Tag Archives: Elvin Ayala

19-1 Winfred Harris, Jr. predicts an “easy win” against Vaughn Alexander

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STREAMING LIVE & EXCLUSIVELY AUG. 26TH ON UFC FIGHT PASS® FROM TEXAS

LAS VEGAS (August 19, 2021) — Detroit super middleweight Winfred Harris, Jr. (19-1, 9 KOs) is aware of future implications regarding his August 26th match against Vaughn “The Animal” Alexander (15-6, 9 KOs) in the 8-roiund co-featured event on the next installment of RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGH PASS®.


Presented by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing in association with Next Up Fight and the World Cup Boxing Series, the Aug. 26th event will stream live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT, from Humble Civic Center in Humble, Texas.
 
Texas rivals Eridson Garcia (13-0, 9 KOs) and Armando Frausto (9-1-1, 5 KOs) headline in the 10-round main event for the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super featherweight title.


Harris’ most impressive victories to date have been a pair of 2017 8-round unanimous decisions over former California State welterweight and New England middleweight champion, Chris Chatman (14-7-1), and veteran Lanardo Tyner (32-10-2) for the vacant UBF All American middleweight title.


St. Louis’ Alexander is the brother of 3-time, 2-division World champion Devon Alexander. In 2017, “The Animal” stopped former IBF World Middleweight Champion Elvin Ayala in seven rounds and two years later, Alexander took an 8-round majority decision from previously undefeated prospect Money Powell (10-0, 7 KOs).


“I’ll probably come out boxing him, beat on him a little, and then see from there,” Harris predicted. “He may take me the distance, but I’m going to win easily. I’ll have 20 wins and that should position me at the next level, especially fighting on UFC FIGHT PASS. I’ve never fought on a televised (or streamed) show before.


“I’m a boxer-puncher with real good power and speed. I’m a big guy for my weight class and smart. I do a lot of different things and I definitely have a lot of heart.”


Undefeated Austin (TX) super lightweight Robert Kevin Garcia (8-0, 6 KOs) will meet Antonius Grable (3-1, 3 KOs), of Sarasota (FL), in a 6-round match.


Opening the UFC FIGHT PASS stream is a 4-round middleweight bout between Houston prospect Eugene Hill, Jr. (1-0, 1 KO) and Shane Hall (0-1), of Clovis, New Mexico.


Former WBA World light welterweight champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout will join veteran James “Smitty” Smith on the RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS announcing team for this show.


Priced at $800.00 (VIP table of 6), $75.00 (reserved) and $50.00 (general admission), tickets are available to purchase online at https://events.com/r/en_US/registration/nextfightup-xiii—ufc-fightpass-humble-august-815051

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FORMER WORLD CHAMPION CHAD DAWSON TAKES ON SHUJAA EL AMIN IN UNDERCARD ACTION TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8 AT SUN NATIONAL BANK CENTER IN TRENTON, NEW JERSEY

 
Plus! Undefeated Prospect Alex Martin &
Battle Of Super Middleweights Denis Doughlin & Elvin Ayala
 
