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Tag Archives: boxing
SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FINAL WEIGHTS, QUOTES & PHOTOS FOR TOMORROW/FRIDAY, NOV. 10
Live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT from The Masonic at Templelive Cleveland
“I think I can be three or four fights away for the chance at a world heavyweight title.”
– Junior Fa, Undefeated Heavyweight Prospect
Click HERE To Download Weigh-In Photos; Credit Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
CLEVELAND (Nov. 9, 2017) – SHOWTIME Boxing fans will get their first look at eight promising prospects with a combined record of 97-2 – including two undefeated up-and-coming heavyweights and a 2016 Super Welterweight Olympian – as ShoBox: The New Generation takes place this Friday, November 10 live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from The Masonic at Templelive Cleveland.
Featherweight prospects Luis Rosa Jr. (23-0, 11 KOs) and local favorite Yuandale Evans (19-1, 14 KOs) will square off in a 10-round main event as all eight fighters made their respective weights on Thursday. The ShoBoxquadrupleheader features undefeated Russian standout Radzhab Butaev (7-0, 6 KOs; WSB: 9-1) taking on Colombia’s Janer Gonzalez (18-0-1, 15 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight matchup, and New Zealand’s undefeatedJunior Fa (12-0, 7 KOs) facing former Golden Gloves champion Freddy Latham (9-0-2, 5 KOs) in an eight-round heavyweight bout. In the telecast opener, 2016 Olympian Charles Conwell (5-0, 5 KOs) will take on Roque “Rocky” Zapata (4-1-3), who is coming off a three-bout winning streak.
Tickets for the DiBella Entertainment event are still available for purchase via the following link HERE.
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS, REFS AND JUDGES:
Luis Rosa Jr. vs. Yuandale Evans – 10-round Featherweight Bout
Rosa Jr.: 125 Pounds
Evans: 125 ½ Pounds
Referee: Shawn Clark (P.A.); Judges: Patrick Casey (P.A.), Larry Hazard Jr. (N.J.), Phil Rogers (Ohio)
Radzhab Butaev vs. Janer Gonzalez – Eight-round Welterweight Bout
Butaev: 146 Pounds
Gonzalez: 147 Pounds
Referee: George Nichols (C.A.); Judges: Brian Kennedy (Ohio), Patrick Casey (P.A.), Larry Hazard Jr. (N.J.)
Junior Fa vs. Freddy Latham – Eight-round Heavyweight Bout
Fa: 262 Pounds
Latham: 261 Pounds
Referee: Clifford Pinkney (Ohio); Judges: Brian Kennedy (Ohio), Phil Rogers (Ohio), Larry Hazard Jr. (N.J.)
Charles Conwell vs. Roque “Rocky” Zapata – Six-round Super Welterweight Bout
Conwell: 153 Pounds
Roque Zapata: 155 Pounds
Referee: George Nichols (California); Judges: Patrick Casey (P.A.), Larry Hazard (N.J.), Phil Rogers (Ohio)
FINAL QUOTES:
LUIS ROSA JR.:
“There was a time in my career when I was one fight away from fighting for a world title at 122 pounds, but I’m a natural featherweight. This fight is at 126 but I’ll fight at 126 or 122. Wherever the opportunity is, I’ll take it.
“I’m going to show a lot of different things. I have more to show than just my boxing skills. Whatever I have to do to get the win, I will do it.
“My opponent is a southpaw, but he’s not the slickest southpaw I’ve seen. We’ve been training with a lot of southpaws. Fighting southpaws is not a big deal for me. I fought so many of them in the amateurs.
“I don’t think I’m going to have any problem with him. I know his left hook is his favorite punch so I’m going to try and take that away from him.
“I think putting together some timely combinations is going to be the key to this fight.
“After I beat [Jorge] Diaz and [Luis] Del Valle in 2015 my opposition dropped. I was knocking on the door but just never got the call. That’s why this fight is so big for me. I’m ready to showcase my skills on national TV. I’m ready for the next step on my career.”
YUANDALE EVANS
“I know all the bigger names are at 126 so I’m going to stay right here. I’ve bounced around from 126 to 130. Lou DiBella, my promoter told me to stay ready and that’s what I did; I’m ready.”
“It took me awhile from me to come back after the loss to Javier Fortuna [in 2012]. But I’ve always stayed sharp and I’ve been in various camps. I’ve trained with guys like Lamont Peterson, Gervonta Davis and Rau’Shee Warren.
