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EIGHT FIGHTERS WITH A COMBINED RECORD OF 116-2-4 HIGHLIGHT SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATIONQUADRUPLEHEADER FRIDAY, APRIL 15, AT TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO, VERONA, N.Y.

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Unbeaten Bantamweights Nikolay Potapov and Stephon Young
Meet in Main Event; In Co-Feature, Undefeated Lightweight Eudy Bernardo Faces Mason Menard; Alexey Zubov Risks Perfect Record
Against Constantin Bejenaru, Devastating Bakhtiyar Eyubov Takes On Sam Teah

 

Live on SHOWTIME® At 10 p.m. ET/PT

 

Tickets on Sale Now

 

NEW YORK (March 16, 2016) –Eight talented up-and-coming boxers with a combined record of 116-2-4, 71 KOs will compete on a compelling ShoBox: The New Generation quadrupleheader on Friday, April 15, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.

 

In a clash of unbeaten bantamweights in the main event, undefeated world-ranked Nikolay Potapov (14-0, 6 KOs), of Podolsk, Russia, faces Stephon Young (14-0-2, 6 KOs), of St. Louis, Miss. in a 10-round bout. Eudy Bernardo (21-0, 15 KOs) of the Dominican Republic faces Mason “Rock Hard Mighty” Menard (30-1-0, 22 KOs), of Rayne, La., in an eight/10-round battle of hard-hitting lightweights in the co-feature.

 

Promising Russian cruiserweight Alexey Zubov (10-0, 6 KOs) measures against Constantin Bejenaru (10-0, 4 KOs, WSB: 0-1-1) of Mandilesti, Moldova, in one of the eight-round bouts.

 

The two ShoBox returnees will box in the eight-round telecast opener when Kazakhstan’s devastating junior welterweight Bakhtiyar “Bakha Bullet” Eyubov (10-0, 10 KOs), of Brooklyn, N.Y., takes on Liberia-born Samuel Teah (7-1-1, 2 KOs), of Philadelphia, Pa.

Six of the fighters, all seeking to establish their credibility and make a name for themselves, are newcomers to the network and will be making their ShoBox debuts on a four-fight telecast that has a distinct international flavor (two Americans, two Russians, one Romanian, one from Kazakhstan, one Dominican and one from Liberia).

Tickets for the event presented by Salita Promotions in association with AASHA Record Breakers are currently on sale and can be purchased at the Turning Stone Resort Casino Box Office, by calling 877.833.SHOW, or online at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets are priced at $60 for ringside seats, $35 and $25.

The fast-rising Potapov, of Potolsk, Russia, is ranked 10th in the IBF. Extremely rare for a fighter at this point in his career, he’s already gone 10 rounds five times and 12 rounds once against good opposition. This is his second start in the United States since signing with Salita Promotions in June 2015. The 5-foot-4, 26-year-old is coming off a shutout 10-round decision over Pedro Melo last Oct. 29 in Brooklyn.

 

An outstanding amateur with international success, Potapov had around 200 fights before he turned pro in March 2010. He went 13-0 as a pro in Russia. In his outing before last – and last in his homeland — he produced perhaps a career-best performance while winning a unanimous 12-round decision over then-IBF No. 10-ranked Jasoin Canoy, on Nov. 8, 2015.

“I’ve been training very hard to make my ShoBox debut a spectacular one,’’ Potapov said. “This will be my second fight in New York against a very skilled boxer in Stephon Young, who is undefeated like me. I look forward to a great competitive fight and I’m putting in my work to come out on top.’’

 

Young is a talented, lightning-fast-handed southpaw who’s done more than enough to deserve his standing as a rising star in the Midwest. He’s making his 2016 and 10-round debut.

 

Like Potapov, Young was a top-notch amateur. He compiled a record of 86-13 while representing the United States in many tournaments. In theU.S. Olympic Trials in 2011, he lost to the No. 1-rated amateur,Rau’shee Warren.

 

His pedigree solid and after years of having “celebrated amateur” permanently affixed to his name, Young turned pro in August 2011.The 5-foot-5, 27-year-old has gone eight rounds once and six rounds on four occasions. He’s coming off a third-round TKO over Terrance Roylast Aug. 8 and by far his toughest task, Young boxed unbeaten Antonio Nieves to an eight-round draw on June 20, 2015.

 

Young hasn’t fought near the caliber of fighters as Potapov but he’s excited and optimistic about April 15. “This is a great opportunity for me, going up against another undefeated fighter in front of the world onShoBox,’’ Young said. “You can’t pass up an opportunity like that. Training is going great. I’m training with some of the top notch fighters in the world like Juan Carlos Payano, Claudio Marrero and Yenifel Vicente.

“I know little about my opponent, but what I know makes me feel like we are the perfect match. We both have good records and we are both good fighters, but once I bring my A game, he’d be helpless. I will be watching all my P’s and Q’s. Once you get me in that zone I have no doubt I will win.’’

Bernardo, a 29-year-old with a million-dollar smile – and a punch to match — has registered knockouts in nine of his last 10 fights. In Menard, he’s facing unquestionably the most seasoned foe of his career. This is Bernardo’s fourth U.S. start and second in a row. He’s coming off a clinically ruthless second-round demolition of Ben Odametey last Feb. 6 in Detroit, Mich.

 

Born and raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Bernardo had an extensive amateur career (128 fights) before turning pro in October 2009. He captured the Dominican Republic Lightweight Title in his fourth start. Tall for his division at 5-foot-10½, Bernardo is aggressive, technically sound and possesses two-fisted power.

“With him being 30-1, beating Mason Menard will take me to the next level, exactly where I want to go,’’ said Bernardo, who trains in Houston with former world champion Frank Tate.  “I’m excited about this fight onShoBox because it’s a good opportunity for America to get to know me. Training is going very well. Every day I am learning. My diet is terrific. My whole team is with me, pushing me to get better.’’

Menard, former Louisiana State and UBO All-Americas Lightweight Champion, is a pressure and hard-punching fighter who’s won 28 in a row.

He has fought all but one of his fights in Louisiana and this will be his second start in 21 months. In his most recent effort, he stopped Jesus Lule-Raya in the first round on Aug. 8, 2015.

 

While inactivity could pose a problem, Menard is primed for Bernardo. Nobody, he says, is going to deter him from his aspirations of making it to the top.

 

“It’s blessing to me to be able to fight and showcase my talent on SHOWTIME,’’ said Menard, who has weighed at or around 135 pounds throughout a pro career that began in October 2007. “It’s been a part of a dream of mine to do so and to one day fight for a major world title. OnApril 15, Bernardo stands between me and my dreams. It’s all or nothing. It’s rise or lay down. April 15 is the day I’ll be able to be known as a real legit fighter. I WILL NOT let this guy stop me from accomplishing any of those things. Quote me, I will give it my all, I will rise, I will be known and I will be world champion.’’

 

Zubov, a sensational former international amateur standout and seven-time cruiserweight tournament champion in Russia and Europe, turned pro in April 2014. His first five fights were in the U.S. – four in California and one in Brooklyn. He won all but one inside the distance.

 

The 6-foot-1½-inch 30-year-old will be making his 2016 debut after fighting four times in 2015 and six times in 2014. Zubov’s last five fights were in Russia; he is coming off a first-round TKO over Rihards Bigislast Nov. 29.

