“Hot Rod” Kalajdzic Faces Undefeated Travis Peterkin in Main Event,
Ivan Baranchyk, Wang Zhimin in Clash of Unbeaten Junior Welterweights, Welterweight Ivan Golub Risks Perfect Record Against James Stevenson

Live on SHOWTIME^® at 10 p.m. ET/PT

NEW YORK (Sept. 21, 2016) – Trey Lippe Morrison is 11-0 with 11 knockouts. He is the son of the late former world heavyweight championTommy “The Duke” Morrison. A Grove, Okla., native, Trey resides in Hollywood, Calif., and is trained by Freddie Roach at Wild Card Gym.

This Friday, Sept. 23, Morrison makes his eagerly awaited television debut when he faces fellow unbeaten and Roc Nation prospect Ed Latimore (13-0, 7 KOs), of Pittsburgh, Pa., in the second bout of a ShoBox: The New Generation quadrupleheader live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla.

Morrison, who turns 27 on Sept. 27, has recorded eight first-round knockouts, two second-round knockouts and one fourth-round KO in a career that began in February 2014. He bears a striking resemblance to his late father facially, physique-wise and with his fighting style, wears red, white and blue trunks with “TOMMY” written across the belt. He has fought all but one of his fights in Oklahoma; this is his 10^th start at Buffalo Run.

A popular member of Holden’s Four State Franchise stable, the 6-foot-2 Morrison is fighting for the first time since he underwent surgery on his right tendon from an injury suffered in his most recent bout, a fourth-round TKO over Thomas Hawkins last Jan. 23.

Below is what Morrison and Roach said about Trey’s fight against LatimoreFriday, his up-and-coming career, life outside the ring, remembrances of his father, working with Freddie and more:

“I’m going to approach this fight against Latimore just the same way I approached my first 11 fights,’’ said Morrison ahead of the scheduled six-round bout. “I’ve gained a lot of confidence and a lot of new skills, and I’m just honored to be able to showcase them. Being on SHOWTIME is just a huge bonus.”

Morrison’s thoughts on Ed Latimore … 

“I’ve watched a little bit of video. He’s really similar to me. The way he bobs his head all the time and is a real aggressive fighter and always comes forward. It’s almost like I’m fighting a clone of myself. He kind of has that Mike Tyson style, and that’s what I expect to see. If he doesn’t come at me that way, then I’ll have to have a game plan for something else.”

Is Latimore your toughest fight to date? …

“Oh, yeah. Sure. 100 percent. His record says it all [13-0, 7 KOs]. He’s athletic. From just what I’ve seen of his past fights, he would be the toughest guy I’ve fought so far.”

On the injury suffered in his last fight … 

“I feel like it is 100 percent healed. It was kind of a freak accident. I threw an uppercut and it hit him in the hard part of his head. Since I’ve been able to put my glove on it, it hasn’t been a problem.”

What are the keys to this fight? …

“I think you always find the keys within the first couple rounds of the fight. That’s when you figure someone out. I figure I’m just going to be patient, and wait for my shot and when it comes, take it.”

Tommy was known as a left-hooker, you’re known for a strong right hand? Did you work more on your left when you were sidelined? …

“Oh, yes. Tremendously. I would say me being hurt was a blessing. I think it helped me more than it hurt me. I was really able to develop and sharpen my left hand. So right now I feel like my left hand is just as lethal as my right. I’m confident I can now do everything with my left that I can with my right. I was more of a right-handed fighter before because my left hand wasn’t as developed yet. My timing and my speed wasn’t quite there with my left before, but now I’m good with both.”

On working with Freddie Roach…

“I’ve been working with Freddie for about a year now. I’m living in West Hollywood; right smack dab in the middle of all the craziness. But I stay away from all of it. I’m more of a hermit. If I’m not training, I’m at home. I really don’t go out much. I really just like being alone at times and being at my place. I don’t have many hobbies. I would say I’m a nerd. I like to play video games with my friends online.”

