Ngayo Showtime® From The Theater at MGM National Harbor in Maryland
I-NEW YORK (April 6, 2017) - Ithemba le-welterweight elingenakunqotshwa Malik “Ice Man” Hawkins meets fellow unbeaten Carlos Soto e-eziyisishiyagalombili round co-isici ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday, April 14 bephila Showtime (10 p.m.ET/PT) kusukela The Theater at MGM National Harbor, MD., just outside Washington, D.C.
Malik was originally scheduled to face Venezuelan amateur standout Juan Ruiz, but due to an injury in his right hand, Ruiz was forced to withdraw.
Esimweni main of the ShoBox tripleheader, former Russian amateur standout Dmitry Bivol defends his interim WBA Light Heavyweight belt against Samuel Clarkson and unbeaten Glenn Dezurn meets two-time national amateur champion Leroy Davila in an eight-round super bantamweight showdown.
Amathikithi for the event, lapho kugqugquzelwa Greg Cohen Promotions futhi Banner Promotions sikanye World of Boxing futhiUprising Promotions, kuthiwa ontengo yakhe yayinqunyiwe at $103, $73 futhi $48 and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com noma ngocingo at 800-745-3000.
Malik, (10-0, 7 Kos), of Baltimore, Md., amassed a 92-8 record in the amateurs and won the Bronze Medal in the 2012 Junior Olympics. He shares the same trainer –Calvin Ford– with stablemate and IBF Junior Lightweight Champion Gervonta Davis.
“I’m excited and eager to get in the ring,” said 21-year-old Hawkins, “My new opponent is another reason for me to stay focused and work ever harder. There’s a lot at stake for me. This is the first step to give my child the life I never had.
“I don’t know anything about the dude,” he laughed, “But I never really look up at who I’m fighting anyway. Training is going great and I’m in the best shape I have ever been in my career. I can feel it; it’s going to be an epic night for me.”
With a new mouth to feed, just before the biggest fight of his career, Hawkins could be excused for feeling some extra pressure. “I’ve fought on TV before, but there’s no doubt this is a bigger stage. I can’t say how I will win, but let’s just say that by the end of the fight, you’ll all know I won.”
Thicket, (13-0-2, 7 Kos), a seven-year pro from Torreon, Mexico is making his United States and television debut. He’s coming off of a third-round TKO over Alonso Martinez in February following a three-year hiatus due to issues with his promoter. He’s a licensed engineer and a full time, CrossFit-certified personal trainer and.
“I’ve been active in the gym and I’m very confident in my abilities,” said the 28-year-old. “I’ve been training for about a year, and I’ve been in fighting shape for about a year. I also ran two marathons during that time.
“I see myself as a boxer-puncher. I can box on the outside, but I can also mix it up on the inside. I’m intelligent in the ring and aggressive – I can go forward – but I have the option to either box or punch. I can be effective either way, depending on how the fight goes.
“I’ve seen a couple of videos of Malik Hawkins. Muhle abade, he’s got good distance. He’s fast and intelligent, but I haven’t seen him put together many punches. I see him more as a passive, tactical type fighter, not someone who’s going to be aggressive like me.
“I’m there to fight, I won’t ever quit on my stool. I’ve got a lot of heart and a lot of desire. I’m very proud of my undefeated record, and I’m very motivated to keep my winning streak alive.”
Barry Tompkins ngibize ShoBox action kusuka ringside nge Steve Farhood futhi owabe wezwe iqhawe Raul Marquez ukukhonza njengoba uchwepheshe abahlaziyi. Umkhiqizi executive Gordon Hall kanye Rich Gaughan likhiqiza futhi Rick Phillips oqondisa.
# # #
Ukuze ulwazi olunabile, vakashela www.sho.com/sports ukulandela on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, SHOSports, and @GCPBoxing or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.facebook.com/GCPBoxing/ futhi www.facebook.com/BannerPromotions/.
About ShoBox: The New Generation
Kusukela yaqala ukuba khona ngo July 2001, the akukhuthazwa bajule Showtime boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation kunyatheliswa talent young abafanelana ezinzima. The ShoBox ifilosofi iwukuba televise okuthakazelisayo, isixuku ejabulisa nokufana yokuncintisana kuyilapho sihlinzeka kuyindlela yokunquma for amathemba uzimisele sizimisele ukulwa for isihloko emhlabeni. Ezinye uhlu elandayo 68 fighters abaye bavele on ShoBox sezihambile ukuletha izihloko emhlabeni kuhlanganisa: 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.