Zubov was born and raised in Magnitogorsk, a city which isn’t exactly a fistic hotbed. Getting into boxing was hardly common for his corner of the world. He didn’t grow up in a nasty neighborhood or fighting in the streets. In fact, he has a profound mathematical background, having attended a special school that concentrated on physics and mathematics. But while his first sport was hockey, he took to boxing.

Regarding his upcoming skirmish, Zubov said, “I spent several weeks training at the Kronk Boxing Gym with Javan ‘Sugar’ Hill in Detroit for my ShoBox debut. I learn every day in the gym and look forward to putting my knowledge to use April 15 on ShoBox. I want to follow in the footsteps of all the great Kronk fighters.’’

Bejenaru a Moldovan-born fighting out of Catskill, N.Y., is making his 2016 debut. Since moving to the U.S., the 5-foot-10, 31-year-old southpaw is 10-0 with 1 No Contest dating to September 2012. In his last outing, he won a unanimous eight-round decision over Joel Shojgreen on Oct. 14, 2015.

“I know Zubov is a good fighter. I am training very hard and have been waiting for an opportunity like this so people can see just what I can do,’’ said Bejenaru, who was born in a Moldovia, a small land-locked country in Eastern Europe. “I am ready to go and very excited about this fight.’’

 

As an amateur, Bejenaru won a bronze medal at the 2006 European Amateur Boxing Championships, multiple medals at the European Union Amateur Boxing Championships and the Gold Medal at the 2010 World Combat Games.

 

Eyubov, 29, of Astana, Kazahstan, has fought a total of 16 rounds in his 10 fights since going pro in February 2012. A one-main offensive juggernaut, he’s scored six first-round knockouts, two second-round knockouts and two third-round knockouts. This will be his ninth fight in the U.S.

 

In his ShoBox debut in his last start this past Jan. 22, Eyubov droppedJared Robinson, three times en route to a third-round TKO (0:56).

 

“I’m honored to be back on ShoBox,’’ said the 5-foot-6 Eyubov who’s promoted by Salita Promotions. “I went back home to Kazakhstan after my last fight and came back with more inspiration and motivation to be the best fighter in the world. I am training very hard every day in New York City and look forward to putting on a show April 15. My gratitude toShoBox for giving a young upcoming fighter like me the opportunity to showcase his skills against the best possible opponents on national TV in the U.S. It’s just amazing.’’

Eyubov got into boxing the hard way. “I used to live in a very bad neighborhood and would constantly get into street fights. I’m not a big guy so I started boxing to learn to defend myself,’’ he said. “I had over 150 amateur fights. I won about 125-130, most were by knockout. I beat Olympic champions and international champions, but I was not allowed to travel. It might have been because of where I come from – they didn’t have political connections. They’d tell me, ‘Win by knockout, or you’re not going to win.’  I had to fight heavier guys sometimes. But I was so rough and hit so hard, I’d ruin some of their best fighters at my weight.’’

 

Teah, a 5-7, 28-year-old, won his ShoBox and eight-round debut lastNov. 6 with an upset, unanimous decision over previously undefeatedO’Shanique Foster. Teah outpointed Foster, who would go on to win his ensuring start on ShoBox.

 

“It’s a privilege and honor to be facing Eyubov on SHOWTIME,’’ said Teah, who’s coming off an eight-round draw against Demond Brock last Jan. 22. “I don’t know much about him. I know he’s from Kazakhstan with a perfect record. He fought last time I fought on the same card, but I didn’t get to see him and he didn’t get to see me. Now we get to fight each other. When I got the call I was in the gym already, just not in a fight mindset. Now it’s just matter of turning up the intensity and getting ready for an aggressive opponent and getting my fight mindset going.’’

 

Teah, who was born in Liberia, fled with his family to Ghana, where his father’s from, to escape the civil war when Sam was a youngster. The family’s been in the U.S. since he was 10.

 

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Rich Gaughanproducing and Rick Phillips directing.

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PAUL WILLIAMS RETURNS TO BOXING AS A TRAINER

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FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TO TRAIN PROSPECT JUSTIN DELOACH

IN FOURTH FIGHT ADDED TO FRIDAY, MARCH 25,

SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION TELECAST

 

“I’m scared all over again, like this is my first fight.” – Paul Williams

 

Super Welterweight DeLoach Takes on Undefeated Local Favorite Dillon Cook;

Promising  Meets Aaron Herrera in Main Event;

Live on SHOWTIME® At 10:30 p.m. ET/PT

NEW YORK (March 15, 2016) – Former two-time world champion Paul Williams, who’s pro career came to a sudden and tragic end when he was paralyzed from the waist down after a motorcycle accident in May 2012, is back in boxing as a trainer.

 

The popular Williams will work the corner of once-beaten Justin DeLoach (13-1, 7 KOs) when DeLoach faces undefeated super welterweight and local favorite Dillon Cook (16-0, 6 KOs) in the opening eight-round bout of what is now a ShoBox: The New Generation quadrupleheader on Friday, March 25, live onSHOWTIME (10:30 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla.

 

DeLoach is the first boxer to be trained by Williams, the former 154-pound southpaw who has been confined to a wheelchair since the accident.

“I guess I was being selfish at first,” Williams said.  “I didn’t want to deal with the fight game.  I wanted to be the one fighting.  But that changed.”

 

Williams was reluctant to train fighters for a long time.  It wasGeorge Peterson, who managed and trained Williams from the time the boxer was a skinny kid with little amateur experience until his career ended, that helped persuade “The Punisher” to return to the ring.  Williams trains his pupil at a private gym in his hometown of Aiken, S.C.

 

“You know me, I really didn’t want to do this,’’ Williams said. “But finally after three or four years of George practically begging me to try and do it, this opportunity came along and I decided to give it a shot.

 

“Everything is about timing.  I started thinking about it, George kept asking me and messing with me about it, one thing led to another, and I finally said I’d take a stab at it.
Williams, who is enjoying his new job description, admits there are some pre-fight jitters.

 

“I’m scared all over again, like this is my first fight.  Now, I have to think about everything that Mr. Pete was thinking about when I was fighting.  I have to try and teach Justin what I knew how to do.

 

“George and I accomplished a lot.  He made me a world champion; before that, no one knew who he or I was.  We were just a couple of guys from Aiken, S.C.  We gave fans fights to remember.

 

“I was the fighter the press labeled as ‘Most feared in boxing.’  But that’s over for me now.  I’m jumping into a whole new thing.  It’s been an adjustment but I’m glad I’m doing it.’’

 

In his role as a trainer, Williams’ mindset has changed drastically from his fighting days.  “Look, I always feel good,’’ he said.  “What’s happened has happened.  It is what it is.  This is my first time stepping back into the world.  I love boxing.

 

“What I don’t want to see is a fighter getting hurt.  This is a hard sport.  I know when I was in there I was always going for broke.  But I want Justin, all fighters actually, to come out of the ring the same way they came in.  Win or lose, I don’t want to see anybody get hurt.’’

 

On DeLoach, Williams said, “He’s a good fighter and now he’s in the spotlight.  I want to do my best in the training world to get him at his peak.  I hope he does his best.  I’d love to one-up George with Justin.’’

 

Becoming the best takes strenuous work on a daily basis, and Williams was no stranger to putting in the hours.

 

“I never took a shortcut,’’ he said.  “You take shortcuts, you know what’ll happen.  I took the long road home when I was fighting and fans, fighters, everybody knew what to expect when I stepped in the ring.

