Tag Archives: Stephon Young

Gaballo Captures First World Championship with Unanimous Decision over Young in “Rumble at the Rock” at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood

Reymart “GenSan Assassin” Gaballo of General Santos City, Philippines, captured his first version of a world title and introduced himself to the world stage with a unanimous decision victory over perennial top contender Stephon “Showstopper” Young of St. Louis.
 
Fighting in the main event of Kris Lawrence and The Heavyweight Factory’s “Rumble at the Rock” at Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, the hard-punching Gaballo (19-0, 16 KOs) became the WBA Interim World Bantamweight Champion with unanimous scores of 118-109, 117-110 and 117-110.
 
Young, now 17-1-3, 7 KOs, was down in round three and badly hurt, but to his credit, got up and kept it exciting and closer than the scores indicate throughout the remainder of the 12 rounds. 
 
The speed and reflexes of 19-year-old Honolulu-based welterweight prospect Logan “Korican Kid” Yoon (11-0, 10 KOs) overcame the determination and experience of former two-time world champion Juan Carlos Salgado (27-8-1, 16 KOs) of Mexico City over 10 workmanlike rounds.
 
Fighting for the NABO Super Lightweight Championship, Yoon showed surprising poise and maturity for a young fighter in his 11th fight and seemed unphased to be facing such an accomplished foe. His sharp counters landed with regularity on the tough former champion. To his credit, Salgado fought bravely, but at 33 years old, seems to have lost a step.
 
The scores were 100-89, 97-92 and 98-91, unanimously for Yoon.
 
Former WBA World Super Bantamweight Champion Juan Carlos Payano survived a real scare against “Magic” Mike Plania in their 10-round brawl for the NABO Super Bantamweight Championship.
 
After a strong first couple rounds, Plania, now 14-1, 7 KOs, had Payano down and badly hurt near the end of round three.
 
He never really threatened Payano again. A consummate professional, Payano (20-1, 9 KOs), of Miami via La Vega, Dominican Republic, came out for round four with the answers for neutralizing the harder punches of his Philippine opponent and never lost another round.
 
The scores were 96-93, 97-92 and 97-92, unanimously for the new champion Payano.
 
The 6-foot 9-inch heavyweight from Kissimmee, Florida, via Rudniy, Kazakhstan, Ivan Dychko (7-0, 6 KOs) scored a highlight-reel first-round, one-punch knockout over Miami Beach’s formerly undefeated Stephan Kirnon (2-1, 2 KOs).
 
Kirnon, admirably, came out aggressive against the giant, but quickly ran into a shot that propelled him violently into the floor. The fight was immediately waved off at :38. Dychko, a two-time Olympic Super Heavyweight Bronze medallist, could not have been more impressive.
 
In a 10-round battle for the NABA-USA Featherweight Championship Miami via Ekibastuz, Kazakhstan bomber Mussa “Warrior” Tursyngaliyev (8-0, 7 KOs) clubbed away at brave, but outgunned Luis “Barcelo” Hinojosa (31-14, 18 KOs) of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, until stopping him at the end of round three.
 
Tursyngaliyev is very strong and accurate, and he had things all his way throughout. He scored a knockdown in the second and finished it a round later. Hinojosa elected to stay on his stool, probably wisely.
 
Miami super welterweight JD “Pretty Boy” Martinez (9-0, 7 KOs)
managed to squeak out a questionable majority six-round decision over fellow Floridian Jose “Colombian Necktie” Cortes (3-2, 1 KO) of West Palm Beach.
 
Cortes chased Martinez around the ring, seemingly with the harder punches and a more aggressive demeanor, but it was not enough to please the judges. They scored it 57-57 draw against 58-56 and 58-56 for Martinez.
 
Popular Miami welterweight Harold Calderon (15-0, 9 KOs) took a round or two to settle in against Barranquilla, Colombia’s Ronald “Salvaje” Montes (18-8, 16 KOs), but, once he got his rhythm, it was all over.
 
The powerful undefeated southpaw lobbed enough accurate bombs to convince his Colombian foe to pack it in at the end of third round of their scheduled six. The official result is TKO 3 at 2:59. Calderon is ready for deeper water.
 
In an entertaining all-Florida super bantamweight bout, Miami’s popular Jessy “Beast Boy” Cruz (12-7-1, 5 KOs) and Palm Bay’s Sam Rodriquez (5-2, 3 KOs) slugged it out over six exciting rounds.
 
