Sergiy Derevyanchenko & David Benavidez Shine With Quick Knockouts

At Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas

Click HERE To Download Photos

Photo Credit: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 14, 2015) – Undefeated super welterweight prospectJarrett Hurd handed Frank Galarza the first loss of his career with a sixth round TKO in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generationon Saturday from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas.

Galarza (17-1-2, 11 KOs), who was fighting for his fourth time onShoBox and favored against the relatively unknown Hurd, became the 136^th fighter to suffer his first loss on the prospect developmental series.  VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: http://s.sho.com/1NTILdM

Hurd (17-0, 11 KOs) was the sharper, more accurate fighter from the opening bell against the largely stationary Galarza.  Hurd floored Galarza with a huge right uppercut –his favorite weapon– with less than 30 seconds left in the fourth, knocking “The Brooklyn Rocky” down for the first time in his career.  Galarza made it to the bell, but was clearly hurt and never recovered.

Hurd, of Accokeek, Md., blasted Galarza with another big uppercut in the sixth, forcing a clearly finished Galarza to turn his body away in defeat.  Referee Russell Mora had seen enough and stepped in to stop the bout at :59.

“I knew he was an experienced, tough fighter, but I stuck to my game plan, listened to my corner and came out victorious,” Hurd said.  “Once I was able to set up my counter shots, I knew I

could hurt him.

“This was my first time on national TV and I knew how important it was to be successful.  I’d like to fight again soon, hopefully early in 2016.  I’m ready to take my next step.”

Galarza promised to be back after the crushing defeat.

“I tip my hat off to Hurd, he was the better man tonight,” Galarza said.  “I didn’t fight my fight and he did. This type of stuff happens in our sport.  I’m disappointed in my performance, but mark my words I’ll be back, better and stronger than ever.”

“It’s a crushing blow to Galarza’s career,” said ShoBox analyst Steve Farhood.  “Because of his late start in boxing and his age, he can’t afford a loss like this.  After the first round, he didn’t show any adjustment and lost every subsequent round.

“With that said, the story is obviously Jarret Hurd, who hadn’t fought a high level of opposition coming in, but stuck with a sound game plan, executed it well and showed no nerves in his national television debut.  He made a name for himself in stopping a legitimate tough guy in ‘The Brooklyn Rocky.’”

In the ShoBox co-feature, blue-chip prospect Sergiy Derevyanchenkodefeated Jessie Nicklow with an impressive diet of body shots and uppercuts in a dominating, third round TKO.

Derevyanchenko (7-0, 5 KOs) attacked Nicklow from the outset, landing an astonishing 72 percent of power punches and 56 percent of his total shots.  The durable Nicklow, who took the fight on short notice, could do nothing against the former Ukrainian amateur standout.  In the third, Derevyanchenko backed Nicklow (25-8-3, 8 KOs) against the ropes and unleashed a series of punishing shots against a defenseless opponent, forcing referee Jay Nady to step in and halt the contest at 2:18 of the third.

“This was a great performance by me,” Derevyanchenko said.  “Jessie was a very tough opponent.  I feel like I showed another element to my game tonight.  No one has done to Jessie what I did to him tonight.

“I’m improving every time and I feel like I’ll be ready for a title shot by the end of 2016.”

In the opening bout of the telecast, undefeated light heavyweight prospect David Benavidez scored three knockdowns en route to a first round TKO (2:00) of veteran Felipe Romero.   VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:http://s.sho.com/1NxpwT0

Benavidez (11-0, 10 KOs) had no trouble facing his most experienced opponent to date, knocking Romero (15-10-1, 9 KOs) down with a series of lefts to the body and head with less than a minute into the fight.  Romero got up, but Benavidez continued to pepper Romero and floored him again with a left hook to the body.  Ramirez again beat the count, but only lasted a few seconds before Benavidez finished him off with this third knockdown in just two minutes.

“I know how strong my body shots are and I knew they would be effective,” Benavidez said.  “I wanted to make a great impression in my first nationally televised fight.  I’m ready to get back in the ring gain as soon as possible.”

In a non-televised bout, former WBC Heavyweight World ChampionBermane Stiverne (25-2-1, 21 KOs) defeated Derric Rossy (30-11, 14 KOs) via unanimous decision (95-94, 96-93, 96-93) in his first fight since losing the title to Deontay Wilder last January.