TRENTON, NJ (December 7, 2015) – Former world champion champion “Bad” Chad Dawson (32-4, 18 KOs) return to the ring to take on Shujaa El Amin (12-8) in a 10-round light heavyweight bout as part of an exciting undercard on Tuesday, December 8 at Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, New Jersey.
The event is headlined by a featherweight showdown between Juan Dominguez (19-0, 13 KOs) and Yenifel “Lightning” Vicente (27-3-2, 19 KOs) on Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Additional televised action features unbeaten cruiserweight Keith “Machine Gun” Tapia (16-0, 11 KOs) battling Garrett Wilson (16-9-1, 9 KOs) and undefeated rising middleweight prospect Immanuwel Aleem (14-0, 9 KOs) facing Carlos Galvan (11-3-1, 10 KOs) in an eight round bout.
Additional undercard fights feature undefeated welterweight prospect Alex Martin (10-0, 5 KOs) as he faces Juan Rodriguez (6-4-1, 5 KOs) in an eight-round bout, plus a pair of super middleweight sluggers as Dennis Doughlin (19-4, 12 KOs) meets Elvin Ayala(28-7-1, 12 KOs) in a 10-round battle.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $70, $50 and $30, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchasedHERE, at the Sun National Bank Center box office or by calling 800-298-4200.
Rounding out the night of fights is the pro debut of Baltimore’s Jordan White in a four-round super bantamweight bout against Puerto Rico’s Jose Roman (0-3), 30-year-oldDaniel Pasciolla (5-1) out of Brick, New Jersey against Philadelphia’s Corey Morely(0-0-1) in a four-round heavyweight affair and Philadelphia’s Christopher Brooker (4-1, 4 KOs) in a six-round super middleweight contest.
A former world champion at light heavyweight, Dawson returns to the ring looking for the 33rd victory of his successful career. The 33-year-old owns victories over former world champions Bernard Hopkins, Antonio Tarver and Tomasz Ademek. Fighting out of New Haven, Connecticut, he will take on the 28-year-old El Amin out of Flint, Michigan.
An accomplished amateur out of Chicago, Martin was a 2012 U.S. Olympic alternate and 2012 National Golden Gloves champion. The 26-year-old turned pro in 2013 and is undefeated in his first 10 pro fights. In 2015 he’s taking home victories over Jeremiah Wiggins, Jonathan Garcia and Kevin Womack Jr. He will be opposed by the 25-year-old Rodriguez out of Haymarket, Virginia.
Fighting out of nearby Marlboro, New Jersey, Doughlin enters his December 8 fight looking for three-straight victories after defeating Cameron Allen and Marcos Primera in 2015. The 27-year-old owns victories over Steve Martinez and Phillip McCants and has shared the ring with top fighters such as Jermell Charlo and George Groves. He takes on the 34-year-old Ayala. Representing New Haven, Connecticut, Ayala owns victories over Ronald Gavril and Derrick Findley and fought to a draw with former world champion Sergio Mora.
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @FS1, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions andwww.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.

SERGIY DEREVYANCHENKO OUTCLASSES ELVIN AYALA IN MAIN EVENT OF SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION TRIPLEHEADER

Ievgen Khytrov Delivers TKO Over Nick Brinson

Regis Prograis Earns Unanimous Decision Over Amos Cowart

 

Three-Fight Telecast To Replay Monday, Aug. 10 At 10 p.m. ET/PT

On SHOWTIME EXTREME®

 

Click HERE To Download Photos

Credit: Rosie Cohe/SHOWTIME®

 

ATLANTIC CITY (Aug. 8, 2015) –Talented undefeated middleweight prospect and 2008 Olympian Sergiy Derevyanchenko continued to move on the fast track as he earned a unanimous decision over former world title challenger Elvin “El Lycan” Ayala of New Haven, Conn. inFriday’s main event of the ShoBox: The New Generation tripleheader from Bally’s Atlantic City.

 

Known as “The Technician,” Derevyanchenko (6-0, 4 KOs/WBS: 23-1, 7 KOs), of Brooklyn, N.Y. by way of Ukraine, kept his record unblemished as he carefully broke down the experienced Ayala (28-7-1, 12 KOs) in their eight rounder. He was the more effective and accurate aggressor, unleashing an excellent body attack and out-landing Ayala 185 to 49 on power punches.

 

Derevyanchenko, who had never been past the fourth round, thoroughly and comfortably outboxed the 34-year old Ayala from the opening bell, showcasing his superiority and dominance on a one-sided unanimous decision (80-71 twice, 80-72).

 

“I am happy with my performance. I would have liked to have scored the knockout, but Elvin showed he has a lot of heart,” said Derevyanchenko. “I was able to work on a lot of different things and show a lot of different dimensions to my game.

 

“This was my first time going eight rounds and I feel great. My stamina was great and I was able to do pretty much everything that I wanted to do in there. Elvin was my toughest opponent to date and I think that I passed this test with flying colors.

