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Spence Returns for First Title Defense in
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Main Event
Tickets On Sale Tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 10 a.m. ET
BROOKLYN (Nov. 21, 2017) – Undefeated IBF Welterweight World Champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. will make the first defense of his title when he takes on former two-division world champion Lamont Peterson on Saturday, January 20 live on SHOWTIME. The event is presented by Premier Boxing Champions from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING coverage begins live at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will feature undercard attractions that will be announced in the near future.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, are priced starting at $50, and go on sale Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 10 a.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscent
“I’m pleased to be promoting Spence vs. Peterson, one of the very best matchups in the welterweight division and in all of boxing,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Spence is not only one of the best welterweights in the world, but one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in boxing. In Peterson, he faces another elite welterweight and a two-time world champion. Spence vs. Peterson will bring the heat to Barclays Center on a chilly January 20. This is yet another night in the outstanding run of big time fights on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.”
“Spence vs. Peterson is an intriguing matchup between two elite welterweights looking to reach the top of this marquee division,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Errol Spence is a rising star with his sights set on title unification and the top of the pound-for-pound list, but he’s going to receive a stern test from Lamont Peterson, a multiple division champion whose resume is filled with top class opponents. It’s going to be another fantastic atmosphere at Barclays Center and a great night of fights live on SHOWTIME.”
“With his breakout performance against Kell Brook, Errol Spence established himself as one of top fighters in the welterweight division, if not in all of boxing,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “Never one to rest on his laurels, Errol continues to seek out the toughest available opponents, and he has found exactly that in Lamont Peterson. Lamont has never backed down from a challenge, and as a result, he has a wealth of experience with one of the strongest resumes in the division. This type of high profile, dangerous matchup is the quintessential SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING main event.”
“BROOKLYN BOXING enjoyed a banner year in 2017, and we are looking forward to carrying that momentum into 2018,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. “Spence vs. Peterson sets a strong precedent for the year, with two top welterweights returning to the ring at Barclays Center to compete for recognition in one of the sport’s most talented divisions.”
Spence (22-0, 19 KOs), of Dallas, traveled to England to dethrone IBF 147-pound champion and hometown favorite Kell Brook on May 27 on SHOWTIME in one of the defining fights of 2017. The 27-year-old, who had long been touted as boxing’s next big thing, fulfilled his promise with a breakthrough performance, fracturing Brook’s orbital bone en route to an 11th round TKO. A 2012 U.S. Olympian, Spence will enter the ring at Barclays Center for the third time after most recently stopping former champion Chris Algieri in an April 2016 main event. He will fight in Brooklyn for the fourth time; he earned his title shot by knocking out Leonard Bundu at the Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk in August 2016.
“My goal is to unify the welterweight division in 2018, but this fight is a true test and Lamont Peterson is a veteran that I definitely will not overlook,” said Spence. “I sparred him in the amateurs and I know what he brings to the table. I have to get through him to achieve my goals and that is what I plan on doing January 20th.”
Peterson (35-3-1, 17 KOs), of Washington, D.C., has won titles at 140 and 147 pounds while facing some of the biggest names in the sport, including Danny Garcia, Amir Khan and Timothy Bradley. The 33-year-old won the WBA 147-pound title in his last outing Feb. 18 on SHOWTIME before relinquishing the belt for the chance to challenge Spence. Peterson has won four of his last five outings, twice fighting at Barclays Center. His Brooklyn debut saw him defeat Edgar Santana by TKO in 2014 before dropping a narrow majority draw to Garcia in a 2015 main event in Brooklyn.
“First off, I’m happy to be getting back in the ring,” said Peterson. “I’ve stayed in the gym and I’m ready to go. This is a fight I wanted and as I said before when I became a welterweight, I want to fight the best and make the fights that people want to see. I’m ready to give it my all and give the fans a great show.”