 

“Justin isn’t like this, but one thing I know is that fighters think they’re slick.  Well, you can’t pull anything over me.  I’ve been there, seen it all.’’

 

And, as always, he’ll have George Peterson by his side.

 

“I’m just helping Paul,’’ said Peterson, who will serve as Williams’ assistant trainer. “So far, he’s doing great.”

 

It will be the ShoBox and 2016 debuts — and toughest fight to date — for both DeLoach and Cook.

 

DeLoach was a top amateur, competing in the USA Boxing National Championships in 2012.  He won a National Silver Golden Gloves title when he was 13.

 

The 22-year-old DeLoach, of Augusta, Ga., has won three in a row since suffering his lone loss to Cesar Villa on Feb. 6, 2015.  That was before he started training with Williams.

 

“This has been a total blessing, and I say that every day,” DeLoach said.  “Thank God.  He’s the one who brought the two of us together, that’s the main thing.  Paul loves it, just to be back.  I think he was scared at first, his reputation was at stake and so was mine.

 

“But he’s been so helpful – just in the mental side of things. I was already a good boxer but he’s taken me to another level mentally. He’s been pushing me, criticizing me, giving me instructions and picking my brain.”

 

DeLoach and Williams grew up just 30 minutes down the road from each other.

 

“Me and Paul, we’ve known each other our whole lives,’’ DeLoach said. “I’m from Augusta, Ga., and he was right across in Aiken.  We knew each other when I was coming up as an amateur.  He came to my last pro fight that was in San Antonio.  When I saw him, I got so excited.  We started to talk and I said something like, ‘Hey, Paul, wouldn’t it be cool if we got together?’

 

“Once I came home, we started working together and he’s been training me since.  I think we’re going on about three months now.  It’s an unbelievable feeling to be able to work with one of my favorite fighters.”

 

In his last outing, DeLoach won a shutout four-round decision overSantos Benavides last Dec. 12. DeLoach, a pro since March 2013, fought six times that year and four times each in 2014 and 2015.

 

“I’m really looking forward to fighting for the first time for him,” DeLoach said.  “I’ve gone crazy waiting for my break and an opportunity like this to fight on SHOWTIME.  I know it’s not easy fighting in your opponent’s backyard, but with Paul, George Peterson and me and my skills, we are confident it will be a good fight.’’

 

Cook, 25, is from Seneca, Mo., which is located about 20 minutes from Buffalo Run Casino where he has fought six times. A top amateur, he won six Golden Gloves titles, a Junior Golden Gloves National title, a Heartland title and four regional Silver Gloves titles.  He is popular at Buffalo Run and will be making his premium network television debut against easily his most dangerous assignment as a pro. Cook’s brother, Jesse, a welterweight with a record of 15-1-1, will box on the non-televised portion of the event.

 

Dillon Cook turned pro in August 2012, fought twice that year, seven times in 2013, four times in 2014 and three times last year. Five of his last seven took place at Buffalo Run, including two out of three in 2015. He’s coming off a lopsided eight-round decision overRahman Yusubov last Nov. 14.

 

“I couldn’t be more excited about making my ShoBox debut, right at home, at the Buffalo Run Casino,” Cook said.  “This is a huge opportunity for me, and I plan on putting on a spectacular showing, for all my fans there that night and everyone watching on TV.”

 

In the ShoBox main event, unbeaten super lightweight knockout artist and emerging rising star, Regis “Rougarou” Prograis (16-0, 13 KOs), Houston by way of New Orleans, will meet experienced Aaron “The Jewel” Herrera (29-4-1, 18 KOs), of Valladolid, Mexico, in a 10-round match.

 

Four undefeated fighters will clash in the two other eight-rounders on the telecast: Hard-hitting Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk (9-0, 8 KOs), of Brooklyn, N.Y., faces Nicholas “King Beamen” Givhan(16-0-1, 10 KOs), of Kalamazoo, Mich., in a super lightweight scrap and Ukrainian Ivan “The Volk” Golub (10-0, 8 KOs, 5-0 in World Series of Boxing), of Brooklyn, N.Y., meets Marlon Aguas (9-0, 6 KOs), of Quito, Ecuador, in a welterweight match.

 

Tickets for the event promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Tony Holden Productions are priced at $45, $55 and $75 and are available for purchase at buffalorun.com and at stubwire.com.

 

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside withSteve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall withRich Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

 

# # #

 

About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 65 fighters who have appeared onShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

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GH3 Promotions Lopez, Foster, Odom and Frometa shine this past Friday night in Atlantic City

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Nutley, NJ (February 24, 2016) – This past Friday night at Historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City four members of the GH3 Promotional banner, put on great performances and three of those were televised live on ShoBox: The New Generation that was seen on SHOWTIME®.
In the main event, Super Bantamweight, Adam Lopez (15-0) remained undefeated as he scored an emphatic unanimous decision Mario Munoz to retain the WBA Fedlatin title.
Jerry Odom (13-2-1) continued to establish himself as one of the most exciting fighters in the super middleweight division with a 8-round draw with previously unblemished Ronald Ellis.
Lightweight O’Shaquie Foster (10-1, 7 KO’s) scored a beatdown over previously undefeated Lavisas Williams by scoring a 7th round stoppage in an scheduled 8-round bout.
In a non-televised bout, welterweight Hector Frometa (2-0) went to 2-0 with a 4-round unanimous decision over Jordan Rosario.
“We are very proud of our fighters that fought on Friday night,” said GH3 Promotions CEO Vito Mielnicki.
“Adam put on a very solid performance against a tough fighter from Mexico.  He is a couple fights away from fighting for a world title.  We feel when that time comes, he will not only be competitive but he has the talent to win a title and be a player for many years to come.”
“As for Jerry Odom, he fought a great fight and it was very close.  Once again his fight was filled with action and he earned another opportunity to compete against anybody at 168 pounds.  He shows the heart of a fighter and doesn’t turn down anybody.  He will be back in another good fight in the next couple months.”
“O’Shaquie showed everyone that his fight in November was just a bad night.  He has a ton of ability and he put on a great performance.  He is back on track and we still envision huge things for him.”
“Frometa is a prospect that has great natural ability and he will be stepping up the opposition with each fight.  He comes from the Cuban amateur system, and he fits into what GH3 Promotions is about and that is developing fighters and have them prepared to fight big fights when the are ready.”
GH3 Promotions features undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas, Super Middleweight’s Jerry Odom & Derrick Webster, undefeated Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez as well as Boxcino 2015 Jr. Middleweight Champion John Thompson, Jr., undefeated Welterweight’s Hector Frometa, Jerrell Harris & Keenan Smith, Light Heavyweight Lavarn Harvell, Jr. Lightweight O’Shanique Foster & Super Middleweight Andrew Hernandez to the GH3 Promotions stable.
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UNDEFEATED ADAM LOPEZ OUTPOINTS MARIO MUÑOZ IN MAIN EVENT ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FROM ADRIAN PHILLIPS BALLROOM IN HISTORIC BOARDWALK HALL

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Unbeaten Ronald Ellis and Jerry Odom Box to Majority Draw,
O’Shaquie Foster Scores TKO Over Previously Undefeated Lavisas Williams, Christopher Brooker and John Magda Fight to Controversial Split Draw

Catch Replay Monday, Feb. 22, at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on SHO EXTREME®

 

Click HERE To Download Photos

Photo Credit: Rosie Cohe/SHOWTIME®

 

ATLANTIC CITY (Feb. 20, 2016) – Adam “Mantequilla” Lopez (15-0, 7 KOs), of San Antonio, Texas, remained unbeaten and took another step toward becoming a full-fledged contender by winning a hard-fought unanimous 10-round decision over previously undefeated Mario “Yayo” Muñoz  (16-1-1, 10 KOs), of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, in Friday’smain event on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIMEfrom the Adrian Phillips Ballroom in Historic Boardwalk Hall.

