Californian Ruben Villa Dominates Colombian Ruben Cervera in Co-Feature

Catch The Replay Monday, Januaro 14 #?E 10 P.M. ET / PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME^?

KlakoHERE Por Fotoj; Kredito Rosie Cohe/SHOWTIME

Watch the Haney KnockdownHERE

SHREVEPORT – January 12, 2019 – Devin Haney passed the biggest test of his young career Friday night onShoBox: La Nova Generacio, kicking off the 2019 boxing year with a dazzling performance and unanimous decision victory over fellow undefeated former South African champion Xolisani Ndongeni live on SHOWTIME from StageWorks of Louisiana.

Haney (21-0, 13 KOs) scored a second-round knockdown and wore Ndongeni (25-1, 13 KOs) down with punishing body shots in the latter part of the fight in winning easily on all three judges’ scorecards, 100-89 Dufoje, and 99-90.See the second-round knockdownHERE.

Haney told SHOWTIME’s Steve Farhood in the ring after the fight he only wants to be considered a contender from here on out. “I want those top guys," li diris. “Now they really can’t deny me. I’ve been saying this for a long time but now, I’m a contender.”See the post-fight interviewHERE. 

The knockdown came at 1:30 of the second round as a Haney right hand landed flush knocking the unbalanced Ndongeni to the canvas. But it was Haney’s body shots that wore out the stubborn Ndongeni, who was fighting in the United States for just the second time. Haney badly wanted to end the fight with a knockout, even telling his father Bill Haney between rounds, “I’m going to knock him out!?

“He’s a great fighter,” said Haney, who with the victory takes home the WBO Intercontinental and WBC International belts. “You don’t make it to 25-0 without being anybody. I knew it was going to be tough opponent from the very beginning. He’s a really good fighter and I didn’t choose him. That was the opponent that came up and you know me, I don’t turn down anybody. I fight whoever comes in front of me.”

Farhood said 2019 could be the year Haney fights for a world title. “I’m impressed because he showed a side of himself that we hadn’t seen before,” the International Boxing Hall of Famer Farhood said. “For a young fighter, although he’s very skilled, you want to see him handle all kinds of situations. He went to the body effectively and if the fight goes 30 seconds longer he gets the stoppage. Is a world title fight in 2019 a possibility? Certainly. Just because he’s 20 doesn’t mean he’s not good enough. It’s clear there’s no one that’s going to out-box him.”

Farhood finally gave Ndongeni a round for the first time in the seventh as he used some effective body work to control the round, although never visibly hurting Haney or putting him in too much danger.

As the fight went deeper and deeper, Haney just kept getting stronger. In the final two rounds, he led 69-28 on overall landed punches (16-6 jabs and 53-22 potenco). In the final minute of the final round, Haney out-landed Ndongeni 23-3 in total connects.

“I’m getting stronger with each fight and I feel my man strength emerging,” Haney said. “Ndongeni is a very durable fighter. I attribute his big heart for keeping him in the fight. I knew I was the superior fighter. I showed everyone I can fight coming forward, Mi povas boksi, I can bang, I do it all. I?? Preta…no one is stopping me.”

In a battle of undefeated Rubens, former decorated amateur Ruben Villa (15-0, 5 KOs) handed Colombian Ruben Cervera (10-1, 9 KOs) his first career defeat scoring a dominating unanimous decision, 80-72 on all three scorecards in the eight-round featherweight co-feature bout.See fight highlightsHERE.

The 21-year-old two-time Junior Olympic National Champion and the 2014 Kaj 2015 National Golden Gloves Champion from Salinas, Calif., Villa outworked and outperformed the slower but determined Cervera en route to a decisive decision victory.

“It felt good fighting on the big stage and I got the victory against a very tough undefeated fighter,” the one-time Olympic alternate Villa said. “I felt I controlled the entire fight with my superior boxing skills. I’m ready to step up to the next level. I’m taking on all comers no matter who they are, I feel I’m the best featherweight in the world.”

In the sixth round, Villa got to work featuring a strong right hand and following up with jabs and combinations that seemed to buzz Cevera, who was out-landed on punches in the round 35-5.

The jab was the key weapon for Villa as he led 105-23 in connects as well as holding a 36 percent to eight percent advantage in jab accuracy. Villa exceeded double-digits in jabs in every round but the first.