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YUANDALE EVANS TREATS HOMETOWN FANS TO SPLIT DECISION WIN OVER PREVIOUSLY UNBEATEN LUIS ROSA IN MAIN EVENT OF SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FRIDAY ON SHOWTIME®
Butaev Decisions Gonzales; Fa Hands Latham First Pro Loss;
Cleveland’s Conwell Outclasses Zapata
Catch The Replay Monday, Nov. 13 At 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME®
Click HERE To Download Photos; Credit Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
CLEVELAND (Nov. 11, 2017) – Two Cleveland boxers stole the show Friday night in the final ShoBox: The New Generation telecast of 2017 live on SHOWTIME.
Once-beaten southpaw Yuandale Evans (20-1, 14 KOs) had Cleveland’s fight fans on their feet for the final two dramatic rounds as the East Cleveland boxer earned an exciting, all-action split decision victory over previously undefeated featherweight Luis Rosa (23-1, 11 KOs) in the 10-round main event. Two judges scored the fight in favor of Evans – 96-94 and 97-93 – while the third judge had Rosa winning, 96-94, on Friday night at The Masonic at Templelive Cleveland.
It was a night that saw three previously undefeated fighters lose their unbeaten records. Rosa became the 171st fighter to lose his undefeated record in the 16-year history of ShoBox.
In the telecast’s first fight, heralded Cleveland boxer and 2016 U.S. Olympian Charles Conwell made his television debut and improved to 6-0. But it was the Evans-Rosa fight that fans won’t soon forget.
“What a way to end a great year of boxing on SHOWTIME,” said ShoBox analyst Steve Farhood. “Rosa vs. Evans was one of the best main events we have had in the 16 years of the ShoBox series. These were two fighters that understood what was at stake. They both did what they came here to do. At the end, it was all up to the judges. I thought they got it right. It was a split decision. Great action fight between two very well-conditioned fighters.”
The Evans-Rosa war included 611 total connected punches and 512 landed power shots were exchanged. There were multiples shifts of momentum throughout the fight as Rosa commanded the early rounds with volume and power while Evans rallied in the middle rounds.
“I’m tired but I’m feeling great,” Evans said. “My performance was great. I’ve never felt myself pushed that hard. He’s a tough Puerto Rican. He’s a very tough fighter. The crowd really propelled me to victory tonight, and I’m grateful for that.”
Rosa led 268-267 in total connected punches entering the final round, but Evans summoned a huge rally in the 10th (49 of 103 to 27 of 88 for Rosa) to seize a 316-295 overall lead to earn the split-decision victory.
“I thought I won the fight, he won maybe three or four rounds,” a disappointed Rosa said after the fight. “I won the fight 6-4, 7-3 at least. I won mostly all of the beginning rounds and I gave him a few after the first six. Four rounds is the most I give him, and that’s being nice. I feel like the judges were swayed by the hometown crowd.”
Evans is ready for his next challenge. “I want Gary Russell, I want [Carl] Frampton, I want [Leo] Santa Cruz,” said Evans, who had famed trained Barry Hunter in his corner. “I’m nothing but a contract killer. I’m a contract killer and I want one of those top five guys.”
In the co-main event, undefeated Russian standout Radzhab Butaev (8-0, 6 KOs; WSB: 9-1) earned a hard-fought unanimous decision over Colombia’s previously unbeaten Janer Gonzalez (18-1-1, 15 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight matchup. The three judges scored the fight, 80-72, 79-73, 77-75, in favor of Butaev.
It was a technically sound fight between two accomplished former amateur standouts. Butaev, who dominated from the early rounds, connected on 41 percent of his power punches (66 of 162) compared to 27 percent for Gonzalez (47 or 173).
“I felt like I controlled the whole fight, but he was more durable than I expected,” said Butaev through a translator. “Gonzalez landed good shots but he couldn’t finish me.”
Farhood said Butaev failed to make some key adjustments during the fight. “[Butaev] didn’t have his trainer here,” he said. “Perhaps that is why he failed to make adjustments. He still has a promising future, but this was not his best performance.”