In the end, Rodriquez took a razor-thin unanimous decision (58-55, 57-56 and 57-56) on the strength of a fourth-round knockdown.
 
Fighting out of the southpaw stance, the heavily muscled Cruz got out to an early lead and rocked the smaller Rodriquez with his thudding left hand. But Rodriquez hung tough and clawed back into it by round three.
 
The pair went back and forth the entire fight and it could have gone either way.
 
Former WBO Asia Pacific Light Heavyweight Champion Steve “The Ambassador” Geffrard (17-2, 12 KOs) of Boca Raton stopped Budapest, Hungary’s Zoltan Sera (38-16-1, 20 KOs) in the fourth of a scheduled six.
 
For the first three rounds, Geffrard, who lost his first two fights and hasn’t lost since, shook off the rust and kept his composure against the awkward offerings of his European foe. He finally broke through in the fourth, scoring two knockdowns and prompting Referee Sam Burgos to wave it off at :39.
 
Miami’s Jorge De Jesus Romero (5-0, 4 KOs) put on a bodyshot clinic in his abbreviated six-round super bantamweight battle against Hungarian veteran Szilveszter Ajtai (12-10-1, 2 KOs).
 
In the first, Romero came forward like an aggressive buzzsaw against the circling Ajtai. In the second, he lowered the boom, scoring three consecutive bodyshot knockdowns, and necessitating a stoppage at 2:01. Impressive showing for the Florida prospect.
 
The son of a legend, Robert Duran Jr. of Fort Lauderdale made his impressive professional welterweight debut by stopping Orlando’s also debuting Miguel Morales in the fourth round.
 
Morales was no pushover, but Duran, looking like he already has some seasoning, put educated combinations together and waited for his opening. It came in the final stanza, as he scored his first knockdown of Morales with a right to the body left uppercut combo, and then finished things off with a thudding right hand that produced a second knockdown.
 
Referee James Warring waved it off without a count at 2:21.

Official Weights from ‘Rumble at the Rock’ in Hollywood, Florida

Roberto Duran Jr. 149.6 lbs. vs. Miguel Morales 147.6 lbs.
Jorge De Jesus Romero 121.4 lbs. vs. Szilveszter Ajtai 120.8 lbs.
Steve Geffard 176.4 lbs. vs. Zoltan Sera 175.2 lbs.
Jessy Cruz 123.8 lbs. vs. Sam Rodriguez 120.8 lbs.
Harold Calderon 149 lbs. vs. Ronald Montes 152 lbs.
John D Martinez 156.8 lbs. vs. Jose Cortes 157 lbs.
Mussa Tursyngaliyev 125 lbs. vs. Luis Hinojosa 126.8 lbs.
Ivan Dychko 244.8 lbs. vs. Stephen Kirnon 224.8 lbs.
Juan Carlos Payano 118.4 lbs. vs. Mike Plania 117.4 lbs.
Logan Yoon 139.2 lbs. vs. Juan Carlos Salgado 139 lbs.

.     

Interim WBA Bantamweight World Championship
Stephon Young 118 lbs. vs. Reymart Gaballo 116.6 lbs.
 
“Rumble at the Rock” is presented by Kris Lawrence and The Heavyweight Factory.Tickets are priced at $255, $130, $80 and $55. All seats are reserved and available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.myhrl.comwww.ticketmaster.comor charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. Additional fees may apply.
 



Undefeated ‘Korican Kid’ Logan Yoon to Face Former Two-Time World Champion Juan Carlos Salgado at ‘Rumble at the Rock’ This Friday at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida

Fast-rising Hawaiian welterweight prospect Logan “Korican Kid” Yoon (10-0, 10 KOs) says he’s expecting a big 2018.
 
The 19-year-old phenom from Honolulu will face Mexican former two-time world champion Juan Carlos Salgado (27-7-1, 16 KOs) in a 10-round battle for the IBF Youth Welterweight World Championship in one of the supporting bouts of this Friday’s “Rumble at the Rock” event at Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
 
In the night’s 12-round main event, St. Louis’ Stephon “Showstopper” Young (17-0-3, 7 KOs) will face Reymart “GenSan Assassin” Gaballo (18-0, 16 KOs) from General Santos City, Philippines for the WBA Interim World Bantamweight Championship. In the 10-round co-main event, former WBA World Super Bantamweight Champion Juan Carlos Payano (19-1, 9 KOs) will fight against undefeated Philippine “Magic” Mike Plania (14-0, 7 KOs).
 