 

“Lopez punched harder and controlled the tempo,” ShoBox expert analyst Steve Farhood said. “He overcame the problem with his right eye and now he’s 3-0 with three undefeated fighters on ShoBox, so he’s indeed a prospect to watch.”

 

The highly regarded Lopez, making his third ShoBox appearance and main event debut, survived a nasty cut over his right eye to win by the scores of 98-92 twice and 97-93. There were no knockdowns.

 

“This was my toughest fight as a pro and I think I proved a lot,’’ said Lopez, who entered the ring as the WBA No. 8 contender at 122 pounds. “I showed I could fight through a lot of adversity. The cut in my eye was definitely a factor for my performance in a couple of rounds, but I put the pedal to the medal and got through it. I landed the more telling shots.

 

“This is the kind of fight I can learn from. Fighting through the cut and all the head butts, and still persevering. These are the kinds of fights that make fighters better. You don’t learn a thing by blowing guys out.

 

“Muñoz  was a good fighter and landed some tight shots on me, but I was definitely the better fighter and there was no question I would get the decision. I thought I might stop him in the eighth or ninth, but it didn’t happen.’’

 

There was little known about Muñoz  going into Friday, but the mystery man from Mexico who was making his United States debut and first start outside of Mexico performed well and showed solid skills and ability.

 

“I’m very disappointed in the decision,’’ Muñoz  said. “I’m a better fighter than he is. I landed more combinations. My face is unmarked, look at his. He hurt me more from his low blows and head butts than he did with his punches. I’d love to fight him again.’’

With the defeat, Muñoz  became the 142nd boxer on ShoBox to suffer his first defeat. Two fights earlier, Lavisas “Red Williams (8-1-1, 3 KOs), of Rochester, N.Y., became the 141st ShoBox boxer to suffer his initial setback when he lost by seventh round TKO to O’Shaquie “Ice Water” Foster (10-1, 7 KOs), of Orange, Texas.

 

Foster, a former amateur standout, rebounded from a poor outing in hisShoBox debut to register a seventh-round TKO over Williams. Foster dropped the outclassed southpaw four times. After the final knockdown in the seventh, the fight was stopped at 52 seconds into the round.

 

In the co-feature of a ShoBox quadrupleheader, undefeated super middleweight Ronald “Flatline” Ellis (12-0-1, 10 KOs), of Lynn, Mass., and Washington D.C.’s Jerry “The King’s Son” Odom (13-2-1, 12 KOs) fought to a hard-fought eight-round majority draw. A close, competitive contest throughout was scored 78-74 for Ellis and 76-76 apiece.

 

In the opening fight of the telecast, John “Madman” Magda (11-0-1, 7 KOs), of Rutherford, N.Y., and  Philadelphia’s Christopher “Ice Cold” Brooker (7-1-1, 5 KOs) fought to a disputed eight-round split draw in a super middleweight matchup that most felt Brooker won. At the finish, one judge had it for Magda (77-74), one had it for Brooker (78-74) and one had it even at 76-all.

 

“I thought that was a terrible decision,’’ Farhood said. “The judges were all over the place. I think Brooker did enough to win. He was the more aggressive fighter and landed the bigger punches. I was very surprised by the result that it was a draw.”

 

Ellis, a five-year-pro who hurt his right hand at the end of the third, was pleased with his overall performance, not so much the result.

 

“I think I did a good job tonight,’’ said Ellis, the older brother of welterweight prospect Rashidi Ellis who’d won four straight by knockout, including a second-round TKO over Jas Phipps in his last start last Aug. 29. “I started strong and I showed that I belong here, in a nationally televised show. I’m happy with what I did.

 

“I showed tonight that I can counter a busy fighter. I can take a punch. I can also be a boxer-puncher. Odom tried to do his thing at the beginning, but he just couldn’t do it with me. I followed my trainer’s advice. I punched, I stood back. I used my left hook. I think I really hurt him a couple times.

 

“I won that fight. I’m sure. At first, I banged with him and then I showed my boxing. It was easy in there, I won that fight.  He never hurt me. I’ll be back. You will be seeing a lot of me in the future.”

 

Odom, a top amateur and 2012 National Golden Gloves Champion at 178 pounds who was looking to turn it around after losing two of his last three, was content with the decision although he felt he’d won his first fight in seven months.

“I can’t be disappointed with the decision because I fought my heart out.’’ Odom said. “I know I hurt him. He hurt me a bit in the second, but I got back on my feet and I kept on going.

“I feel I pulled it out in the last rounds. I worked the body, I think I did some damage. Ellis looked hurt.

“I mean no disrespect, but I felt I definitely did enough to win, but the judges saw it differently.”

Said Farhood: “Ellis-Odom was a strange fight. At times it was a brawl, and at times it was a boxing match. At times, one fighter came forward and at times the other fighter came forward. I thought Odom did enough in the last couple of rounds to salvage a draw and it turns out that is what the judges scored, a draw. So, I think the judges got it right on that fight.”

Foster decked Williams in the second, third, fourth and seventh rounds. Three of the knockdowns appeared to result from a push, but Williams’ gloves touched the canvas each time so they went into the books as knockdowns.

“I think it was a great win for Foster, because he looked so bad when he fought on ShoBox last time outdoor in Las Vegas,’’ Farhood said. “And this kind he showed the kind of skills that enable him to be a good amateur. He showed the kind of skills that will make him a legitimate prospect as a pro. It was a very good win for him. He showed speed. He showed his movement, his boxing abilities and he scored four knockdowns, and you can’t ask for much better than that.”

 

“This is a huge relief for me,’’ Foster said. “I feel great. I think people saw a glimpse of the kind of fighter I can be tonight. That wasn’t me in my first ShoBox fight. I don’t know if I froze under the lights or if I lost because of the cold weather outside, but I wasn’t nearly as confident for that fight as I was tonight and it affected my performance.

 

“I had a tremendous training camp, my best camp ever, which played a big part in my confidence tonight. I thank God for the opportunity to fight on national television again and I’m already looking forward to the next time.’’

The previously undefeated Williams confessed he was unable to his rhythm.  “For some reason, I just could not get loose. I had a cold, but I won’t take anything away from Foster. He knocked me down, but I actually thought he pushed me down most of those times.

“I learned something tonight. I can’t do what I did. I can’t wait on my opponent. I have to attack first. I’ll be will be back.”

There were no knockdowns in the Brooker-Magda battle. One judge scored it for southpaw and local favorite going in, Magda 77-74, one had it 78-74 for Brooker and one had it 76-76 even.

 

After a few rounds of solid back-and-forth exchanges, Brooker seemed to dominate in the eyes of everyone but the judges. The ShoBoxannouncers had Brooker a close but clear winner and the fans booed the decision. According to SHO STATS, Brooked outpunched and outlanded Magda by a significant margin. Brooker landed 152 of 481 punches (32 percent) while Magda connected on 78 f 268 (29 percent).

Brooker was visibly upset with the verdict.

