Tag Archives: Issouf Kinda

PROGRAMMING ALERT: CES BOXING, FIGHTNIGHT LIVE TO PARTNER FOR AUG. 26 PRE-MAYMAC CARD FREE ON FACEBOOK

July FIGHTNIGHT LIVE broadcast drew 65,000 combined views as burgeoning combat sports platform continues to heat up this Summer
NEW YORK (August 25, 2017) – Fight fans who want to whet their appetite prior to Mayweather-McGregor will be able to do so on Saturday, Aug. 26, thanks to a new partnership between veteran promoter Jimmy Burchfield Sr. and the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE Facebook series. CES Boxing and the tech-forward, fan-friendly Facebook broadcast platform are set to deliver once again – this time from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut – from 6-9 p.m. ETthis Saturday before action heats up in the desert later that night.

Highlighting the CES Boxing card at Foxwoods’ Premier Ballroom is New London, Conn., native Jimmy Williams (13-0-1, 5 KOs), as he defends his WBC-USNBC Welterweight Title against veteran Bronx N.Y. pugilist Issouf Kinda (18-4, 7 KOs). Also appearing on the card: New London’s Cristobal Marrero (4-0, 3 KOs), Hartford’s Richie Rivera (2-0, 2 KOs) andJose Rivera (3-1, 3 KOs), Miguel Ortiz (2-0, 1 KO) of Springfield, Mass., and others.

“CES Boxing starts the fireworks with a live, action-packed card at Foxwoods Resort Casino leading up to the Mayweather-MacGregor PPV,” proudly states CES President Burchfield Sr. “We are extremely excited to be partnering with Linacre Media to broadcast this event worldwide on the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE Facebook page.”

Tickets are priced at $55, $90, $155 and $325 and can be purchased online atcesboxing.com, foxwoods.com, or ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 401-724-2253 or 800-200-2882. As an added bonus, all CES ticket holders receive a free, reserved seat to the exclusive Pay Per View showing of Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor in Foxwoods’ Grand Theater.

“We’re happy to be involved in what will be a great night for fight fans all over the globe,” saidMark Fratto, Principal of Linacre Media. “In addition to the great crowd that Jimmy Burchfield Sr. and Team CES is sure to deliver with a packed, local card and the May-Mac PPV following on the big screen at Foxwoods, we’re thrilled to deliver all of the action from coast-to-coast and around the world through our Facebook FIGHTNIGHT LIVE channel. We hope a lot of boxing and MMA fans having fight parties will enjoy our free New England Facebook show on any device before turning their attention toward the desert and Showtime.”

The numbers on the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE series have showed promise and potential for the new platform. The July Roy Jones Jr. “Desert Showdown” from Phoenix, the May “Slugfest at the Sun” from Mohegan Sun and the June “Rosemont Rumble” from Chicago drew audiences of 65,000, 44,000 and 31,000, respectively, with more than 6,000 of hours of LIVE video consumed by Facebook users. In addition to the raw viewership numbers, the fully-interactive, fan-friendly productions have seen more than 27,000 collective live post engagements, including more than 15,500 “likes” or “loves,” more than 9,000 comments and 1,600-plus shares.

Facebook FIGHTNIGHT LIVE has been delivered to fans absolutely free since its May 2017 launch courtesy of corporate partners like Barbour One 9, Talent Management and Entertainment Production (www.barbourone9.com) and Northeastern Fine Jewelry (www.nefj.com).

On Saturday night, August 26, live from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Conn., fans can expect a high-impact, multi-camera streaming experience complete with graphics, animations, replays, interviews and an announce team anchored by blow-by-blow announcer Michael Woods of the TalkBox Podcast, NYFights.com and The Ring and analyst Xavier Porter of BrooklynFights.com, Notorious Boxing and the “Shoot the 5” radio show. To provide spectators with a fully-interactive ringside experience, commentators will ask and respond to questions from the Facebook audience throughout the broadcast.

Created and produced by Linacre Media out of New York City, the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE series features multiple camera angles, graphics, replays and behind-the-scenes access and interviews. The streamed shows are available globally wherever Facebook is available. The initiative not only enables fans from around the world to tune in, but also gives up-and-coming fighters a global platform to showcase their abilities, gives promoters an accessible “broadcast” solution and gives sponsors the ability to reach a mass audience via branded content.

More FIGHTNIGHT LIVE dates will be officially announced in the coming weeks.

FIGHTNIGHT LIVE is available online at: https://www.facebook.com/FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE/

Follow all the action via social media at FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE on Facebook, @FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE on Instagram and @FIGHTNIGHTLIVE_ on Twitter, or by using the hashtag #FIGHTNIGHTLIVE. For the latest Linacre Media events and broadcast schedule, follow @LinacreMedia across all social platforms or use the tags #LinacreMediaEvents or #LinacreMediaOnTV.

CES BOXING, FIGHTNIGHT LIVE TO PARTNER FOR AUG. 26 PRE-MAYMAC CARD FREE ON FACEBOOK 

July FIGHTNIGHT LIVE broadcast drew 65,000 combined views as burgeoning combat sports platform continues to heat up this Summer
NEW YORK (August 15, 2017) – Fight fans who want to whet their appetite prior to Mayweather-McGregor will be able to do so on Saturday, Aug. 26, thanks to a new partnership between veteran promoter Jimmy Burchfield Sr. and the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE Facebook series. CES Boxing and the tech-forward, fan-friendly Facebook broadcast platform are set to deliver once again – this time from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut – from 6-9 p.m. ETon that Saturday before action heats up in the desert later that night.

Highlighting the CES Boxing card at Foxwoods’ Premier Ballroom is New London, Conn., native Jimmy Williams (13-0-1, 5 KOs), as he defends his WBC-USNBC Welterweight Title against veteran Bronx N.Y. pugilist Issouf Kinda (18-4, 7 KOs). Also appearing on the card: New London’s Cristobal Marrero (4-0, 3 KOs), Hartford’s Richard Rivera (2-0, 2 KOs) and Jose Rivera (3-1, 3 KOs), Miguel Ortiz (2-0, 1 KO) of Springfield, Mass., and others.

“CES Boxing starts the fireworks with a live, action-packed card at Foxwoods Resort Casino leading up to the Mayweather-MacGregor PPV,” proudly states CES President Burchfield Sr. “We are extremely excited to be partnering with Linacre Media to broadcast this event worldwide on the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE Facebook page.”