 

“I feel that I need a few more fights, and a few more good learning experiences like this, but a world title is not too far down the road. I trust my team behind me to guide me in the right direction, and when they tell me that I am ready, then I will be.”

 

Ayala, who was coming from upsets over Eric Mitchell and Ronald Gavril, fought back, but couldn’t counter the Ukrainian’s power.

 

“The kid can flat out fight,” said Ayala. “He without a doubt has championship caliber. I tip my hat off to him. I thought that I would be able to do something to neutralize him in there, but he was the better man tonight. He has a very bright future.”

 

Impressed with Derevyanchenko’s performance, Boxing Historian and SHOWTIME Analyst Steve Farhood asserted that the Ukrainian is ready to move from prospect to contender.

 

“Derevyanchenko fought as advertised,” he said. “He’s a technician. A very smart and believe it or not, mature fighter. He took control in the first round, mixed his attack to the body and to the head and showed superiority. He gives us no reason to think that he’s not ready for something much bigger.”

 

In the co-feature, undefeated power-punching middleweight and 2012 Olympian, Ievgen “The Ukrainian Lion” Khytrov (11-0, 10 KOs) of Brooklyn, N.Y. by way of Ukraine, scored an eight-round TKO over daring Nick “The Machine Gun” Brinson (17-4-2, 7 KOs) of Geneva, N.Y. with a devastating flurry of power punches at 2:31 of the final round.

 

Khytrov got his toughest test to date from Brinson, who dominated the early rounds with good lateral movement, consistent combinations to the body and strong jabs. But the Ukrainian picked up the pace and although he appeared to be frustrated in the middle rounds with his inability to finish his opponent, he continued to exert pressure.

 

After the sixth, Khytrov picked up the pace landing meaningful combos and powerful rights.

 

His aggressiveness paid off. With 29 seconds left in the eighth, referee Earl Brown halted the contest after “The Ukrainian Lion” put Brinson on one knee after a flurry of punches.

 

“This was a tough fight for me. I had some discomfort in my stomach back in the dressing room, I just didn’t feel 100 percent, and it took me a couple of rounds to find my rhythm,” said Khytrov. “Brinson had a good game plan and had some success early, but I never worried. I knew I was hurting him with my shots and I felt him breaking down as the rounds wore on.

 

“This was a good learning experience for me and my career. I fought through some adversity and still was still able to secure the victory. I feel that I am ready for some of the biggest name in the 160-pound division but I have faith in my team, my trainers, managers and promoters, and they will do whatever is best for me. Whatever they decide is best, I will be ready for and ready to put on a spectacular performance.”

 

Brinson, who was ahead on the scorecards (68-65, 70-62; 66-66), argued he was taking a knee at the time of the stoppage.

 

“I am fine. I am upset with the stoppage, said Brinson. “Our game plan was to box and give him a lot of lateral movement. I felt his strength on the inside, so we worked to outbox him and overwhelm him with the jab.

 

“I took a knee to recoup. I wasn’t knocked out. I knew where I was. I thought the smart thing to do was take a knee and get myself back together. He was coming on strong, but I knew there wasn’t much time left at all in the fight. I looked at the ref and I told him I was fine and he still stopped the fight. It is upsetting to me. I was winning the fight.

 

“I would love a rematch. It was a great fight, and I think the fans loved it. If a rematch is on the table I would take it right away.”

 

Opening the telecast in a quintessential ShoBox: The New Generationmatchup, undefeated knockout artist Regis “Rougarou” Prograis (15-0, 12 KOs) of New Orleans, La., captured a one-sided eight-round decision over  previously unbeaten Amos “2Smooth” Cowart (11-1-1, 9 KOs) of Groveland, Fla. in an impressive battle of junior welterweight southpaws.

 

Prograis, who averaged over 100  punches per round, landed 381 body punches and connected with 219 power punches, while Cowart, who was courageously attempting to counter the Rougarou’s speed and power, landed 129 connects and 94 power punches.

