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boxing, Showtime Boxing

DOMINIC WADE TAKES A 10-ROUND SPLIT DECISION OVER FORMER WORLD CHAMPION SAM SOLIMAN TO REMAIN UNDEFEATED IN MAIN EVENT OF SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION TRIPLEHEADER

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 Unbeatens Erickson Lubin, Oscar Rivas, Win by First-Round Knockout

Over Ayi Bruce, Jason Pettaway, Respectively, in Televised Co-Features

 

Watch The Replay Of The ShoBox: The New Generation Tripleheader

Monday, June 29, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHO

 

Click HERE To Download Photos

Credit: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME®

 

SHELTON, Wash, (June 26, 2015) – In an extremely close fight to score, undefeated middleweight Dominic “Lights Out” Wade (18-0, 12 KOs), of Washington, D.C., escaped with a split 10-round decision over former world champion Sam “King” Soliman (44-13, 1 NC, 18 KOs), of Melbourne, Australia, in the main event Friday on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME from Little Creek Casino.

 

Wade, who scored a disputed knockdown in the fourth round, won by the scores of 97-93, 95-94 and 93-96.

 

“This was by far my toughest fight, and my best win as a pro,’’ Wade said afterward. “I knew there was going to be a problem fighting an experienced, totally awkward guy like that. Really, it’s impossible to prepare for a fight like this. But I kept my poise throughout and that was a key.

 

“Soliman was physically fit, but not one thing he did surprised me. His punches weren’t anything. I thought it was a close fight, but I knew I landed the harder, cleaner shots. I wasn’t worried at all about the decision.

 

“I have more respect for Soliman now that I’ve fought him. He sure doesn’t fight like somebody that is 41-years-old. But I did what I had to do to get the win and take the next step up me.’’

 

Soliman, making his first start since suffering a knee injury last Oct. 14in an IBF title defense decision loss to Jermain Taylor, fought his fight. An energetic, herky-jerky veteran, who constantly moves, feints, charges in with punches, holds, grabs, hugs and sometimes even tackles.

 

His mauling unconventional style makes it almost impossible to look good against, but many, including Soliman, felt he landed enough clean punches to deserve the decision.

 

“I definitely felt I won, and I think Wade knows I won, too,’’ Soliman said. “He never hurt me once. My knee held up 100 percent. The knockdown that he got credit for wasn’t even a knockdown. It didn’t come from a punch. He literally pushed me down.

 

“That everyone after the fight came up to me and said I won takes some of the sting out of not getting the decision. These kinds of decisions can bring some fighters down, but this will only make me stronger. I don’t agree with the decision at all, but this is boxing and I have to accept it.

 

“I really want to thank SHOWTIME for giving me the opportunity to fight on ShoBox. I think I showed the world tonight that I have a lot left.’’

Boxing historian and ShoBox expert analyst Steve Farhood afterward: “It was a very difficult fight to score. It was very close. It turns out the difference was somehow controversial: Unofficial knockdown in round four. If you scored that round 10-8 for Wade, that was the margin of victory, one extra point that he got for round four.

“A good win for [Dominic] Wade, not a pretty win. He’s a legitimate Top 10 contender now because he beat a legitimate top 10 contender. And for [Sam] Soliman, he’s 41-years-old and he’s going to keep going. He’s not going to stop. Overall, it was a good learning experience for Wade and a very very difficult ugly fight that could have gone either way.”

There was much less drama in the two other televised fights presented by TGB Promotions.

 

In the co-feature, 19-year-old former amateur standout and talented unbeaten super welterweight Erickson “Hammer” Lubin (11-0, 8 KOs), of Orlando Fla., scored two knockdowns en route to a 2:49, first-round knockout over Ayi Bruce (23-10, 15 KO’s) of Albany, N.Y., who was fighting for the first time in 16 months.

 

“I expected to take him out, maybe in a couple of rounds, but not that fast,’’ said the up-and-coming southpaw who is one of the youngest boxers to appear on ShoBox. “I took my time and was pacing myself. I don’t think he hit me once.

 

“I want to keep moving up and fighting better competition so I can become a true contender. I’m ready to fight again tomorrow. Tonight, actually.’’