“I’ve been doing this since I was 10 years old, but I’m a lot wiser and smarter than in the past. I have knowledge and have been talking to a lot of managers and champions. I’m like an Einstein now. I’m a lot sharper, and craftier. And I have defense now.
“This fight will show the boxing world that I belong. I can be in the top five. This fight means a lot for me and the people of Cleveland.
“I’ve been working with [famed trainer] Barry Hunter for this fight and he’s taught me so much. My opponent has been spoiled and has never had to travel into enemy territory. Until now.
I’ve been a road warrior my entire career. I know the crowd can win the fight for me. Just the energy and hearing them when I’m tired. It’s a big advantage for me to be fighting at home. I will have a lot of fans here and it’s going to be big. I still got guys’ texting me for ringside seats, but there’s none left.
“I want ShoBox to say, ‘We have to have this guy back. We have to go back to Cleveland.’ ”
“[Rosa] is my height. He’s going to be right in front of me. He’s going to come straight at me. He has to.”
“They call me ‘Money Shot’ and ‘Southpaw Machine’ and the ‘Black Mexican’ in the gyms here in Cleveland.”
JANER GONZALEZ
“I’ve been training with Ruben Guerrero for the past couple of weeks, and I like training a lot better here in the United States. I felt like I was mistreated in the past back in Colombia.
“Fellow Colombian Oscar Escandon introduced me to Ruben and here we are. It’s the United States and everyone wants to be over here. The sparring and the training is just so much better here.
“I’m 30 years old now and I have a family back home in Colombia to support. This is my shot. I will not fail them. I have Team Guerrero on my side so I’m ready.
“We all know skills pay the bills and I just have to do my job and not get too crazy in there and get the win.
“I watched Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard when I was younger. I liked how smart and intelligent they fought.”
RADZHAB BUTAEV
“I’ve been in the United States for a year now and really liked training at Wild Card Gym and Wild Card West in Southern California.
“I can punch as hard as [Gennady] Golovkin and can move better than [Vasyl] Lomachenko. I’m very confident and my experience is the reason for that.
“I sparred with Demetrius Andrade and Shawn Porter and I have held my own.
“The welterweight division is the best in boxing, everyone knows that. And I’ll fight anybody.
“It doesn’t matter that there’s no YouTube video on Gonzalez. He’s tough and competitive and a boxer who will come to fight.”
JUNIOR FA
“When I beat Joseph Parker [in the amateurs twice] it was my movement and my footwork that was key. He’s such a big puncher I just kept moving because I didn’t want to stand right in front of that.
“I’m a multi-dimensional fighter and my strengths are my mobility.
“Deontay Wilder showed that he has plenty of power. He’s always there from the first bell… I like the guy, he’s got plenty of power and is very explosive.
“I like Anthony Joshua’s boxing brain. He’s got power, but it’s a different kind of power from Wilder. I like the way he sees his punches.
“For myself to be known, I’ll definitely have to fight in America. I don’t think I can make too much of a statement being back home in New Zealand.
“I think I can be three to four fights away for the chance at a world heavyweight title. I have to be entertaining in this fight for the American people to get to know me.
“Boxing used to be the biggest thing in New Zealand, but then rugby blew up.
“I live 40 minutes from Joseph Parker but we’ve never sparred. It’s too competitive.”
FREDDY LATHAM
“This is my first time on national TV so I’m excited and nervous.
“He’s taller, but I feel like I’m just as long as he is. I can put my head in his chest and go to war. If it’s going to be a dog fight I’ll get into his chest.
“Yeah, I’ve watched both the heavyweight world champs. I’d beat Joshua now. Wilder, I would have to get serious sparring in. I’d have to change everything I do in my life – the way I train and my lifestyle and everything. Deontay’s the man right now. Joshua burns out after six rounds and that’s why I’d beat Joshua now. I’m two years away from those guys. Tomorrow night is my first step.
“Boxing’s coming back in Pittsburgh and we’ve got two or three other heavyweights there that are popular right now.”
CHARLES CONWELL
“When you have a good crowd around you, you know it hypes you up.
“I was the youngest member of the 2016 Olympic team at age 18. It was cool being in high school and making the Olympic team.
“I’m very tenacious and determined, that’s why I’ve been successful so far in my young pro career.
“There’s no rush for me. People want to see me, sure. But there’s no reason to move fast at this point.
I think the competitiveness of boxing is what drives me. Sure the money and the fame are going to be great, but I just love everything about this sport.”
ROQUE “ROCKY” ZAPATA
“I haven’t surprised myself when I’ve beaten undefeated fighters.
“I’m an awkward fighter, in a good way. My angles I learned when I was fighting in MMA.