 

Prograis showcased his boxing superiority by outlanding and outclassing his opponent with strong jabs, body shots and impressive foot work. He won by the scores of 80-72 twice and 79-71.

 

“I feel great, I am ready to go a couple more rounds,” said Prograis. “This was a great fight for me. I was able to show another dimension and box.

 

“I have been going in there and just walking guys down and putting them away, but Amos came to fight. He showed that he has a huge heart and a great chin, because I hit him with some big shots and he kept coming, so I tip my hat off to him.

 

“He was a true warrior in there, he hit me with some good shots, but we expected that coming in and were prepared for that. I am very happy with my performance. This is just the beginning for me.”

Cowart, who moved up in weight for this matchup, admitted Prograis was the better fighter.

 

“He is a really good fighter,” said Cowart. “I was expecting him to come in and go toe-to-toe. He never hurt me, but he was more active.

 

“He was able to adjust in there.  He was the better man tonight. I think it was a very exciting fight, and I wish I would have let my hands go more. I showed that I am true warrior though and I will be back and learn from this.”

# # #

 

Barry Tompkins called the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. Gordon Hall served as executive producer with Chuck McKean 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 62 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.

SERGIY DEREVYANCHENKO vs. ELVIN AYALA IEVGEN KHYTROV vs. NICK BRINSON REGIS PROGRAIS vs. AMOS COWART FINAL WEIGHTS, QUOTES & PHOTOS

ShoBox: The New Generation Tripleheader Live On SHOWTIME ® Tomorrow/Friday, August 7 At 10 p.m. ET/PT From Bally’s Atlantic City

 

Click HERE To Download Photos

Credit: Rosie Cohe / SHOWTIME

 

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Aug. 6, 2015) – Blue-chip Ukrainian middleweight prospect Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko weighed-in at 159 pounds and former title challenger Elvin “El Lycan” Ayala of New Haven, Conn. measured at 161 pounds during Thursday’s official weigh-in for the main event of this Friday’s ShoBox: The New Generation, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

 

Derevyanchenko (5-0, 4 KOs/World Series of Boxing: 23-1, 7 KOs)and Ayala (28-6-1, 12 KOs) will square off in the eight-round middleweight headliner of the televised tripleheader from Bally’s Atlantic City.

 

Undefeated power-punching middleweight Ievgen “The Ukrainian Lion” Khytrov (10-0, 9 KOs) tipped the scales at 159 pounds and upset-minded Nick “The Machine Gun” Brinson (17-3-2, 7 KOs) of Rochester, N.Y. measured at exactly the same, 159 pounds, for their eight-round middleweight matchup.

 

In the opening fight of the telecast, undefeated knockout artists Regis “Rougarou” Prograis (14-0, 12 KOs) of New Orleans, La. will take onAmos “2Smooth” Cowart (11-0-1, 9 KOs) of Groveland, Fla in an eight-round junior welterweight showdown. Both, Prograis and Cowart measured at 139 pounds each.

 

Tickets for the event, promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Fight Promotions Inc., are currently on sale and are priced at $120 and $60. Tickets can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET, with the first bout scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. ET.

 

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

 

Sergiy Derevyanchenko

“I have a lot of respect for him, he’s a tough opponent. I had a ten-week training camp and I’m ready for whatever game he brings. I’m not taking him lightly, this is a step up in class for me and he’s a really good fighter—he outclassed Ronald Gavril back in March, that’s no joke. But I’m not concerned because I feel I have faced tougher opposition in the past.

 

“I’m training in Brooklyn and I have sparred with really good boxers, Daniel Jacobs and Frank Galarza among them. Jacobs is a world champion, and let me tell you, it’s not easy to spar with a world champion, they know what they are doing.

“I’ve been sparring with Danny [Jacobs] for almost a year now. He’s very technical and very slick and so am I, so we are the perfect sparring match. My trainer says that to watch us spar is like watching chess. Every move counts, every punch matters. It’s all part of a calculated strategy. I love it.