Gonzalez was coached in his corner by noted trainer Ruben Guerrero. “I injured my shoulder in the third round but I stayed in the fight and pushed the fight,” said Gonzalez, “When I injured my shoulder, I couldn’t throw my left jab as well, I couldn’t work the jab. If I hadn’t been injured, I would’ve broken him down more in the later rounds.”
In the second fight of the four-fight telecast, a matchup of undefeated heavyweights, 28-year-old Junior Fa (13-0, 8 KOs) knocked out Pittsburgh’s Freddy Latham (9-1-2, 5 KOs), handing him the first defeat of his pro career just 67 seconds into the fight. It was the 169th time a fighter has lost his undefeated record on the ShoBox series.
New Zealand’s Fa sent the former Golden Gloves champion Latham back-pedaling from the opening bell with a barrage of punches as referee Clifford Pinkney jumped in between the fighters. Latham, who had never been stopped, struggled to keep standing as he leaned against the ropes. Click HERE to watch video of the stoppage.
“I was actually going to keep on going, continue fighting but then he dropped. He was out of it. The ref pulled me back,” said Fa, who earned a first-round knockout for the sixth time of his career.
Fa landed 59 percent of his power shots (17 of 29) while Latham managed to land just one of four power punches.
Farhood was impressed by Fa’s dominating performance. “Every time a heavyweight shows power, you have to pay attention,” he said. “I’m sure we’ll see more of him in 2018.”
“I’m hoping for a chance to get in to the top 15,” said Fa, who beat WBO Heavyweight Champion Joseph Parker twice in the amateurs. “This fight gave me more confidence in my ability and power, and I think confidence is a great thing.”
In the telecast opener, 2016 U.S. Olympian and local favorite Charles Conwell (6-0, 5 KOs) –buoyed by a huge third round where he scored two knockdowns and another in the fifth – went the six-round distance for the first time in his young career finishing off a game Roque “Rocky” Zapata (4-2-3) with an impressive unanimous decision victory scored 60-51 twice and 60-53.
The super welterweight contest was dominated by Cleveland’s 20-year old Conwell, who used effective body shots to do the most of the damage as he accounted for 80 of his 175 total connects and 75 of his 150 power punches.
Conwell caught the former MMA fighter Zapata in the third round with a strong right cross. It was the first time Zapata, who came into the fight with a three-bout winning streak, had ever hit the floor in his career. Click HERE to watch video of KOs in round 3.
“My game plan was to throw some jabs and go to the body, and I think I accomplished that. My jab was key tonight. I ended up dropping him three times,” said Conwell, who averaged 77 punches per round, but gave himself just a B-minus. “I would love to keep fighting on television. I want to showcase my skills.”
A left hook by Conwell in the latter stages of the third round dropped Zapata for the second time. Zapata hit the canvas once again in the fifth after a devastating left hook to the body followed by a left hook to the chin. The Culpepper, Va. native stood up at the nine-count and finished the stanza.
Zapata was impressed by his opponent’s talent. “I survived, so I’m happy,” he said. “I went the distance with an Olympian and that was the plan. I should’ve done better and cut my angles more instead of standing right in front of him, but I’m proud I went the full distance.”
Friday’s quadrupleheader will replay on Monday, Nov. 13 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME on DEMAND® and SHOWTIME ANYTIME®.
The fights were promoted by DiBella Entertainment.
Barry Tompkins called the ShoBox action from ringside with Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer was Gordon Hall with Rich Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.
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For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.
SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FINAL WEIGHTS, QUOTES & PHOTOS FOR TOMORROW/FRIDAY, NOV. 10
Live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT from The Masonic at Templelive Cleveland
“I think I can be three or four fights away for the chance at a world heavyweight title.”
– Junior Fa, Undefeated Heavyweight Prospect
Click HERE To Download Weigh-In Photos; Credit Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
CLEVELAND (Nov. 9, 2017) – SHOWTIME Boxing fans will get their first look at eight promising prospects with a combined record of 97-2 – including two undefeated up-and-coming heavyweights and a 2016 Super Welterweight Olympian – as ShoBox: The New Generation takes place this Friday, November 10 live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from The Masonic at Templelive Cleveland.
