Tag Archives: Nikolay Potapov

boxing, women's boxing

CLARESSA SHIELDS KNOCKS OUT SZILVIA SZABADOS IN FIRST WOMEN’S MAIN EVENT IN PREMIUM TELEVISION HISTORY FRIDAY ON SHOWTIME®

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Nikolay Potapov Outpoints Antonio Nieves, Wesley Tucker Defeats Ed Williams & Joshua Greer Jr. Knocks Out James Gordon-Smith On ShoBox: The New Generation From MGM Grand Detroit

 

Don’t Miss The Replay Tuesday, March 14 At 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME®

 

Click HERE For Photos; Credit Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

 

DETROIT (March 11, 2017) –  Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields shined in her television debut, knocking out the durable Szilvia Szabados in the fourth round (1:30) to advance to 2-0 as a professional in the main event on ShoBox: The New Generation Friday on SHOWTIME at MGM Grand Detroit.

 

Shields (2-0, 1 KOs) put on a show less than an hour from her hometown of Flint, Mich., landing nearly 50 percent of her power shots in the first women’s boxing main event in premium television history. 

 

Szabados (15-9, 6 KOs), of Hungary, didn’t touch the canvas but never really stood a shot against an opponent that has been billed as the future of women’s boxing.  Shields came out blazing in the opening round, backing up Szabados with crisp, clean punches as she out-landed her opponent 31-4 in the first. 

 

Shields was a bit more patient and settled in the second and third, but the onslaught continued against a relatively defenseless Szabados.  After a flush right hand, left hook combo in the fourth, referee Harvey Dock had seen enough and stepped in to halt the contest with Szabados still on her feet. 

 

“It was about respect,” Shields said of her performance.  “I wanted to go out there and show I had power and I wasn’t scared of her.  I knew she was tough coming in.  That’s why I started going to the body.  I was going to get the clean shot in one round and she was going to go, but the ref stopped it in the fourth.  A knock out is a knockout.  It was exciting. 

 

“I’m glad everyone came.  I took advantage of this great opportunity once again.  It’s another step toward winning a world title.” 

 

Szabados said she was disappointed with Dock’s decision to stop the fight when he did. “I’m very sad and heartbroken right now because it only went four rounds and I could have kept going,” she said. “Her hits were not painful. Her right hook got me a lot, I know. I could feel that one.”

 

In the ShoBox co-feature, Nikolay Potapov narrowly edged Antonio Nieves in a close, 10-round split decision scored 96-94 Potapov twice, 96-94 Nieves.

 

The technical match between undefeated top-10 bantamweight prospects was close from the opening bell.  Nieves was the more active fighter, landing 64 punches per round to Potapov’s 50, but the round-by-round breakdowns reveal that Potapov prevailed in total connects as well as in landed power shots.

 

“I thought it was a close fight, but I came on strong at the end,” Potapov said.  “I had more and finished stronger. That made the difference.  I am much more aggressive now and I sit down on my shots. That’s the difference training at Kronk has done for me.

 

“I knew I won the fight.  I wasn’t surprised when I got it.  I wasn’t happy about the judging in my last big fight, but I thought this time I had done more than enough to win.”

 

Nieves did impressive work to the body, connecting on 59 total body shots compared to just 14 for Potapov, but it wasn’t enough to earn him the decision. 

 

“I thought I won. I thought it was a bad decision,” Nieves said.  “I don’t even think it should have been a spilt decision.  I thought I was up clearly.  He didn’t really score like he wanted to.  I was making him miss and landing all the sharper punches.  Everything he was hitting me with I was blocking and coming back.

 

“I don’t know why close fights don’t go my way.  From here I go back to the drawing board.  My whole team and a lot of the crowd felt like I won.  I would love to fight him again.”

 

In a featured matchup between undefeated welterweights, Wesley Tucker (14-0, 8 KOs) edged Ed Williams in an eight-round unanimous decision scored 77-73, 79-71, 78-72 Tucker.

 

The foul-filled fight featured little action.  Toledo’s Tucker landed 31 percent of his power shots compared to just 19 percent for Detroit’s Williams (12-2-1, 4 KOs), who was deducted two points for hitting to the back of the head on separate occasions.  Tucker (14-0, 8 KOs) didn’t land a jab the entire fight, but his heavier shots and accuracy with his power shots seemed to be more impressive to the judges. 

 

“He was an awkward, long fighter, who knew how to move very well,” Tucker said.  “I’m not disappointed it turned out like that.  Not every fight can be pretty, so I came out with the win and that’s what matters most.

 

“I was really frustrated in there, but I’m an action kind of fighter, so when he was running it kind of was pissing me off.  He was all over the place.  He ran the whole fight.”

 

Williams landed only 17 percent of his total punches.

 

“He didn’t show me anything I didn’t expect,” Williams said.  “This week was a great experience for me, but you want to come out with a win and I wasn’t able to get it done.”

 

In the televised opener, Joshua Greer Jr. handed bantamweight prospect James Gordon-Smith his firstloss with a brutal one-punch sixth-round knockout (2:06). 