“Rumble at the Rock” is presented by Kris Lawrence and The Heavyweight Factory. Tickets are priced at $255, $130, $80 and $55. All seats are reserved and available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.myhrl.comwww.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. Additional fees may apply.
 
The young knockout artist Yoon, trained by his father George, was an
eight-time Hawaii State champion, an Adidas national and Ringside national champion and a junior Olympic bronze medalist.
 
“Training went awesome,” he said. “We had no problems. Right now, we’re putting on finishing touches – last pound or two.”
 
Yoon got his unique nickname from a family member as a child.
 
“Korican Kid is a nickname my aunt gave me. There’s a Korean part of me and a Puerto Rican part. My dad is 100-percent Korean and my mom is Portuguese and Puerto Rican.”
 
While he doesn’t know much about upcoming foe Salgado, Yoon says he’s confident he’ll be notching his eleventh pro victory.
 
“I know he is a former champ and has some experience against top guys. He’s right-handed. He’s a pretty busy fighter, but I’ll be able to keep up with him. I just don’t see how he can do anything to me with my age and physicality advantages. I won’t look for my 11th straight KO, but if it comes, I’ll take it.”
 
Yoon says he realized his natural power early on in his boxing life. “After my second amateur fight, I realized that when I hit people, they react and start backing up. I can see it in them: the fear.”
 
The father and son duo still live in Hawaii, but travel to train at their promoter’s Heavyweight Factory Gym in Miami.
 
“It’s awesome. It’s almost like a dream,” he said. “I have Riddick Bowe in the gym every day mentoring me and, once in a while, we have Evander Holyfield when he’s not busy on trips. My manager and promoters are the best and treat me like someone. I love them. I love the atmosphere.”
 
A young KO artist making a name for himself quickly with a strong promotional team behind him. Yoon, a deeply religious man, says he’s looking forward to a big year.
 
“I’m ready to make some big moves. I know my manager, Henry Rivalta, is going to put me into fights with better opponents. I just have to make sure we train hard and put in the work, and I will come out on top.”
 

Former World Champ Payano to Face Undefeated Plania in Co-Main at ‘Rumble at the Rock’ This Friday at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida

Former WBA World Super Bantamweight Champion Juan Carlos Payano’s 10-round fight against undefeated Philippine “Magic” Mike Plania has been elevated to the co-main event at this Friday’s “Rumble at the Rock” event at Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
Payano (19-1, 9 KOs) vs. Plania (14-0, 7 KOs) will serve as the chief supporting bout to the 12-round WBA Interim World Bantamweight Championship main event between St. Louis’ Stephon “Showstopper” Young (17-0-3, 7 KOs) and Reymart “GenSan Assassin” Gaballo (18-0, 16 KOs) from General Santos City, Philippines.
“Rumble at the Rock” is presented by Kris Lawrence and The Heavyweight Factory. Tickets are priced at $255, $130, $80 and $55. All seats are reserved and available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.myhrl.comwww.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. Additional fees may apply.
Thirty-three-year-old southpaw Payano, a native of the Dominican Republic, who now lives in Miami, is in the third fight of his mission to regain his world championship. He has notched two solid victories since splitting a pair of championship fights with top-level bantam Rau’shee Warren. A victory over undefeated Plania would move him one step closer.
Twenty-one-year-old Plania is a mostly unknown commodity in North America, as he’s never fought on this side of the ocean. He currently resides in Miami and is looking to make Payano the first big name on his growing resume. He is currently riding a three-fight KO streak.
“This is a tremendous match-up with world championship implications for the winner,” said Henry Rivalta, Director of Boxing for The Heavyweight Factory. “Juan Carlos has said he wants no easy fights on his way to regaining his belt, and undefeated Plania will be a stiff challenge. Plania will be looking to make his mark in the US by defeating a recent world champion. He will be very determined to score this big win. I’m excited to see what plays out in the ring on Friday.”
“Rumble at the Rock” is proudly sponsored by Armero Tequila. Special guests expected for the evening include former heavyweight champions Riddick “Big Daddy” Bowe and Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield. On fight night, Hard Rock Event Center will open its doors at 6 p.m. with the first bout starting at 7 p.m.Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is located at 1 Seminole Way in Hollywood, Florida.
About Hard Rock Event Center
Hard Rock Event Center is the newly constructed 3,500-seat venue located in the northwest corner of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood. As part of the $1.5 billion property expansion, the former Hard Rock Live arena will be razed and replaced with a state-of-the-art 6,500-plus-seat venue in a theater-style configuration, slated to open in 2019. In the interim, a full schedule of concerts, comedy shows and other events will take place in the Hard Rock Event Center. Seminole Hard Rock has hosted some of the hottest musical acts such as John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Marc Anthony, Billy Joel, Andrea Bocelli, Tim McGraw and Carlos Santana; top comedians including Kevin Hart, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock, George Lopez and the late Robin Williams; as well as major sporting events and events of major sports stars, from UFC matches to charity galas for Jason Taylor, Alonzo Mourning, Dwyane Wade and more. For additional information, please visit www.myhrl.com.