Featherweight prospects Luis Rosa Jr. (23-0, 11 KOs) and local favorite Yuandale Evans (19-1, 14 KOs) will square off in a 10-round main event as all eight fighters made their respective weights on Thursday. The ShoBoxquadrupleheader features undefeated Russian standout Radzhab Butaev (7-0, 6 KOs; WSB: 9-1) taking on Colombia’s Janer Gonzalez (18-0-1, 15 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight matchup, and New Zealand’s undefeatedJunior Fa (12-0, 7 KOs) facing former Golden Gloves champion Freddy Latham (9-0-2, 5 KOs) in an eight-round heavyweight bout. In the telecast opener, 2016 Olympian Charles Conwell (5-0, 5 KOs) will take on Roque “Rocky” Zapata (4-1-3), who is coming off a three-bout winning streak.
Tickets for the DiBella Entertainment event are still available for purchase via the following link HERE.
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS, REFS AND JUDGES:
Luis Rosa Jr. vs. Yuandale Evans – 10-round Featherweight Bout
Rosa Jr.: 125 Pounds
Evans: 125 ½ Pounds
Referee: Shawn Clark (P.A.); Judges: Patrick Casey (P.A.), Larry Hazard Jr. (N.J.), Phil Rogers (Ohio)
Radzhab Butaev vs. Janer Gonzalez – Eight-round Welterweight Bout
Butaev: 146 Pounds
Gonzalez: 147 Pounds
Referee: George Nichols (C.A.); Judges: Brian Kennedy (Ohio), Patrick Casey (P.A.), Larry Hazard Jr. (N.J.)
Junior Fa vs. Freddy Latham – Eight-round Heavyweight Bout
Fa: 262 Pounds
Latham: 261 Pounds
Referee: Clifford Pinkney (Ohio); Judges: Brian Kennedy (Ohio), Phil Rogers (Ohio), Larry Hazard Jr. (N.J.)
Charles Conwell vs. Roque “Rocky” Zapata – Six-round Super Welterweight Bout
Conwell: 153 Pounds
Roque Zapata: 155 Pounds
Referee: George Nichols (California); Judges: Patrick Casey (P.A.), Larry Hazard (N.J.), Phil Rogers (Ohio)
FINAL QUOTES:
LUIS ROSA JR.:
“There was a time in my career when I was one fight away from fighting for a world title at 122 pounds, but I’m a natural featherweight. This fight is at 126 but I’ll fight at 126 or 122. Wherever the opportunity is, I’ll take it.
“I’m going to show a lot of different things. I have more to show than just my boxing skills. Whatever I have to do to get the win, I will do it.
“My opponent is a southpaw, but he’s not the slickest southpaw I’ve seen. We’ve been training with a lot of southpaws. Fighting southpaws is not a big deal for me. I fought so many of them in the amateurs.
“I don’t think I’m going to have any problem with him. I know his left hook is his favorite punch so I’m going to try and take that away from him.
“I think putting together some timely combinations is going to be the key to this fight.
“After I beat [Jorge] Diaz and [Luis] Del Valle in 2015 my opposition dropped. I was knocking on the door but just never got the call. That’s why this fight is so big for me. I’m ready to showcase my skills on national TV. I’m ready for the next step on my career.”
YUANDALE EVANS
“I know all the bigger names are at 126 so I’m going to stay right here. I’ve bounced around from 126 to 130. Lou DiBella, my promoter told me to stay ready and that’s what I did; I’m ready.”
“It took me awhile from me to come back after the loss to Javier Fortuna [in 2012]. But I’ve always stayed sharp and I’ve been in various camps. I’ve trained with guys like Lamont Peterson, Gervonta Davis and Rau’Shee Warren.
“I’ve been doing this since I was 10 years old, but I’m a lot wiser and smarter than in the past. I have knowledge and have been talking to a lot of managers and champions. I’m like an Einstein now. I’m a lot sharper, and craftier. And I have defense now.