 

After a blazing first round that saw over 50 power shots landed, Greer pepped his opponent with a steady diet of counter rights as Gordon-Smith continued to charge forward and fight largely off-balance.  Chicago’s Greer floored Gordon-Smith with a perfectly timed right uppercut in the opening seconds of the fifth and, despite looking dazed, Gordon-Smith rallied to survive the back-and-forth round. 

 

In the sixth, Greer (12-1-1, 5 KOs) knocked Gordon-Smith out cold with a huge straight right that sent the Detroit native falling face forward as referee Harvey Dock immediately waved off the bout. 

 

“I guess he blinked. That was the problem,” Greer said.  “I told everyone when I got here I didn’t have that pillow for no reason.  I said don’t blink and I wasn’t playing.  I knew I was going to get him.  The pillow is just my trademark.  It’s nothing personal.  You have to stand out somehow. That’s just what I do. Nothing personal to him.

 

“I knew what I came to do.  I’m excited but I’m not shocked.  My team knew what would happen and they had confidence in me.  I knew it was only a matter of time.”

 

Gordon-Smith (11-1, 6 KOs) was the 160th fighter to suffer his first defeat on the prospect developmental series. And Nieves would later become the 161st.

 

Friday’s quadrupleheader will replay on Tuesday, March 14 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME.  The telecast will also be available on SHOWTIME on DEMAND® and SHOWTIME ANYTIME®.

 

“Detroit City Gold,” was promoted by Salita Promotions. 

 

Barry Tompkins called the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve 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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ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS

Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, women's boxing

“DETROIT CITY GOLD” FINAL WEIGHTS, QUOTES & PHOTOS

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Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields Faces Szilvia Szabados In First Women’s Boxing Main Event On Premium Television

 

Friday, March 10 Live on SHOWTIME® From MGM Grand Detroit

 

Click HERE To Download Weigh-In Photos; Credit Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

 

DETROIT (March 9, 2017) – All eight fighters participating in “Detroit City Gold”, the ShoBox: The New Generationquadrupleheader which includes headliner and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields, made weight on Thursday in advance of Friday’s telecast from MGM Grand Detroit.

 

Shields (1-0) will face former world title challenger Szilvia Szabados (15-8, 6 KOs) in just her second fight since winning gold at the 2016 Olympics and in the first women’s boxing event in premium television history, live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

 

“Detroit City Gold,” which takes place less than an hour from Shields’ hometown of Flint, Mich., is promoted by Salita Promotions.  Shields vs. Szabados is a six-round middleweight bout.

 

In the ShoBox co-feature, top-10 ranked bantamweight contenders Antonio Nieves (17-0-2, 9 KOs), of Cleveland, and Russia’s Nikolay Potapov (16-0-1, 8 KOs) will put their undefeated records on the line in a 10-round matchup for the NABO bantamweight belt.

 

In an eight-round televised bout, welterweight Wesley Tucker (13-0, 8 KOs) of Toledo, Ohio, faces Detroit’s Ed Williams (12-1-1, 4 KOs) in a matchup between two former amateur standouts.  In the televised opener, Detroit-based bantamweight prospect James Gordon Smith (11-0, 6 KOs) will take on Chicago’s Joshua Greer, Jr. (11-1-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round bout.

 

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS:

Claressa Shields: 159 ½ Pounds

Szilvia Szabados: 158 Pounds

 

Antonio Nieves: 116 ½ Pounds

Nikolay Potapov: 117 ½ Pounds

 

Wesley Tucker: 147 Pounds

Ed Williams: 146 ¼ Pounds

 

James Gordon Smith: 116 ¾ Pounds

Joshua Greer, Jr.: 116 ¾ Pounds

 

FINAL QUOTES:

 

CLARESSA SHIELDS:

“I know about Laila Ali, and Christy Martin and Lucia Rijker, and I don’t box like any of them. I have my own unique style. I’ve never seen a female fighter like myself. I want to carry the sport.

 

“The boxers I like and study are Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Louis and Floyd Mayweather. Those are my favorites. And you can even throw Sugar Ray Leonard in there, too.

 

“I’m going to be aggressive. I’m not going to be nervous and I’m not going to freeze up. I’m going to go right out there and hit her in the face with a right hand.

 

“This is my hometown fight. I last fought in Michigan three years ago. I’m going to showcase my skills on SHOWTIME.

 

“I’m embracing all of this. I grew up and heard when I was young that women can’t fight. I’m ready to show everyone just how wrong that is on Friday night.”

 

SZILVIA SZABADOS:

 

“I know Claressa is popular because of the two gold medals, and she’s young and 21. This is her hometown so I know the fans will be cheering for her. Congratulations to her. But I just have to worry about fighting my fight and staying focused.

 

“I know she’s a come-forward fighter like me. Always go, go, go. I don’t know what she’ll bring. It’ll be a surprise. Everyone always has a plan and I have a plan, as well. But I’m willing to change and improvise.