 

“Some might argue I lack of experience, but I don’t feel that way in the least. I’ve been in the ring so many times, that I feel like home when I fight. I feel I’m right where I belong.”

 

Elvin Ayala

“I know I’m the underdog here, but so I was when I fought [Ronald] Gavril in Las Vegas last March. With four days’ notice and against the odds, I got the decision. I thought I was going to get robbed, but I won. So, I’m not too worried about being the underdog here, because it doesn’t mean anything. Anything can happen.

 

“On paper, Derevyanchenko has five fights, but he is way more experienced than that. In the amateurs alone he had more fights than me in as a pro and amateur combined. Every time you step in the ring, you leave something, but you gain some knowledge on fighting. So, he has a lot of experience and I’m not sleeping on him at all.

 

“I’m ready for Derevyanchenko. I know he’s going to come forward and I’m going to stand up and box. I don’t have a recipe or a specific strategy, I’m just going to read him and decide my course of action. Every fight is different, so sticking to one plan is not really an option. My plan is to read him and to respond to what he does with the best possible strategy.”

 

Ievgen Khytrov

“Some criticize my last performance against Aaron Coley, but I was coming from three back-to-back fights and I was physically exhausted. I won, but my performance it was not my best, I couldn’t even get my combinations going. This time around I’m better conditioned, a lot bigger and a lot stronger. I’m in the best shape of my life.

 

“I’m hungrier than my opponent and that’s an advantage for me. See, American fighters are a little bit in their comfort zones with comfortable gadgets and easy access to training and easy access to everything. In Eastern Europe, we don’t have that, so if you are lucky enough to get access to training or even an opportunity, you do your best and you try to break through. You work hard and don’t let opportunities slip away.

 

“Nick [Brinson] is good opposition, but I have no doubt I’m better than him.”

 

Nick Brinson

“I actually asked for this fight. I looked for it because Khytrov is the right style for me. We are tailor-made for each other.

 

“I’ve been in camp for thirteen weeks, I’m right on point with weight, I’m just ready to go.

 

“I know Khytrov is going to be on my face from the get go. He’s just like that, he stands there and he fights with all he has. Ha throws and throws, and that’s what I like about him. I know how to counter it. I know how to defeat him.

 

“My division is hot and I want to keep on moving. This is a tough test, but I know I can ace it.”

 

Regis Prograis

“I’m not concerned about Prograis. I fought bigger and stronger men. I feel quite comfortable and I’m confident I’ll come out victorioustomorrow. I know he’s not going to be a walk in the park, but I have what it takes to defeat him and I know it.

 

“This is my television debut, and my family and everybody around me is excited to see on T.V., on SHOWTIME. I’m in the big leagues now. It feels good, but I don’t let it get into my head. I’m focus on my opponent and on bringing my “A” game tomorrow night.”

 

Amos Cowart

“This is a big stepping stone for me. If I win, I move forward and upward, and if I lose—I know I won’t—it won’t hurt me, because I’d be losing to a guy that is as good as me, really tough opposition. So this is a win-win situation for me.

 

“I know I’m the smaller guy here. I’m moving up in weight, but I’m at that time in my career that I need to be tested to know where I’m at and to know what’s next. So, I welcome the challenge and I tell Prograis to watch out, because he might go down quicker than he thinks.”

 

# # #

 

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 Chuck McKeanproducing 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 62 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.

 

BLUE-CHIP PROSPECT SERGIY DEREVYANCHENKO TAKES ON ELVIN AYALA ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION TRIPLEHEADER

 

 

Plus, Undefeated Ievgen Khytrov Returns Against Nick Brinson in Co-Feature and Knockout Artists Regis Prograis and Amos Cowart Clash In Telecast Opener

 

Live On SHOWTIME ® Friday, August 7 At 10 p.m. ET/PT

From Bally’s Atlantic City

 