 

“I don’t train eight hours a day, seven days a week to get this kind of decision. That was not a draw, I clearly won the fight,’’ he said. “I don’t want to take away from Magda. He’s strong fighter and he countered well, but I showed everybody that hard work beats talent any day.

“I won this fight. I was the aggressor. I threw some big punches. My right was key. In the beginning Magda was fast, but I placed my punches and I know I did enough to win the fight.’’

 

“I feel OK, but this was a tough fight,” said Magda. “He stayed on me and pressed forward, which we knew he would. But he was stronger than I thought. I’ll have to watch the tape again, but I thought I landed the more effective punches.’’

 

The ShoBox quadrupleheader will re-air this week as follows:

 

DAY                                                                CHANNEL

Monday, Feb. 22, 10:30 p.m. ET/PT             SHOWTIME EXTREME®

 

Friday’s four-fight telecast will be available at SHOWTIME ON DEMAND beginning today, Saturday, Feb. 20.

 

Barry Tompkins called the ShoBox action from ringside with Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer was Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughanproducing and Rick Phillips directing.

boxing, ShoBox, Showtime Boxing

ALL EIGHT BOXERS MAKE WEIGHT FOR SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATIONQUADRUPLEHEADER  TONIGHT, LIVE ON SHOWTIME® FROM HISTORIC BOARDWALK HALL IN ATLANTIC CITY

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 Adam Lopez vs. Mario Muñoz, Ronald Ellis vs. Jerry Odom,
Lavisas Williams vs. O’Shaquie Foster, John Magda vs. Christopher Brooker

 

Telecast Begins at 10 p.m. ET/PT; First Fight is at 7 p.m. ET

 

Tickets Are Still On Sale!

 

Click HERE For Photos From Rosie Cohe/SHOWTIME

 

ATLANTIC CITY (Feb. 18, 2016) – All eight fighters hit their marks and are set to go for their fights tonight, Friday, Feb. 19 on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). A quadrupleheader, presented by GH3 Promotions, will emanate from the Adrian Phillips Ballroom in the Historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic, City, N.J.

 

In the main event two undefeated prospects with exceedingly high expectations face their most dangerous opponent to date when Adam “Mantequilla” Lopez (14-0, 7 KOs), of San Antonio, Texas, by way Phoenix, Ariz., meets Mario “Yayo” Muñoz (16-0-1, 10 KOs), of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico in a 10-round super bantamweight matchup.

 

In other televised bouts, all scheduled for eight rounds, Ronald “Flatline” Ellis (12-0, 10 KOs), of Dorchester, Mass., takes on Washington D.C.’s Jerry “The King’s Son” Odom (13-2, 12 KOs) in a clash of hard-hitting super middleweights, southpaw Lavisas “Red” Williams (8-0-1, 3 KOs), of  Rochester, N.Y. risks his undefeated record against O’Shaquie “Ice Water” Foster (9-1, 6 KOs), of Orange, Texas, in a lightweight match and, opening the telecast, John “Madman” Magda (11-0, 7 KOs), of Rutherford, N.J., faces Philadelphia’s Christopher “Ice Cold” Brooker (7-1, 5 KOs) in a super middleweight matchup.

 

The Weights: Lopez and Muñoz each weighed 121½ pounds; Ellis tipped scale at 166½ pounds, Odom 167½, Williams weighed 132 pounds, Foster 134; and Magda weighed 167½ pounds and Brooker 168½.

 

Tickets are priced at $25, $50, $75, $100 and $150 and are available for purchase online at www.Ticketmaster.com and over the phone at (800) 736-1420.

 

Here’s what the fighters said Thursday:

 

ADAM LOPEZ

 

“This is my third time on ShoBox and my third fight against an undefeated fighter. They like to match me tough but I must confess, I’m really looking forward to it.

 

“I know I only had 14 fights, but I truly feel I feel I’m ready for a major fight or a title shot at the end of year. I have a strong amateur background, so I have experience. There are a lot of good fights right now at 122 pounds. The division is hot.

 

“I fought at 118 last time so I can make that weight if the right opportunity comes, but I am strong at 122. I thought I clearly won my last fight. I don’t think it was as close as the judges said it was.

 

“I’m fighting a guy, Munoz, who is sort of a mystery to me. I’ve seen one tape of him, but it was from 2012. So I don’t really know how he’s fought recently.

 

“He seems to want to box and slug. He’s had some good performances in the past and fought some good ones so I won’t take nothing away from him and I do respect him.

 

“But I’m prepared to make the fight and be aggressor if necessary, and to win it any way that I have to. My trainer [former two-time world champion Carlos “Famous” Hernandez] continues to work on all the little things, and trains me for anything that might come my way..

 

“I feel that I’ve moved from prospect to contender, but a victorytomorrow night should prove that to everybody.”

 

MARIO MUÑOZ

 

“This is my first fight in nine months and first in America, which is very exciting. You have to fight in the United States eventually; this is where you become known.

 

“I know that I’m in top shape. I’ve fought some good guys in my division, and I’m at the level I need to be. I had a really hard training camp; I know what I’m supposed to do.

 

“I’m grateful for this opportunity. I know a lot of people haven’t heard of me, but I promise you a good fight.

 

“I’m more of a boxer than a puncher, but I love to exchange and switch stance to southpaw, although my trainer doesn’t like it.

 

“Lopez is very fast, smart and has a great left hand. But I’m ready for all that. I’ll look at what he has to offer and counter with my best.

 

“I’m a little nervous. Things are moving fast now. But I couldn’t be more ready.’’

 

RONALD ELLIS

 

“I’ve been working for this sort of opportunity since I was 13, so, yes, I am very excited. I want to win and look good doing it so promoters and television will want to see me again.

 

“I’ve had problems in the past getting opponents, so I’ve taken a few ‘stay busy’ fights. But this fight is a totally different story.

 

“Everyone says I’m a boxer-puncher, and I do feel I am versatile. I’ll decide how I want to go the night of the fight. We know how Jerry’s gonna fight so I need to fight him smart. We’ll see how Odom’s chin is because it’s going get tested tomorrow night.

 

“I only had 24 amateur fights, but I am dedicated and continuing to improve with each fight. It will be a great night for me. I’m looking forward to putting on a good show.’’

 

 

JERRY ODOM

 

“Everybody has to make changes so I have a new trainer, Kennie Johnson, for this fight. He has been trying to stress finesse, movement and utilizing my overall skills more, with less emphasis on just trying to load up and knock the guy out.

 

“We’re working on me picking shots, breaking down opponents and setting up the power shots rather than just show it. Defensively, he’s had me working on my overall movement, head movement in particular.

 

“I’m looking to shine on Friday, especially after my last ShoBox fight that I lost. I should have never taken the fight once he came in so overweight. It was a bad business decision on my part, but I learned – no more thinking with my heart.

 

“I got over my last fight right away and I’m anxious to do my job and show how much I gained and learned from it. I certainly feel ready. My only focus is to win.

 

“Ellis should be a good opponent for me. Obviously he has power, a good jab and punches. There are some good things about him, but I’m better. I’ll go out and execute, he won’t be able to stop me.’’’

 

LAVISAS WILLIAMS

“I’m naturally lefty … I’ve sparred against ambidextrous boxers, so I like to say I’m ready for anything that comes my way.

 

“I’m excited to be debuting on national television. That’s a pretty big deal for me so I need to put a great show. Especially for my fan base back home, they are all going to be watching.

 

“I take boxing seriously. I like to say I’m very dedicated. I take advantage of any opportunity I see. I trained at Mayweather Boxing Gym in Las Vegas for a bit last year. It was a good experience.