How did you end up with Freddie?

“I originally moved out here to train with Jesse Reid. He decided he wanted to make a move to Las Vegas, and that just wasn’t a move my promoter, Tony Holden, and I were going to make. Since I was already here, Tony had a lunch with Freddie who agreed to look at me. So I had a private session with him and after that he said he’d be willing to work with me.”

How much have you learned under Freddie’s watchful eye? …

“I’ve learned so much — probably everything. And anything I was good at before, he’s sharpened it. I’d probably give him full credit for everything. The guys I’ve sparred with have also taught me a lot. It’s really helped me in every way possible.”

Did you play sports in high school? …

“I played football, basketball and track. I played tight end and defensive end in football and I ran the hurdles and threw the shot and disc. I played four years of college football at the University of Central Arkansas. I played defensive end there. I had a couple of pro teams looking at me, but I screwed up my senior year and ended getting kicked off the team. I made some bad decisions, just being a dumb college kid, and that led to it. When boxing came up, it was like a second chance for me.

“I wasn’t ready for my athletic career to be over. Football ended for me because I made bad decisions. I needed to be told that I wasn’t good enough for me to move on and go out and get a regular job. Around the same time that happened, my dad passed away. My mom told me that Tony Holden had a casino in the next town from where I went to high school. I had never met him before but we went out and had a great time talking about my dad. So I popped the question to him and asked if he’d help me get into boxing. He said absolutely not. I told him I was going to give it a shot because I wasn’t able to give up athletics. He called me back three days later.”

Do you feel pressure being the son of Tommy Morrison? …

“Yeah. I think there’s a lot of pressure on me to do well, and I think that really weighed on me the first couple of fights. That’s always going to be there. No matter who I fight, or how good I do, they are always going to compare me to my dad. I just have to deal with it.  There definitely is pressure, but I can deal with it better now.

“When I first started, people were comparing my first fight ever with how my dad ended his career…to his best fight. So obviously I wasn’t going to match up that way. I knew that I’d get better and that one day I’d get there.”

How would you describe your relationship with your father? …

“I’d say our relationship was awesome. We were great friends. You know, our time got cut short, and we didn’t get to spend a lot of time together. But the time we did have was amazing. And we really cherished it.”

Would you think your dad would be proud of you today, following in his footsteps?

“I think he would be proud of me. I wish he was here because the things he would say would help me a lot. I really do think he’d be proud.”

How much has your promoter Tony Holden meant to you?

“I wouldn’t be where I’m at without him. I can’t even put it into words. Honestly, if I would have started boxing without him, no one would know who I was. Everything I have in boxing, is because of him. I met him in October of 2013, two or three months before I got into boxing.”

Freddie Roach, a seven-time Boxing Writers Association of America Trainer of the Year and 2012 inductee into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, will be in Morrison’s corner Friday in Miami. He said Trey is dedicated, a joy to work with and has continued to improve. But he remains a work in progress.

“Trey’s a very nice person, a simple guy, real polite like most boxers.’’.

“He inherited his father’s punch. He’s a big puncher. He’s learned how to box and is getting better every day. He tries hard. I like the way he’s progressing. He holds his own with some of the veteran guys here at the gym and is doing very well.

“Once he learns to box a little more, he’s going to make a lot more noise in the division. My thoughts on the heavyweights right now is that it is not all that strong of a division. [Anthony] Joshua may be the best, and there are a couple other big names. But I think the division is mostly wide open for guys who have heart and balls and are ready to take it the distance. Trey’s that kind of kid.’’

It was Roach who wanted this fight. “His manager asked me if he was ready and I said he was 100 percent ready. Latimore is his toughest fight, but it’s time to step up.’’