Stephon Young: ‘Team Gaballo Not Thinking Enough About What’s Going to  Happen to Him’

St. Louis Bantamweight Young to Face Reymart Gaballo for WBA Interim World Championship on Friday, March 23, at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida
Perennial 118-lb contender Stephon “Showstopper” Young is finishing up his 13-week training camp in Miami while wondering if his opponent knows what he’s truly in for next week.
On Friday, March 23, in the Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., WBA #4-rated Young (17-0-3, 7 KOs) from St. Louis will face WBA #5 Reymart “GenSan Assassin” Gaballo (18-0, 16 KOs) from General Santos City, Philippines, in a 12-round battle for the WBA Interim World Bantamweight Championship.
Young vs. Gaballo headlines promoter Kris Lawrence and The Heavyweight Factory’s “Rumble at the Rock,” an 11-bout night of world-class professional boxing. In the 10-round co-main, former WBA Super World Bantamweight Champion Juan Carlos Payano (19-1, 9 KOs) takes on “Magic” Mike Plania (14-0, 7 KOs) from General Santos City, Philippines.
Tickets are priced at $255, $130, $80 and $55. All seats are reserved and available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.myhrl.comwww.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. Additional fees may apply.
29-year-old southpaw Young says that while Gaballo obviously has some strength to have such a high KO percentage, he is too green to be in the ring with a fighter at his level and experience.
“To be honest, I take nothing from him, but they should have stepped him up with a different opponent first and not thrown him in with a guy like me,” said Young. “I feel he’s not ready yet and that will show next Friday. He should have had two or three more fights, but I feel like just because it’s for a title, they are rushing toward it. It’s a good opportunity for him, but they’re not thinking enough about what’s going to happen to him. I will be bringing everything I’ve got that night.”
Young, who still lives in St. Louis but travels to Miami for camp, says coming up the hard way in boxing and then meeting up with his current team will make all the difference next Friday.
“When I turned pro, I didn’t get signed right off the bat with a big-time promoter,” he said. “I went and fought in people’s backyards and proved myself. I was given nothing, but I knew my time would come. I stayed focused and continued to train. I’ve been with my coach, Herman Caicedo, now for two years and I’m a totally different fighter. I want to thank my team, my promoter Kris Lawrence and The Heavyweight Factory for giving me this opportunity, my manager Henry Rivalta for always believing in me and my coach Herman Caicedo for getting me in the best shape I’ve ever been.”
For Young, lifting the belt over his head next Friday will be a dream come true.
“Winning this fight means everything. It’s a big accomplishment and nothing can keep me from my dreams. On March 23, I will be champion.”
“Rumble at the Rock” is proudly sponsored by Armero Tequila. Special guests expected that evening include former heavyweight champions Riddick “Big Daddy” Bowe and Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield. On fight night, Hard Rock Event Center will open its doors at 6 p.m. with the first bout starting at 7 p.m. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is located at 1 Seminole Way in Hollywood, Florida.