 

In the ShoBox opener, former international amateur star Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas (17-0, 12 KOs), a Montreal-based Colombian who represented Colombia in the 2008 Olympic Games, remained undefeated with a devastating 2:25 first-round TKO over outclassedJason Pettaway (17-3, 10 KOs), of Camp Lejeune, N.C.

 

A brutal, vicious puncher, Rivas was impressive in his United States andShoBox debut. He overwhelmed Rivas from the outset, scoring three knockdowns. He had two points taken away for hitting Pettaway late and while he was down after the first knockdown, but it hardly mattered.

 

While delighted with his performance, Rivas felt the points’ deduction was unwarranted. “I didn’t think he was on the floor,’’ he said. “I didn’t think his knee was down and he was holding on to the ropes. So he wasn’t down and I kept punching.

 

“I feel very happy about my fight tonight. This was the opportunity I’ve been waiting for, fighting on a great network like SHOWTIME. I’m ready for bigger challenges now. I don’t care against who. I’m ready to take on the world.’’

 

Said Pettaway: “I definitely felt I was down and that it was a late shot. It definitely affected me. I never got a chance to show anything.’’

 

Rivas, looking to become the first boxer from Colombia to win a heavyweight world title, may have had something to do with that.

 

Unbeaten lightweight and former Marine and 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Captain Jamel Herring (12-0, 7 KOs), of Cincinnati, Ohio, whose scheduled ShoBox fight against Mexico’s Oscar Cortes was cancelledThursday when Cortes came in overweight, fought on the non-televised portion of the event and won a lopsided eight-round decision over Tijuana’s Hector Velasquez (56-26-3, 38 KOs).

 

Barry Tompkins called the ShoBox blow by blow at ringside with boxing historian Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquezserving as ringside analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hallwith Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

 

 

The ShoBox:The New Generation tripleheader will re-air this week as follows:

 

DAY                                                                            CHANNEL

Monday, June 29, 10 p.m. ET/PT                       SHOWTIMEEXTREME®

 

Friday’s three-fight telecast will be available at SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® beginning tomorrow, Saturday, June 27.

boxing, ShoBox, Showtime Boxing

 SHOBOX SHUFFLE DOMINIC WADE-SAM SOLIMAN IN MAIN EVENT, TWO NEW FIGHTS ADDED TO SHOBOX TRIPLEHEADER

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Unbeaten Erickson Lubin Will Face Ayi Bruce in Co-Feature,
Heavyweights Oscar Rivas and Jason Pettaway Clash
In Telecast Opener; Jamel Herring Fight Is Cancelled
After Opponent Oscar Cortes Comes In Overweight

Weights and Boxers’ Final Thoughts For
ShoBox:The New Generation Tomorrow/Friday, June 26,
At 10:35 p.m. Live on SHOWTIME® From Little Creek Casino

Click HERE To Download Photos

Credit: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME

 

SHELTON, Wash. (June 25, 2015) – The ShoBox: The New Generation tripleheader tomorrow, Friday, June 26, live on SHOWTIME (10:35 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Little Creek Casino in Shelton, Wash., will feature promising undefeated middleweight prospect Dominic “Lights Out” Wade (17-0, 12 KOs), of Washington, D.C., against Sam “King” Soliman (44-12, 1 NC, 18 KOs), of Melbourne, Australia in the 10-round main event.

 

But the scheduled co-feature between unbeaten lightweight and former Marine and 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Captain Jamel Herring (11-0, 7 KOs), of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Mexico’s Oscar Cortes (25-2, 13 KOs) was cancelled Thursday when Cortez came in overweight. Armed Forces Network will air the ShoBox telecast despite the Herring-Cortes fight getting scrapped.

 

“I’m very disappointed that I didn’t get to fight,’’ Herring said. “I was really looking forward to it.  I’ll be back in the ring in no time and I will continue my march of becoming a world champion one day.”

 

The new co-feature will pit unbeaten promising Erickson “The Hammer’’ Lubin (10-0, 7 KO’s) of Orlando, Fla., against Ayi Bruce (23-9, 15 KO’s) of Albany, N.Y., in a super welterweight scrap. The telecast opener will match heavyweights Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas (16-0, 11 KOs), a Montreal-based Colombian, and Jason Pettaway (17-2, 10 KOs), of Camp Lejeune, N.C. Both fights are slated for eight rounds.

