WFC kicks off 2016 with WFC 47: live boxing at the Belle of Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – February 16, 2016 – This Saturday, World Fighting Championships returns to the Belle of Baton Rouge with WFC 47: live, professional boxing, featuring the same quality fights that have sold out every boxing event since the popular fight series’ inception.

In the main event, The Capital City’s Justin Thomas (14-1, 6KO) faces tough journeyman Jimmy Campbell (11-11, 8KO) in an 8-round bout at Super Middleweight. Thomas is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision win over California’s Billy Bailey at WFC 45 in December. The young fighter is a popular draw in his hometown of Baton Rouge, where the fighter lives with his family, after leaving home in the early days of his boxing career to train with Floyd Mayweather, Sr. The devoted fighter returned to his hometown in 2011 ahead of his professional debut to care for his mother after she was in an accident, and has since fought all of his professional bouts in Baton Rouge.

In the co-main event, popular local fighter Chris Singleton (16-3-1, 8KO) faces Puerto Rican puncher Alberto Candelaria (5-2-1, 4KO) in an 8 round contest at 135 lbs. Singleton has recently made headlines in Baton Rouge for devoting his evenings to feeding the homeless in the area of his boxing gym. “My goal was to do it three times per week,” said Singleton, who has served 40-50 meals twice per day, every day for the past six weeks, all while preparing for his fight. “St. Vincent’s serves breakfast and lunch, but after that, folks are on their own. I started doing this, and saw there was a need for someone to do it every day. Sometimes God just puts something in your heart.” The young fighter serves bag lunches, and some days even cooks for his charges. “Sometimes I make spaghetti, fried chicken. It isn’t just me. I have had donations come in to help cover the cost,” said Singleton, for whom boxing is a full-time occupation. “I serve a meal at 5 or so, then I go to the gym, and I’m back out there at 9:30 or 10 at night.”

“I think it’s really exceptional, what Chris is doing,” said WFC Owner/Promoter Matt McGovern. “We often see athletes taking time out of their training schedules to help others but Chris is going beyond that. He’s doing this every day, coming out of his own pocket to help his community. It really sets a great example for the other fighters in his community, young and old.”

Rounding out the action in Baton Rouge Saturday, Henry Allen faces Ronald Nowden, Manjaro Hills, Jr. faces Willie Williams, Brandon Ricketts makes his debut versus Shane Stephens, Cole Crumpler steps into the ring versus Jordan Simmons and Harris Tucker returns at heavyweight.

Saturday’s card kicks off an ambitious 2016 schedule for World Fighting Championships, the premier Boxing & MMA crossover promotional company in the United States. With over twenty events scheduled in Louisiana, Nevada and Pennsylvania, the growing promotional company has a busy year ahead. “We are very grateful for our relationship with the Belle,” said Matt McGovern. “We’ve built a solid platform there to grow our fighters in Baton Rouge, and we’re looking forward to duplicating that success in other markets. The community there has been beyond supportive of our events, and we’re just thrilled to be back in Baton Rouge for our first show this year.”

Tickets are priced at $60 for VIP, and $35 for general admission, and are available via the WFC website at www.worldfightingchampionships.com.

Doors to the Atrium at the Belle of Baton Rouge open at 7:00 p.m. on fight night. First bell is at 8:00 p.m.