NEW HAVEN, Conn. (March 16, 2011)  Years ago, it was five-time world champion Vinny Paz. Then he passed the torch to Peter Manfredo Jr.

Now meet Dominic DeSanto, a witty, undefeated prospect from New Haven, Conn.  and the newest member of promoter Jimmy Burchfield s talented roster at Classic Entertainment & Sports  who s looking to become boxing s next Italian-American superstar with a fan base far beyond the local landscape.  

 Why isolate ourselves to one area? asked Dominic DeSanto s father and trainer, Dave DeSanto.  The world is what we re looking for. Dominic is going to turn into a franchise fighter. The world titles will come, but we re not going to be satisfied until the day he s inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame.

All fighters promise the world upon signing with new promoters, but few have DeSanto s impressive resume, which includes 11 state, four regional and two national titles stretching over 100 amateur bouts. The 21-year-old southpaw welterweight made his professional debut in July of 2008 with a first-round knockout win and is now 5-0-1 with five knockouts. He ll make his CES debut Friday, April 1^st, 2011 in a four-round bout against Kenny Gerald (1-1, 1 KO) of Marion, S.C., on the undercard of the nationally-televised ESPN2  Coming Attractions show at Foxwoods Resort Casino s Fox Theater.

 Nothing but the top from here, Dominic DeSanto said.  I m ready for April 1^st. I m looking for another knockout. I m quick, strong, good-looking and I can talk  I can do it all!

As evident by his upbringing, DeSanto was truly  born to box. His father used to take him to the gym with him when he was a child   while other kids were playing in the sandbox, he was learning to fight, Dave DeSanto said  and he stepped in the ring for the first time when he was only 10 years old. At 17, he won his first Golden Gloves title in North Carolina and then served as a sparring partner for WBA welterweight champion Luis Collazo a year later. 

The decision to turn pro at 18 was a no-brainer for DeSanto following 100 amateur fights, much like the decision to sign with CES, which Dave DeSanto said had to do with Burchfield s honesty and integrity more so than any other factor.

 Jimmy gets it, Dave DeSanto said.  I really feel a personal connection with him, and when he tells me what he wants to do with Dominic s career, it s on par with what we want, too. Jimmy wants to do it the right way. He basically echoed my sentiments. I want Dominic to have 25 or 30 fights before he fights for a world title. I sense real honesty with Jimmy. I get a good, comfortable feeling with him.

 We re absolutely thrilled to have Dominic on board with us, Burchfield added.  This is the future of the welterweight division. Dominic s speed and power is unmatched. He has tremendous strength, strong family values and has been dedicated to this sport from the moment he stepped inside the ring. This is a boxing family, and the DeSantos represent the sport the way it should be represented  with class, professionalism and a true passion for boxing. We can t wait for Dominic to become our next world champion.

Pick an attribute  DeSanto has them all. His dangerous combination of speed and power, along with his strong build and southpaw style, could make him a force to be reckoned with in the welterweight division. He s sparred with the best, including Collazo and former light heavyweight world champion Chad Dawson, and is now looking to bring home a world title of his own.

He and his father are confident that day will come sooner rather than later, especially with Burchfield in their corner. So far, he s on the right path. The first step under the CES umbrella is to continue building a local fan base and perhaps one day have that torch  an honor many fighters have coveted  passed down to him.

 This is a hell of an opportunity, Dominic DeSanto said.  I will prove that what I do is knock people out. This is our ride to the top, and there s no falling off. I m going all the way. I ve been doing this too long. Nothing will stand in my way.

Tickets for  Coming Attractions are priced at $40, $65 and $105 (ringside) and can be purchased by calling CES at 401.724.2253/2254 or the Foxwoods box office at 800.200.2882, or online at www.cesboxing.com or www.foxwoods.com. For more information, visit www.cesboxing.com or www.foxwoods.com. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 7.