 

“My job is to frustrate him and trust me, I will. He will fight my fight. If he freezes again, I’m sure taking advantage of that, but I’m not counting on it.

 

“I’m going in knowing I’m the better boxer, but not overconfident. You can’t overlook anybody, but I know I’m the one that’s coming out victorious.”

 

O’SHAQUIE FORSTER

 

“I don’t know what happened in my last fight. I thought everything was OK but I just couldn’t find my fight rhythm. I couldn’t get off for some reason. But I am done thinking about that night.

 

“I’m definitely more focused this time around and in better shape. I need a win – and I’m fighting a guy who beat the guy that beat me, Samuel Teah. So, I have to be smart. He’s a southpaw but I can deal with that.

 

“I’ve never worked so hard in camp. I left Texas to go to Washington D.C. to train for this. I’m 100 percent set to go.

 

“I need a challenge and this is it. I’m ready to step up and I’m ready for him.”

 

 

JOHN MAGDA

“I’m excited and ready to go. Right now I’m looking at this as just another fight, but it’s definitely a big, big deal. I’m hoping to win and put on an exciting show.

 

“I’ve been in the gym training since November but a series of unfortunate events took place and I didn’t fight that month, or in December, or in January. So, I’ve been training for a while. I’m ready to fight.

 

‘I’m in with a rough, tough guy. I can’t let him bully or push me around; I just can’t let him stand and throw.

 

“I need to box, move, do a lot of things I know I can do. I have to see how it plays. It’s all just a matter of me doing what I am supposed to do, whether it is to box or slug. I’m ready for it.’’

 

CHRISTOPHER BROOKER

 

“I love being the underdog; I’m accustomed to it. That’s why I work so hard, remain dedicated and will not ever quit.

 

“Magda throws a lot of punches, so you can’t expect him to stay on the outside. But I run 15 miles a day, three days a week after sparring, to get into the kind of shape I need to be in and am for this fight.

 

“This is my first fight against a southpaw, but I’ve had southpaw sparring, including some recently with [former world champion] Andre Dirrell. I learned so much from him.

 

“I’m a Philly fighter through and through: I may not be a favorite to win, but I come to war and will never give up. That’s a lot like the way I grew up when living in foster homes — and later, homeless, for some time. I just not give up, I keep on fighting.

 

“There’s a lot on the line for me this Friday and I am ready to show what I can do.’’

 

# # #

 

 

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raúl Márquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

 

 

About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 65 fighters who have appeared onShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

 

boxing, ShoBox, Showtime Boxing

John Magda – Christopher Brooker ready for a Super Middleweight showdown this Friday night at Historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City and Live on ShoBox: The New Generation

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John Magda battles Christopher Brooker in Super Middleweight showdown from Historic Boardwalk Hall Live on ShoBox: The New Generation

Quadrupleheader includes Adam Lopez vs. Mario Muñoz, Ronald Ellis vs. Jerry Odom,
Lavisas Williams vs. O’Shaquie Foster This Friday, Feb. 19 at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Live On SHOWTIME®
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Atlantic City, NJ (Feb. 16, 2016) – Despite the fight being added just two weeks ago, many boxing insiders feel that the opening eight-round super middleweight  between undefeated John Magda and Christopher Brooker this Friday, Feb. 19 live onSHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) could steal the show onShoBox: The New Generation quadrupleheader that is loaded with talent.

Unbeatens Adam “Mantequilla” Lopez (14-0, 7 KOs), of San Antonio, Texas, by way Phoenix, Ariz., and Mario “Yayo” Muñoz (16-0-1, 10 KOs), of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, will face their toughest opponents to-date when they meet in the 10-round super bantamweight main event from the Adrian Phillips Ballroom in Historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.

In other televised bouts, all scheduled for eight rounds, Ronald “Flatline” Ellis (12-0, 10 KOs), of Dorchester, Mass., takes on Washington D.C.’s Jerry “The King’s Son” Odom (13-2, 12 KOs) in a clash of hard-hitting super middleweights, and southpawLavisas “Red” Williams (8-0-1, 3 KOs), of Rochester, N.Y. risks his undefeated record against O’Shaquie “Ice Water” Foster (9-1, 6 KOs), of Orange, Texas, in a super featherweight scrap.

Tickets for the GH3 Promotions event are priced at $25, $50, $75, $100 and $150 and are available for purchase online at www.Ticketmaster.com and over the phone at(800) 736-1420.

The bout between Magda and Brooker has a bit of the territorial rivalry feel as Magda will be fighting close to his Rutherford, N.J. home while Brooker will be making the one-hour trek on the Atlantic City Expressway from his residence in Philadelphia.
Both Magda and Brooker are 24-years old.
Magda has built his reputation on his volume punching that has catapulted him to a perfect mark of 11-0 with seven knockouts.  The former New Jersey Junior Olympic champion is coming off the best win, a unanimous decision over Dionisio Miranda.

Brooker has a record of 7-1 with five knockouts and is an aggressive puncher with good power.  Brooker stepped on late notice and scored an upset when he defeated previously undefeated Leo Hall on Dec. 29.
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GH3 Promotions Hector Frometa headlines a stacked undercard on Friday, February 19 at the Adrian Phillips Ballroom at Historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City

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Full night of boxing to take place before terrific ShoBox: The New Generation card, Live SHOWTIME®
John Magda to battle Christopher Brooker in opening televised bout
Nutley, N.J. (Feb. 5, 2016) – It will be a big night of boxing on Friday, Feb. 19, at theAdrian Philips Ballroom in Historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City as GH3 Promotions presents ShoBox: The New Generation, live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

Four bouts will be showcased on the televised portion. In the main event, Adam Lopez (14-0, 7 KO’s) of San Antonio, Texas, will take on Mario Munoz (16-0-1, 10 KO’s) of Guadalajara, Mexico, in a ten-round battle for the WBA Fedalatin Super Bantamweight title.

In the eight-round co-feature, undefeated super middleweight Ronald Ellis (12-0, 10 KO’s) of Lynn, Mass., will battle Jerry Odom (13-2, 12 KO’s) of Washington, D.C.

In an eight-round super featherweight bout, Lavisas Williams (8-0-1, 3 KO’s) of Rochester, N.Y., will battle O’Shaquie Foster (9-1, 6 KO’s) of a Houston, Texas.

Recently added is an eight-round super middleweight bout between undefeated John Magda (11-0, 7 KO’s) of Rutherford, N.J., taking on Christopher Brooker (7-1, 5 KO’s) of Philadelphia.

The combined record of the eight competitors is an astounding 90-4-2 which equates to a 94.8 winning percentage.

Before the cameras roll, an outstanding undercard has been assembled by GH3 Promotions.

GH3 Promotions Hector Frometa (1-0) of Miami, Fla. via Cuba, will take on Jordan Rosario (0-2) of Jersey City, N.J., in a four-round welterweight bout.

In a six-round junior middleweight bout, Arturo Trujillo (7-0, 4 KO’s) of Easton, Pa., will battle Jeffrey Wright (3-1-1, 3 KO’s) of Milwaukee, Wisc.

In a six-round junior middleweight bout, Anthony Young (11-1, 5 KO’s) of Atlantic City, will battle Skender Halil (8-1, 8 KO’s) of Fort Worth, Texas.