“The risk and the reward wasn’t worth it [to continue] in MMA. I was making a couple hundred bucks and getting elbows to the face. It just wasn’t worth it.
“Conwell is good and aggressive and I’ve seen him on YouTube. He comes forward and he looks to put you down.
“I just feel so much more comfortable in a boxing ring. I was good at takedowns.
“Conor McGregor went 10 rounds with Floyd [Mayweather] and he got paid, so good for him. I’m one of the few guys who have been able to do both MMA and box professionally.”
# # #
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.
For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.
LUIS ROSA JR. vs. YUANDALE EVANS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS
Featherweight Prospects Headline ShoBox: The New Generation Quadrupleheader Friday, Nov. 10 from Cleveland, Ohio
Click HERE for Photos from Henry Epstein/DiBella Entertainment
CLEVELAND (Nov. 8, 2017) – Featherweight prospects Luis Rosa Jr. and Yuandale Evans worked out for the media today at the Thurgood Marshall Recreational Center in Cleveland, Ohio prior to their ShoBox: The New Generation 10-round main event matchup this Friday, November 10 live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from The Masonic at Templelive Cleveland.
The ShoBox quadrupleheader features undefeated Russian standout Radzhab Butaev taking on Colombia’s Janer Gonzalez in an eight-round welterweight matchup, and undefeated New Zealand’s Junior Fa facing former Golden Gloves champion Fred Latham in an eight-round heavyweight bout. In the telecast opener, decorated fighter Charles Conwell will take on Roque “Rocky” Zapata, who is coming off a three-bout winning streak.
Tickets for the DiBella Entertainment event are still available for purchase via the following link HERE.
In addition, 2016 U.S. Olympian Conwell and local Cleveland fighters Willie Nelson and Isaiah Steen worked out in front of the media Wednesday.
Here is what the fighters had to say:
LUIS ROSA JR.
“Yuandale’s a solid, tough fighter. He’s got good pop, but I’m ready for everything, I’m here to win.
“He wasn’t really on my radar, he sort of came out of the woodwork. We’re looking for a world championship and this is a step closer.
“I have no problem coming to Cleveland. I want to be a world champion, not a state champion or the champion of one country. I’ll go anywhere and be victorious.
“Boxing fans can expect a powerful, fast, smart fighter-I’m the full package. I fight with both hands, we’ll see if he can take it.
“This fight is dedicated to all the people of Puerto Rico. Most of my extended family still lives there and thank God everyone is okay after the hurricane.”
YUANDALE EVANS
“I know that’s he a Puerto Rican at heart. He’s a strong fighter that comes forward, a good body puncher. But he doesn’t have any boxing skills. He’s just a banger who keeps coming forward.
“Defensively he leaves himself open with his aggressiveness.
“He was not on my radar. I’ve wanted to fight much tougher guys, higher ranked guys. But once the fight was offered I said yes.
“I want to fight Carl Frampton, Leo Santa Cruz, Gary Russell Jr., and a rematch with Javier Fortuna. I want to fight all the top guys because that’s where I belong.
“Feels great to be fighting at home, been a long time. Just want to give back to the city and community for them supporting me while I’ve been on the road. Even as an 11-year old amateur they supported me.
“Expect a show, this will be a war, I can box and everybody knows I’m a puncher. Fans should be expecting a good fight. I’ll have a huge amount of people backing me.”
CHARLES CONWELL
“Means the world to me that I can fight at home and show everyone what they’ve been missing. Last time I fought here [in Cleveland] was in 2015.
“I know Rocky is a tough fighter, he’s beat a couple prospects and he’ll be coming to win.
“I’ve heard from many of my Olympic teammates this week and I’m excited to show them how I look as a professional. I’m looking forward to showing all the boxing fans around the world my skills.
“Should be an entertaining, good fight, I’m ready to go and hopefully close the show early. I’m ready for all six or a first round knockout.
“No pressure fighting at home or on Showtime. After fighting in the Olympics I’m ready for anything.”
WILLIE NELSON
“Right now, I’m at the rebuilding stage of my career to become a world champion.”
“I know a lot about Alexis Hloros, so no issue being a late addition as an opponent, I’m ready.
“I haven’t fought in Cleveland since 2009. I love being able to fight at home, means a great deal to me.
“I want my next opponent to be a top 20 opponent and to fight on Showtime.”
ISAIAH STEED
“I know Nunez is a very strong, come forward fighter, but he’s got no chance on Friday night.
“Last time I fought in Cleveland was as an amateur, three or four years ago.