 

Wade, who’ll take on the toughest opponent of his career when he steps up in class to face the vastly more experienced former world champion Soliman, also came in heavy. He weighed 162.5 pounds on his first attempt. When he returned to the scale, he weighed 161 pounds. Soliman, tipped the scale at 161.4 pounds, on his first attempt.

 

Southpaw Lubin, 19, a sensational amateur, will be making his ShoBoxdebut and 11th start since turning pro in November 2011. He weighed 152.4 pounds. Bruce, who has fought top prospects throughout his career but is coming off a lengthy layoff, weighed 151.4 for the super welterweight bout. In the heavyweight match added to the telecastThursday morning, the physically strong and powerful Rivas, a former international amateur standout, weighed 244 pounds. Pettaway, who is looking to regain his winning ways after losing his last start, tipped the scale at 222.

 

What the fighters said Thursday:

 

DOMINIC WADE

 

“For me this is a big step up in class. Soliman is a very experienced fighter; I definitely don’t look at him as just some 41-year old who still fights. He’s a spoiler. He’s the kind of fighter that is difficult to look good against because he’s so awkward. I expect him to jump and throw punches and then hold, but I’ve trained to control him from the outside with my jab.

 

“I feel like it’s time for a real test. It’s time to see where I’m at. I could have fought easier, but I’ve been working hard at the gym and this is the time for me to start moving toward a world title shot.

 

“Going 10 rounds with Nick Brinson [in his ShoBox debut in June 2014] was a good learning experience. I thought I was going to stop him for sure, probably early, but he was tougher than I thought. He surprised me. Nothing Soliman will do will surprise me and I am 100 percent ready for Friday.’’

 

SAM SOLIMAN

 

“The right knee that I hurt against Jermain Taylor is 100 percent. I’ll be wearing a brace but it is nothing I’ll be thinking about. I had four months of rehab, but I’ve been injury-free in the seven months since.

 

“As a former kickboxer, I have been in a million wars, so this wasn’t even the worst injury I’ve ever suffered. You can’t compare it to what I went through as a kickboxer so I feel great. There are no mental fears or anything.

 

“I don’t want to be a stepping stone for anybody. I feel his promoters and advisors made a mistake in picking me. I still have plenty of fight left. They could have picked a lot of other fighters if they were looking to make a name for Wade.

 

“For me to still be fighting has nothing to do with age or special genes. It’s all about how you live your life.

 

“Wade is a good boxer, a smart kid who will try and keep you at bay. But I’ve fought 30-40 guys with that style. He’s talented and I don’t want to take anything away from him, but you need to have some tough fights. I know they see me as their ticket to a world ranking, a 41-year-old former champion. But they picked the wrong guy.’’

 

ERICKSON LUBIN

 

“I’m just here to fight. This is my first time on SHOWTIME and I’m really looking forward to it.

 

“I feel like my career is going just great. I fought a lot last year and hope to fight four-five times this year. I want to be labeled as a contender real soon, so I just keep fighting. I can fight at super welterweight or welterweight with no problems weigh-wise.

 

“I’m in a good division. I’ve been watching all the young guys. I feel I could fight any of them now, but I know I have to be patient. Still, if I had my way, I’d fight every month if I could.

 

“I’m still learning, of course, but I know I am getting there.  I feel one of my greatest strengths is my ability to make adjustments. If one thing isn’t working I can adjust it to something totally different.’’

 

AYI BRUCE

 

“I can box or slug and have faced some tough guys. I’ve been off but that’s because a couple of fights fell out on me. I feel really strong and very prepared.

 

“Lubin is only 19. I’m going to show him my experience in the ring. I’ve fought lefties before so that will not be a problem.

 

“I’m coming to fight. I’m coming to win. I need to win. On Friday, I’m going to be the teacher and he is going to be the pupil. I’ll be taking him to school.’’

 

OSCAR RIVAS

 

“This is a great opportunity for me fighting on ShoBox. I want America to see me, I want to show the people what I’ve got. I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this for a long time.

 

“I’m strong, but I think I’m a better boxer than people expect. I feel I have a lot of ability. All that international amateur experience made me well-rounded. I’m not just a pressure guy. I’ve got good movement and I throw a lot of combinations with speed.

