Lewiston, Maine (August 17, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America's number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its nineteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, "NEF XIX: HOMECOMING," on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Featured on the professional portion of the card will be a light-heavyweight matchup between Crowsneck Boutin (1-0) and Mike "The Mustache" Hansen (2-2). Both men are competing under NEF developmental deals.
Recently, Boutin was NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson's guest on the NEF Podcast. Boutin discussed, among other topics, growing up in Lubec, Maine, the upcoming bout with Hansen, and his recent signing to a multi-fight NEF development deal. Boutin and Peterson touched on their first meeting some three-and-a-half years ago, shortly before Boutin made his amateur debut at "NEF III."
"I was hanging out with a few buddies who got tickets to your (NEF) first event, so I went to that and it was the greatest thing," recalled Boutin. "I remember talking with people and then contacting you. I really wasn't doing anything at that time. I was feeling kind of lost. I was kind of clinging to the feeling of want. I just wanted to do something. Plus, I liked to fight and scrap. I always watched the sport. I guess it just all came together at that time."
With no formal training, Boutin would lose his first bout. Shortly thereafter, Peterson put Boutin in contact with coach Jon Pinette of the Choi Institute in Portland, Maine. It is there that Boutin found his footing in the martial arts while, at the same time, forging strong friendships and relationships with teammates.
"It's a pretty awesome atmosphere," said Boutin of the Choi Institute. "I've never stayed in one place very long my whole life, except for this place. I don't see myself leaving. It's a great atmosphere over here. I called Jon. I remember being really nervous to call Jon, I was thinking about this earlier, but he was really inviting... Everyone here has been really inviting, really supporting. There's a really good mix of people here. We have young to old. We have everything in between. It's a very accepting place to be. It's a great place to train. Everyone gets along inside and outside the gym."
Boutin made the decision to turn professional earlier this year after having competed in a total of 13 amateur fights. He would defeat MMA Athletix head coach Ryan Cowette (2-3) in his debut. In doing so, Boutin gained a measure of revenge as it had been Cowette's protégé Brent Dillingham (1-1) who had handed Boutin his first loss in Boutin's amateur debut at "NEF III." Boutin says that there really was no animosity between himself and Cowette, but the post-fight exchange between Boutin and Dillingham at "NEF III" in 2012 is still in the back of his mind. He admits that he would love a rematch with Dillingham in the near future.
"As far as Brent Dillingham goes, he's somebody I'd really like to fight soon at 205 if he can get in shape and meet me there," Boutin declared. "I'd love to have that fight sometime soon."
Boutin will have his work cut out for him with Hansen on September 12 in Lewiston. Hansen is an accomplished wrestler, having won a state championship for Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, Maine in 2004. Boutin, however, is confident in his own abilities both standing and on the mat.
"I feel ready for wherever the fight goes," said Boutin. "If it stays on the feet, eventually over three rounds, I'm gonna try to knock him out. It's always fun to knock people out. If it goes to the ground, I'll prevail there."
You can listen to the entire NEF Podcast interview at www.NewEnglandFights.com/Podcasts/
For more information on the Choi Institute, please visit their website www.choishindo.com.
New England Fights' next event, "NEF XIX: HOMECOMING," takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Tickets for "NEF XIX: HOMECOMING" start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée 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.”