Tickets are priced at $55, $90, $155 and $325 and can be purchased online atcesboxing.com, foxwoods.com, or ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 401-724-2253 or 800-200-2882. As an added bonus, all CES ticket holders receive a free, reserved seat to the exclusive Pay Per View showing of Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor in Foxwoods’ Grand Theater.

“We’re happy to be involved in what will be a great night for fight fans all over the globe,” saidMark Fratto, Principal of Linacre Media. “In addition to the great crowd that Jimmy Burchfield Sr. and Team CES is sure to deliver with a packed, local card and the May-Mac PPV following on the big screen at Foxwoods, we’re thrilled to deliver all of the action from coast-to-coast and around the world through our Facebook FIGHTNIGHT LIVE channel. We hope a lot of boxing and MMA fans having fight parties will enjoy our free New England Facebook show on any device before turning their attention toward the desert and Showtime.”

The numbers on the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE series have showed promise and potential for the new platform. The July Roy Jones Jr. “Desert Showdown” from Phoenix, the May “Slugfest at the Sun” from Mohegan Sun and the June “Rosemont Rumble” from Chicago drew audiences of 65,000, 44,000 and 31,000, respectively, with more than 6,000 of hours of LIVE video consumed by Facebook users. In addition to the raw viewership numbers, the fully-interactive, fan-friendly productions have seen more than 27,000 collective live post engagements, including more than 15,500 “likes” or “loves,” more than 9,000 comments and 1,600-plus shares.

Facebook FIGHTNIGHT LIVE has been delivered to fans absolutely free since its May 2017 launch courtesy of corporate partners like Barbour One 9, Talent Management and Entertainment Production (www.barbourone9.com) and Northeastern Fine Jewelry (www.nefj.com).

On Saturday night, August 26, live from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Conn., fans can expect a high-impact, multi-camera streaming experience complete with graphics, animations, replays, interviews and an announce team anchored by blow-by-blow announcer Michael Woods of the TalkBox Podcast, NYFights.com and The Ring and analyst Xavier Porter of BrooklynFights.com and Notorious Boxing. To provide spectators with a fully-interactive ringside experience, commentators will ask and respond to questions from the Facebook audience throughout the broadcast.

Created and produced by Linacre Media out of New York City, the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE series features multiple camera angles, graphics, replays and behind-the-scenes access and interviews. The streamed shows are available globally wherever Facebook is available. The initiative not only enables fans from around the world to tune in, but also gives up-and-coming fighters a global platform to showcase their abilities, gives promoters an accessible “broadcast” solution and gives sponsors the ability to reach a mass audience via branded content.

More FIGHTNIGHT LIVE dates will be officially announced in the coming weeks.

FIGHTNIGHT LIVE is available online at: https://www.facebook.com/FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE/

Follow all the action via social media at FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE on Facebook, @FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE on Instagram and @FIGHTNIGHTLIVE_ on Twitter, or by using the hashtag #FIGHTNIGHTLIVE. For the latest Linacre Media events and broadcast schedule, follow @LinacreMedia across all social platforms or use the tags #LinacreMediaEvents or #LinacreMediaOnTV.

GCP’s Barroso Scores Impressive KO! Night of Knockouts a Huge Success for GCP and Partners

Promoter Greg Cohen is sending his congratulations out to still-unbeaten southpaw Ismael “El Tigre” Barroso, and a host of others, after his highly successful and totally sold-out quadrupleheader of exciting ShoBox: The New Generation-televised knockoutson Friday night at The Space at Westbury in Westbury, New York.

 

Barroso (17-0-2, 16 KOs), of El Tigre, Venezuela, made his American television debut and picked up the NABO and NABA Lightweight Championships with an impressive TKO over gutty New Yorker Issouf Kinda (17-3, 7 KOs).

 

After five rounds of absorbing Barroso’s power, including a fifth-round one-punch knockdown, Kinda developed problems with his vision and the fight was stopped just three seconds in to the sixth round. Barroso’s eye-opening victory, however, was not without a price, as he suffered nasty cuts above his right eye and below his left eye from accidental heabutts.

 

“Barroso has power like (former middleweight champion) Julian Jackson. He hits guys and they go,” said a happy Cohen, post-fight. “People want to see fighters like that. Steve Farhood from Showtime said Ismael is ‘one of boxing’s best-kept secrets.’ The secret is now out. My guy is an animal!”

 

The brutal victory over Kinda will surely restore Barroso to the lofty heights in the world ratings he once enjoyed. He was formerly rated #5 in the world before visa problems stalled his career. But back on track now and working with GCP, the sky seems to be the limit for this South American with granite fists.

 

“We want a ranked fighter next,” continued Cohen, “with the goal being a world championship fight and an eventual all-Venezuela showdown with (WBC Lightweight Champion) Jorge Linares.”

 

Cohen also wishes to congratulate his partners, GH3 Promotions President Vito Mielnicki, whose fighters Antoine Douglas, Jerry Odom and Adam Lopez who recorded impressive Knock Outs in televised action.

 

“GCP and GH3 both had great nights. I’m very happy my promotional partner Vito’s fighters were victorious and they all looked sensational. I also want to thank David Schuster’s Winner Take All Productions for their tremendous work in making this event such a success. David Schuster continues to deliver like no one else in this sport.  My warmest regards to all the terrific sponsors for their support: Foxwoods Resort Casino, Westbury Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge and Ram Dealership, Modell’s Sporting Goods, Wager Contracting, Baxter, Smith & Shapiro, Red Roof Plus, Brookside Painting and Maxim Group. And lastly I want to thank the fans who showed up and packed into the theatre down to the last standing-room-only ticket. Without you none of this would be possible. Thank you.”

DOUGLAS, BARROSO, ODOM & LOPEZ SCORE KNOCKOUTS IN SHOBOX QUADRUPLEHEADER FROM WESTBURY, N.Y.

NIGHT OF KNOCKOUTS

 

Watch The Replay On SHOWTIME EXTEME® Monday, March 16 At 10 p.m. ET/PT

 

Click HERE To Download Photos

Credit Rosie Cohe/SHOWTIME®

 

WESTBURY, N.Y. (March. 14, 2015) – Talented unbeaten middleweight Antoine Douglas made an impressive 2015 debut thoroughly outboxing previously unbeaten Thomas LaManna before finishing him by TKO at 2:44 of the sixth-round in the main event of a night of knockouts on ShoBox: The New Generation Friday from The Space at Westbury in Westbury, N.Y.