“I feel good—it was great to be back in the ring again,” Stiverne said.  “I wasn’t rusty, but maybe I sparred too much in the gym.  He was a tough guy.  The knockdown was more of a flash knockdown.  It was a good punch, but I was a little off balance, too.

“I’m ready to get back in the ring soon and work my way back to become a world champion again.”

Stiverne knocked down with 10 seconds left in the first round.

The ShoBox tripleheader will re-air on Monday, Nov. 16 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME ON DEMAND^® beginning Sunday, Nov. 15.

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 Chuck McKean directing.

# # #

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @Notorious_FG, @Swift_JHurd, @SHOSports, @TGBPromotions, @HardRockHotelLV and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.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. 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 63 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.

“The Brooklyn Rocky” Frank Galarza Faces Fellow Undefeated Jarrett Hurd

Plus, BlueChip Prospects Sergiy Derevyanchenko & Unbeaten Light Heavyweight David Benavidez Featured in ShoBox Tripleheader

Tomorrow/Saturday, Nov. 14 At 10:45 p.m. ET/PT

From Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Live On SHOWTIME^®

Click To HERE Download Photos From Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 13, 2015) – A ShoBox: The New Generationtripleheader, highlighted by a super welterweight matchup between undefeated prospects Frank Galarza and Jarret Hurd, blue chip prospect Sergiy Derevyanchenko and undefeated light heavyweight David Benavidez is set for tomorrow/Saturday, Nov. 14 live on SHOWTIME (10:45 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas.

Featured in the main event, Frank “Notorious” Galarza (17-0-2, 11 KOs), of Brooklyn, N.Y., will make his fourth ShoBox appearance as he faces fellow undefeated Jarrett Hurd (16-0, 10 KOs), of Accokeek, Md., in a 10-round super welterweight bout.

Former Ukrainian Olympian and undefeated prospect Sergiy Derevyanchenko (6-0, 4 KOs, WSOB: 23-1, 7 KOs) faces veteranJessie Nicklow (25-7-3, 8 KOs) in the eight-round super middleweight co-feature. In the opening bout of the tripleheader, David Benavidez(10-0, 9 KOs), of Phoenix, Ariz., makes his ShoBox debut against veteran Felipe Romero (15-9-1, 9 KOs), of La Paz, Mexico, in an eight-round light heavyweight matchup.

Galarza and Hurd, both tipped the scales at 154 ½ pounds each. Derevyanchenko measured at 164 ¾ pounds, while his opponent, Nicklow, weighted 165 ½. Benavidez measured at 171 ¼ pounds while his counterpart, Romero, weighed-in at 173 ½ pounds.

In non-televised action, Bermane Stiverne weighed-in at 254 ½ pounds, while Derric Rossy measured at 230 ¾ pounds. Charvis Holifield weighed 142 ¾ pounds, and Dwain Victorian weighed-in at 140 ¼ pounds. Sanjarbek Rahkmannov measured at 143 ½ pounds, while his opponent Somner Martin weighed-in at 143 ¼ pounds andTrakwon Pettis tip the scale at 138 ¾ pounds, while his opponent,Marquis Hawthorne weighted at 140 pounds even.

Here’s what the fighters had to say prior to Friday’s weigh-in:

Fank Galarza

“I don’t mind challenging fights. You put me in with a tough opponent and you’re going to see a tough Frank Galarza.

“We’ve been here already. We know what it takes to put my undefeated record on the line. I’ve faced the tougher fighters.  I know I can swing, but is he ready to swing?  I’ve been the [under] dog and been in with the sharks before. And I swam with them.

“I don’t think he’s ready for what I bring to the table. He hasn’t been in with someone like me.

“He’s going to try to come forward and bully me, but that’s not going to happen.

“It takes a tough guy to go in that ring. Anything can happen. At the end of the day, it comes down to who wants it more.

“I’m ready for a 10 rounder. I’ve been looking for one for a while.

“No matter how much video we watch, no one knows what it’s going to happen in the ring. We have to capitalize on his mistakes. Boxing is about adapting and I adapt very well.”

Jarrett Hurd

“It’s a great opportunity for us. We’ve been thinking about fighting [Frank] Galarza since last December.