“This fight will show the boxing world that I belong. I can be in the top five. This fight means a lot for me and the people of Cleveland.
“I’ve been working with [famed trainer] Barry Hunter for this fight and he’s taught me so much. My opponent has been spoiled and has never had to travel into enemy territory. Until now.
I’ve been a road warrior my entire career. I know the crowd can win the fight for me. Just the energy and hearing them when I’m tired. It’s a big advantage for me to be fighting at home. I will have a lot of fans here and it’s going to be big. I still got guys’ texting me for ringside seats, but there’s none left.
“I want ShoBox to say, ‘We have to have this guy back. We have to go back to Cleveland.’ ”
“[Rosa] is my height. He’s going to be right in front of me. He’s going to come straight at me. He has to.”
“They call me ‘Money Shot’ and ‘Southpaw Machine’ and the ‘Black Mexican’ in the gyms here in Cleveland.”
JANER GONZALEZ
“I’ve been training with Ruben Guerrero for the past couple of weeks, and I like training a lot better here in the United States. I felt like I was mistreated in the past back in Colombia.
“Fellow Colombian Oscar Escandon introduced me to Ruben and here we are. It’s the United States and everyone wants to be over here. The sparring and the training is just so much better here.
“I’m 30 years old now and I have a family back home in Colombia to support. This is my shot. I will not fail them. I have Team Guerrero on my side so I’m ready.
“We all know skills pay the bills and I just have to do my job and not get too crazy in there and get the win.
“I watched Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard when I was younger. I liked how smart and intelligent they fought.”
RADZHAB BUTAEV
“I’ve been in the United States for a year now and really liked training at Wild Card Gym and Wild Card West in Southern California.
“I can punch as hard as [Gennady] Golovkin and can move better than [Vasyl] Lomachenko. I’m very confident and my experience is the reason for that.
“I sparred with Demetrius Andrade and Shawn Porter and I have held my own.
“The welterweight division is the best in boxing, everyone knows that. And I’ll fight anybody.
“It doesn’t matter that there’s no YouTube video on Gonzalez. He’s tough and competitive and a boxer who will come to fight.”
JUNIOR FA
“When I beat Joseph Parker [in the amateurs twice] it was my movement and my footwork that was key. He’s such a big puncher I just kept moving because I didn’t want to stand right in front of that.
“I’m a multi-dimensional fighter and my strengths are my mobility.
“Deontay Wilder showed that he has plenty of power. He’s always there from the first bell… I like the guy, he’s got plenty of power and is very explosive.
“I like Anthony Joshua’s boxing brain. He’s got power, but it’s a different kind of power from Wilder. I like the way he sees his punches.
“For myself to be known, I’ll definitely have to fight in America. I don’t think I can make too much of a statement being back home in New Zealand.
“I think I can be three to four fights away for the chance at a world heavyweight title. I have to be entertaining in this fight for the American people to get to know me.
“Boxing used to be the biggest thing in New Zealand, but then rugby blew up.
“I live 40 minutes from Joseph Parker but we’ve never sparred. It’s too competitive.”
FREDDY LATHAM
“This is my first time on national TV so I’m excited and nervous.
“He’s taller, but I feel like I’m just as long as he is. I can put my head in his chest and go to war. If it’s going to be a dog fight I’ll get into his chest.
“Yeah, I’ve watched both the heavyweight world champs. I’d beat Joshua now. Wilder, I would have to get serious sparring in. I’d have to change everything I do in my life – the way I train and my lifestyle and everything. Deontay’s the man right now. Joshua burns out after six rounds and that’s why I’d beat Joshua now. I’m two years away from those guys. Tomorrow night is my first step.
“Boxing’s coming back in Pittsburgh and we’ve got two or three other heavyweights there that are popular right now.”
CHARLES CONWELL
“When you have a good crowd around you, you know it hypes you up.
“I was the youngest member of the 2016 Olympic team at age 18. It was cool being in high school and making the Olympic team.
“I’m very tenacious and determined, that’s why I’ve been successful so far in my young pro career.