 

Douglas (17-0-1, 10 KOs), of Washington, D.C., controlled the bout from the opening bell and was the more active and accurate fighter, throwing 127 total punches to LaManna’s 73. LaManna (16-1, 7 KOs), of Millville, N.J., was tough and tried to counter, but wasn’t experienced enough to land anything meaningful against the skilled Washingtonian. Douglas employed a diverse and ferocious attack of uppercuts, hooks and jabs knocking LaManna down twice before scoring the knockout in an exciting win.

 

“I put the work in at the gym and that made it easy. It took me longer than I thought it would, but I got the job done,” said Douglas. “I thought I hurt him early in the fight now and then. I just wanted to keep the ball rolling from here.”

 

“He’s a good fighter, fast and strong. He’s everything I thought he would be. It was a learning experience for me,” said LaManna. “He caught me with a good shot. The first knockdown wasn‘t a knockdown. The last one, I was off balance, but he caught me with a good shot. He was the better man tonight.”

 

“The last time Douglas fought on ShoBox, it was a very unsatisfying fight because he was held to a draw and he faded late. This time, he took control the first 30 seconds of the first round, won every round, and then, just as you thought that the only thing that he needed to do was put an exclamation point on the performance, that’s what he did by scoring three knockdowns in the sixth,” said Boxing Historian and SHOWTIME Analyst Steve Farhood. “Douglas took down a fighter that had never been down before. This was a very impressive performance that reestablished him as a top 160-pound American prospect.”

 

In the co-feature of a thrilling quadrupleheader, unbeaten southpaw Ismael “El Tigre” Barroso (17-0-2, 16 KOs), of El Tigre, Venezuela, scored his 13th consecutive victory earning the NABO Lightweight Title with a TKO over determined Issouf “Volcano” Kinda (17-3, 7 KOs), of Bronx, N.Y. The stoppage happened just three seconds deep in the sixth after Kinda appeared to have problems with his vision.

 

Barroso dominated from the early rounds despite a nasty cut above his right eye in the third and another below his left eye in the fourth, both from accidental heabutts from Kinda.

 

“I fight better when I’m worried. I had to get worried I would lose so I knew I had to fight my best,” said Barroso. “The cuts bothered me a little but I had a job to do. I thank God everything went well once I started to fight the way I fight.”

 

Kinda was rushed to the hospital with a possible orbital fracture. This is the second time he has experienced vision problems in his last three fights.

 

Skilled Jerry “The King’s Son” Odom (13-1, 1 NC, 12 KOs), of Washington D.C., avenged his lone loss with a first-round TKO against formerly unbeaten Andrew “Hurricane” Hernandez (8-1-1, 1 ND, 1 KO) of Phoenix, Ariz., in a super middleweight rematch.

 

Odom delivered his 12th knockout in 13 fights at 2:47 of the first by throwing solid jabs and strong connecting power shots. Hernandez attempted to counterpunch, but he was quickly finished by the talented Odom.

 

“I told you he couldn’t beat me. He caught me at a bad moment in the first fight,” said Odom. “I did it like my idol Roy Jones did it. After I hit him, I saw him smile, so I knew I hurt him. I did to him this time what I was on the way to doing in the first fight.”

 

Although it was clear that Hernandez was hurt, he challenged the referee call.

 

“I don’t know how the referee sleeps at night. He made a huge mistake,” said Hernández. “I was dominating. As soon as he landed a punch, they stopped the fight. I want a third fight. The world saw and will demand a rubber match.”

 

In the opening bout of the telecast, San Antonio’s Adam “Mantequilla” Lopez (10-0, 5 KOs) kept his record unblemished by delivering a second-round TKO at 1:42 with a strong left hook over fellow countryman Pablo “El Zankudo Letal” Cruz (11-1, 3 KOs) in a battle of Lone Star State super bantamweights.

“I hurt my left hand in the first round, but I knocked him out with the same punch a round later. I’m looking forward to fighting on SHOWTIME again,” said Lopez.

 

# # #

 

The event was promoted by GH3 Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions in association withDavid Schuster’s Winner Take All Productions and sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino & Westbury Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge and Ram Dealership & Maxim Group.

Meet Tonight’s ShoBox Fighters

Quadrupleheader Tonight LIVE on SHOWTIME® At 10 p.m. ET/PT
From The Space at Westbury in Westbury, N.Y.
Westbury, NY (March 13, 2015)–Below are video interviews with the fighters that will compete in tonight’s ShoBox: The New Generation card that will feature four big fights beginning at 10 PM ET/PT.  (Note–Andrew Hernandez was unavailable for interview).
In the 10-round main event, undefeated middleweight’s Antoine Douglas (16-0-1, 10 KO’s) battles Thomas LaManna (16-0, 7 KO’s); The NABA & NABO Lightweight titles will be on the line when Isamel Barroso (16-0-2, 15 KO’s) takes on Issouf Kinda (17-2, 7 KO’s) in a bout scheduled for ten rounds.
 In eight-round bouts, super middleweight Jerry Odom (12-1, 11 KO’s) looks to avenge his only defeat when he battles Andrew Hernandez (8-0-1, 1 KO) and rounding out the card will be undefeated super bantamweights Adam Lopez (9-0, 4 KO’s) taking on Pablo Cruz (11-0, 3 KO’s)
Antoine Douglas 031215
Antoine Douglas 031215
Thomas LaManna 031215
Thomas LaManna 031215
Ismael Barroso 031215
Ismael Barroso 031215
Issouf Kinda 031215
Issouf Kinda 031215
Jerry Odom 031215
Jerry Odom 031215
Adam Lopez 031215
Adam Lopez 031215
Pablo Cruz 031215
Pablo Cruz 031215
Advance tickets for the event promoted by GH3 Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions in association with David Schuster’s Winner Take All Productions, are priced at $150, $125, and $60 for general admission. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations, thespacewestbury.com, The Space at Westbury Box Office at 516.283.5566 or by calling the GCP Office at 212.851.6425.

The event is sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino & Westbury Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge and Ram Dealership & Maxim Group.

GH3 Promotions features undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas, Super Middleweight’s Jerry Odom & Derrick Webster, undefeated Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez as well as Jr. Middleweight John Thompson, Featherweight Jorge Diaz, undefeated Super Bantamweight Qa’id Muhammad, Light Heavyweight Lavarn Harvell and undefeated Welterweight Jerrell Harris.