“Frank might be confident, but he doesn’t intimidate me. My confidence is skyrocketing. My style matches up perfect for him.

“I know what I can do. I sparred with guys that are elite fighters –Lamont Peterson, Antoine Douglas, Dominic Wade, Austin Trout, Jerry Odom. We’ve been sparring with some of the best in [Washington] D.C. and Maryland.

“This is a huge fight for me. It could open the doors that I’ve been waiting for.”

Sergiy Derevyanchenko

“He [Jessie Nicklow] doesn’t have anything I haven’t seen before. He has experience, but I’m ready to show off what I’ve been working on at the gym.

“I can always get better. I’m learning in every fight. There’s a big difference between the amateurs and the pros. I’m leaning new combinations, new techniques. I learn from my sparring partners every day.

“I was preparing for a fight in December, so that’s why the weight is contacted at 166. But I’m a middleweight –the future is 160.

“I’m ready to take the next step. [Gennady] Golovkin is the champion of the world, of course I’d like to fight him.

“Fighters from the Ukraine, we work hard because we know where we come from. Life wasn’t easy for us growing up.”

Jessie Nicklow

“I can back this guy up. The guy [Sergiy Derevyanchenko] is 30 years old and he has six pro fights. They think this is an easy fight, but I’m going to beat the crap out of him. I’m really excited.

“I think these people are stupid –I can’t believe they’re flying me in to fight this guy who’s got six fights. He’s got a big amateur background, but he’s only got six pro fights. I cannot wait to get in the ring Saturday night.

“I’ve fought an [Ryota Murata] Olympic Gold Medalist before. This guy doesn’t have anything I haven’t seen before. I’m not coming to lose. He’s on my soil and I’m coming to beat him.

“I’m 100 percent. This guy is smaller than me.  I’m used to fighting big guys.”

David Benavidez

“[Fernando] Romero is better than most of the opponents I’ve faced, so this is definitely a step-up for me.

“I’ve knocked down every fighter I’ve faced. I’m looking forward to putting this guy down.

“We sparred with southpaws in camp, so we’re ready if he switches on us.

“He likes to throw a lot of wild punches. We know there will be a lot of open opportunities for me.

“I sparred with Kelly Pavlik, Gennady Golovkin, Peter Quillin, Julius Jackson. I’m 18 and I’ve been sparring with some of the best fighters in the world.

“I’m focusing on fighting at 168. I don’t have any problem making the weight. I contracted higher for this fight [173], but 168 is the future for us. I’m very excited to fight on national TV for the first time.

“I used to be a lot bigger than I am now. I was 5-foot-4, 250 pounds when I was 13-years-old. I lost the weight and I started to grow.

“I don’t regret not fighting much in the amateurs. I’m happy I turned pro at 16. I had to move to Mexico to do it, but it was the right move for my career.”

Felipe Romero

“This is the best weight for me. I’m a natural light heavyweight.

“I’m working with a new trainer and we’ve been working on some new things. I’m focused full time on fighting.

“I know he’s good, he’s strong, he’s young, but he’s been fighting guys who aren’t very good. He hasn’t faced anyone with my experience. I’ve faced tougher guys and I’m coming to beat him.

“I need to be smart and use my experience. He hasn’t fought many rounds so we’re going to push him.  He’s not going to knock me out.

“I’ve fought all over the world. Fighting as an underdog is nothing new to me.”

Bermane Stiverne

“Training has been excellent and I’m ready to fight tomorrow night.

“I’m excited to be fighting again.  I’ve been off too long.

“I’ve climbed the mountain to become a world champion and I’m prepared to do it again.  I want to get my title back.”

# # #

Tickets for the live event are priced at $155, $105, $80, $55 and $30, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased at Hard Rock Hotel box office, by calling 888-9-AXS-TIX, or online at www.axs.com.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @Notorious_FG, @Swift_JHurd, @SHOSports, @TGBPromotions, @HardRockHotelLV and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.

Galarza vs. Hurd, 10-round super welterweight main event of ShoBox: The New Generation taking place on Saturday, Nov. 14 at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas and promoted by TGB Promotions. In the co-feature, Sergiy Derevyanchenko faces Jessie Nicklow in an eight-round middleweight bout and in the telecast opener, David Benavidez measures against Felipe Romero in an eight-round light heavyweight matchup.

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 63 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.