In a six-round heavyweight match, Brendan Barrett (3-0-1, 3 KO’s) of Little Egg Harbor, N.J. will square off with Dan Pasciolla (6-1) of Brick, N.J.

Elijah Vines of Philadelphia will make his pro debut against Danny Rosenberger(0-1-2) of Saint Petersburg, Fla., in a welterweight bout.

Tickets for the GH3 Promotions event are priced at $25, $50, $75, $100 and $150 are available for purchase online at www.Ticketmaster.com and over the phone at 1 800 736 1420.

GH3 Promotions features undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas, Super Middleweight’s Jerry Odom, undefeated Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez as well as Boxcino 2015 Jr. Middleweight Champion John Thompson, Jr., undefeated Welterweight’s Hector Frometa, Jerrell Harris & Keenan Smith & Jr. Lightweight O’Shaquie Foster to the GH3 Promotions stable.
boxing, ShoBox, Showtime Boxing

After Sensational Victory over Donovan Dennis, The Sky is Now the Limit for Heavyweight Slugger Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller

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Promoter Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions says he could not be happier with the performance turned in last Friday night by the fighter he co-promotes (with Dmitriy Salita of Salita Promotions), undefeated heavyweight slugger Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller.
Miller, now 16-0-1, 14 KOs, showed both his frightening power and excellent boxing skills while scoring a brutal TKO 7 over an extremely game Donovan Dennis. Fighting in the co-main event of a nationally televised ShoBox: The New Generation from the Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Arizona, Miller made believers out of many by displaying depth and ring intelligence to go with his sledgehammer fists.
“Jarrell showed he’s not just a big puncher,” said Greg Cohen. “He showed the ability to change up his game plan during a fight. That’s very important at the higher levels of the division. He nearly took Dennis’ head off in the first round, but when he saw that somehow he was going to survive for a while, he switched up to boxing and re-established his dominance that way. It was exactly what he should have done in there.”
Miller, who won the NABA Heavyweight Championship with the victory, is now in line for an even higher-profile showdown with a rated contender.
“Jarrell is a force to be reckoned with and with his power, skill, athleticism and charisma, he can become a worldwide star and be the man to restore the heavyweight division to its glory of yesteryear,” continued Cohen. “People love him and can’t enough of him!”
Cohen says that even though Miller called out the champions of the division after the victory, the probable next step will be a top-ten fighter in one of the sanctioning organizations.
“We believe he can beat any of the champions right now, today. But to get him there we will have to next focus on someone rated above him and take their spot by force. But I have every confidence we are less than a year away from getting Jarrell the world title shot he wants more than anything.”
boxing, ShoBox, Showtime Boxing

UNDEFEATED MIDDLEWEIGHT ROB BRANT SCORES IMPRESSIVE KO OF DECARLO PEREZ IN NIGHT OF KNOCKOUTS FRIDAY ONSHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION

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Unbeaten Heavyweight Jarrell Miller Calls Out Heavyweight Champs After Brutal KO: VIDEO:  http://s.sho.com/1Vfnk7K

 

Catch The Replay This Monday at 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHO EXTREME®

 

Click HERE For Photos Credit Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

 

TUCSON, Ariz. (Jan. 22, 2016) – Undefeated middleweight prospect Rob Brant scored the most impressive victory of his career with a fourth-round knockout of Decarlo Perez in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation, live on SHOWTIME on Friday from Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Ariz.  VIDEO HIGHLIGHT: http://s.sho.com/1QqySWm

 

Known more for his boxing prowess, Brant (19-0, 12 KOs) displayed impressive power. After a big first round, in which he threw 97 punches and more of the same in the second, Brant floored Perez with a straight-right shot midway through the third.

 

The Minnesota native kept on the gas in the fourth and landed another straight right that sent Perez falling straight back partially through the ropes. Perez (15-4-1, 5 KOs) awkwardly landed back into the ring and referee Rocky Burke instantly ended the fight at :39.

 

“The game plan was to be aggressive,” Brant said.  “We knew we wanted to show him our power early and make him respect us right away.  When I caught him with the right on the temple in the third I knew we had him.   And then when I connected in the fourth it was lights out, game over.  I just want to get back in the ring as soon as possible and continue making progress.”

 

Perez, who entered the fight coming off an impressive win over previously undefeated Juan Ubaldo Cabrera last August on ShoBox, said he just got caught with a good shot.

 

“I just got caught,” Perez said.  That’s all that happened. I didn’t see the shot coming and he was speedier than I thought. He’s fast and he got me with something I wasn’t ready for.”

 

SHOWTIME analyst Steve Farhood was surprised by Brant’s performance.

 

“Brant showed a dimension we hadn’t seen before,” Farhood said.  “He’s thinking man’s fighter who fought an angry fight.  And, as result of that, you have to put him near the very top of the list of middleweight prospects.”

 

Undefeated heavyweight prospect Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller floored Donovan Dennis twice in a thoroughly dominating seventh round TKO (2:31) in the ShoBox co-feature.

 

Miller (16-0-1, 14 KOs), who went past the sixth round for the first time in his career, landed 52 percent of his power shots.  The Brooklyn native scored two knockdowns in the first round – the first with a devastating looping right, the second with a straight to the chest – and had Dennis nearly out on his feet in what looked like a certain first-round finish.

 

The southpaw Dennis (14-4, 11 KOs) somehow survived the round and actually pushed Miller into uncharted waters.  Dennis had some moments where he out boxed his opponent, but Miller’s power and size – a 56 pound weight advantage – was the deciding difference.   Dennis was breathing through his mouth and gasping for air when referee Tony Zaino wisely halted the contest as “Big Baby” teed-off on his defenseless opponent.

 

“I had him out in the first round, but I threw my shoulder out throwing a left hook,” Miller said.  “I was looking for the knockout so bad he started catching me with some shots.  So then I decided to box a little bit and that’s what I did until the knockout came.

 

“I’m glad it went seven rounds.  It taught me to go to Plan B.  I can box beautifully when I want and I showed some of that tonight.  It was good experience.  My power was there; my wind was good. I was breathing well and seeing the shots.”

 

After the fight, Miller called out the two American heavyweight world champions.

 

“Charles Martin, I’m coming for you.  Deontay Wilder, I’m coming for your Alabama BBQ.”

 

In the locker room after the bout, Dennis admitted that he was surprised by Miller’s boxing ability:  “He’s a better boxer than I thought he would be. That surprised me.”

 

In the opening bout of the telecast, undefeated welterweight prospect Bakhtiyar Eyubov impressed with a dominating demolition of the durable Jared Robinson with a third round TKO (:56).

 

Eyubov (10-0, 10 KOs), who scored three knockdowns in three rounds, recorded his 10th knockout in his 10th career professional fight.  The hard-throwing Eyubov landed a staggering 57 percent of his power shots while throwing only three jabs in the fight.  The Kazakhstan native scored two knockdowns in the first and one in the third over the veteran Robinson (17-3-1, 17 KOs), who was only the second opponent to push Eyubov into the third round.

 

“Was I surprised at how easy it was?  No, I can’t believe he made it to round three,” Eyubov said.  “The ref should have stopped it earlier.  I am much smarter than I was before.  I expect more of myself now.  It was another step forward and I promise everyone all my fights will be like that. I am like (Arturo) Gatti.

 

“My trainers are teaching me to move my head, and I’m confident that no one can hurt me.  I will never ever be knocked down.”

 

Eyubov, who entered the ring with a “papakha,” explained his cultural dance following the knockout win.