Young to Face Reymart in WBA Eliminator on March 23 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Friday, March 23, in the Event Center at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, promoter Kris Lawrence’s The Heavyweight Factory will present “Rumble at the Rock,” an 11-bout night of world-class professional boxing.
Featured in the night’s main event is a 12-round WBA Bantamweight Eliminator for the mandatory contender between WBA #4-rated southpaw Stephon “Showstopper” Young (17-0-3, 7 KOs) from Saint Louis and WBA #5 Reymart “GenSan Assassin” Gaballo (18-0, 16 KOs) from General Santos City, Philippines. In the 10-round co-main, red-hot 19-year-old Hawaiian welterweight prospect Logan “The Korican Kid” Yoon (11-0, 11 KOs) will face an opponent TBA for the IBF Youth World Championship.
Special guests expected that evening include former heavyweight champions Riddick “Big Daddy” Bowe and Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield.
Tickets for “Rumble at the Rock” are priced at $55, $80, $130, and $250 and are available through ticketmaster.com.
For 29-year-old Young, the fight against Gaballo represents him getting one step closer to his dream of a world title after years as a contender.
“It feels good,” he said. “I’m in shape and ready. I feel like I have my chance to show the world who the king of the bantamweights really is. Gaballo is obviously very strong. He’s 18-0, 16 KOs. But I also feel like he hasn’t fought anyone like me yet. That’s a whole different story when you step up. It may be a case that his team is putting him into a fight like this way too soon. We will soon see.”
For 21-year-old Gaballo, the fight against Young represents a huge leap up in class of opponent. The young slugger has only fought outside his native country twice before. A victory over the well-respected Young would put him instantly on the world stage.
“I’m very happy to be fighting in this WBA eliminator and I’m looking forward to being world champ one day. I know Young is a slick southpaw fighter and he’s working hard to beat me, so I have to train twice as hard as usual to come out on top.”
Event promoter Kris Lawrence says he’s proud of this event’s world-class international flavor. “This show brings back boxing in South Florida in a big way,” he said. “We will be announcing the huge undercard shortly and it includes a variety of exciting fighters from different countries including USA, Philippines, Nicaragua, Cuba, Honduras, Haiti, Mexico and Kazakhstan. I’m very happy to be able to present this great event at a world-class venue like the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel.
“Being back at the Hard Rock brings back old memories of great years of boxing,” said Henry Rivalta Director of Heavyweight Factory Boxing Operations. “We have very evenly matched fights and this event will be extremely crowd-pleasing. I invite all South Florida fans to come witness it live at Hard Rock’s Event Center. This will be the first boxing event held in the new event center. A special thanks to Kris Lawrence for making this all possible and being a pioneer for boxing here in South Florida, past and present. Also, I want to thank Armero Tequila and Jim, Allen and Dave Gold for their support of boxing on these amazing grounds at the Seminole Hard Rock. This will be the first of many to come. See you at the fights!”
On fight night, the Event Center doors open at 6 pm and the action starts at 7 pm. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is located at 1 Seminole Way in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

GH3 Promotions scores 6 big victories this past Friday night in Atlantic City

   
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nutley, NJ (January 24, 2017) – Despite the disappointing loss by Adam Lopez in the main event of the ShoBox: The New Generation card at Ballys Atlantic City Hotel and Casino, GH3 Promotions still had a prosperous evening as the company registered six big victories on the show.

Televised winners included Ronald Ellis and Kenenth Sims, Jr. while Stephon Young, LeRoy Davila, Keenan Smith and Malik Jackson were all very impressive on the undercard.
Ellis won a 8-round unanimous decision over Christopher Brooker to raise his record to 14-0-1 in a super middleweight bout.
Junior Welterweight, Sims was making his national television debut, and did so in style as he remained perfect by winning a 8-round unanimous decision over Emmanuel Robles to go to 11-0.
Young of St. Louis fought a crowd pleasing fight, and took home a unanimous decision over Olimjon Nazarov and the number-4 ranked bantamweight contender is now 16-0-3.
Davila, a 2016 United Stated Olympic alternate, dominated and ultimately stopped fellow undefeated bantamweight Anthony Taylor in round three of their four round bout.  Davila, a native of New Brunswick, New Jersey is now 5-0 with 3 knockouts.
Smith of Philadelphia was impressive in stopping Marquis Hawthorne after round five of their scheduled six round welterweight bout.  Smith was dominant from the opening bell, and Hawthorne had taken enough punishment to pack it in after round five.  Smith is now 10-0 with 4 knockouts.
Jackson of Washington, D.C. was making his first start under the GH3 promotional banner and took out an overmatched Christian Foster in the 1st round.  The super bantamweight remained perfect at 2-0 with both wins coming early.
“Some of our younger guys really showed that they are legit prospects,” said Vito Mielnicki, CEO of GH3 Promotions.
“Adam Lopez in defeat showed a lot of heart and he will be back.  He has showed that he can beat a lot of good fighters and his loss is just a minor setback.  With that being said, Ronald Ellis and Kenneth Sims were in exciting fights and came through on ShoBox.  Ellis is at the point now where he should start getting rated by the sanctioning bodies, and start competing for regional titles in the super middleweight division. We were very impressed by Davila, Young, Jackson, and Smith.  Our next order of business is to get Stephon a big fight very soon.”

