Unbeatens Antoine Douglas & Thomas LaManna Meet in The Main Event

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

NEW YORK (FEB. 25, 2015) – Six unbeaten boxers, eight total with a combined record of 105-3-3, will highlight a ShoBox: Lub cim tshiab quadrupleheader live on SHOWTIME^® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) rau Hnub vas Xuv, Lub peb hlis ntuj 13, ntawm The Space at Westbury in Westbury, N.Y.

 

Two of the fights will feature undefeated boxers against each other. Nyob rau hauv cov kev tshwm sim loj, Antoine “Action”Douglas (16-0-1, 10 KOs) ntawm 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), ntawm 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.

 

Nyob hauv tus nqi feature, unbeaten southpaw Ismael Barroso (16-0-2, 15 KOs), of El Tigre, Venezuela, will shoot for his 13^th 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 Tus 13^th? 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 12^th 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 Lub peb hlis ntuj 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. thiab 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 Lub peb hlis ntuj 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 thiab Greg Cohen Promotions in association with David Schuster’s Winner Take All Productions, luv nqi tom $150, $125, thiab $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 nrogRichard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

 

About ShoBox: Lub cim tshiab
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: Lub cim tshiab has featured young talent matched tough. Tus 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.

4 big fights highlight broadcast as Ismael Barroso battles Issouf Kinda, Jerry Odom rematches Andrew Hernandez while Adam Lopez takes on Pablo Cruz.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nutley, NJ( Lub ob hlis ntuj 24, 2015)—Txog rau hnub Friday hmo ntuj, Lub peb hlis ntuj 13, at the Space at Westbury in Westbury, New York, three undefeated fighters in the GH3 Promotional stable will all be in action as part of a nationally televised quadruple header on ShoBox: Lub cim tshiab. The show is co-promoted with Greg Cohen Promotions Nyob rau hauv cov kev tshwm sim loj, Antoine “Action” Douglas will see action in a 10-round Middleweight bout against fellow undefeated Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna. Appearing in the co-main event will be undefeated Lightweight Ismael Barroso (16-0-2, 15 KO's) of Venezuela in a 10-round bout against Issouf Kinda. Barroso is promoted by Greg Cohen Promotions. In an 8-round bout, Jerry “The Kings Son” Odom will look to avenge the only blemish on his ledger when he takes on Andrew Hernandez in a Super Middleweight bout. In an 8-round bout, Adam Lopez will make his GH3 Promotions debut in a Super Bantamweight bout against fellow unbeaten Pablo Cruz. Douglas of Burke, Virginia has a record of 16-0-1 nrog 10 knockouts is looking for a big year in 2015 where he wants to transform from hot prospect to top contender. Tus 22 year-old has wins over Colby Courter (4-0), Marquis Davis (8-0-2) and in his last bout he scored a six-round unanimous decision over Don Mouton on November 13 in Washington, DC. In his lone ShoBox appearance, Douglas battled former world title challenger Michele Soro to a draw on Lub Xya hli ntuj 25. LaManna of Millville, New Jersey has a record of 16-0 nrog 7 knockouts and has built a large fan base in the New Jersey area. He turned pro in 2011 and has solid wins over Joshua Robertson, Ashandi Gibbs and Jamaal Davis. In his last bout, LaManna scored a 6-round unanimous decision over Gilbert Alex Sanchez on December 13, 2014 in Philadelphia. Barroso of Venezuela has a record of 16-0-2 nrog 15 knockouts and has won the WBA Fedebol Lightweight title and the WBA Interim Fedlatin title. He has wins over Alfonso Perez (4-1), Addir Sanchez (7-1), Oscar Arenas (22-3) and Winston Campos (17-2-4). In his last bout, Barroso scored a 3rd rouns stoppage over Maximillano Galindo on December 5, 2014 in Concordia, Mexico. Kinda of the Bronx, New York has a record of 17-2 nrog 7 knockouts. Tus 27 year-old turned professional in 2009 and is a former New York State Lightweight champion. He has wins over former world title challenger Mike Arnaoutis and Javier Loya (7-1). In his last bout, Kinda won via 2nd round round stoppage over Kevin Carter onLub ib hlis ntuj 17 in Johnson City, Tennessee. Odom (12-1, 11 KO's) of Bowie, Maryland and Hernandez battled to a controversial finish on Lub ib hlis ntuj 9 at the Madison Square Garden Theater. Odom was well on his way to stopping Hernandez when it was ruled that Odom hit Hernandez while he was down after being dropped. Rau Lub peb hlis ntuj 13, Odom will look to even and settle the score with Hernandez. Odom had an impressive 7th round stoppage over previously undefeated Villier Quinonez (8-0) rau Lub Xya hli ntuj 25 in his ShoBox appearance. Hernandez of Phoenix, Arizona has a record of 8-0-1 nrog 1 knockout. Besides the win over Odom, Hernandez has a win over previously undefeated Dustin Sultey. Lopez (9-0, 4 KO's) ntawm San Antonio, Texas is coming off a 5th round stoppage over Leonardo Torres on Lub yim hli ntuj 30. Cruz of Houston, Texas has a record of 11-0 with three knockouts. Tus 28 year-old turned pro in 2012 and is coming off a 6-round unanimous decision over Manuel Rubalcava on Lub ib hlis ntuj 22 in Houston. The combined record of the 8 fighters are 105-3-4 nrog 58 knockouts. On the off-television portion, undefeated Welterweight Jerrell Harris (4-0, 4 KO's) will make his GH3 Promotions debut against an opponent to be named in a bout scheduled for four rounds. Tickets for this great evening are $150 for Golden Ringside, $100 for Ringside & $50 for General Admission and can be purchased at ticketmaster, ticketmaster.com,thespacewestbury.com, The Space Box office at 516-283-5566 or Greg Cohen Promotions at 212-851-6425 The Space at Westbury is located at 250 Post Avenue. Qhov rooj qhib thaum 6 PM with the first bout at 7 PM. 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.