The lefty Villa said visiting Riverside and spending time with noted trained Robert Garcia has helped his game. “I’ll give myself an 8 #A? 9 #?I-nokte," li diris. “I believe in my speed. I know there are guys like [Abner] Mares and [Leo] Santa Cruz who people know, but visiting Riverside let me see I can step in there with anyone.”

Cevera became the 182^Nd career fighter to lose his undefeated record onShoBox. “I knew Ruben Villa was a very fast fighter because I saw some video of him, but I didn’t know he was that fast,” Cervera said. “He’s much faster when you see him inside the ring. I tried everything I could but my distance was off. I was able to hit them with a couple of combinations and he probably felt my power. I don’t disagree with the judges’ decision, he was the better man tonight.”

En la teleelsenda malfermilo, Cuban heavyweight Frank Sanchez (11-0, 9 KOs) overcame a 14-minute delay between the first and second rounds knocking out former college football player Willie Jake, Jr. (8-2-1, 2 KOs) #?E 2:59 de la dua ronda. Both fighters sat calmly on their stools as local promoters worked to repair two of the ropes that had fallen from their post.See fight highlightsHERE.

After controlling the action in the first round, Frank’s raw punches simply overpowered the heavier Jake, catching him with a glancing right to the head and a cuffing hook to the body that caused Jake to fall face-first to the canvas and the fight was waved off with just one second remaining in the second round.

Sanchez was the more accurate fighter landing 39 percent of his power shots to Jake’s 25 Procento. He also outlanded the Indianapolis native in total connects (28-15) and in landed power shots (20-14).

“I wanted to show the world that I’m the new Cuban boxing sensation,” said Sanchez, who grew up in Guantanamo, Kubo, and now resides in Miami. “I didn’t let the ring rope delay affect my performance. I was ready to go no matter what happened. My manager the great Richard Steele [former boxing referee] is already putting together my next fight. I’m coming for everyone in the heavyweight division. All contenders better watch out.”

The event was promoted by Devin Haney Promotions and Bishop Promotions LLC, in association with Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing. The full telecast will replay on Monday, Januaro 14 #?E 10 P.M. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME ANYTIME^? and SHOWTIME on DEMAND^?.

Barry Tompkins called the action from ringside with boxing historian Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer was Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

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ProksimumeShoBox: La Nova Generacio

Pro tio ke #?ia iniciato en julio 2001, La kritike aklamita SHOWTIME boksa serio, ShoBox: La Nova Generacio Prezentis junan talenton egalis malfacile. LaShoBox Filozofio estas televidigi ekscitan, Amaso-#pla?i kaj konkurencivaj #mat?o dum provizanta pruvantan teron por volantaj perspektivoj determinita batali por monda titolo. Kelkaj de la kreskanta listo de la 79 Batalantoj kiu aperis surShoBox Kaj #anta?eniri rikolti mondajn titolojn inkluzivas: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Kvartalo, Deontay Pli #Sova?a, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, 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.

Twenty-Year-Old Las Vegas Resident Takes On Former South African Champion In Battle Of Unbeatens Live at 10 P.M. ETa/PT

KlakoHERE Por Fotoj; Kredito Rosie Cohe/SHOWTIME

SHREVEPORT– January 10, 2019 – Unbeaten lightweight and rising star Devin Haney and fellow undefeated Xolisani Ndongeni both made weight just a day before theirShoBox: La Nova Generacio 10-round main event headlines a tripleheader live on SHOWTIME (10 P.M. ETa/PT) from StageWorks of Louisiana in Shreveport.

The precocious Haney (20-0, 13 KOs), a seven-time national junior amateur champion who turned pro at age 17, headlines onShoBox for the third time when he takes on South Africa’s 28-year-old Ndongeni (25-0, 13 KOs), who like Haney is unbeaten and spent four months training at the Mayweather Gym in Las Vegas in 2017.  

The event is promoted by Devin Haney Promotions and Bishop Promotions LLC, in association with Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing. Biletoj, Komencanta #?e $30, are on sale now and available at www.akafights.com.

En laShoBox Co-#?efa?o, lanugpeza perspektivo Ruben Villa (14-0, 5 KOs) of Salinas, Calif., alfrontos Ruben Cervera (10-0, 9 KOs) of Colombia in an eight-round matchup. The telecast will open with young heavyweights Frank Sanchez (10-0, 8 KOs) of Cuba and former college football player Willie Jake Jr. (8-1-1, 2 KOs) of Indianapolis, Ind., kvadratumante en alia ok-raŭnda atako.