 

“I’ve been sparring with men mostly. It’s hard to find girls who can spar with me, especially in Hungary.”

 

ANTONIO NIEVES:

“I’m ready to go. I’m ready to show that night [a draw against Alejandro Santiago] was a fluke. There are no distractions this time.

 

“I’m ready to show people that I’m a contender at this weight.  I’m here to prove that I deserve to fight for a world title.”

 

NIKOLAY POTAPOV:

“I’ve improved a lot working with Javan [Javan SugarHill Steward]. The sky’s the limit for me and I know I can be a legitimate contender in my division.

 

“There are going to be a lot of eyes on this fight so it’s important that I look good and get the victory.  We’re both undefeated, and we’re both ranked, so there is a lot on the line in this fight.”

 

WESLEY TUCKER:

“I’m going to be the next world champion from Toledo. I’m a lefty and have power in both hands and I’m a pressure fighter.

 

“My right hook is my best punch and that’s rare for a lefty.

 

“I live 45 miles from here and I come here a lot so, yeah, it’s like a home fight for me.

 

“I know Ed Williams. He’s a nice little boxer, long and rangy. That’s about it.

 

“I’m going for the knockout and it may come early, or it may not. No matter what, I always put on a good show.”

 

ED WILLIAMS:

“This is one of the fights that will determine whether I continue and move up, or I do something different. This is it. That’s what ShoBox has always been about for fighters like me.

 

“I took a break from boxing and got my college degree in industrial engineering. But I got the bug and came back. Things would have been much different if I would have stayed with it. I’m not doing anything with my degree yet, but will once I’m finished with boxing.

 

“I’m older but I don’t have many miles. I’m well-preserved. It’s going to be exciting and I’m looking forward to an exciting fight.”

 

JAMES GORDON SMITH:

“I’ve never lost to anyone from Chicago, and Friday night will be no different.

 

“I’ve been around boxing forever and all the talking doesn’t bother me. I would expect nothing else. He’s coming into my backyard and should be confident. He’s coming in with an eight-fight winning streak. It don’t bother me. It just gives me the extra motivation to make sure no one comes into my backyard and beats me.”

 

JOSHUA GREER, JR.:

“It’s not my first undefeated fighter I’ve fought so it’s no big deal. I know what I have to do.

Sure, we were going at it pretty good at the press conference. You can say it’s a Chicago-Detroit thing. Of course there’s a rivalry there.

 

“I’m fast, but people underestimate my power. My power is a bigger strength than my speed. It’s something not a lot of people expect of me.

 

“You will see fireworks from round one.”

 

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 Rich Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

 

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boxing, women's boxing

TWO-TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST CLARESSA SHIELDS DISCUSSES HER LEGACY AND BRINGING EQUALITY TO WOMEN’S BOXING IN SHOWTIME SPORTS® VIDEO

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“I want my legacy to be that I’m the best female fighter to ever put on gloves.” – Claressa Shields

 

Shields Faces Szilvia Szabados Friday on SHOWTIME® In First Women’s Boxing Main Event In Premium Television History

 

VIDEO: http://s.sho.com/2m3ZobR

 

Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields opens up about how growing up in Flint, Mich., shaped her career, bringing equality to women’s boxing, and her growing legacy in this SHOWTIME Sports video feature: http://s.sho.com/2m3ZobR

 

Shields (1-0) will face former world title challenger Szilvia Szabados (15-8, 6 KOs) tomorrow/Friday in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation in just her second fight since winning gold at the 2016 Olympics.  The six-round middleweight bout, which will air live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT), is the first women’s boxing event in premium television history.

 

The event, labeled “Detroit City Gold,” is promoted by Salita Promotions from MGM Grand Detroit.  In the ShoBox co-feature, top-10 ranked bantamweight contenders Antonio Nieves (17-0-2, 9 KOs) and Nikolay Potapov (16-0-1, 8 KOs) will put their undefeated records on the line in a 10-round bantamweight bout.

 

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boxing, women's boxing

“DETROIT CITY GOLD” FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

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Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields Faces Szilvia Szabados In First Women’s Boxing Main Event On Premium Television

 

Friday, March 10 Live on SHOWTIME® From MGM Grand Detroit

 

Click HERE For Photos; Credit: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

 

DETROIT (March 8, 2017) – All eight fighters participating in “Detroit City Gold”, the ShoBox: The New Generation headlined by two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields, participated in a final press conference on Wednesday in advance of Friday’s four-fight telecast from MGM Grand Detroit.

 

Shields (1-0) will face former world title challenger Szilvia Szabados (15-8, 6 KOs) in just her second fight since winning gold at the 2016 Olympics and in the first women’s boxing event in premium television history, live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

 

“Detroit City Gold,” which takes place less than an hour from Shields’ hometown of Flint, Mich., is promoted by Salita Promotions.  Shields vs. Szabados is a six-round middleweight bout.