In Friday’s ShoBox main event, once-beaten Radivoje Kalajdzic (21-1, 14 KOs), of St. Petersburg, Fla. will try and resume his winning ways when he meets undefeated Travis Peterkin (16-0-1, 7 KOs), of Brooklyn, N.Y. in a 10-round light heavyweight scrap. In the co-feature, super lightweight livewire Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk (11-0, 10 KOs), of Brooklyn, N.Y., takes on Roc Nation’s Wang Zhimin (7-0, 3 KOs, 7-1 WSB), of Nutley, N.J. by way of Ningbo, China, in a 10-rounder. In a scheduled eight-round bout, Ukrainian welterweight Ivan “The Volk” Golub (12-0, 10 KOs, 5-0 WSB), of Brooklyn, N.Y. faces James “Keep’em Sleepin” Stevenson (23-2, 16 KOs), of Baltimore, Md.

The combined record of the eight boxers on the televised card is 114-3-1 with 78 knockouts.

Tickets for the event promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Tony Holden Productions in association with Roc Nation Sports are priced at $35, $55 and $75 and are available at buffalorun.com and at stubwire.com.

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhoodand former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Rich Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION QUADRUPLEHEADER
FROM BUFFALO RUN CASINO IN MIAMI, OKLA.

Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic Faces Undefeated Travis Peterkin in Main Event,
Unbeatens Ivan Baranchyk, Wang Zhimin Clash for USBA Junior Welter Title,
Welterweight Ivan Golub Risks Perfect Record Against James Stevenson,

Trey Lippe Morrison Meets Ed Latimore in Collision of Unbeaten Heavyweights

Tickets on Sale Now

NEW YORK (Sept. 6, 2016) – Light heavyweight Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic will face unbeaten southpaw Travis “The Notorious” Peterkin in the 10-round main event of a stacked ShoBox: The New Generation quadrupleheader on Friday, Sept. 23, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla.

The combined record of the eight boxers on the televised card is 114-3-1 with 78 knockouts.

Kalajdzic, 25, of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Peterkin, 26, of the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, N.Y., will be making their ShoBox debuts and initial 10-round starts.

This is Kalajdzic’s first fight since losing a highly controversial and questionable eight-round split decision to unbeaten 2012 Olympian Marcus Browne last April 16 in Brooklyn.  Kalajdzic is clamoring for a rematch with the world-ranked Browne, but he can’t overlook the strong, athletic Peterkin, who is coming off a shutout decision over Larry Pryor last March 30 and is looking for a breakout performance.

In the ShoBox co-feature, super lightweight powerhouse Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk (11-0, 10 KOs), of Brooklyn, N.Y., faces Roc Nation prospect’s Wang Zhimin (7-0, 3 KOs, 7-1 WSB), of Nutley, N.J. by way of Ningbo, China, in a 10-rounder for the vacant USBA 140-pound title. In a scheduled eight-round bout, Ukrainian welterweight Ivan “The Volk” Golub (12-0, 10 KOs, 5-0 WSB), of Brooklyn, takes on James “Keep’em Sleepin” Stevenson (23-2, 16 KOs), of Baltimore, Md.

Local favorite and son of the late former world heavyweight champion, Tommy “The Duke” Morrison, heavyweight Trey Lippe Morrison (11-0, 11 KOs) makes his highly anticipated television debut against fellow unbeaten and Roc Nation prospect Ed Latimore (13-0, 7 KOs), of Pittsburgh, Pa., in the six-round telecast opener.

Tickets for the event promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Tony Holden Productions in association with Roc Nation Sports are priced at $35, $55 and $75 and are available atbuffalorun.com and at stubwire.com. (The $35 tickets are sold out).

Kalajdzic (21-1, 14 KOs), a 6-foot-2 native of Bosnia and Herzegovina, turned pro in June 2011. He won his first 21 fights before losing to Browne in a bout in which many felt he won easily. Browne (18-0) landed an occasional hard shot, but Kalajdzic seemed to control the fight with his power and awkward style.  Both boxers hit the deck, Kalajdzic (from what appeared to be a slip) in the first, Browne (clearly) in the sixth from a right hand to the head.  Receiving credit for a knockdown in which no punch appeared to connect was the difference, and the fans booed when the scores of 76-75, 76-74 and 74-76 were announced. 