NEW YORK (July 9, 2015) –Boxing returns to the Ballroom at Bally’s Atlantic City on Friday, Aug. 7 with an exciting ShoBox: The New Generation tripleheader featuring the return to the series of Ukrainian blue-chip middleweight prospect Sergiy Derevyanchenko (5-0, 4 KOs, WSOB: 23-1, 7 KOs) as he faces his toughest test to date, former world title challenger Elvin Ayala(28-6-1, 12 KOs) of Reading, Pa. This crossroads battle is scheduled for eight rounds in the middleweight division and will be televised live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

 

In the co-feature, Derevyanchenko’s stablemate, red-hot prospect Ievgen Khytrov (10-0, 9 KOs) of Krivoy Rih, Ukraine squares off against upset-minded Nick Brinson (17-3-2, 7 KOs) of Rochester, N.Y., in an eight-round middleweight matchup.

 

Opening the ShoBox telecast, undefeated knockout artists Regis Prograis (14-0, 12 KOs) of New Orleans, La., and Amos Cowart(11-0-1, 9 KOs) of Leesburg, Fla., will clash in an eight-round junior welterweight showdown.

 

The card is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Fight Promotions Inc.

 

“I have been preparing for this fight for over a month now and still have another five weeks of camp left; everything is going according to plan,” said Derevyanchenko. “I can’t wait to showcase my skills to the world on Aug. 7 as the main event. I’m truly thankful to Al Haymon and my promoters DiBella Entertainment and Fight Promotions for giving me this opportunity.

 

“Ayala is an experienced and proven contender and, without a doubt, my toughest opponent to date. That being said, there is no doubt in my mind that I will come out victorious from this battle.”

 

“I never really understood till now that this is what I do,” said Ayala. “The fight life is the life I chose. It’s why I was born into a broken home. It’s why I’ve been broke since I was born, because the only place you can go from the bottom is either six feet deeper or up, I used to believe that I was doing this for my family and those close to me, but now I truly believe I’m doing this just for me. You will see that hunger and desire when I step into the ring on Aug. 7.”

 

“This will be my third time fighting on the ShoBox series this year, and I am looking to put on my most spectacular performance yet,” said Khytrov. “Every time I step into the ring, I am looking to showcase that I’m one of the best up-and-coming fighters in all of boxing. I have been training like never before and promise another sensational victory.”

 

“I’ve got too much experience for this guy and will dictate the fight and back him up,” said Brinson. “Amateur experience means nothing when you take this kind of step up. He will be fighting a true 160 pounder for the first time and he will understand what it is like to be bullied. I can’t wait to get in the ring.”

 

“Boxing is a dangerous and vicious sport and I want to prove that I am one of the most dangerous, and vicious fighters out there,” saidPrograis. “I must test myself against dangerous and vicious fighters. This fight is such a test; DiBella Entertainment promotes us both [my opponent and I], therefore, it goes without saying that Cowart has talent. This fight is an opportunity for us both, but someone will have to begin again. I expect it to be a competitive fight, but I will do what it takes to win. I am looking to move forward.”

 

“To be on national television and to showcase my talents and my will to win on a major network like SHOWTIME is a dream come true,” said Cowart. “This will be my second fight under the DBE umbrella and I would like to thank my promoter Lou DiBella and my manager Roy Cruz and the entire team at OPB for giving me this opportunity. I am looking forward to a tough fight against Regis Prograis, but most importantly, I’m looking forward to giving boxing fans what boxing is missing, an absolute war. There will be no running in this fight, exactly the type of fight I dream of every time I step into the ring.”

 

SHOWTIME is excited to come back to Bally’s Atlantic City, whereShoBox: The New Generation series originated over 14 years ago with a main event battle of undefeated lightweights featuring Leo Durin vs. Martin O’Malley. Durin won the clash with a ninth round TKO and went on to become the first of 62 fighters to date that have appeared on the series and have gone on to win world championships.