 

“The dance and the hat are traditional Kazakhstan traditions,” Eyobov said.  “I was honoring my countrymen with that dance.  And the hat is a symbol of my honor.  No one can take that hat from me. “

 

The ShoBox tripleheader will re-air on Monday, Jan. 25 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® beginning Saturday, Jan. 23.

 

Barry Tompkins called the ShoBox action from ringside with Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer was Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughanproducing and Rick Phillips directing.

 

# # #

 

About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 65 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

boxing, ShoBox, Showtime Boxing

ADAM LOPEZ AND MARIO MUNOZ TO HEADLINE SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION QUADRUPLEHEADER FRIDAY, FEB. 19, FROM BOARDWALK HALL IN ATLANTIC CITY

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Ronald Ellis vs. Jerry Odom, Keenan Smith vs. Wellington Arias Romero & Lavasis Williams-O’Shaquie Foster Also in Action

 

Friday, Feb. 19 at 10 p.m. ET/PT

Live On SHOWTIME®

 

NEW YORK (Jan. 15, 2016) – ShoBox: The New Generation returnson Friday, Feb. 19, quadrupleheader live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from the Adrian Phillips Ballroom in Historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.

 

With the same height, same age, and similar strong amateur backgrounds, Adam “Mantequilla” Lopez (14-0, 7 KOs) and Mario “Yayo” Munoz (16-0-1, 10 KOs) will face their toughest opponents to date when they touch gloves in the 10-round super bantamweight main event matchup.

 

In other televised bouts, all scheduled for eight rounds, Ronald “Akeem” Ellis (12-0, 10 KOs) takes on Jerry Odom (13-2, 12 KOs) in a clash of hard-hitting super middleweights, Keenan Smith (9-0, 3 KOs) faces fellow southpaw Wellington Romero (9-0-1, 4 KOs) in a battle of unbeaten welterweights and lefthander Lavisas “Red” Williams (8-0-1, 3 KOs) risks his undefeated record against O’Shaquie Foster (8-1, 5 KOs) in a super featherweight match.

 

The combined record of the eight up-and-coming competitors is 89-3-3 with 54 knockouts.

 

Lopez, of San Antonio, Texas, by way Phoenix, Ariz., Smith, of Philadelphia, and Foster, of Orange, Texas, will be making their secondShoBox starts; while Munoz, of  Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Ellis, of Dorchester, Mass., Williams, of  Rochester, N.Y. and Romero, of Hasburgh, N.Y., via Santiago, D.R., their first. Odom, of Washington, D.C, is making his third appearance.

 

Tickets for the GH3 Promotions event are priced at $25, $50, $75 and 100 and are available for purchase online at www.Ticketmaster.comand over the phone at 1 800 736 1420.

 

An excellent boxer-puncher and tactician that likes to counter, Lopez won his ShoBox debut in his outing before last with a close, hard-fought 10-round majority decision over previously undefeated, DominicanEliezer Aquino (17-0-1 going in). Lopez is coming off a second-round TKO over Eric Aiken last Dec. 12.

 

Lopez was born in Phoenix, raised in Los Angeles and moved to San Antonio when he was 15. He went 125-23 in the amateurs and won six national championships before turning pro in February 2012. He’s trained by former two-time world champion Carlos “Famoso” Hernandez.

 

Munoz will be making his United States debut and first start outside of Mexico. A pro since September 2010, he’s known for his come-forward style, first-rate overall skills and proficient punching power. He went 140-10 in the amateurs, winning three national Junior Olympic tournaments and coming away with bronze and silver medals in national championships.

 

Munoz, who hails from a fighting family, has an uncle who boxed professionally. He’s the one he credits for introducing him to boxing when he was 13. This will be his first fight since he scored a lopsided eight-round decision over Daniel Franco last May 2.

 

Ellis upset highly regarded Terrell Gausha to win the 2010 National Golden Gloves (Gausha would go on to represent the U.S. at the 2012 Olympic Games). Since going pro in February 2011, Ellis has fought in two countries (Puerto Rico, Mexico) and six U.S. cities (San Antonio, Carson, Calif., Winchester, Va., New York City, Tulsa and Inglewood, Calif.). The 26-year-old has faced mostly modest opposition and has seldom come close to putting in a full night’s work.

 

Ellis had had a series of delays and restarts since turning pro but feels he’s grown from his mistakes and that he’ll be stronger because of them. For sure, his power hasn’t been affected. All 10 of his knockouts have come inside two rounds (eight in the first). The older brother of boxer Rashidi Ellis has won four straight by knockout, including a second-round TKO over Jas Phipps in his last start last Aug. 29. But he seems to be taking a sizeable step-up in class here.

 

Odom is looking to turn it around after losing two of his last three, the most recent defeat coming via a shocking third-round TKO to Samuel Clarkson (14-3 going in) on ShoBox. The heavily favored, heavy-hitting Odom was dropped three times, once in the second and twice in the third, before the fight was halted at 1:15.

 

Odom, a top amateur and 2012 National Golden Gloves Champion at 178 pounds, had a 12-fight win streak end on Jan. 9, 2015, when he was disqualified against Andrew Hernandez. In the rematch the followingMarch 13 on ShoBox, Odom registered a 2:47, first-round TKO.

 

In his ShoBox debut, Odom, who makes for exciting scraps, dropped previously unbeaten Vilier Quinonez (8-0) twice before stopping him in the seventh round on July 25, 2014.

 

Smith won his ShoBox debut in his last start on a hard-fought, eight-round unanimous decision over Benjamin Whitaker last Nov. 6 in an outdoor fight in Las Vegas. Fighting in memory of his mother who died in late September and going eight rounds for the first time, the 5-foot-7Smith, overcame a nasty cut over the left eye from an unintentional headbutt in the sixth, rallied to score a knockdown in the seventh and triumphed by the scores of 79-73 and 78-74 twice.

 

Before turning pro in April 2010, Smith was a 2008 National Golden Gloves Featherweight Champion and 2007 Junior Olympic National Champion. His 74-2 record in the amateurs included two victories overworld-ranked contender Amir Imam.

Romero had 268 amateur bouts and represented the Dominican Republic at the Olympics in 2012 (he lost to Vasyl Lomanchenko). Shortly thereafter he relocated to New York. He went pro in October 2013, fought four times in 2014 and five times last year.

 

A slick 5-foot-9 boxer who can punch and gives opponent issues because of his awkward style and movement, Romero, 24, has beat up on ordinary opposition and is coming off a first-round TKO over LuisMeroles last Dec. 5. This looks to be his most daunting assignment to date.

 

Williams, 24, is a boxer-puncher who’s won seven in a row since boxing a draw in his second start in March 2013. This will be his first fight outside of New York. Making his eight-round debut in his last start onOct. 8, he won a shutout decision over Czech Republic’s Michal Dufek.

 

Foster, 22, gets a quick-fix opportunity to redeem himself after losing hisShoBox debut on an eight-round unanimous decision to underdog Sam Teah (6-1) on the Nov. 6 card in Las Vegas.

 

A highly decorated amateur, the 5-foot-8½ inch Foster advanced to the 2012 U.S. Olympic Games Trials where he lost to unbeaten pro prospect, Joseph “Jo-Jo” Diaz. Before that, Foster was a 2011 Houston Golden Gloves and 2010 PAL National Champion, a five-time Ringside National Champion and two-time National Junior Golden Gloves Champion.

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

 

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About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 65 fighters who have appeared onShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.