“There’s no rush for me. People want to see me, sure. But there’s no reason to move fast at this point.
I think the competitiveness of boxing is what drives me. Sure the money and the fame are going to be great, but I just love everything about this sport.”
ROQUE “ROCKY” ZAPATA
“I haven’t surprised myself when I’ve beaten undefeated fighters.
“I’m an awkward fighter, in a good way. My angles I learned when I was fighting in MMA.
“The risk and the reward wasn’t worth it [to continue] in MMA. I was making a couple hundred bucks and getting elbows to the face. It just wasn’t worth it.
“Conwell is good and aggressive and I’ve seen him on YouTube. He comes forward and he looks to put you down.
“I just feel so much more comfortable in a boxing ring. I was good at takedowns.
“Conor McGregor went 10 rounds with Floyd [Mayweather] and he got paid, so good for him. I’m one of the few guys who have been able to do both MMA and box professionally.”
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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 with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.
For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.
LUIS ROSA JR. vs. YUANDALE EVANS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS
Featherweight Prospects Headline ShoBox: The New Generation Quadrupleheader Friday, Nov. 10 from Cleveland, Ohio
Click HERE for Photos from Henry Epstein/DiBella Entertainment
CLEVELAND (Nov. 8, 2017) – Featherweight prospects Luis Rosa Jr. and Yuandale Evans worked out for the media today at the Thurgood Marshall Recreational Center in Cleveland, Ohio prior to their ShoBox: The New Generation 10-round main event matchup this Friday, November 10 live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from The Masonic at Templelive Cleveland.
The ShoBox quadrupleheader features undefeated Russian standout Radzhab Butaev taking on Colombia’s Janer Gonzalez in an eight-round welterweight matchup, and undefeated New Zealand’s Junior Fa facing former Golden Gloves champion Fred Latham in an eight-round heavyweight bout. In the telecast opener, decorated fighter Charles Conwell will take on Roque “Rocky” Zapata, who is coming off a three-bout winning streak.
Tickets for the DiBella Entertainment event are still available for purchase via the following link HERE.
In addition, 2016 U.S. Olympian Conwell and local Cleveland fighters Willie Nelson and Isaiah Steen worked out in front of the media Wednesday.
Here is what the fighters had to say:
LUIS ROSA JR.
“Yuandale’s a solid, tough fighter. He’s got good pop, but I’m ready for everything, I’m here to win.
“He wasn’t really on my radar, he sort of came out of the woodwork. We’re looking for a world championship and this is a step closer.
“I have no problem coming to Cleveland. I want to be a world champion, not a state champion or the champion of one country. I’ll go anywhere and be victorious.
“Boxing fans can expect a powerful, fast, smart fighter-I’m the full package. I fight with both hands, we’ll see if he can take it.
“This fight is dedicated to all the people of Puerto Rico. Most of my extended family still lives there and thank God everyone is okay after the hurricane.”
YUANDALE EVANS
“I know that’s he a Puerto Rican at heart. He’s a strong fighter that comes forward, a good body puncher. But he doesn’t have any boxing skills. He’s just a banger who keeps coming forward.
“Defensively he leaves himself open with his aggressiveness.
“He was not on my radar. I’ve wanted to fight much tougher guys, higher ranked guys. But once the fight was offered I said yes.
“I want to fight Carl Frampton, Leo Santa Cruz, Gary Russell Jr., and a rematch with Javier Fortuna. I want to fight all the top guys because that’s where I belong.
“Feels great to be fighting at home, been a long time. Just want to give back to the city and community for them supporting me while I’ve been on the road. Even as an 11-year old amateur they supported me.
“Expect a show, this will be a war, I can box and everybody knows I’m a puncher. Fans should be expecting a good fight. I’ll have a huge amount of people backing me.”
CHARLES CONWELL
“Means the world to me that I can fight at home and show everyone what they’ve been missing. Last time I fought here [in Cleveland] was in 2015.
“I know Rocky is a tough fighter, he’s beat a couple prospects and he’ll be coming to win.