Mexico’s Jose Alfredo Rodriguez Determined to Win Second World Championship on January 29 Against ‘Pretty Boy’ Ancajas

Mexico‘s Jose Alfredo “Torito” Rodriguez is promising fireworks in his upcoming world title challenge.
On Sunday, January 29, 2017, at the Studio City Casino in Macao, China, Rodriguez (32-4, 19 KOs), of Mazatlan, Sinaloa, will attempt to win his second world championship by challenging Cavite City, Philippines’ IBF World Super Flyweight Champion Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas (25-1-1, 16 KOs) over 12 rounds.
 
The former interim WBA Light Flyweight Champion Rodriguez says he’s determined to get back where he belongs in boxing.
 
“I took two years off of boxing and missed being a champion. I came back last year on a mission to win another title and that’s what I’m going to do,” said Rodriguez. “Nothing can stop me. When I am given the proper time to prepare, I am one of the world’s best. That is what I will show against Ancajas.”
 
The southpaw Ancajas won his title in September of last year with a unanimous decision over McJoe Arroyo. The fight against Rodriguez will be his first defense.
 
Rodriguez’s manager José A. Acevedo of Free Agent Boxing Management, says his fighter is getting top-level training for this showdown.
 
“Torito is working with his great trainer, Gil Gastelum, at Big Time Boxing in Port St. Lucie, Florida and Caicedo Sport Training Center in Miami,” said Acevedo. “And more importantly, he is sparring with some excellent fighters to get ready, including former world champ Juan Carlos Payano, WBA-NABA Bantamweight Champ Stephon Young and upcoming featherweight title challenger Claudio Marrero amongst others. This is the best I’ve ever seen him look. He is very determined to win this championship. Thanks to Manny Pacquiao and Sean Gibbons for this terrific opportunity.”
 
“Ancajas is a good fighter and I respect him, but there is nothing that can save his title from me,” continued Rodriguez. I thank him for this opportunity, it’s a dream come true, but he’s going home an ex-champ. I am going to be an unbeatable force that night.”

DANNY ROMAN STOPS ADAM LOPEZ IN WBA TITLE ELIMINATOR IN MAIN EVENT OF SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION TRIPLEHEADER FROM BALLY’S ATLANTIC CITY HOTEL & CASINO

 

Ronald Ellis and Kenneth Sims Jr. Win By Unanimous Decision

 

Catch The Replay Monday, Jan. 23, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHO EXTREME®

Click HERE To Download Photos

Credit: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

 

ATLANTIC CITY (Jan. 21, 2017) – In a stunningly one-sided affair, Danny “Baby Face Assassin” Roman scored an upset ninth-round TKO over previously unbeaten Adam Lopez in a WBA Super Bantamweight Title Eliminator Friday in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME from Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel and Casino.

 

Lopez’s trainer, renowned Ronnie Shields, decided his boxer shouldn’t take any more punishment and asked the referee to stop the contest after nine completed rounds.

Roman (21-2-1, 8 KOs), who was ranked No. 4 in the WBA, won his 14th in a row in a career-best performance. He out-boxed and out-slugged the No. 3-rated Lopez (16-1-1, 8 KOs), of San Antonio, Texas, from the outset. Roman seized command in the fourth round with two knockdowns, first with a left hook and then, with a left uppercut.

Lopez, who was appearing on ShoBox for a fifth time, tried to fight back, but Roman’s skill and harder pinpoint-punching led to the scheduled 12-round fight being stopped between rounds nine and 10.

Win the victory, Roman is now in position to challenge WBA 122-pound World Champion Nehomar Cermeno.

“The main event was a shocker,” said ShoBox expert analyst Steve Farhood. “We didn’t know much about Danny Roman. And he sure earned that title fight against Nehomar Cermeno. It’s a bittersweet for us, for Lopez. We know him well. He’s fought five times on ShoBox but now doesn’t look like he is going to get that title fight since this is the second opportunity he had and he took a real beating. It’s going to take a while for him to come back.”

 

In the final three rounds, Roman out-landed Lopez 107-27, and 84-20 in power punches. In the final session, Roman landed more punches (43) than Lopez threw. It was a merciless beating followed by a merciful stoppage. Roman landed 54 percent of his power shots, including 67 percent in the final round.

“Adam Lopez is a great and tough fighter,” said Roman. “He came prepared, but I came out with the victory.

“I started hurting him with uppercuts. I dropped him twice the fourth. I felt I was going to stop him there, but the bell saved him.

“My plan was to break him down little by little, and I felt that was starting to take effect as he was losing his steam in the third round, but he kept on going.