 

“I’m happy with the way my career is going. They’re taking their time with me but I feel I’m ready to step up against tougher opposition. At 6-foot-1, I’m short for a heavyweight but I’m a tough fighter for guys taller than me.

 

“There has never been a heavyweight champion from Colombia. To become the first is a great motivation for me.

 

“I look forward to fighting the biggest names in the division. I’ve been waiting for the time and the time is now to move up. I feel I’m going to be a part of the heavyweight dance for a long time.

 

“But I’m not underestimating Pettaway. I look at him as a complete boxer who can take a punch and has good speed and power.’’

 

JASON PETTAWAY

 

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime, what I have been working for my whole life. I feel like this is a big step up for me, but it is also a big step up for him. I don’t think he has ever fought anybody as good as me.

 

“I know that a lot of people haven’t heard of me, but a win on Friday, and a couple more right after that, will put me right in the thick of the heavyweight mix.

 

“I’m definitely in great shape. I’m improving and getting more comfortable with each fight. I think nerves and fighting under the big lights has cost me before, but I’m over that now.

 

“I am really looking forward to fighting a guy like Rivas.’’

 

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox blow by blow with boxing expertSteve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as ringside analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

 

Tickets for “Little Creek Brawl VII” from Skookum Creek Event Center start at $20 and are available online at www.little-creek.com or by calling1.800.667.7711.  Doors will open at 5 p.m. PT, with the first fight tentatively set to begin at 6 p.m.  Live coverage will begin at approximately 7:35 p.m. local time (PT).

 

For more information about Little Creek Casino Resort and its full line-up of upcoming acts that includes Paul Rodgers, Trace Adkins, Dwight Yoakam, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, YES and Toto, please call 800-667-7711 or visit online at www.little-creek.com

 

boxing, ShoBox, Showtime Boxing

UNDEFEATED MIDDLEWEIGHT PROSPECT DOMINIC WADE TAKES ON TOUGHEST CHALLENGE OF HIS CAREER IN FORMER WORLD CHAMP SAM SOLIMAN FRIDAY, JUNE 26 ON SHOWTIME®

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ShoBox: The New Generation Tripleheader

Live At 10:35 p.m. ET/PT From Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, Wash.

 

“My time has arrived…I’m ready for the next level.” – Dominic Wade

 

“My road to regaining the world title begins on June 26 against Dominic Wade.” – Sam Soliman

NEW YORK (May 27, 2015) – Young undefeated middleweight prospectDominic “Lights Out” Wade will take on the toughest opponent of his career when he faces former world champion Sam “King” Soliman in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday, June 26, live on SHOWTIME from Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, Wash.

 

Wade (17-0, 12 KOs), of Washington, D.C., and Soliman (44-12, 1 NC, 18 KOs), of Melbourne, Australia, will clash in the 10-round middleweight main event of the TGB Promotions tripleheader.  In other televised bouts, former Marine and 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Captain Jamel“Semper Fi” Herring (11-0, 7 KOs), of Rockville Centre, N.Y., and 19-year-old former amateur standout and unbeaten super welterweight Erickson “Hammer” Lubin (10-0, 7 KOs), of Orlando Fla., will be featured against opponents to be determined in separate bouts.

 

If triumphant, Wade will begin to transition from promising prospect to legitimate contender in his quest to become the next ShoBox graduate to win a world championship.  To date, 61 ShoBox alums have captured world titles.

 

While Wade is unbeaten, Soliman is vastly more experienced, having competed in four world championship fights.  He held the IBF Middleweight World Championship before suffering a debilitating knee injury and losing via unanimous decision to Jermain Taylor in his first title defense last October.  Soliman, who was leading on the judges’ scorecards at the time of the injury, will make his first start since losing the 160-pound title.

 

“This is a great opportunity for me to face a former world champion,” Wade said.  “While he’s more experienced I truly believe my time has arrived and I plan to show the boxing world that I’m ready for the next level.”

 

“I know what it takes to be a world champion, the sacrifices needed to endure, the battles that need to be won.  My road to regaining the world title begins on June 26 against Dominic Wade,” said Soliman.