“I’ve heard from many of my Olympic teammates this week and I’m excited to show them how I look as a professional. I’m looking forward to showing all the boxing fans around the world my skills.
“Should be an entertaining, good fight, I’m ready to go and hopefully close the show early. I’m ready for all six or a first round knockout.
“No pressure fighting at home or on Showtime. After fighting in the Olympics I’m ready for anything.”
WILLIE NELSON
“Right now, I’m at the rebuilding stage of my career to become a world champion.”
“I know a lot about Alexis Hloros, so no issue being a late addition as an opponent, I’m ready.
“I haven’t fought in Cleveland since 2009. I love being able to fight at home, means a great deal to me.
“I want my next opponent to be a top 20 opponent and to fight on Showtime.”
ISAIAH STEED
“I know Nunez is a very strong, come forward fighter, but he’s got no chance on Friday night.
“Last time I fought in Cleveland was as an amateur, three or four years ago.
“No pressure at all fighting at home, thrilled to be fighting at home.
“Charles and I spar all the time helping each other, he’s like my little brother, we make a great team.
“Sign the contract. I’m ready to fight anyone.”
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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 with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.
For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOSports.
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. TheShoBox 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 73 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, 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, Errol Spence Jr. and more.
CLARESSA SHIELDS TO DEFEND WOMEN’S SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD TITLES AGAINST UNDEFEATED MANDATORY CHALLENGER TORI NELSON FRIDAY, JANUARY 12 LIVE ON SHOWTIME®
Unified Champion & Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Headlines ShoBox: The New Generation From Turning Stone Resort Casino In Verona, N.Y.
NEW YORK (Nov. 8, 2017) – Unified Women’s Super Middleweight World Champion Claressa Shields will defend her 168-pound titles against undefeated IBF mandatory challenger Tori Nelson on Friday, Jan. 12 live on SHOWTIME.
A two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Shields (4-0, 2 KOs) will face her second consecutive undefeated opponent in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation live at 10 p.m. ET/PT from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
Shields dethroned previously unbeaten Nikki Adler Aug. 4 on SHOWTIME to pick up the WBC and vacant IBF titles less than one year after she became the first American boxer to capture back-to-back Olympic gold medals. The 22-year-old native of Flint, Mich., returns to face Nelson, a seven-year veteran with seven times the professional ring experience.
“I’m truly excited to have the chance to demonstrate my skills against an opponent the caliber of Tori Nelson,” Shields said. “I’m honored to be headlining the firstShoBox of 2018, and I know January 12 will be a great night for the fans. This will be the beginning of a historic year for me and for women’s boxing.”
Nelson (17-0-3, 2 KOs) won a middleweight world championship in 2011 and owns wins over previously unbeaten Alicia Napoleon and Mia St. John. The 41-year-old Ashburn, Va., native looks to capture her second world title in a showdown with the fastest rising star in women’s boxing.
“Ever since Claressa turned pro, I have wanted this fight,” Nelson said. “She’s young and talented, but my experience will make the difference. Since I became a boxer, I have dreamed of being in big fights on television. I am confident that I will win this fight and remain undefeated. And I plan to retire as an undefeated world champion.”
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Salita Promotions, go on sale Monday, Nov. 13 for $75 for the first two rows of ringside, $65 for remaining ringside seats and all others priced at $49 and $37, plus any applicable fees. Tickets can be purchased in person or by calling the Turning Stone Resort Box Office at 800.771.7711or online at Ticketmaster.
“Claressa’s determination to challenge the best available contenders shows why she is one of the most accomplished fighters in the sport today,” promoter Dmitriy Salita said. “This is a great matchup and I am confident that we will witness another memorable performance.”
Said Gordon Hall, Executive Producer of ShoBox: The New Generation: “Claressa is a star both in and out of the ring who possesses all the intangibles to become the face of women’s boxing. In just four professional fights, two as headliners on ShoBox, she is already unified champion at 168 with plans to conquer the 160 and 154-pound divisions. Tori Nelson is undefeated, a former champion, and represents what should be the toughest test of Claressa’s young career. Only time will tell, but I don’t know if there is any fighter in the world who can stop Claressa Shields.”