“I knew he would have one last stand, but I knew I would stop him. Even if they didn’t stop it in the corner, I knew I would get him out of there.

“Now, I am going to go back to the gym. I have to start working on the basics again and begin to prepare for my title shot. I’m very excited.”

Lopez, who left the ring promptly after the stoppage, was not happy with his performance.

“He was the better man tonight,” he said as he sat with his head down in the locker room. “I kept trying to catch him with uppercuts and I got caught every time. I was trying to get on the inside, but it was hard.

“I thought I was clawing my way back into the fight, but my eye started hurting. It was the first uppercut that knocked me down in the fourth that got me right in the eye. It was hard to keep on going with my eye like that.

“When I got back to the corner after the ninth round, Ronnie told me he had seen enough and he stopped the fight.”

In the co-main event of the evening, undefeated super middleweight Ronald “Flatline” Ellis took a unanimous eight-round decision in a messy-grappler-type affair overChristopher “Ice Cold” Brooker by the scores of 79-73 twice and 77-75.

“Ellis-Brooker was an ugly fight,’’ Farhood said. “Brooker didn’t really have any answers. Ellis won clearly but he didn’t shine, mostly because of his opponent’s style.”

 

Ellis (14-0-1, 10 KOs), of Lynn, Mass., established the tone of the fight with an explosive first round in which he went 27-of-90 overall—both high totals for the fight—to Brooker’s 8-of-45. Ellis won the body shots battle (64 to 31) and landed sharper combinations during the rare moments the fighters were at distance.

In the final three rounds, Ellis continued applying pressure with accuracy.

“I am back and I want some more,” said Ellis. “That was a good fight. I fought smarter today than in my last ShoBox appearance. I’m not going to lie, he was tough and came at me very hard, but I maneuvered. I am very happy with my performance.

 

“He was big and strong and was holding a lot, but my boxing skills took over in the fight. He was trying to get on my nerves, but I knew that my skills would get me the win.”

 

Brooker (11-3, 5 KOs), who was very unhappy with the judges’ scorecards said, “I don’t know what these judges are looking at.  I had the better ring generalship, aggressiveness and I brought all the pressure.

 

“I feel that because he was undefeated, the judges must have put him on a pedestal. Even though I have a couple losses, look who I have fought and defeated. I am an elite-level fighter as well, and I should get that same respect. That’s why SHOWTIME has me on.

 

“At the end of the day, I just fight.  It is up to fans who watch, they are the real judges for me.”

 

In the telecast opener, undefeated super lightweight Kenneth “Bossman” Sims Jr. handed Emmanuel “Renegade” Robles the second loss of his career in a closer than the scorecards reflected eight-round unanimous decision. It was scored 79-72 twice and 78-73.

“Kenneth Sims Jr. is the typical ShoBox prospect,’’ Farhood said. “He showed a lot of good skills. He fought a different fight than the one we expected. He was more aggressive than we thought he’d be. With his amateur background and now the exposure on TV, I think he is a potential star.”

 

Sims (11-0, 3 KOs), of Chicago, Ill., who went past the sixth round for the first time in his career, began the fight with an overwhelming high-volume attack highlighted by vicious body shots.

Robles (15-2-1, 5 KOs), of San Diego, Calif., however, picked up the pace and took advantage of Sims slowing his pace in rounds four through six. Robles upped his work rate and out-landed Sims 78-66 overall. Referee Bengy Estives took a point way from Sims in round six for dropping his mouthpiece.

Sims gritted his teeth and caught his second wind in the seventh and eighth by out-landing Robles 49-34 overall and 46-24 power to grab a wider-than-expected decision.

“I didn’t have my best performance, but I still got the win,” Sims said. “I was trying too hard for a knockout, and that’s not me. He was a durable opponent, but my performance had nothing to do with that.

“I want to talk to my team about my next fight. My speed and feet were the difference in the fight, but I did not use them as much as I should.”

Robles, who was disappointed with the verdict, acknowledged Sims’ speed.

“He was moving a lot and I couldn’t neutralize that,’’ Robles said. “He was slicker than I thought he was going to be. I was putting on a lot of pressure and wanted to work the body, but he was slick and able to withstand what I was doing.

“I just have to get back to training and get better. You’ll see more of me. I will be back.”

Friday’s three-fight telecast will re-air Monday, January 23 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME ON DEMAND beginning January 21.

 

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 Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

 

 

# # #

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 67 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.