“I am really excited about this fight and that I am on television again fighting another undefeated southpaw,” said Kalajdzic. “I am continuing where I left off with training camp from my previous fight since it’s another southpaw, so I will be more than prepared. Hopefully, Peterkin comes to fight and not hug like my last opponent did so we can give the fans a good fight.”

Peterkin (16-0-1, 7 KOs) would still have an unblemished record if not for losing two points in an eight-round majority draw with 2008 Dominican Olympian Lenin Castillo (12-0) on Aug. 1, 2015 at Barclays Center. Peterkin had a point deducted in the fourth for hitting after the break and in the fifth for a low blow. The scores were 76-74 and 75-75 twice.

Despite the draw in his outing before last, Peterkin considered this the most gratifying moment of his life. From 2012-14, he stocked and served food in the suites at Barclays. In his most recent effort, Peterkin easily outpointed Pryor by the scores of 80-72 three times in New York. This will be Peterkin’s first fight outside of his home state.

A good boxer with excellent technique, Peterkin was introduced to boxing by his father, Bernard, a 1987 heavyweight Golden Gloves semifinalist, in 2001. He went 95-7 in the amateurs; after winning the 2010 New York Golden Gloves, he went pro in January 2011.

“I was ringside at Hot Rod’s last fight. I respect him, but I saw what his flaws are and will exploit them,” said Peterkin. “I am anticipating a war. Brooklyn is coming to Oklahoma and I will not disappoint. On Sept. 23, greatness beckons.”

Baranchyk, an offensive-minded fighting machine, packs outstanding power in both hands. He’s making his third appearance on ShoBox and third in a row at Buffalo Run. His otherShoBox starts, both first-round knockouts versus undefeated opponents, totaled a combined2:49.

The highly regarded, all-action Baranchyk registered a brutal, two-punch, 21-second stoppage over Nicholas Givhan (16-0-1) last March 25 on ShoBox at Buffalo Run. He scored a 2:28, first-round knockout over Shadi Shawareb (9-0-2) in his ShoBox debut last Dec. 11 in Houston, Texas.

Baranchyk was born in Minsk, Byelorussia and lives in Brooklyn. He’s won eight straight by knockout, including a third-round TKO over previously undefeated Joaquim “Eliseo” Cruz (9-0-1) last June 25 at Buffalo Run. Dominant with his speed and power from the outset, Baranchyk dropped Cruz in the second. Cruz’s corner threw in the towel at 1:07 of the third.

All 10 of the 5-foot-7, 23-year-old Baranchyk’s knockouts have come inside three full rounds, including six in the first. He’s fought 22 rounds in an 11-fight career. The only time he went the distance was in his third fight, a four-rounder in December 2014. Baranchyk, a former European amateur standout, turned pro in June ‘14 and relocated to the United States a few months later.

“I couldn’t be more excited about returning to ShoBox,” said Baranchyk. “Zhimin is a very skilled fighter and he will be my toughest opponent yet. However, I intend on ending this bout in devastating fashion. I guarantee you will see Zhimin on his back when the fight is over. I am looking to send a message to the rest of the junior welterweight division that I am someone to be feared.”

Zhimin, 30, turned pro in November 2010 and fought eight times in the WSB through 2011. After a three-year layoff, he relocated to the U.S. and has gone 7-0. He’s coming off an eight-round decision over Matthew Doherty last June 11. Zhimin had great success in the WSB, winning the gold in 2011 in his native China, defeating Yerzhan Mussafirov of Kazakhstan in the tightly contested lightweight final. Before that, he reached the final in the Chinese National Boxing Championship in 2010, where he received a silver medal. In 2012, he won another silver medal, this time at the Erdos International Boxing Competition.