All the fighters weighed at Paradise Theatre located inside Margaritaville Resort Casino.

FINAL WEIGHTS, REFEREES AND JUDGES

Lightweight 10-Round Bout

Devin Haney – 134 ½ funtoj.

Xolisani Ndongeni – 134 ¾ lbs.

arbitraciisto: Bruce McDaniel (Monroe, La.); Juĝistoj: Laurence Cole (Dallas), Pat Dayton (Monroe, La.), Mickey Lofton (Monroe, La.)

Featherweight 8-Round Bout

Ruben Villa – 126 ¾ lbs.

Ruben Cervera – 126 ? Lbs.

(Contracted weight is 128 Funtoj)

arbitraciisto: Laurence Cole (Dallas); Juĝistoj: Bruce McDaniel (Monroe, La.), Pat Dayton (Monroe, La.), Mickey Lofton (Monroe, La.)

Heavyweight 8-Round Bout

Frank Sanchez – 216 ¼ lbs.

Willie Jake Jr.. ? 239 ? Lbs.

arbitraciisto: Bruce McDaniel (Monroe, La.); Juĝistoj: Laurence Cole (Dallas), Pat Dayton (Monroe, La.), Mickey Lofton (Monroe, La.)

Finaj Citaĵoj:

DEVIN HANEY:

“This is a 10-round fight for the WBO Intercontinental and WBC International belts, so it’s a big deal. This is a true step up for me.

“It’s important for me build a name in different areas of the country. I’ve fought in Southern California and Philadelphia, and now I’m fighting in Louisiana. This fight I will show who Devin Haney is. In this fight I’ll showcase my skills and I’ll show my full arsenal.

“My style is not a style that people want to fight. I will fight whoever is out there. We haven’t been getting a lot call backs. I’ve had other offers from all the top promotion companies, but I want to remain independent and make my own decisions.

“My opponent has an awkward style. I know he has a lot of confidence and he thinks he can beat me. That’s great for him, but he hasn’t faced anyone with my combination of speed and power.

“At the end of my career I think it would be great if the world continued to say, ‘I don’t know if he can take a punch.’ That would be the goal.”

XOLISANI NDONGENI:

“I’ve trained and sparred with guys at Mayweather’s gym in Las Vegas for four months in 2017. I learned a lot got some great experience.

“I see a young, good prospect in Devin Haney. I just have to keep to my game plan. He doesn’t realize how fast I am. I’ll show some different looks, and know what he’s planning to do. Whatever Haney brings, I’ll adjust.

“I’ve been in some deep waters and I have more rounds than Haney. That experience will pay off for me.

“I’ve been knocked down once in my career. It was early and I came back to knock him down five times and won the fight.

“Haney wants to be called a contender. I’ve been a contender and I know what it takes to be at the top level of the sport. I’ve never taken a fight I wasn’t prepared for or thought that I couldn’t win.”

RUBEN VILLA

“This is exciting and what we’ve been working toward. The contracted weight is 128 for this fight, but I’m a natural featherweight at 126. I’m a southpaw but a natural righty. I throw a lot of jabs, that’s my style.

“I’m representing Salinas and want to be a world champion someday. I’m only 21 Jaroj malnova, and to already be fighting onShoBox is a dream come true.

“People say I don’t have the knockouts, but it’s in my mind and they will come. The power and knockouts will come.

“I once beat Devin [Haney] by unanimous decision in the amateurs. Mi estis 15, and it was in the finals of the Junior Olympics. Devin’s real slick and aggressive and he moves well. That’s how you beat him.

RUBEN CERVERA

“I’ve never been to the U.S., and I love it here. The press conference and the amount of attention this fight is getting is amazing. I’m used to watching this kind of stuff on T.V. But my mind is totally focused on this fight.

“I have power in all my punches. I’m a strong fighter who has to take a step up in my career. I’m juna, nur 20 Jaroj malnova, so I’m anxious to get my career going.

“I know Villa is a southpaw. I’ve fought lefties several times in my career and have had no problem with it.