 

In the ShoBox co-feature, top-10 ranked bantamweight contenders Antonio Nieves (17-0-2, 9 KOs), of Cleveland, and Russia’s Nikolay Potapov (16-0-1, 8 KOs) will put their undefeated records on the line in a 10-round matchup for the NABO bantamweight belt.

 

In an eight-round televised bout, welterweight Wesley Tucker (13-0, 8 KOs) of Toledo, Ohio, faces Detroit’s Ed Williams (12-1-1, 4 KOs) in a matchup between two former amateur standouts.  In the televised opener, Detroit-based bantamweight prospect James Gordon Smith (11-0, 6 KOs) will take on Chicago’s Joshua Greer, Jr. (11-1-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round bout.

 

Here’s what the fighters had to say on Wednesday:

 

Claressa Shields:

“I started boxing at age 11 and all I really wanted was an opportunity. This is one of those big opportunities.

 

“Her having 124 professional rounds doesn’t mean anything to me.  Her being 15-8 with 6 KOs doesn’t scare me either.  But I am glad she took the fight and didn’t pull out.

 

“She’s a challenge and, on paper, she’s not supposed to be someone that I can just walk through.  But I’ve been in training camp for three months and I had a great training camp.

I’m not going to let her beat me in front of my family. I’m not going to let her beat me in front of my nephews and cousins and my mom and dad. I just don’t roll like that.

 

“If she doesn’t have the talent and skill to go six rounds with me, she will not go six rounds.  So, I hope she had a very good training camp.  I know I did.

 

“This is the first time that a woman has been the main event on SHOWTIME and I’m not coming to make women look bad when I get in there on March 10.”

 

Szilvia Szabados:

“I’m ready to fight.  I’ve been waiting a long time for this fight.  I feel good and I’m in great shape.

 

“I think everyone has a destiny in life and I’m glad I chose to be a boxer. This is a huge opportunity for me and I plan to take advantage of it.

 

“I know she has the amateur experience, but I have more experience as a pro.  We’ll see what’s more important on Friday.”

 

Antonio Nieves:

“I trained and did everything I have to do.  I’m ready for war.

 

“Coming out of Cleveland, nobody gives us a chance. We have to fight for everything we get.

 

“I respect Potapov.   He’s a good fighter.  He said he’s going to take my belt?  He’s going to have to take it from me.  I’m here to fight.  I’m not going to just give it up.  Come try and take it.

 

“When I get in there Friday, it’s all business.  I respect him – I don’t have any problems with him as a person.

 

“I’ve fought a lot of Russians and Europeans.  They’re straight-up, come forward, and try to put on a lot of pressure.  They bring the fight and I’m ready for that.  I’m ready for anything he brings to the table.

 

“Anything can happen in a fight, but I’m focused and ready and I know what I have to do.  I’ll be able to adjust to whatever he brings.”

 

Nikolay Potapov:

“I will be a much more aggressive version of myself for this fight.  I trained to be very aggressive. I have a lot of surprises in store for Antonio Nieves.

 

“I learned a lot training at Kronk and I’m very ready.  I had a great training camp and I really enjoyed living here in Detroit.

 

“In Russia, there is a traditional Russian style.  Over here, it’s totally different.  The American style is much more aggressive.  I loved training with Javan SugarHill Steward at Kronk and learned a lot.”

 

Wesley Tucker:

“I come to fight every time and everybody knows when I fight, it’s fireworks.

 

“He may be from here, but Detroit is my home, too.  And I’m planning on winning here at home.”

 

Ed Williams:

“I’m glad to be home.  I had a great camp and it’s going to be a hell of a fight.

 

“Wesley Tucker is coming to fight, but I’m home.  You don’t let nobody take you at home. That’s it.

 

“He may be in for a short night.  Or a long one.  We’ll see.”

 

James Gordon Smith:

“I’m knocking you out.  I’m not here to play games.  I’m coming straight for you.  I bet you I knock you out.

 

“You can’t punch.  What are you going to do?

 

“I’m coming to throw bombs, so I hope you trained for this because I’m going to knock that smile off your face.  Your coach can’t fight for you.”

 

Joshua Greer, Jr.:

“I’m ready.  You’re getting knocked out.  We didn’t come here to lose.

 

“This is a fight I’ve been waiting for.  We’re ready.  Come Friday, I hope he’s ready, too.”

boxing, women's boxing

UNDEFEATED BANTAMWEIGHTS NIEVES AND POTAPOV READY FOR MOST IMPORTANT FIGHT OF THEIR CAREERS AT “DETROIT CITY GOLD” THIS FRIDAY AT MGM GRAND DETROIT LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