“It’s an honor for me to be a part of this great event,” said Zhimin. “I want to thank the promoters, my team and everyone who gave me this opportunity. My goal is to get that belt. I know it’s a process full of challenges, but I am not afraid of what lies ahead. I know that I will make it. I have faith in myself. I will do whatever I can to prepare myself for this title showdown and give the fans my best performance and bring home the belt.”

Golub, a 27-year-old who, at 6-feet, is tall for a welterweight, turned pro as a middleweight in November 2012. At the outset of his career, he went 5-0 in the WSB. He’s gone 12-0 since, winning 10 by knockout, including his last six in a row, the last three as a welterweight.

In his ShoBox debut, he touched the canvas for the first time in his career, but bounced back to blast out Marlon Aguas with a series of combinations in the closing seconds of the sixth.  He won by TKO.

Golub, a southpaw who’s coming off a second-round TKO over Ernesto Ortiz last July 21, was an outstanding amateur. He went 270-32 as an amateur, was a five-time national champion in Ukraine and won bronze at the 2009 World Amateur Championships.

“Stevenson has a lot of experience and I am preparing for a very tough fight,” said Golub. “He is a guy that likes to sit on his punches and trade, which is exactly what I want. Once he feels my power, he is going to be in trouble. This will be an exciting fight for as long as it lasts.”

Stevenson is making his ShoBox debut. A pro since 2008, he won his first 21 scraps until losing by ninth-round TKO to then-undefeated Sammy Vasquez on Aug. 8, 2014. The fight was competitive for five rounds before Vasquez took over. Stevenson went down in the ninth.

The 5-foot-11, 33-year-old Stevenson has won two-of-three since, including a fifth-round TKO over Kevin Womack last May 14 in his first fight in 13 months. A hard-hitting boxer-puncher, Stevenson has feasted on modest opposition and is still seeking a signature victory.

Stevenson has produced a respectable record in spite of his career getting sidetracked by a series of setbacks and tragedies. In 2011, during a routine jog, a dog viciously attacked him, requiring Stevenson to get more than 20 stitches. Shortly thereafter, his father James Stevenson Sr. passed away, as did his mother-in-law.

“I appreciate the opportunity,” said Stevenson. “But they made a big mistake giving me the time to get ready for this fight. I’m training real hard and I’m coming to make a statement. I’m not scared of Golub and I promise it won’t go the distance. I’m putting him to sleep.”

Morrison has registered eight first-round knockouts, two second-round knockouts and one fourth-round KO in a career that began in February 2014. Morrison, who bears a striking resemblance to his late father facially, physique-wise and with his fighting style, turns 27 onSept. 27. He’s fought all but one of his fights in Oklahoma; this is his 10^th start at Buffalo Run.

A popular member of Holden’s Four State Franchise stable, the 6-foot-2 Morrison is fighting for the first time since he underwent surgery on his right tendon from an injury suffered in his most recent bout, a fourth-round TKO over Thomas Hawkins last Jan. 23.

“I have worked so hard to get to this point and now this is my chance to show the world who I am. I want to thank SHOWTIME for the opportunity,” said Morrison. “Latimore is a huge step up in class for me, but I am ready for it. Once I hear those Oklahoma fans and feel the energy inside the arena, I flip a switch and it’s go-time. This is going to be my coming-out party.”

Latimore, who majored in physics in college, is a boxer-puncher expected to give Morrison his toughest test. Latimore is making his ShoBox debut and fourth start this year. He’s coming off an eight-round split decision over Juan Goode last July 15.

The 6-foot-1, 31-year-old Latimore turned pro in January 2013. As an amateur, he won the Pennsylvania Golden Gloves, National PAL and Ringside Championships, and was victorious over 2012 Olympian Dominic Breazeale and former IBF Heavyweight Champion Charles Martin.

“Morrison will be a real test for me,” said Latimore. “It’s never easy to fight someone in their backyard. I just fought in my hometown of Pittsburgh so I know the feeling coming into it and the momentum on fight night. I am looking forward to putting on a good show for all the fans in Oklahoma and those watching on ShoBox.”

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 withRich Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.