Shields compiled an amateur record of 77-1 and won her first Olympic Gold when she was only 17 years old in the inaugural women’s boxing competition at the 2012 London Games. She won a second gold medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and turned professional three months later.
In March 2017 in Detroit, Shields stopped Hungary’s Szilvia Szabados in four rounds in the first women’s main event in premium television history. Shields returned to headline her second ShoBox telecast in August, knocking out Adler in the fifth round to become unified champion in just her fourth professional fight. With the win, Shields became the 70th world champion in the history of the prospect developmental series.
Active in her community, Shields advocates for several social issues and serves as an inspirational figure in her hometown of Flint, a city beset by problems.
Nelson turned professional at the age of 29 and won the WBC 160-pound title in just her fifth professional fight. She twice fought to a draw in middleweight world title bouts with Teresa Perozzi.
The high-pressure Nelson is one fight removed from a unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Napoleon, and is fresh off a second round knockout of Latashia Burton in her first hometown fight in Ashburn, Va.
Undercard bouts for the ShoBox telecast will be announced in the coming weeks.
DEONTAY WILDER RETAINS WBC HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE WITH DEVASTATING FIRST-ROUND KNOCKOUT OF BERMANE STIVERNE SATURDAY NIGHT ON SHOWTIME® FROM BARCLAYS CENTER
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SHOWTIME SPORTS® VIDEO CLIP HIGHLIGHTS FORMER HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION BERMANE STIVERNE AHEAD OF HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP REMATCH
Feature to air during SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®
Heavyweight Championship Nov. 4
“He took my title away from me. This is something I need back” – Bermane Stiverne
Photo Credit: SHOWTIME
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Video Restrictions: News outlets are cleared to use this clip on broadcast and digital platforms. Broadcast outlets must verbally mention that Wilder-Stiverne airs LIVE on SHOWTIME on November 4. Digital outlets must reference Wilder-Stiverne, November 4 and LIVE on SHOWTIME in the accompanying copy.
WHAT: SHOWTIME Sports today released an advanced look at a video feature of former heavyweight world champion Bermane Stiverneas he prepares to take on reigning champion Deontay Wilder in an attempt to recapture his WBC Heavyweight title.
The Heavyweight Championship rematch headlines the November 4 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, a Premier Boxing Champions event LIVE on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.
The feature will air in its entirety on Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast.
“This is the fight that everyday runs through my mind and it bothers me,” said Stiverne. “I don’t think I lost the fight because he was better than me. I lost the fight because of health problems.”
Looking ahead to Saturday night’s world title rematch, Stiverne explained how there is no love lost between the two heavyweights. “The matter between he and I is very personal,” Stiverne admitted. “He took my title away from me. This is something I need back, but it’s so much more than that. I’ll make him feel my pain.”
Deontay Wilder vs. Bermane Stiverne Final Press Conference Quotes & Photos
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Deontay Wilder vs. Bermane Stiverne Media Workout Quotes & Photos
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RING RESUME: DEONTAY WILDER
An Examination Of Wilder’s Career From Olympic Bronze-Medalist To Undefeated WBC Heavyweight Champion Written and Narrated By Steve Farhood
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Deontay Wilder vs. Bermane Stiverne | Saturday, Nov. 4
Live on SHOWTIME® At 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT
Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
WHAT: International Boxing Hall of Famer and historian Steve Farhood examines the career of WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder in advance of his world title rematch defense against mandatory challenger Bermane Stiverne on Saturday, Nov. 4live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.
In the latest edition of the SHOWTIME Sports® digital series “Ring Resume,” Farhood takes an in-depth look at Wilder’s career beginning with his 2012 SHOWTIME debut knockout of then-unbeaten Kelvin Price. The nine-fight examination includes his 2015 world title fight against his Nov. 4 opponent, Bermane Stiverne, and his sensational 2016 Knockout of the Year candidate against Artur Szpilka.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).