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DETROIT, MI (March 6) – With a potential world title shot on the near horizon for the winner, undefeated bantamweight contenders Antonio Nieves and Nikolay Potapov both agree their NABO Bantamweight Championship showdown this Friday is the most important of both their careers.
Defending champion Nieves (17-0-2, 9 KOs) of Cleveland and Russia’s Potapov (16-0-1, 8 KOs) will meet in the co-main event this Friday, March 10, of Salita Promotions’ history-making quadrupleheader of fights entitled “Detroit City Gold” at MGM Grand Detroit on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT).
In the night’s main event, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields (1-0) of Flint, Mich., will face Hungary’s Szilvia “Sunset” Szabados (15-8, 6 KOs) in a six-round battle for the Women’s NABF Middleweight Championship. Their fight will be the first women’s boxing main event to be featured on premium television in history.
In the eight-round televised bantamweight opener, Detroit-based bantamweight prospect James Smith (11-0, 6 KOs) will take on Chicago’s Joshua Greer, Jr. (11-1-1, 4 KOs). In the other eight-round televised bout of the exciting quadrupleheader, welterweight Wesley Tucker (13-0, 8 KOs) Toledo, Ohio, faces Detroit’s Ed Williams (12-1-1, 4 KOs).
Tickets for “Detroit City Gold” are priced at $250, $150, $100 and $50, and are available at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by phone at 800.745.3000.
Here’s what they both had to say:
Antonio Nieves
“Everything went well in training. Potapov is a solid fighter but I believe giving him some movement and coming in from the side is really going to help me get the victory in this fight. I’m 100 percent ready. I’ve been focused on one guy the entire camp and I’m ready to get in there and get the win.
“We tried to get sparring partners that imitate him as much as possible, so when I get in there with him, there’s no surprises, but basically, I’m just going to stick to what I know.
“A victory means a lot. We’re two undefeated fighters on the verge of a world title shot. A victory over this guy would put me to the stage of being in line to fight for a world title, so this win means a lot.”
Nikolay Potapov
“I had a great training camp in Detroit at Kronk gym with Javan SugarHill Steward.  It’s been a great learning experience for me.  The training, intensity, sparring, living conditions have been superb.
“This is the most important fight of my career. Antonio Nieves is a very skilled, high-level fighter. I am focused on making a statement on March 10, and showing that I am one of the best bantamweights in the world.”
boxing, women's boxing

“DETROIT CITY GOLD” MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS FROM CLARESSA SHIELDS AND NIKOLAY POTAPOV

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 Shields Headlines First Women’s Boxing Bout On Premium Television On Friday, March 10 Live on SHOWTIME® From MGM Grand Detroit

 

Click HERE For Photos

Photo Credit: Bob Ryder

 

DETROIT, MI (February 28) – Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields (1-0) of Flint, Mich., and bantamweight contender Nikolay Potapov (16-0-1, 8 KOs) of Podolsk, Russia, worked out for the media on Tuesday in advance of their ShoBox: The New Generation televised bouts for Salita Promotions’ “Detroit City Gold” on Friday, March 10, at MGM Grand Detroit, and live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT).

 

The first women’s boxing main event to be featured on premium television, Shields’ history making fight will be a six-round battle againstHungary’s Szilvia “Sunset” Szabados (15-8, 6 KOs) for the Women’s NABF Middleweight Championship.

 

In the co-featured bout, Potapov, currently training at the Kronk Gym, will challenge Cleveland’s Antonio Nieves (17-0-2, 9 KOs) in a 10-round fight for his NABO Bantamweight Championship.

 

In the eight-round televised bantamweight opener, Detroit-based bantamweight prospect James Smith (11-0, 6 KOs) will take on Chicago’s Joshua Greer, Jr. (11-1-1, 4 KOs). In the other eight-round televised bout of the exciting quadrupleheader, welterweight Wesley Tucker (13-0, 8 KOs) Toledo, Ohio, faces Detroit’s Ed Williams (12-1-1, 4 KOs).

 

Tickets for “Detroit City Gold” are priced at $250, $150, $100 and $50, and are available at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by phone at 800.745.3000.

 

Below is what the fighters had to say:

 

Claressa Shields:

 

“I made history in the amateurs, so it’s very special to me to be making history in the pros too and also doing it so close to home in Detroit.

 

“For this fight, I did more road work and also worked hard on my fundamentals. With my coach, Jason Crutchfield, in my corner he knows my weaknesses and strong points, so we are strengthening all weaknesses.

 

“I know that Szabados has a lot of body endurance and a ‘no quit’ mindset in the ring. She has a lot more professional experience than me and is a huge step up for me, as it is only my second professional fight.

 

“With my reputation and name steady rising and me getting a lot of notoriety, I have really just been handling it by taking a few deep breaths and just not allowing myself to get too excited. When I think about March 10, I just wanna jump up and down!

 

“When I was an amateur, I followed women’s professional boxing the best I could. I thought a lot of women weren’t given equal opportunity. I told myself that for women’s boxing to grow, I’d have to go pro after winning the Olympics again. I felt in my heart that I would be respected and given a chance. I take advantage of every opportunity, so as of now, I feel women’s boxing is a sport that is going to be around for a long time.”

 

Nikolay Potapov:

“Nieves is good fighter, and he’s ranked in the top 10.  I want to fight the best available in my division.  A win over Nieves would be huge for my career and would hopefully lead to a shot at a title in the near future.  I can’t lose on March 10. 