 

“Atlantic City, the Entertainment Capital of the Jersey Shore, andShoBox: The New Generation, the premiere host for live events, have long had the reputation for producing some of the world’s best-known fights and we are excited to welcome this match on Aug. 7 at Bally’s,” said Kevin Ortzman, President of Caesars and Bally’s Atlantic City. “Since our last boxing match, Bally’s has opened Guy Fieri’s Chophouse, Buca di Beppo, and most recently, we debuted a brand new gaming and live entertainment space at the Wild Wild West, which will be the perfect experience for the boxing community both before-and-after the fights.”

 

“Sergiy Derevyanchenko and Ievgen Khytrov are two of the elite prospects in all of boxing and the future of the middleweight division,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Elvin Ayala is an experienced contender coming off of an impressive upset over previously undefeated Ronald Gavril. Nick Brinson has never been in a bad fight and is a veteran of ShoBox, having scored an upset victory over Jorge Melendez on the series. The opening bout between Regis Prograis and Amos Cowart is a can’t-miss battle between two undefeated, young punchers.”

 

As an amateur, Derevyanchenko compiled an astonishing 390-20 record and represented his native Ukraine at the 2008 Olympics. He also won a bronze medal at the 2007 Amateur World Championships and competed in the World Series of Boxing, where he posted a 23-1 overall record and was the 2012 WSB Team Champion and 2011 and 2012 WSB Individual Champion. Derevyanchenko’s rise up in the world rankings is expected to be meteoric and anything less than a world championship would be a disappointment.

 

In Ayala, Derevyanchenko will meet his toughest and most experienced opponent to date. Ayala is 8-1 in his last nine bouts, with the lone loss coming against fellow middleweight contender and world title challenger Curtis Stevens. Ayala is coming off back-to-back upset victories in 2015, with the first coming over 27-1-1 Aaron Mitchell in January, and then earning an impressive eight-round unanimous decision over previously undefeatedRonald Gavril (13 -1 ) in his most recent bout. Ayala knows he cannot afford another loss in his career if he is going to get another crack at a piece of the middleweight championship and is looking to derail Derevyanchenko’s championship goals when they meet onAug. 7.

 

Known as the “Ukrainian Lion”, Khytrov has been on a tear since turning pro in December 2013. Hailing from Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, but now living and training in Brooklyn, N.Y., Khytrov, like his stable-mate Derevyanchenko, was a phenomenal amateur, accumulating a 480-20 record.  His amateur career culminated with a trip to the 2012 Olympics, where he was one of the favorites to win gold, but dropped a highly questionable decision to eventual gold medalist Anthony Ogogo.

 

Incredibly active as a pro, Khytrov notched six victories in 2014, including first-round knockouts over once-beaten prospects Willie Fortune and Louis Rose. Khytrov has not let off the gas in 2015, having already picked up three impressive wins, all on national TV, with two coming under the ShoBox banner.

 

In Brinson, Khytrov finds himself facing yet another tough opponent who has fought top competition for much of his career. Brinson is 8-2 in his last 10 bouts, with the losses coming against top undefeated prospect Dominic Wade and Olympian and recent world title challenger Andre Dirrell.

 

Both Khytrov and Brinson hold victories over Puerto Rican contender Jorge Melendez.

 

The opening matchup of the night between fellow knockout artists Regis Prograis and Amos Cowart is the exact type of matchup that the ShoBox series has been built on. The bout features two young, hungry, exciting and explosive undefeated prospects looking to burst onto the scene in both of their national TV debuts. Both fighters have devastating power in each hand and fight in very similar seek-and-destroy styles. Neither fighter is expected to take a step back for as long as the fight lasts.

 

The 26-year-old Prograis has knocked out eight consecutive opponents and is fully confident that Cowart will be victim number nine. Cowart, on the other hand, feels that Regis’ come-forward style will only spell disaster for his foe. Cowart is coming off his most impressive victory to date this past April when he scored a dramatic come-from-behind knockout over previously undefeated Anthony Burgin.

 

Tickets for the event, promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Fight Promotions Inc., are currently on sale and are priced at $120 and $60. Tickets can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or by visitingwww.ticketmaster.com.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET, with the first bout scheduled to start  at7:00 p.m. ET.

 

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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 62 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.