Three-Fight Telecast Features Five Fighters with Undefeated Records
NEW YORK– July 2, 2021 -ShoBox: La Nouvelle Générationcelebrates its 20-year anniversary with a three-fight card headlined by two exciting undefeated super middleweight prospects asKalvin Henderson prendIsaiah Steen in a 10-round main event clash Friday, Juillet 23 en direct sur Showtime® (9 p.m. ET/PT) from the Heartland Events Center in Grand Island, Bec.
The popular seriesShoBox debuted in Atlantic City on July 21, 2001 et a produit 84 fighters who later went on to win a world title. Just like it has for the past 20 ans, the upcoming tripleheader will feature prospects matched tough with a combined record of 81-1-5, including five boxers who have yet to taste defeat at the professional level.
Henderson (14-0-1,10 KOs) matches up against knockout artist Steen (15-0, 12 KOs) in the first 10-rounder for both fighters. The co-feature pitsShoBox vétéranJanelson Bocachica (17-0, 11 KOs) of Detroit against 21-year-oldShinard Bunch (15-1, 13 KOs) dans un combat welters de 10 rounds. In a battle of unbeatens, Martino Jules(10-0-2, 2 KOs) visagesAram Avagyan (10-0-2, 4 KOs) in an eight-round featherweight affair.
“This is a milestoneShoBox event and we could not be more excited,"Gordon Hall Saïd, who has served as the executive producer ofShoBox: La Nouvelle Génération since its inception. “As we celebrate two decades ofShoBox sur Juillet 23, we will stay true to our ethos to match undefeated, developing prospects tough. Dans l'événement principal, undefeated 168-pound prospects with decorated amateur pedigrees will seek a career-best win. The co-feature has the return of fast-rising Janelson Bocachica in a difficult style matchup against the power-punching Bunch, while the opener features a battle of unbeatens that could steal the show.ShoBox remains the sport’s ultimate proving ground for prospects and this event on July 23 is the perfect way to kick off our next decade.”
Kalvin Henderson vs. Isaiah Steen – 10-round Super Middleweight Main Event
Henderson vs. Steen is a matchup that was originally scheduled forShoBox en Octobre, before Henderson withdrew during fight week with an illness.
Né à Fort Worth, Texas, Henderson réside et s'entraîne actuellement à Fayetteville, Arche., where he was a six-time Arkansas state champion in the amateurs competing in 70 combats. Il est devenu professionnel en 2016, winning his first 12 fights before fighting Genc Pllana to a draw in 2019. Henderson has prior experience at the Heartland Events Center, knocking out Justin Baesman at the venue in March.
Après le lycée, Henderson received a music scholarship from the University of Arkansas as a percussionist and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 2012. The 30-year-old Henderson is promoted byMarshall Kauffman’s Kings Promotions.
“Two undefeated guys coming in on the main event,»A déclaré Henderson, who is married with five children. “I know he has a good amateur pedigree and he throws good combinations. He is bringing it and I am bringing it. The third time’s a charm to finally make this fight happen. This is the next step in my career. A lot of fighters have been onShoBox and have gone on to amazing careers, and now it’s my turn to do the same.”
Like his half-brother, U.S.. Olympian Charles Conwell, Steen de Cleveland, 24 ans, a également connu une carrière amateur réussie avec un record de 85-15. In his last fight in November, Steen stopped Colombia’s Juan De Angel with a fifth-round TKO. En février de 2020, Steen avait besoin de moins d'un tour pour arrêter le Kenneth Council à Hammond, IndianaSteen is co-promoted by Holden and Lou DiBella and managed by David McWater of Split-T Management.
“I have been going from training camp to training camp,” Steen said. “I am going to mix it up, and out box him with a lot of jabs. Then when I see his weakness, I am going to get him out. Kalvin is a come-straight-forward fighter and he punches hard. I was supposed to fight him before, so this fight has been brewing for a while.”
Janelson Bocachica contre. Shinard Bunch – 10-round Welterweight Bout
Originaire de Porto Rico et combattant hors de Detroit, Michigan, Bocachica est juste 22 years old and already has five years of pro experience, including two appearances onShoBox. This will be his third appearance on the series in nine months. He is coming off his best win to date, a majority decision win over previously unbeaten Mark Reyes, Jr. Un agressive, come-forward fighter, Bocachica began boxing at age eight, a remporté quatre championnats Ringside consécutifs (2011-14), les championnats nationaux PAL et le 2015 Gants dorés de Detroit. Il possède un record amateur de 60-5 and beat Brandun Lee in the finals to win the 2014 U.S.. Junior National Olympics. Il est formé par son père, Nelson Figueroa. Bocachica is managed by McWater and co-promoted by King’s Promotions and Salita Promotions.