“No pressure at all fighting at home, thrilled to be fighting at home.
“Charles and I spar all the time helping each other, he’s like my little brother, we make a great team.
“Sign the contract. I’m ready to fight anyone.”
# # #
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.
For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOSports.
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. TheShoBox 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 73 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: 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, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams, Errol Spence Jr. and more.
Training camp quotes for featured bouts for November 18th card at The Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City
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Prince Ranch Boxing Partners up with Pro Fighter Group to Assist in Helping Guide the Career of WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder
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CLARESSA SHIELDS TO DEFEND WOMEN’S SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD TITLES AGAINST UNDEFEATED MANDATORY CHALLENGER TORI NELSON FRIDAY, JANUARY 12 LIVE ON SHOWTIME®
Unified Champion & Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Headlines ShoBox: The New Generation From Turning Stone Resort Casino In Verona, N.Y.
NEW YORK (Nov. 8, 2017) – Unified Women’s Super Middleweight World Champion Claressa Shields will defend her 168-pound titles against undefeated IBF mandatory challenger Tori Nelson on Friday, Jan. 12 live on SHOWTIME.
A two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Shields (4-0, 2 KOs) will face her second consecutive undefeated opponent in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation live at 10 p.m. ET/PT from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
Shields dethroned previously unbeaten Nikki Adler Aug. 4 on SHOWTIME to pick up the WBC and vacant IBF titles less than one year after she became the first American boxer to capture back-to-back Olympic gold medals. The 22-year-old native of Flint, Mich., returns to face Nelson, a seven-year veteran with seven times the professional ring experience.
“I’m truly excited to have the chance to demonstrate my skills against an opponent the caliber of Tori Nelson,” Shields said. “I’m honored to be headlining the firstShoBox of 2018, and I know January 12 will be a great night for the fans. This will be the beginning of a historic year for me and for women’s boxing.”
Nelson (17-0-3, 2 KOs) won a middleweight world championship in 2011 and owns wins over previously unbeaten Alicia Napoleon and Mia St. John. The 41-year-old Ashburn, Va., native looks to capture her second world title in a showdown with the fastest rising star in women’s boxing.
“Ever since Claressa turned pro, I have wanted this fight,” Nelson said. “She’s young and talented, but my experience will make the difference. Since I became a boxer, I have dreamed of being in big fights on television. I am confident that I will win this fight and remain undefeated. And I plan to retire as an undefeated world champion.”
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Salita Promotions, go on sale Monday, Nov. 13 for $75 for the first two rows of ringside, $65 for remaining ringside seats and all others priced at $49 and $37, plus any applicable fees. Tickets can be purchased in person or by calling the Turning Stone Resort Box Office at 800.771.7711or online at Ticketmaster.
“Claressa’s determination to challenge the best available contenders shows why she is one of the most accomplished fighters in the sport today,” promoter Dmitriy Salita said. “This is a great matchup and I am confident that we will witness another memorable performance.”
Said Gordon Hall, Executive Producer of ShoBox: The New Generation: “Claressa is a star both in and out of the ring who possesses all the intangibles to become the face of women’s boxing. In just four professional fights, two as headliners on ShoBox, she is already unified champion at 168 with plans to conquer the 160 and 154-pound divisions. Tori Nelson is undefeated, a former champion, and represents what should be the toughest test of Claressa’s young career. Only time will tell, but I don’t know if there is any fighter in the world who can stop Claressa Shields.”
Shields compiled an amateur record of 77-1 and won her first Olympic Gold when she was only 17 years old in the inaugural women’s boxing competition at the 2012 London Games. She won a second gold medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and turned professional three months later.
In March 2017 in Detroit, Shields stopped Hungary’s Szilvia Szabados in four rounds in the first women’s main event in premium television history. Shields returned to headline her second ShoBox telecast in August, knocking out Adler in the fifth round to become unified champion in just her fourth professional fight. With the win, Shields became the 70th world champion in the history of the prospect developmental series.
Active in her community, Shields advocates for several social issues and serves as an inspirational figure in her hometown of Flint, a city beset by problems.
Nelson turned professional at the age of 29 and won the WBC 160-pound title in just her fifth professional fight. She twice fought to a draw in middleweight world title bouts with Teresa Perozzi.
The high-pressure Nelson is one fight removed from a unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Napoleon, and is fresh off a second round knockout of Latashia Burton in her first hometown fight in Ashburn, Va.
Undercard bouts for the ShoBox telecast will be announced in the coming weeks.