“There is a lot of talent in Colombia, but there aren’t the resources there to have a good career. You have to sacrifice a lot and that’s what I’ve done.”

FRANK SANCHEZ

“I’m 6-foot-4 and use my height to my advantage. I defected from Cuba in 2016 and my family is still in Cuba. My brother is the only one here in the States with me.

“I’m living in Miami now and training there. That will be my home base now.

“I’d love to fight [Deontay] Pli #sova?a. I want to be world champion so maybe someday I will. His technique is a little bit wild.

“I had great amateur experience and am a former member of the Cuban national amateur team. I know that will help me. I know there’s never been a heavyweight champion from Cuba, and I plan to be the first one.”

WILLIE JAKE JR.

“Indianapolis is a tough town to be a boxer because there’s not a lot going on there.

“I played college football [for Pasadena City College] but I hurt my wrist and decided to go into the military.

?[Frank] is a little fellow. He needs some maturing. I know they do things differently there in Cuba, but we both are fighting for our families. I’m going to let him know he needs to be a cruiserweight.”

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Undefeated Top Lightweight Contender Haney Faces Fellow Unbeaten Ndongeni In The Main Event of ShoBox: The New Generation Friday, Januaro 11 Viva sur SHOWTIME^?

Klako HERE for Photos from Rosie Cohe/SHOWTIME

SHREVEPORT, La.(Januaro 9, 2019) – One of boxing’s most promising rising stars, unbeaten lightweight Devin Haney, and fellow undefeated Xolisani Ndongeni, kicked off fight week with a final press conference Wednesday at Paradise Theatre in Margaritaville Resort Casino ahead of theirShoBox: La Nova Generacio main event bout this Friday, Januaro 11 #?E 10 P.M. ET/PT live on SHOWTIME from StageWorks of Louisiana in Shreveport.

The 20-year old Bay Area native and current Las Vegas resident Haney (20-0, 13 KOs), a seven-time national junior amateur champion, headlines the popular prospect-oriented series for the third time when he takes on South Africa’s Ndongeni (25-0, 13 KOs), an unbeaten 28-year-old who once held the IBO’s belt at 135 Funtoj.

The event is promoted by Devin Haney Promotions and Bishop Promotions LLC, in association with Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing. Tickets, Komencanta #?e $30, are on sale now and available atwww.akafights.com. 

En laShoBox Co-#?efa?o, lanugpeza perspektivo Ruben Villa (14-0, 5 KOs) alfrontos Ruben Cervera (10-0, 9 KOs) en ok-raŭnda konkursparigo. The telecast will open with young heavyweights Frank Sanchez Faure (10-0, 8 KOs) kaj Willie Jake Jr.. (8-1-1, 2 KOs) kvadratumante en alia ok-raŭnda atako.

Here is what the press conference participants had to say:

DEVIN HANEY

“After this fight I want the whole world to know I’m no longer a prospect. I’m a contender.

“I feel I have something to prove. I’m not just going for the win on Friday night, I want to make a statement. Mi deziras rigardi bonan. I want to show the world what I’m capable of.

“I think that with a win against a fighter like Ndongeni, the sky is the limit. This fight is going to take me to the next level.”

XOLISANI NDONGENI

“Come Friday night, it’s going to be show time. Because, with all due respect, I’m no pushover and I didn’t come here to lose.

“I’ve been in the game for a long time. I have fought many styles and I’ve seen it all. I’m not scared.

“We are not looking for anything less than a win. I’m not leaving here without one.”

RUBEN VILLA

“I know my opponent is a really good fighter but I don’t feel any additional pressure. This is what we trained for – a tough fight. I’m excited for Friday night. I’m eager to perform.

“Being able to fight on TV is going to finally put me on the map. After Friday night, people are going to be talking about me. They are going to see what I’m made of.”

RUBEN CERVERA

“I’m originally from Colombia and traveling all the way here has not been easy, but we came ready. We had a very successful camp. We did everything we wanted to do and more.

“I’m excited to fight on national television in the United States. I want to showcase what Colombian fighters are made off.

“I know my opponent is good, Kaj undefeated, but only the best man will win, and that is going to be me.”

WILLIE JAKE JR.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity. This is an important fight for me. During training camp, I took one day at a time, step by step. I’m prepared for the challenge.

“I don’t underestimate my opponent, I will listen to my corner and I will put up a great fight.”

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