ANTOINE DOUGLAS vs. THOMAS LAMANNA SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FINAL WEIGHTS, QUOTES & PHOTOS

Quadrupleheader Tonight LIVE on SHOWTIME® At 10 p.m. ET/PT

From The Space at Westbury in Westbury, N.Y.

  Photos by: Rosie Cohe/SHOWTIME

 

WESTBURY, N.Y. (March. 12, 2015) – Undefeated welterweight Antoine Douglas tipped the scale at 159¾ pounds and fellow unbeaten Thomas LaManna measured 157¾ pounds during Thursday’s official weigh-in for tonight’s ShoBox: The New Generation quadrupleheader.

 

At just 23 years old, Douglas (16-0-1, 10 KOs) is one of boxing’s fastest-rising prospects. The aggressive and exciting Washington, D.C., native will make his 2015 debut against LaManna (16-0, 7 KOs) in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from The Space at Westbury in Westbury, N.Y.

 

In the co-feature, unbeaten southpaw Ismael Barroso (16-0-2, 15 KOs), of El Tigre, Venezuela, will shoot for his 13th consecutive victory when he faces Issouf “Volcano” Kinda (17-2, 7 KOs), of Bronx, N.Y., in a 10-round scrap for the NABO Lightweight Title. Barroso weighed 134 pounds, Kinda 133½ pounds.

 

In an eight-round featured bout, once-beaten Jerry “The King’s Son” Odom (12-1, 1 NC, 11 KOs), of Washington D.C., will try and avenge his lone loss when he takes on undefeated Andrew “Hurricane” Hernandez (8-0-1, 1 ND, 1 KO) of Phoenix, Ariz., in a super middleweight rematch. Odom weighed 168 pounds, Hernandez 167¾ pounds.

 

In the opening bout, Adam Lopez (9-0, 4 KOs), of San Antonio, and Houston’s Pablo Cruz (11-0, 3 KOs) clash in an eight-round battle of Lone Star State super bantamweights. Lopez tipped scale at 121½ pounds, Cruz weighed 120¾ pounds.

 

Advance tickets for the event promoted by GH3 Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions in association with David Schuster’s Winner Take All Productions, are priced at $150, $125, and $60 for general admission. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations, thespacewestbury.com, The Space at Westbury Box Office at 516.283.5566 or by calling the GCP Office at 212.851.6425.

 

The event is sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino & Westbury Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge and Ram Dealership & Maxim Group.

 

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

 

Antoine Douglas:

“The key is that I learn from my past experiences. Everything is a lesson. It’s only considered a loss if you don’t learn from it.

“I’m a disciplined fighter so once I enter the ring, the switch is on. That’s my comfort zone.

“If you look at my story, you see I’ve been through adversity all my life. Being in the ring is just another step for something I’m fighting for. I have people to fight for, burdens to get off my shoulder, my life is a fight.  Once I step in the ring, it’s go time, I handle all my business there.

“I know what I worked on and what I prepared myself to do, so I don’t go in the ring expecting anything. If you go in expecting something, you may end up on the other side of that expectation, so I just do what I came to do, fight hard and win. If you go in expecting things, you’re going on a one-way path.

“Any man you get in the ring with, no matter how big or small, has the capability to do damage.  I take on every fight with the same intensity and thought process; I can’t worry about anything else.”

Thomas LaManna:

“People try to underestimate me based on my appearance but once they get hit, it’s another story. I know Douglas is taking me seriously since he knows me from the amateurs. It’s in his best interest to take me seriously.

“I know I’m good at what I do, and that’s boxing. During my first fights, if I got hit, everything went out the window and I was ready to rumble. My new trainer helped me control my mental strength while really using my reach, but the key is to stick to the game plan.

“This opportunity to fight on SHOWTIME was too good to pass up. I want everyone to see that I’m the real deal. The press has said a lot of positive things about me and I want to live up to that. The risk and reward factor about this fight is getting out and being seen. I know what I can do but not everyone has seen it yet.

“I love the fact you have two 23-year-old young undefeated fighters getting in the ring. As a boxing fan, I think that makes for a great fight. I’m fortunate to be a part of a card with two legit young fighters. We’re both where we’re at for a reason.

“I believe in my shots and power. Any shot I throw, I believe in it. My skills, talent and hard work are what brought me here.”

Ismael Barroso:

“I want the U.S. fans to think of me as a great fighter who comes to go to war. I come to knock people out.

“In Cuba in 2001, I sparred someone on the Cuban National Team and laid him out cold.. As I kept training, I developed more power.

I’m in great shape. I trained for four months for this fight and I’m ready. I could go 12 rounds if I had to.

“He [Kinda] is just another fighter. This fight is mine. I will knock him out or get a decision. We took this guy because nobody wants to fight him. He [Kinda] has never been knocked out, but look at who he has fought.”

Issouf Kinda

“I have never been knocked down. I have never been hurt. And I don’t think that’s going to change now.

“This guy has never fought anybody like me. He thinks he can knock everybody out, but I’m not just another guy. I’m tougher than everybody he has ever fought. He’s not going to knock me down.

“I know how to fight a southpaw. I’m experienced. I can box. He better be ready.

“I’m going to show him he is fighting a man. If he punches me, I’m going to punch him back.”

Jerry Odom:

“I don’t think he wants to fight me. He’s just doing it because he has to. I’m not going to say I regret what I did to Hernandez in our first fight because I was just trying to get the win, so I went for the kill.

“Before I even saw fighting on TV or even started boxing, I knew how to fight. Where I come from, I was used to adversity so my instinct was to fight no matter what.

“When I changed trainers, it was for the better. We had a mutual understanding so there were no hard feelings. Instead of going to train in different places, my workouts feel more professional. I get everything I need in one session. I’ve been able to break down my old habits in order to show my real talent.”

Andrew Hernandez:

“He fought dirty the first time around. He hit me with a blow and I took a knee and while I was down, he punched me again.

“He’s definitely overrated. He’s fought a lot of tomato cans. I’m going to expose him. I’m sharper and better than him in all aspects, no question.

“I took the rematch because that’s not the victory I wanted. I wanted a knockout. I’ll get it this time around. I’m going for it with all I have.

“I heard some people questioning my punching power. I boxed Odom with an injured hand and I outboxed him. I’m healthy and in great shape now. I’m going to knock him out. You better be watching.”

Adam Lopez:

“Cruz is my countryman. I’ve seen him fight. I even sparred with him a while back and I can say with certainty that I outboxed him.

“This is the first time I’m going eight rounds, but I’m not concerned about it. I trained very well. I’m in the best shape I have ever been.

