Lewiston, Maine (May 10, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on Saturday, June 17, 2017 with the fight promotion's next event, "NEF 29: STARS & STRIPES." The event will feature a full slate of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts. Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional featherweight contest to the fight card. Josh Parker (5-9) will meet Andre "The Finisher" Belcarris (0-1) at a fight weight of 145-pounds. Both athletes have earned a reputation for finishing fights and "not letting it go to the judges' scorecards." Both will also be looking to bounce back from losses at "NEF 28" last month.
Josh Parker was riding high off a win over Derek Shorey (4-9) when he signed to face Matt Denning (4-6) on April 29. Unfortunately for Parker, Denning was able to work his jiu-jitsu effectively and submit Parker in the first round. Like all Josh Parker bouts, however, the action was fast and furious and the head of Ruthless MMA & Boxing predicts much of the same excitement for his fight with Belcarris.
"I want to thank NEF for the opportunity, and I want to thank my opponent for taking the fight," said Parker. "I'm excited for the challenge. Andre has a lot of experience in the cage and with 11 knockouts on his record, I'd say our fighting styles are going to make one hell of an exciting fight. The fans are going love this one. See you June 17th!"
Andre Belcarris entered the NEF cage for the first time at "NEF 28," making his professional debut after an amateur career spanning more than three-dozen fights. In the opposite corner stood veteran Walter Smith-Cotito (5-5). Belcarris held his own against the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt for two rounds before Smith-Cotito was able to submit him. While the fight did take place at featherweight, Belcarris had spent the majority of his camp training for a bantamweight bout with Elias Leland (3-2) until Leland had to pull out due to injury. Now with a full camp to prepare for a fight at featherweight, Belcarris promises improvements in his game.
"I'm working hard to improve upon my last performance," said Belcarris between training sessions at NorthEast Assassins in Vermont. "A full camp with 145 as the target is a different setup. I will be ready!"
New England Fights returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with its next event, "NEF 29: STARS & STRIPES," on Saturday, June 17, 2017. Tickets are on sale now at the Colisee box office 207-783-2009 x 525 and online at www.TheColisee.com.
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.”