 

“We’re very excited to work once again with the terrific SHOWTIME and Little Creek Casino Resort teams on this exciting fight card,” said Tom Brown of TGB Promotions.  “Wade vs. Soliman is an excellent cross-roads bout.  Additionally, Lubin and Herring are two of the best prospects in boxing.”

 

Wade, 25, will be making his 2015 debut and third appearance on the network.  In his first ShoBox fight – and first 10-rounder — he stepped up in class and won a close but clear decision over Nick Brinson in June 2014.  The aggressive-minded 5-foot-11½-inch Wade, a top amateur before going pro in March 2009, is 6-0 with four knockouts since returning to the ring in February 2013 after a two-year layoff due to promotional problems.

 

A well-conditioned, power puncher who is steadily ascending in the world rankings, Wade’s four stoppages have come inside two rounds (one in the first, three in the second).  Wade, who had over 160 amateur fights, is coming off a second-round TKO over Eddie Hunter last Dec. 20, in Shelton.

 

The 5-foot-8½-inch Soliman keeps a relentless, almost non-stop pace and delivers punches from odd angles. Tough and durable, Soliman can be very awkward and he is always well-conditioned.  This combination makes Soliman a very difficult fighter to face.  He went 0-2 in WBA 168-pound world title fights before dropping a notch in weight to capture the IBF Middleweight World Championship with a decisive 12-round decision over Felix Sturm in a rematch on May 31, 2014.

 

The 41-year-old Soliman, who lost the title in his first injury-marred defense against Taylor, is 9-1-1 with one No Contest since May 2008.  A former kickboxing world champion, Soliman has been knocked out just once – in 2007 by then WBA Super Middleweight World Champion Anthony Mundine.  The veteran has had a successful yet unusual 18-year career that began with a four-round fight but then followed with three straight 12-rounders (all went the distance) in three different weight divisions over a period of five months.

 

The 5-foot-10-inch Herring was the 2012 United States National Champion at 141 pounds and captained the 2012 U.S. Olympic Games boxing team.  The 29-year-old turned pro in December 2012 and has remained active since with five fights in 2013 and four in 2014.  Herring, who will be making his ShoBox debut, is making his second start of this year, coming off a lopsided eight-round decision over Hector Marengo in March.

 

Herring served nine years in the Marine Corps including two tours of duty in Iraq.  The Long Island native enlisted about a year after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.  Herring considered giving up the sport multiple times, particularly after the death of his infant daughter, Ariyanah, due to sudden infant death syndrome in 2009 – three years to the day before the Olympic Games opening ceremony in London.  But he was persuaded by coaches and teammates to stick with it.

 

At 19 years of age, Lubin is one of the youngest boxers to appear onShoBox (Francisco “Panchito” Bojado, at 18, was the youngest.).  Lubin is a heralded blue-chip prospect who will be making his ShoBox debut and 11th start since turning pro in November 2013.  A southpaw with good punching power, skills and movement, Lubin will be making his third start this year and his fourth scheduled eight-round bout.

 

Lubin had a remarkable amateur career.  He was the 2013 National Golden Gloves champion at 152 pounds, the 2012 National PAL Champion at 141, the 2012 Junior Olympic National Champion at 138 pounds and the 2011 National Junior Olympic Champion at 132 pounds.

 

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox blow by blow with expert analyst Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as ringside analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

 

Tickets for “Little Creek Brawl VII” from Skookum Creek Event Center start at $20 and are available online at www.little-creek.com or by calling1.800.667.7711.  Doors will open at 5 p.m. PT, with the first fight tentatively set to begin at 6 p.m.  Live coverage will begin at approximately 7:35 p.m. local time (PT).

 

Previously hosting boxing events broadcast on SHOWTIME, the 22,500-square-foot Skookum Creek Event Center provides unrivaled sightlines and acoustics for a televised fight.  Boxing fans staying the weekend at the resort’s well-appointed rooms and suites may also complete their experience with a round of golf at world-renowned Salish Cliffs Golf Club, a treatment at Seven Inlets Spa or Vegas-style gaming on the casino floor.

 

For more information about Little Creek Casino Resort and its full line-up of upcoming acts that includes Paul Rodgers, Trace Adkins, Dwight Yoakam, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, YES and Toto, please call 800-667-7711 or visit online at www.little-creek.com

 

# # #

 

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 61 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.