“Fighting on this card is a great opportunity for me. I’ve been under the radar most of my career, but now I have the opportunity to be on SHOWTIME, national television. I feel so blessed.”

Pablo Cruz

“It took me over nine years to get here. I worked hard, really hard and I’m not going to let this opportunity slip away.

“This is a huge fight for me, perhaps the biggest one of my career. I will go at him with everything I got.

“I’m not taking him lightly. I respect him as a fighter, but I’m hungry. I’m very hungry and I’ll do what it takes to get the job done. Tomorrow is my time and I’ll shine.”

 

 

Weights from Boxing at
The Space at Westbury in New York

ShoBox weigh in 031215
3-13-15 ShoBox weigh in video

 

Antoine Douglas 159.8 – Thomas LaManna 157.8
Ismael Barroso 134 – Isoouf Kinda 133.6 (NABA & NABO Lightweight Championships)
Jerry Odom 168 – Andrew Hernandez 167.8
Adam Lopez 121.4 – Pablo Cruz 120.8
Tommy Rainone 151- Allen Litzau 151
Patty Alcivar 112.8 – Peggy Maerz 111.4
Dave Meloni 130 – Ricard Bonds 133
Rich Neves 156 – Joshua Marks 151.2

TV: ShoBox: The New Generation (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast)

 

Tickets: Priced at $150, $125, and $60 for general admission and available at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations, thespacewestbury.com, The Space at Westbury Box Office at 516.283.5566 or by calling the GCP Office at 212.851.6425

 

Sponsors: Foxwoods Resort Casino & Westbury Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge and Ram Dealership & Maxim Group.

 

Promoters: GH3 Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions in association with David Schuster’s Winner Take All Productions.


###

 

About Greg Cohen Promotions

 

One of boxing’s premier promotional outfits, Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP) is a well-respected name for staging world-class professional boxing events and promoting elite professional fighters throughout the world.

Founder and CEO Greg Cohen has been involved with professional boxing in various capacities since the late 1980s, honing his craft and establishing himself as a shrewd international boxing businessman.

Distinguished by his ability to spot and develop raw talent, Cohen made headlines for his expert guidance of, among many others, former WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout, who Cohen helped guide from unknown New Mexico prospect to elite pay-per-view level superstar.

In addition to Trout, Greg Cohen Promotions has worked with established names such as former unified and two-time heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman (50-8-2, 41 KOs); and all-time-great multiple-weight class world champion James “Lights Out” Toney (74-7-3, 45 KOs).

Current world-rated contenders in the GCP roster include Arash Usmanee, universally recognized as a top-10 super featherweight; former WBA International Middleweight Champion and world-rated middleweight contender Jarrod Fletcher; top-rated featherweight Joel Brunker; cruiserweight Lateef Kayode; Canadian lightweight and TV action hero Tony Luis, and WBA and five-time Irish National Amateur Champion, Dennis Hogan; and Rising Welterweight sensation Cecil McCalla.

Greg Cohen Promotions has hosted world-class boxing events in the finest venues throughout the United States and the world and has also proudly provided talent and/or content for several television networks including HBO, Showtime, ESPN, NBC Sports Network, MSG and FOX Sports Net.

Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna: Undefeated yet looking for respect in ShoBox: The New Generation bout against Antoine Douglas


Battle of undefeated Middleweights Highlights March 13 card in Westbury, N.Y
LIVE on SHOWTIME® This Friday, March 13 at 10 p.m. ET/PT

For Immediate Release

Millville, New Jersey (March 10, 2015)On Friday night, March 13 at the Space in Westbury, N.Y.,  undefeated middleweight Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna (16-0, 7 KO’s) will step up in class and try to silence any critics when he takes on fellow undefeated Middleweight Antoine “Action” Douglas (16-0-1, 10 KO’s). The quadrupleheader ShoBox: The New Generation will be televised live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

The bout will headline a ShoBox: The New Generation card beginning at 10 PM ET

In an age where fighters don’t want to be tested until a premium network comes calling, LaManna gives Douglas credit for stepping for this major opportunity.
“I think whoever wins or loses, we should gain a lot of respect that two young and undefeated fighters are taking a risk.  In boxing, when an opportunity presents itself, you can’t say no,” said LaManna
The 23 year-old LaManna is ready for this fight as he knows that a big effort will make him more than just a local attraction.
“It’s now because I have been a professional for four years and sixteen fights and I just felt with my team to take this necessary risk to see where I am at.”
LaManna also feels that he doesn’t think that Douglas has been through a hard fight and on March 13 that will all change.
“I disagree with the notion that he has fought great competition and I haven’t.  The only time he has had to bite down and grind it out, he was only able to get a draw.  Not to take anything away from him, I have had to bite down and I have won fights.”
“I know it’s his promoter’s show but in no way do I look at myself as the B-side in the fight.”
LaManna continues on to discuss that if you look behind the number’s, Douglas strength of schedule is not all that it looks to be on paper.
“He has fought two undefeated guys.  One of them was from the Midwest and the other did not beat anybody of note.  On paper it may look better and maybe because of the way I look or my body type, people come in thinking that they will beat me.  I can’t say that for all of his opponents.  I also have not faced many guys on short notice.  Just about all my opponents have had full training camps to face me.”
“I am going to say this that the professional ranks are different then the amateurs.  I bring a lot more to the table then his other adversaries.  Just like him, I am undefeated and I do not know how to lose.  On March 13, I will do everything to keep it that way.  I am not in awe of anybody and I consider this another day at the office.”
“I would like to thank my dad who also is my manager as well as my co-promoters Russell Peltz and Peltz Boxing as well as Vincent Ponte and Gulfstream Promotions.”
 Vinny LaManna, Thomas’ Father and Manager  believes, “One thing about Thomas is that all of his opponents have had ample time to train.  They have all come to win. Come March 13, the hard work and the ring experience will pay off.”
Thomas LaManna 022115
Thomas LaManna 022115
 In the co-feature, unbeaten southpaw Ismael Barroso (16-0-2, 15 KOs), of El Tigre, Venezuela, will shoot for his 13th consecutive victory when he faces Issouf “Volcano” Kinda (17-2, 7 KOs), of Bronx, N.Y., in a ten-round scrap for the NABO Lightweight Title. In an eight-round featured bout, once-beaten Jerry “The King’s Son” Odom (12-1, 1 NC, 11 KOs), of Washington D.C., will try and avenge his lone loss when he takes on undefeated Andrew “Hurricane” Hernandez (8-0-1, 1 ND, 1 KO) of Phoenix, Ariz., in a super middleweight rematch. In the opening bout, Adam Lopez (9-0, 4 KOs), of San Antonio, and Houston’s Pablo Cruz (11-0, 3 KOs) clash in an eight-round battle of Lone Star State super bantamweights.