Combat Sports star Seini Draughn to make professional boxing debut on Friday, November 17th at Grady Cole Center in Charlotte, North Carolina
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UNBEATEN COLOMBIAN POWER-PUNCHER TALKS RADZHAB BUTAEV SHOWDOWN AND FIRST FIGHT IN AMERICA
GILROY, Calif. (Nov. 7, 2017) – Unbeaten Colombian power-puncher Janer Gonzalez (19-0-1, 15 KOs) takes a major step up in competition when he faces unbeaten Russian prospect Radzhab Butaev (7-0, 6 KOs; WSOB: 9-1) this Friday, Nov. 10, at the Masonic at Templelive Cleveland in downtown Cleveland. The scheduled eight-round welterweight bout will be telecast on the popular ShoBox: The New Generation series LIVE on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).
Gonzalez, who is coached by Ruben Guerrero Sr., recently shared his training camp experience as his showdown with Butaev nears. Gonzalez, who is making his United States and SHOWTIME debut, last fought in September of this year.
Here is what Gonzalez had to say ahead of Friday night’s fight.
On his recent training camp with Ruben Guerrero Sr.:
“My good friend Oscar Escandon introduced me to Mr. Guerrero about a month ago. I came to California to start training with Ruben shortly after. It’s been a great transition and training camp has been very productive. I’ve been sparring every other day since I got here. I’m in good shape and I’m ready to perform at my best this Friday.”
On facing undefeated Russian prospect Radzhab Butaev:
“I know I have a tough fight ahead of me, but I’m ready for the challenge. Butaev had a tremendous amateur career, but so did I. I have over 300 amateur fights under my belt and there is nothing Butaev will bring to the ring that I haven’t already seen. We equally have a lot of power, so the fans can expect to see some big shots being thrown by both of us. I’m going to leave everything in the ring come fight night.”
On making his U.S. debut and what a victory on Showtime will do for his career:
“Fighting on SHOWTIME is a tremendous blessing for me. This is my first fight in America and I going to make it special. The exposure I will get can take my career to the next level, especially if I come out victorious. A win will garner me some big fights and some big paydays. I’m fighting for my family and my countrymen in Colombia. My motivation is at an all-time high and the boxing world will know my name after this fight.”
# # #
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 Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.
For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOSports.
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. TheShoBox 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 72 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: 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, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams, Errol Spence Jr. and more.
SAVE THE DATE; ATLANTIC CITY BOXING HALL OF FAME SECOND INDUCTION WEEKEND: JUNE 1ST, 2ND and 3RD 2018
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JANER GONZALEZ CAMP NOTES AND PHOTOS
Photos by Brett Ostrowski – Team Gonzalez
GILROY, Calif. (Nov. 7, 2017) – Unbeaten Colombian power-puncher Janer Gonzalez (19-0-1, 15 KOs) takes a major step up in competition when he faces unbeaten Russian prospect Radzhab Butaev (7-0, 6 KOs; WSOB: 9-1) this Friday, Nov. 10, at the Masonic at Templelive Cleveland in downtown Cleveland. The scheduled eight-round welterweight bout will be telecast on the popular ShoBox: The New Generation series LIVE on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).
Gonzalez, who is coached by Ruben Guerrero Sr., recently shared his training camp experience as his showdown with Butaev nears. Gonzalez, who is making his United States and SHOWTIME debut, last fought in September of this year.
Here is what Gonzalez had to say ahead of Friday night’s fight.
On his recent training camp with Ruben Guerrero Sr.:
“My good friend Oscar Escandon introduced me to Mr. Guerrero about a month ago. I came to California to start training with Ruben shortly after. It’s been a great transition and training camp has been very productive. I’ve been sparring every other day since I got here. I’m in good shape and I’m ready to perform at my best this Friday.”
On facing undefeated Russian prospect Radzhab Butaev:
“I know I have a tough fight ahead of me, but I’m ready for the challenge. Butaev had a tremendous amateur career, but so did I. I have over 300 amateur fights under my belt and there is nothing Butaev will bring to the ring that I haven’t already seen. We equally have a lot of power, so the fans can expect to see some big shots being thrown by both of us. I’m going to leave everything in the ring come fight night.”
On making his U.S. debut and what a victory on Showtime will do for his career:
“Fighting on SHOWTIME is a tremendous blessing for me. This is my first fight in America and I going to make it special. The exposure I will get can take my career to the next level, especially if I come out victorious. A win will garner me some big fights and some big paydays. I’m fighting for my family and my countrymen in Colombia. My motivation is at an all-time high and the boxing world will know my name after this fight.