 

“I trained hard to go the distance of 10 rounds, but Kronk’s philosophy is not to leave it in the hands of the judges.

 

“I am thankful to Showtime and Salita Promotions for giving me another opportunity to fight on such a prestigious network. I am focused on bringing home the victory after spending time in Detroit training at the legendary Kronk Gym. “

boxing, ShoBox, Showtime

JARRELL “BIG BABY” MILLER PASSES TEST AS FRED KASSI QUITS AFTER THREE ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FROM RHINOS STADIUM IN ROCHESTER, N.Y.

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Mason Menard KOs Bahomir Mamadjonov, Antonio Nieves and Alejandro Santiago Fight To A Split Draw & Bakhtiyar Eyubov Wins By Split Decision Against Karim Mayfield

 

Catch The Replay On Monday, Aug. 22 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME

 

Click On Le Link Below To Watch Menard’s Ninth-Round KO

http://s.sho.com/2b6MNPF

 

 

Click HERE For Photos; Credit: Rosie Cohe/SHOWTIME

 

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Aug. 20, 2016) – Undefeated heavyweight prospect Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller won by third-round TKO over veteran Fred Kassi in the ShoBox: The New Generation main event, Friday, live on SHOWTIME from Rhinos Stadium in Rochester, N.Y.

 

Following a cagey first round that favored Kassi (18-5-1, 10 KOs), Brooklynite Miller (18-0-1, 16 KOs), turned up the body work and pressure in rounds two and three. After landing 36-of-57 power shots in the third and racking up 30 connects to the body, Kassi retired on the stool between rounds, citing a hand injury. Miller landed an impressive 57 percent of his power shots for the fight and limited Kassi to 22 percent of his hooks, crosses and uppercuts.

 

Kassi said after the fight that his right hand was injured in the second and pushed through the pain for one more round before giving in.

 

The 6-foot-4, Miller viciously attacked the body and delivered some big rights and combinations. Kassi had some moments where he out-boxed his opponent, but Miller’s power and size—a possible 50+-pound advantage—was the deciding factor. With this victory, “Big Baby” ups his winning streak to 14 straight.

 

“I knew it would take some time to get going tonight.  I was thinking maybe three or four rounds to warm up and get going.  But in the second round, I got my wind and I knew I hurt him,” said Miller, who is ranked among the top 10 heavyweights in three of the four sanctioning bodies. “My legs came alive and I touched his body and his head.  I knew I was going to get the stoppage.

 

“I think he could have continued, though.  He just didn’t want to.  That’s why I take my hat off to Deontay Wilder.  I still want to break his jaw, but he finished his fight with a broken hand.  That’s what champions do.  Kassi didn’t want to continue.

 

“Let’s talk about all these heavyweights.  Tyson Fury, he doesn’t want this work.  He’s always complaining.  He’s always sick or something.  I don’t know what’s wrong with him.  Wilder, every five minutes he breaks another finger.  Look, it’s just a matter of time before these guys are going to have to put up or shut up.  Anthony Joshua, that’s going to be a mega fight.  I am just begging for him to call my name.”

 

Kassi said, “I must have hurt my hand in the first round because in the second, every time I hit him I felt a shock.  I wanted to keep going but he’s a big guy and I couldn’t use my hand.  When you fight a guy that is 50 pounds heavier than you are, you need all the weapons.”

“The size difference and the strength difference was so enormous,” said SHOWTIME Boxing’s veteran analyst Steve Farhood. “Once Miller started rolling, it was clear that Kassi had no answers.  Kassi had been nimble and he slid off the ropes a few times in round one.  That was gone in round 2.  So, perhaps in some people’s eyes, this win is cheapened by the injury, but to me it was clear that Big Baby was on his way to doing what more advanced heavyweights like Dominic Breazeale and Chris Arreola couldn’t do, and that’s stop Fred Kassi.

“Bottom line, Jarrell Miller’s stock went up tonight.  He faced his toughest test and he passed it.”

In the co-main event, promising Louisiana lightweight “Rock Hard Mighty” Mason Menard scored a brutal knockout at 2:26 of the ninth-round over battled-testedBahodir Mamadjonov, winning the WBO NABO Lightweight belt. VIDEO HIGHLIGHT:http://s.sho.com/2b6MNPF

 

Both Menard and Mamadjonov were facing their most dangerous foe to date. Mamadjonov (18-3, 11 KOs), showed great ring generalship successfully keeping Menard’s output down for the first six rounds, but Menard (32-1, 24 KOs) dramatically turned the fight around with body shots that produced two knockdowns in the seventh. A slow eighth-round followed but the ninth brought another series of power shots leading to the third and final knockdown, prompting referee Steve Smoger to intervene and halt the contest.

At the time of the stoppage Menard, who out-landed Mamadjonov 10-0 in the bout’s final 26 seconds, was ahead by two points on two scorecards and four points on the third.

“I feel great, but it was a B-level performance from me,” said Menard who is coming from a knockout-of-the-year candidate, “I could have done better. My opponent was an awkward fighter and we got him with two weeks’ notice.