Advance tickets for the event promoted by GH3 Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions in association with David Schuster’s Winner Take All Productions, are priced at $150, $125, and $60 for general admission. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations, thespacewestbury.com, The Space at Westbury Box Office at 516.283.5566 or by calling the GCP Office at 212.851.6425.

The event is sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino & Westbury Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge and Ram Dealership & Maxim Group.

 Q&A WITH TOP PROSPECT ANTOINE DOUGLAS AS HE PREPARES TO FACE FELLOW UNBEATEN THOMAS LAMANNA THIS FRIDAY ON SHOWTIME®

ShoBox: The New Generation LIVE on SHOWTIME
This Friday, March 13 at 10 p.m. ET/PT From Westbury, N.Y.

Photo Credit:  Stephanie Trapp / SHOWTIME
For Immediate Release

WESTBURY, N.Y. (March 9, 2015) – Undefeated middleweight Antoine Douglas(16-0-1, 10 KOs) is one of boxing’s fastest-rising prospects. Just 23 years old, the aggressive and exciting Washington, D.C., native will make his 2015 debut thisFriday, March 13 against fellow unbeaten Thomas LaManna (16-0, 7 KOs) in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

Douglas, who is 1-0-1 in two ShoBox appearances, is looking to prove that he’s earned the moniker “Action” when he faces an opponent who – like himself – has never lost or touched the canvas. More importantly, he’s aiming to continue to erase any doubt about his future as a contender at 160 pounds. Douglas has won two in a row since boxing a hard-fought 10-round majority draw with former world title challengerMichel Soro (23-1-1 going in) last July 25 on ShoBox.

Here’s what Douglas had to say as he prepares for a breakout 2015:

How would you say your career is going?
“My career is going great so far. I am very satisfied with the pace of my career. I’m right where we want to be and in position for a big year.”

Neither one of you has been knocked down as a professional. Do you expect that to change on March 13?
“I really don’t expect anything going into a fight. I just want to put on a great show and put on a great fight. Give it my all.”

You’ve faced the tougher opposition as a pro. How do you stay focused and not look past an opponent?
“This is the sport of boxing and one punch can change any fight. Any fighter has the capability of hurting me so I don’t overlook anyone. LaManna is undefeated. He’s never lost, so I can’t look past him. Anything can happen in there.”

What do you know about LaManna and what kind of fight do you expect?
“I know that he’s tall and has a long reach. I really don’t know what to expect. I know that he tends to lock up to try to stay in a defensive position. I need to take advantage of that by going on the offensive.”

After what you’ve overcome as a youngster, do you consider yourself a survivor? Did boxing save you?
“I wouldn’t consider myself just a survivor. I would consider myself a fighter. I had a lot to fight for in my youth. Boxing helped me get through my issues. It provided me with instruction and discipline. Around the age of 14 I really took control of my life and became a man. I felt like I needed to treat myself as a man.

“When I was in a foster home at 14, my two guardians split up and I was in a position where I needed to make a decision to choose which path to go down. I wouldn’t be in the position I am in today if I didn’t make the decision I made. There weren’t people around me to point me in the right direction, I was on my own. If there were people that were supportive of me, I wasn’t expecting it. I was in the position that I was making the decision solely for myself.”

Getting serious here – your mother was in and out of your life growing up. What keeps you so loyal to her after everything that you’ve been through?
“I understand the fact that everyone goes through things in their life. It’s easy to tell them what they should do. It takes a lot to put your pride aside to be considerate of what people are going through. Too many people put themselves first over others. I took a step back and realized that everything happens for a reason and look how I turned out today. My mother and I have a great relationship now because I was understanding of her situation and didn’t take anything she did intentionally or think that it was directed towards me.”

What did you learn from your last ShoBox fight versus Soro)?. Do you view it as a positive or negative?
“I view the fight with Soro as a positive. In that fight I got down in weight, the smallest I have been in a while. I was at 155 instead of my usual weight of 160. Shedding the pounds really had a big impact on the fight and I realized I am a middleweight and feel comfortable at 160.”

That the Soro fight was called a majority draw — was that a disappointment for you? How did you learn from that?
“It was a great disappointment for me to get a draw, but we know now not to go any smaller than 160. That’s the main thing we learned in that fight. There is such a thing as being too disciplined. People noticed how skinny I was for that fight, but being a disciplined fighter I was determined to make weight. A lot of opponents wouldn’t have taken that fight but it was an opportunity that I wanted to take advantage of. I thought it was a good decision at the time, but I learned a valuable lesson.”

You knocked a guy’s tooth out in your first ShoBox fight (Jan. 17, 2014, versus Marquis Davis) and your mom stole the show in your last appearance. What do you have in store for viewers on March 13?
“I mean, I’m just planning for a great fight. That’s all I can guarantee. I’m not one for superstitions [Friday The 13th]. I can just guarantee it will be a great fight.”

What is your biggest strength? Are you looking for the knockout or do you believe you can go 10 rounds and get the victory that way?
“I believe I can bang for 10 rounds, but that all depends on the opponent. Some guys are strong enough who can go the full 10 rounds. I go in and try to inflict the most amount of damage from the opening bell.

“My biggest strength is my will and determination. There’s never a moment where I want to give up. Even if I get hurt in the ring, I won’t succumb to the fighter. Those are the thoughts that go through my head.”

Jerry Odom is also on this card and you both are from the DC area. You have stated that you two are like roommates. What does it mean to have him on the card with you?
“It means a lot for me. We come from similar humble beginnings and for us to be on the same card is historic for us. We both carry the same common goal and we have a lot that we are fighting for. Being able to do this on such a big stage on SHOWTIME and prove all the naysayers wrong means the world to us. It makes it that much more worth it and fulfilling for us, especially if we both get the victory.”

Your prediction?
“I predict a victory. I have trained and worked very hard for this and am ready to put on a show.”