“This is whatShoBox is known for: matching up fighters for great fights,”A déclaré Bocachica. “Shinard Bunch is a step up in competition. He is from the same gym as Mark Reyes, and you saw what I did to him, En Juillet 23, it will be much of the same. Fighting on SHOWTIME has helped with my profile. When I went to Puerto Rico, people knew who I was because of my previous experience onShoBox. Being on the platform has brought me many new fans.”
Bunch is a Queens, N.Y.-native living and training in Trenton, N.J. Seulement 21 ans, Bunch has been active with five fights in 2020 and five fights thus far in 2021. Bunch has more than 400 amateur fights and started boxing at age 7. He was rated as high as No. 3 in the nation at the 2016 Nationals. Currently riding a 13-fight winning streak, Bunch’s only pro loss came in 2019 in just his third fight, a unanimous loss to Paul Kroll. Bunch is managed by Russell Peltz.
“We are coming to work and make a statement,” Bunch said. “I really do not know too much about my opponent. I know he is a pressure fighter. I am not taking this fight lightly. This is a big fight, and we are going to box smart. This is a blessing to have an opportunity like this. Fighting onShoBoxis something that I have always dreamed of.”
Martino Jules vs. Aram Avagyan – 8-round Featherweight Bout
The 23-year-old southpaw Jules from Allentown, Pa., is coming off his best victory to date in an ESPN bubble fight last July, earning a majority-decision win over Aleem Jumakhonov. Jules is a 2015 Olympic Trials qualifier and had a 60-15 amateur record since turning pro in 2016 and slowly climbing up the featherweight rankings. Jules was scheduled to make hisShoBox débuts en Janvier, but his opponent fell ill the morning of his fight and the fight was called off.
“I am grateful for getting this fight,” said Jules, who is promoted by Kings Promotions and managed by Trifon Petrov. “This is something I have been waiting for a year now. I was supposed to fight onShoBox avant, but the fight fell out. I have been staying ready. Mon adversaire est coriace, and he comes ready to fight. He has a lot of merit to him, and that is pushing me to be better and I am excited to fight someone that will make me perform at my best.”
Fighting under the Salita Promotions banner, the 30-year-old Avagyan returns toShoBox for the third time facing his fourth consecutive unbeaten fighter. En Janvier, Avagyan and Panama’s Jose Nunez fought to a majority draw. Avagyan survived two early knockdowns in his debut against then-unbeaten Dagoberto Aguero to earn a majority decision in the lastShoBox telecast before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the sports world for several months in Mars 2020.
Born and raised in Yerevan, Arménie, and now residing in California, Avagyan is a decorated amateur with more than 300 combats. He captured two Bronze Medals at the European Championships and represented Armenia at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
“I’m always hungry and want to fight and the fact that it will be on the 20-year anniversary of ShoBox is doubly motivating to put on a great show,» A déclaré Avagyan. “I’m gradually gaining shape and I have another month to show my best side to all boxing fans. I promise that I’m going to war on July 23. Don’t miss this event and the war of the warrior!"
Internationale de Boxe Hall of FamerBarry Tompkins will call the action with fellow Hall of FamerSteve Farhood, ancien champion du mondeRaul Marquez and special guestAl Bernstein. Le producteur exécutif estGordon Hall avecRichard Gaughanla production etRick Phillips direction.
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SurShoBox: La Nouvelle Génération
Cette année, the critically acclaimed prospect developmental series, ShoBox: La Nouvelle Génération, célèbre son 20e anniversary on the air as it continues to match top young talent tough. Since its inception in July 2001, theShoBox la philosophie est de téléviser passionnante, foule-agréable et matchs compétitifs, tout en offrant un terrain d'essai pour les perspectives prêts déterminés à se battre pour un titre mondial. Une partie de la liste croissante de la 84 combattants qui ont apparu surShoBox et avancé pour recueillir titres mondiaux comprend: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Tchad Dawson, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams et plus.