“I knew if I kept putting the pressure, slowly he would fade and I would take him out in the later rounds and that’s exactly how it happened. He was hurting to the body. I knew after the first couple rounds he was breathing really heavy, so the game plan was to start touching him to the body. It was affecting him greatly.

“I’m definitely excited to get my second SHOWTIME knockout and I got some rounds under my belt. It’s been years since I went that many rounds, so it was good to know I can go that long and still finish strong.”

“I don’t really know what went wrong,” said Mamadjonov, who is known for his high boxing IQ. “It was short notice and I think I lost too much weight.

“I didn’t feel his punches, but he caught me with some good body shots. I was fighting evenly with him until the weight loss caught up to me and I got tired.

“I feel ok now. I’m good. I am disappointed but I’m fine. I’ll be back.”

NABO Bantamweight Champion Antonio Nieves, of Cleveland, Ohio and Tijuana’s Alejandro Santiago battled to a 10-round split draw (96-94 Nieves, 96-94 Santiago and 95-95) in the second fight of the ShoBox quadrupleheader.

Nieves, (16-0-2, 8 KOs), remains undefeated, but Santiago’s (11-2-2, 3 KOs) boxing ability clearly caught him off guard. The first five rounds featured brisk long-range boxing that was incredibly even.  Santiago, a late-sub for Nikolay Potapov, appeared to pull away in rounds 6-10 as he out-landed Nieves 129-86 overall and 100-61 in power punches.

Winning the late rounds was not enough for Santiago, who was stepping up in weight and opposition. Judge Don Ackerman had Nieves ahead 96-94 while Eric Marlinski had it 96-94 for Santiago. Pasquale Procopio’s 95-95 card proved pivotal. Given Santiago’s second-half surge, the Mexican visitor was unlucky not to get the win.

“I thought it was close, but I think I pulled it out,” said Nieves. “I should have gotten the victory by maybe one or two points. But the judges see what they saw, you know?

“I do not feel I put on the impressive performance I was hoping to. I wasn’t at my best.  He (Santiago) was a little awkward and my right hand was hurting a little bit, but I really don’t know why I wasn’t letting my hands go like I usually do.

“I learned I have to stick to my game plan and keep using my jab. I didn’t use it like I usually do. I need to just do what I do and not worry about what my opponent is doing.

“I don’t think nerves had anything to do with it, even though it was the biggest fight of my career. I was just letting him get off first. I should have followed my game plan, rather than react to what he was doing. I give myself a C for my performance tonight.”

Santiago, who came as a late replacement and was clearly the underdog, also felt he won the fight.

“It was close, but I think I won the fight. I was always sure I’d beat him and I did. I landed more punches,” said Santiago. “I thought Nieves would be stronger than he was in there.

“I usually fight at super flyweight. I was coming up in weight to do this. It was an opportunity to open more doors for me and I took it. And I think that’s what I didtonight.”

In the opening bout of the telecast, undefeated welterweight Bakhtiyar Eyubovof Brooklyn, N.Y., by way of Kazakhstan won a close 10-round split decision—that could have gone either way—against veteran Karim Mayfield of San Francisco, Calif. (95-94 twice for Eyubov and 95-94 for Mayfield).

Eyubov (11-0, 10 KOs), who had never been past the third round, was taken to uncharted waters by the more experienced Mayfield (19-4-1, 11 KOs). Mayfield extended Eyubov far longer than any other opponent and despite out-landing the adoptive Brooklynite in each of the final four rounds (110-80 overall and 87-66 power) Eyubov escaped with a split decision.  It was a learning victory for Eyubov and a disheartening loss for Mayfield, who averaged 69 punches per round to Eyubov’s 52.

“I felt it was close, but I did everything I wanted to do and I feel I won nearly every round,” said Eyubov. “I was surprised by Mayfield, especially how hard his head is. He is a real man.

“My lip is a little swollen but that’s because of headbutts. Mayfield fought dirty in there.  But I’m happy with the decision. I learned that I can go 10 rounds if I have to. I could go 12. I was still strong at the end of the fight.

Mayfield, who was clearly disappointed with the result, felt he won the fight.

“It was a good fight and he’s a tough fighter for sure, but I landed the harder shots and kept active. He was a tough guy, don’t get me wrong, but I certainly won that fight,” said Mayfield. “I feel I performed well. There’s always more work you can do, but for the most part I feel I did good. People thought for some odd reason the fight wouldn’t even go the distance, which is ludicrous. I won the fight though.

“It was part of my game plan to frustrate him and I feel I did that. I executed my plan well. Of course, there was more I could have done. I could have thrown more punches, but I did well.

“They made it seem like he punched like hell, but I guess all punches feel hard to me, so if you’re a hard puncher or a light puncher, it’s still a punch and I don’t want to get punched. I got hit but I was never stunned or anything like that.

“I would love a rematch.”

Eyubov responded, “I don’t know if I would fight him again. I will think about it.”