In the co-feature, unbeaten southpaw Ismael Barroso (16-0-2, 15 KOs), of El Tigre, Venezuela, will shoot for his 13th consecutive victory when he faces Issouf “Volcano” Kinda (17-2, 7 KOs), of Bronx, N.Y., in a 10-round scrap for the NABO Lightweight Title. In an eight-round featured bout, once-beaten Jerry “The King’s Son” Odom (12-1, 1 NC, 11 KOs), of Washington D.C., will try and avenge his lone loss when he takes on undefeated Andrew “Hurricane” Hernandez (8-0-1, 1 ND, 1 KO) of Phoenix, Ariz., in a super middleweight rematch. In the opening bout, Adam Lopez (9-0, 4 KOs), of San Antonio, and Houston’s Pablo Cruz (11-0, 3 KOs) clash in an eight-round battle of Lone Star State super bantamweights.

Advance tickets for the event promoted by GH3 Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions in association with David Schuster’s Winner Take All Productions,are priced at $150, $125, and $60 for general admission. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations, thespacewestbury.com, The Space at Westbury Box Office at 516.283.5566 or by calling the GCP Office at 212.851.6425.

The event is sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino & Westbury Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge and Ram Dealership & Maxim Group.

Rainone Tops Untelevised Undercard This Friday at The Space at Westbury in Westbury, New York

 

Local favorite Tommy “Razor” Rainone will face Saint Paul, Minnesota, veteran Allen Litzau (14-8, 7 KOs) in a six-round welterweight battle to headline the undercard for this Friday, March 13‘s exciting night of televised boxing from The Space at Westbury in Westbury, New York.

Rainone vs. Litzau will be the featured untelevised undercard bout in support of the live four-fight broadcast of ShoBox: The New Generation (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) featuring a 10-round middleweight main event between Washington, D.C.’s Undefeated middleweight Antoine Douglas (16-0-1, 10 KOs) and fellow unbeaten Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna (16-0, 7 KOs) of Millville, New Jersey, for the WBA-FEDELATIN Middleweight Championship, as well as The SHOWTIME debut of unbeaten southpaw Ismael Barroso (16-0-2, 15 KOs), of El Tigre, Venezuela, taking on Issouf “Volcano” Kinda (17-2, 7 KOs), of Bronx, N.Y., in a 10-round battle for the NABO Lightweight Championship.

In other televised action, Jerry “The King’s Son” Odom (12-1, 1 NC, 11 KOs), of Washington D.C., will attempt to avenge his only career loss when he takes on undefeated Andrew “Hurricane” Hernandez (8-0-1, 1 ND, 1 KO) of Phoenix, Arizona, in an eight-round super middleweight rematch. In the opening bout, Adam Lopez (9-0, 4 KOs), of San Antonio, and Houston’s Pablo Cruz (11-0, 3 KOs) clash in an eight-round battle of Lone Star State super bantamweights.

Tickets for the event, promoted by GH3 Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions in association with David Schuster’s Winner Take All Productions, are priced at $150, $125, and $60 for general admission and available at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations, thespacewestbury.com, The Space at Westbury Box Office at 516.283.5566 or by calling the GCP Office at 212.851.6425. The event is sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino & Westbury Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge and Ram Dealership & Maxim Group.

In other undercard action, Patricia Alcivar (7-3, 3 KOs) of Queens, New York, will face British Columbia, Canada’s Peggy Maerz (2-6-1) in a women’s six-round flyweight battle; New York’s Rich Neves (8-1-1, 4 KOs) will battle San Diego, California’s Joshua Marks (8-5-1, 8 KOs) in a six-round super welterweight bout; and opening the action will be Dave Meloni (1-1, 1 KO) will face Richard Bonds (0-2) of Newburgh, New York, in a four-round super featherweight bout.

SIX BOXERS RISK UNBLEMISHED RECORDS  ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION QUADRUPLEHEADER

 Unbeatens Antoine Douglas & Thomas LaManna Meet in The Main Event

Live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT

                                                                                                           

NEW YORK (Feb. 25, 2015) – Six unbeaten boxers, eight total with a combined record of 105-3-3, will highlight a ShoBox: The New Generation quadrupleheader live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) on Friday, March 13, from The Space at Westbury in Westbury, N.Y.

 

Two of the fights will feature undefeated boxers against each other. In the main event, Antoine “Action”Douglas (16-0-1, 10 KOs) of Washington, D.C., will meet Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna (16-0, 7 KOs) of Millville, N.J., in a 10-round middleweight scrap.  Adam Lopez (9-0, 4 KOs), of San Antonio, and Houston’s Pablo Cruz (11-0, 3 KOs) clash in an eight-round battle of Lone Star State super bantamweights in the opener of the telecast.

 

In the co-feature, unbeaten southpaw Ismael Barroso (16-0-2, 15 KOs), of El Tigre, Venezuela, will shoot for his 13th consecutive victory when he faces Issouf “Volcano” Kinda (17-2, 7 KOs), of Bronx, N.Y., in a 10-round scrap for the NABO Lightweight Title. In the eight-round feature bout, once-beatenJerry “The King’s Son” Odom (12-1, 1 NC, 11 KOs), of Washington D.C., will try and avenge his lone loss when he takes on undefeated Andrew “Hurricane” Hernandez (8-0-1, 1 ND, 1 KO) of Phoenix, Ariz., in a super middleweight rematch.

 

Which of the undefeated boxers will keep their unblemished records intact on Friday The 13th? SinceShoBox premiered in July 2001, 125 fighters – and counting – suffered their initial defeats on the popular series, where promising prizefighters often face their toughest foes to date.

 

Douglas, 22, is unbeaten (1-0-1) in two ShoBox appearances.  He has won two in a row, including a lopsided six-round decision over Don Mouton in his most recent start last Nov. 13 2014,  and a 10-round majority draw with former world title challenger Michel Soro (23-1-1 going in) last July on ShoBox.

 

“Douglas grew up a little bit in his last fight on ShoBox, dominating Soro early and then fading late in a fight that could have gone either way,’’ said ShoBox Expert Analyst and Boxing Historian Steve Farhood. “It’s the kind of fight a young prospect needs to learn about himself and I’m anxious to see if that experience proves to play a big part in his maturity as a fighter.  He’s a very exciting, aggressive middleweight and for a very young fighter seems to be moving very quickly.’’

 

A solid amateur who made it to the 2011 U.S. Olympic Trials before going pro in Oct. 2012, Douglas fought twice that year, nine times in 2013 and six times in 2014.

 

Douglas looked strong while pitching a shutout in his 12th pro start, winning his ShoBox debut and knocking out one of his opponent’s teeth in an entertaining but one-sided eight-round decision over previously unbeaten Marquis Davis (8-0-2 going in) in January  2014.

