CLEVELAND, Ohio – Warner Promotions held a press conference on Wednesday at the Flat Iron Café in the Flats to officially announce the complete card for their Aug. 20 event titled “Friday Night Fights” at the Nautica Pavilion in Cleveland, Ohio. The main event fighters Nick “The Stoneman” Firtha and “Lightning” Mike Sheppard were on hand to talk about their 10-round clash for Firtha’s NABA U.S. Heavyweight championship and the vacant Ohio State Heavyweight title.

The two fighters were cordial and expressed their excitement for the date to arrive, knowing that the bout is a crucial one for each of their careers. The winner will receive ranked in the World Boxing Association, putting them in position to earn a chance to fight for a world championship.

Firtha (18-7-1, 8 KOs) is a native of Northeast Ohio hailing from Akron. He takes great pride in being able to fight in his hometown and wants to put on a good show. “I know Mike Sheppard and he brings it,” Firtha said. “I know he’s going to have his A-game.”

Sheppard (15-10-1, 8 KOs), from Palestine, W.Va., knows that this is this biggest opportunity of his career and feels it’s time to put his experience and talents on the line. “Nick’s going to get my best effort, I promise,” Sheppard said. “He’s on top of his game and the proof is in his last fight. This is going to be a heck of a fight and I’m giving it all I got.”

In his last fight Firtha made a big leap in his career when he was brought in as an opponent for upcoming heavyweight prospect Tony Grano. The night ended early for the favored fighter when Firtha stopped him in the second round. “(Firtha) kind of shocked the boxing world in his last fight; to everybody except himself and his trainer Terry Nicopolis,” said Warner Promotions president Antonio Castro.

In addition to giving their all in the ring, both fighters let it be known that they are coming to give the fans their money’s worth. “I don’t intend to step back,” Sheppard said. Echoing his statements, Firtha promised a war in the ring. “He’s not going backwards, I don’t like to go backwards, but somebody is going to have to at some point,” Firtha said. “I expect a really good fight.”

In addition, this will be Firtha’s first meaningful fight in Ohio in four years. “All these athletes fighting to get out of this town; I’m fighting to get back in,” Firtha said. “I just want to let Mike know that I haven’t fought in Northeast Ohio for a while and I take immense pride in fighting in my hometown, so I’m going to have my best stuff come Aug. 20. I wish him a lot of luck.”

Also in attendance at the press conference was 20-year-old co-feature fighter and Cleveland native Dante Moore. An undefeated junior middleweight prospect with a record of 6-0 (4), Moore will be facing the toughest challenge of his career in Minneapolis, Minn., native Corey Rodriguez (4-1-1, 3 KOs). The two will fight in a six-round match.

A bevy of talented Cleveland fighters were also in attendance and introduced by Castro. Among those were lightweight prospect Julius Leegrand (3-0, 1 KO) who will be facing off against Taide Torres of (0-2) of Milwaukee, Wis., in four-round action. Leegrand, 22, is a talented slick boxer who also works full-time.

Wilkins Santiago (1-0), of Lorain, Ohio, was announced to be facing another local fighter in Matt Keglovic (1-1, 1 KO) at the middleweight division. Heavyweight Jason Massie (5-0, 4 KOs), of Cleveland, has a tough task in Shaker Heights fighter Mujaheed Moore (4-3, 3 KOs) who has never been down in his career. Both fights will last four rounds.

Middleweight Michael Moore (2-0, 2 KOs) of Cleveland, light heavyweight Demar Singleton (4-0, 3 KOs) of Toldeo, Ohio, and junior welterweight Johnny Garcia (2-0, 1 KO) of Holland, Mich., are all awaiting announcement of their opponents.

In addition to the fights there will be live music presented by popular local acts Jackie, Tenafly Viper and A Punch’s Pilot. “We’re trying to add more of an event type atmosphere to what we’re doing,” Castro said. “Cleveland’s really never seen something like this and it’s something that we want to take pride in to start adding value to the people that are coming out and paying money not only to see great boxing but also entertaining music.”

The live music will start before the fights at 5 p.m. with the first fight to begin promptly at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on-sale through all Ticketmaster locations, livenation.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.  Tickets start at just $25 for general admission.  There are also tables seating eight for $600, tables seating four for $300, Ringside for $75, and floor seats for $50.  For more information please call 216-854-0485 or visit www.warnerpromotionsllc.com.