Adam Lopez: ‘A Win on Friday Will Be Life Changing For Me’

Lopez faces Danny Roman in Main Event
Of ShoBox: The New Generation Tripleheader Live on SHOWTIME® 
Undefeated Super Middleweight Ronald Ellis Takes
On Christopher Brooker; Undefeated Super Lightweights
Kenneth Sims Jr. & Emmanuel Robles Collide
Tickets on Sale Now
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATLANTIC CITY (Jan.17, 2017) — This Friday night, WBA No. 3- ranked super bantamweight Adam Lopez (16-0-1, 8 KO’s) takes on No. 4-ranked Danny Roman (21-2-1, 7 KO’s) in the main event of a ShoBox: The New Generation card at  Ballys Atlantic City Hotel and Casino.
The fight, which is a WBA Title Elimination bout, will headline a tripleheader Live on SHOWTIME® beginning at 10 PM ET/PT.
Lopez of San Antonio, Texas has a record of 16-0-1 with 8 knockouts, and he will be making his fifth appearance on ShoBox.
“My training camp went great.  I feel strong, and I have prepared for whatever Roman brings,” said Lopez.
He has scouted Roman very thoroughly; Lopez knows that he could be in store for a tough evening.
“In some fights he looks really good, and in some fights he looks good, but not as dominant as he does in others,” Lopez said.  “Take his fight against Erick Ruiz.  He looked really good in that fight, but in his last fight he fought Marlon Olea, who was undefeated but not as skilled, and I thought he should have taken him out.  All in all he is a good fighter, and I am expecting a tough fight.”
With a win, Lopez will become the mandatory challenger for WBA Super Bantamweight champion Nehomar Cermeno, and he realizes that he has chance to be mentioned with the elite of the 122-pound division.
“This would be a life changing win,” Lopez said. “It would be privilege and a blessing to fight for the great title.  I feel that because I have been on this stage now for the fifth time, it could be a little bit of an advantage.  He has fought on some swing bouts before, but I know what to expect in the days leading up to Friday night.  With that being said, ShoBox is a great platform for young prospects like me and can turn us into contenders.  It has also raised my stature in terms of gaining more fans.  A lot of people have seen me on SHOWTIME and it has got my name out there.  This is a high stakes fight.  I am putting all cards in and I am taking this as there is no tomorrow.  I am going to put on a great show and I think, I will come out with the victory.”
Tickets for the show, which is promoted by GH3 Promotions, Kings Promotions in association with Thompson Boxing (the main event) and Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel and Casino, are $125, $100 $75 & $50 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or calling 1-800-745-3000

In the televised co-feature, Ronald Ellis (12-0-1, 10 KO’s) of Lynn, Mass., takes on  Christopher Brooker (11-2, 5 KO’a) of Philadelphia in a super middleweight bout scheduled for 8-rounds.

In a super lightweight bout scheduled for 8-rounds, Kenneth Sims, Jr. (10-0, 3 KO’s) battles Emmanuel Robles (15-1-1, 5 KO’s) of San Diego, Calif.
In non-televised action: Stephon Young (15-0-3, 6 KO’s) of St. Louis, Missouri tangos with Olimjon Nazarov (14-3, 8 KO’s) of Tashkent, Uzbekistan in a super bantamweight bout.  NOTE: Young was originally slated to open the ShoBox telecast in a matchup with Elton Dharry, who was forced to withdraw with a shoulder injury.  Highlights of Young vs. Nazarov will now air in the ShoBox telecast.
In 6-round bouts:
Leroy Davila (4-0, 2 KO’s) of New Brunswick, N.J., battles Anthony Taylor (4-0, 1 KO) of Warren, Ohio in a battle of undefeated bantamweights.
Keenan Smith (9-0, 3 KO’s) of Philadelphia fights Marquis Hawthorne (4-5, 1 KO) of Waco, Texas in a welterweight affair.
Local favorite, Anthony “Juice” Young (14-2, 6 KO’s) of Atlantic City will fight James Robinson (4-5-4, 1 KO) of York, Pa., in a welterweight bout.
Darmani Rock (6-0, 4 KO’s) of Philadelphia will box Solomon Maye (3-7-2, 3 KO’s) of New Haven, Conn., in a heavyweight fight.
Malik Jackson (1-0, 1 KO) of Washington, D.C. squares off with Christian Foster (0-2) of Alexandria, Virginia in a bantamweight bout.
                                                                # # #

About ShoBox: The New GenerationSince 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 67 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.