 

Douglas, who acknowledges the notoriety he’s received since appearing on ShoBox, is now taking his third scheduled 10-round fight.

 

“This is going to be a big fight, a very big fight,’’ he said. “I am the main event.  It is another step up the ladder and I get to take that step on a big network like SHOWTIME.

 

“I know LaManna from the amateurs so this fight came as a bit of a surprise to me.  But this is the sport of boxing.  I know he’s coming to win and stay undefeated, just like I am.  I think 160 is my best weight and is one I should stay comfortable at.  No more catch-weights hopefully.

 

ShoBox has shown me love and has been very beneficial to me and my career.  I’m definitely getting noticed more. I know I need to get a win on March 13 to continue to climb the rankings.”

 

LaManna, 23, is a determined young fighter with a sometimes unpredictable style.  A pro since February 2011, he has been a fixture on Atlantic City boxing cards, having fought there eight times.  LaManna, who is two-and-a half inches taller than Douglas, is looking forward to the opportunity and is confident he can spring an upset in his 10-round ShoBox debut.

 

“I’ve been waiting for a fight like this,’’ said LaManna, who is coming off a unanimous six-round decision over Gilbert Sanchez last Dec. 13.  “Without a doubt they made a mistake by picking me.  I am so excited for this fight and I am going to make the best of it.  I know I am going to come in there 100 percent prepared and do what I have to do to get the victory.

 

“I know Antoine from the amateurs although we never sparred or boxed.  I know he is a good fighter and this will be a good fight. This is what boxing needs, two undefeated fighters facing each other and what better place than on ShoBox.’’

 

Barroso, 32, is a power-punching nine-year pro who’s making his ShoBox, U.S. and 2015 debut. The well-traveled Barroso turned pro in August 2005, had two draws in his first six fights, but has won 12 straight since, 11 by way of knockout.  In his most recent outing last Dec. 5, the devastating Barroso destroyed Maximiliano Galindo, scoring four knockdowns — one in the first and second and two in the third — en route to a third-round knockout.

 

Kinda, 27, who was born in Ouagadougou (pronounced wa-ga-DOO-goo), Burkina Faso, is making his 14th start in New York. Kinda turned pro in January 2009 and won his initial 16 fights, including the New York state 140-pound title. He is coming off a second-round TKO over Kevin Carter last Jan. 17 in Tennessee.

 

“My style is moving, punching and attacking people,” said Kinda, an accomplished amateur who was the 2007 African Championships silver medalist at 132 pounds. “I want do my best to be known as a good fighter in the U.S., and around the world.  This is my first shot to prove myself on a big stage and I’m not going to let it slip away.

 

“His power doesn’t scare me.  I’ll be ready.”

 

The Odom-Hernandez bout has “grudge” written all over it.  “There’s obviously some intrigue in the rematch because of the way the first fight ended,’’ Farhood said. “Odom proved in his one ShoBoxappearance to be a very exciting, big punching prospect and I can’t wait to see him again.’’

 

Odom, 21, 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 in the fourth round for continuing to punch and land shots after he’d dropped Hernandez with a flurry of punches. The crowd booed, but Hernandez was clearly down.

 

“This time it will be a totally different fight,’’ Odom insisted. “I will leave no doubt.  I was on my way to winning easily and he was out to try and give me my first loss anyway he could.  So he just quit.  I’m looking forward to March 13 to avenge that loss and get the win that I should have the last time we fought.”

 

In his ShoBox debut, Odom overcame the first cut of his career to register two knockdowns—in the fourth and seventh rounds—en route to knocking out previously undefeated Vilier Quinonez (8-0 going in) in the seventh round on July 25, 2014.

 

Hernandez, 29, scoffs at the notion that he quit and concedes that while Odom is talented, it was his opponent who was the one looking for a way out.

 

“I find it hilarious that he says I quit,’’ Hernandez said. “I honestly think the reason why he got disqualified is because he was looking for a way out.  All his talk has me absolutely looking forward to this fight.  I don’t want just a victory, I want a knockout and I’m going to get it.  He can say what he wants, but I guarantee you. I’m going to stop him.

 

“Odom’s really talented and very strong, no doubt about it, but that may go against him and I’m going to make him pay.  He throws very wide punches and is not a very good boxer.  He’s obviously talented and has a lot of knockouts but if you have boxing skills and can take a punch, you can pretty much take him apart.

 

“I felt I was landing what I wanted in the first fight and feel I would have stopped him.  I thought I was doing fine the first three rounds.  And now I know what I’m up against.  He can say what he wants, but he was the one who head-butted me several times.  One finally cut me right on my ear and it cost me seven stitches.’’

 

Lopez, 24, and Cruz, 28, will be making their ShoBox and eight-round debuts and will be fighting for the first time outside of Texas.  It is unquestionably the most dangerous fight to date for both prospects.

 

A top amateur before going pro in February 2012, Lopez has scored two knockouts in a row, including a fifth-round TKO over Leonardo Torrez in his most recent scrap last Aug. 30.

 

Cruz was also an accomplished amateur.  Due to his dual citizenship –his father hails from El Salvador – Cruz competed for El Salvador in the amateurs, was a 2011 Salvador National Amateur Champion and made it to El Salvador’s Olympic Trials.  Cruz has fought three times since last September.  In his last outing he won a six-round unanimous decision over Manuel Rubalcava on Jan. 22, 2015.

 

The fighters are confident of making the next step in their career a successful one, and both anticipate a terrific battle.

 

“It’s going to be a really good fight,’’ said Lopez, an aggressive counter-puncher who’s trained by former two-time world champion Carlos “Famoso” Hernandez.  “We’re familiar with each other.  We sparred once.  I’m not going in totally blind.  I expect a competitive fight.  We are both undefeated and from Texas.’’

 

“I think it’s going to be a super fight.  Lopez is a great fighter. I have heard excellent things about him,” said Cruz. “This is going to be a huge challenge for me.  It’s going to be a great show.  I am going to work and do my thing.  I’m ready and excited to walk out of that ring undefeated.’’

 

Advance tickets for the event promoted by GH3 Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions in association with David Schuster’s Winner Take All Productions, are priced at $150, $125, and $60 for general admission. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations,thespacewestbury.com, The Space at Westbury Box Office at 516.283.5566 or by calling the GCP Office at 212.851.6425.

 

The event is sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino & Westbury Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge and Ram Dealership & Maxim Group.

 

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall withRichard 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 58 fighters who have appeared onShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, 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.