of the cage," exclaimed Knowles. "I've always liked being tested with the toughest challenges possible. I thank NEF for bringing women's MMA to Maine as well as big thank you to Portland Nutrition Corner, Abbott Insulation Plus, Lewis Used Car Sales, Jes & Toby for all their support."
Knowles' opponent, Alex Walker, is not to be taken lightly. Walker trains out of the Kaze Dojo in Lancaster, New Hampshire. Coming in from out-of-town for the fight, Walker relishes in playing the role of underdog and hopes to also play the role of spoiler on April 11.
"I come from a town of 2,500 people," said Walker. "Nobody expects me to do well. Nobody ever expects our team to be able to hang with bigger gyms. I like it when people underestimate us, it motivates me."
NEF's next MMA event, "NEF XVII," is scheduled to take place on April 11, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Bruce "Pretty Boy" Boyington (10-7) will defend the NEF MMA Lightweight Title against number-one contender Jamie Harrison (5-1). In addition, Jarod "Last Minute" Lawton (4-1) meets Dennis Olson (12-7) in a welterweight contest. Tickets for "NEF XVII" start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at 207.783.2009 x 525. For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”