ShoBox: The New Generation will re-air on Monday, Aug. 22 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME ANYTIME beginning Saturday, Aug. 20.

 

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

 

The event was promoted by Salita Promotions in association with Greg Cohen Promotions.

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SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION WEIGHTS, PHOTOS & FINAL THOUGHTS QUADRUPLEHEADER TOMORROW, FRIDAY, AUG. 19, LIVE ON SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT)

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Heavyweight Jarrell Miller to Face Tough Veteran Fred Kassi
In Main Event From Rhinos Stadium in Rochester, N.Y.

Lightweights Mason Menard and Bahodir Mamadjonov Clash in Co-Main Event

While Bantamweight Antonio Nieves Takes On Alejandro Santiago in a 10-Rounder

And Welterweights Bakhtiyar Eyubov and Karim Mayfield Do Battle in Telecast Opener

 

Click HERE For Photos; Credit Rosie Cohe/SHOWTIME

 

“Anthony Joshua is a punk. Deontay Wilder, don’t get me started…”

– Jarrell Miller, Undefeated Heavyweight Prospect

 

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Aug. 18, 2016) – The eight fighters who’ll be fighting on ShoBox: The New Generation tomorrow/Friday, Aug. 19, live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT) at Rhinos Stadium in Rochester, N.Y., all made weight Thursday.

 

Undefeated Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (17-0-1, 15 KOs) faces his toughest test to date in veteran Fred Kassi (18-5-1, 10 KOs) in the main event, which will take place at the outdoor USL soccer venue here.  The co-main event features promising Louisiana lightweight “Rock Hard Mighty” Mason Menard (31-1, 23 KOs) facing his most dangerous foe to date in Bahodir “Baha” Mamadjonov (18-2, 11 KOs) of Houston, Texas, by way of Uzbekistan in a 10-round battle for the WBO NABO Lightweight title.

 

Plus, undefeated welterweight knockout artist Bakhtiyar Eyubov (10-0, 10 KOs) of Brooklyn, N.Y., by way of Kazakhstan, steps up to face veteran Karim Mayfield (19-3-1, 11 KOs) of San Francisco in a 10-round clash. And unbeaten Antonio Nieves (16-0-1, 8 KOs) of Cleveland will square off against Mexico’s Alejandro Santiago (11-2-1, 3 KOs) in a 10-round bantamweight bout for Nieves’ WBO NABO Title.

The Weights: Miller tipped the scales at 296 ½ pounds, while Kassi weighed 237 ¼ pounds. Menard weighed 134 ½ pounds, while his opponent, Mamadjonov, measured half pound over the limit on his first try, but hit the 135 mark half an hour later. Nieves weighed 117 even, while Santiago weighed 117 ½ pounds. Eyubov weighed 142 ½, while Mayfiled measured at 142 ¾ pounds.

 

The event is presented by Salita Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions.

 

Here’s what the principals had to say prior to the weigh-in:

 

Jarrell Miller, Undefeated Heavyweight Prospect

“Mike Tyson was a freak of nature. Vitali Klitschko was a freak of nature. I’m also a freak of nature. I’m 6’ 4” and pushing 280. I’m a big guy, but I’m athletic. I can move. I can punch, and I was a kickboxer. I’m not your average heavyweight.  I’m not trying to change the blueprint of how heavyweights should be.  I’m just being myself and doing my job.

 

“They are like, ‘we’ve seen his body, we’ve seen his size. We’ll outwork him,’ but they are wrong.  Never can judge a book by its cover.  I’ll outwork him in the ring. I’m fast, I’m good and I can punch. He’s not going to see me coming.

 

“Don’t let my weight fool you. I’ve been doing cardio. I’m in really good shape and I’m ready to go the distance.

 

“Every fight, I have to know how to adjust. I feel like Fred has never been in with a guy like me. He’s been with [Chris] Arreola, who doesn’t move as much, and he also fought [Dominic] Breazeale, who doesn’t have good footwork. I’m telling you, he’s never fought a big athletic body like me. He’s in for a surprise.

 

“I know my jab is going to be on his face. For me, it’s not just about winning, it’s about performance.  Every fight in my career from now on it’s about more than winning. Now I have to prove myself. I have to prove I’m worthy of a title shot.

 

“I wasn’t happy with my [Jan. 22] win over Donovan Dennis. I knew I could’ve done better than a seventh-round TKO. That’s why I’m pushing myself on this fight. I want to win convincingly and I will.

 

“Anthony Joshua is a punk. Deontay Wilder, don’t get me started. Now, Tyson Fury can actually punch. I’ll give him that. From all of them, Fury in my opinion is the better one. That’s why I want to fight him. I believe you should go for the hardest ones first. You take the biggest guy out first and then, you go for the easy ones. That’s how it’s supposed to be and that’s what I’d like to do. Take the hard ones out first. Fury, you are next.”

 

Fred Kassi, Heavyweight Prospect

“I’ll be a little bit heavier than usual for this fight, but I’m feeling good. I’m feeling ready. I hope the judges see that. I have had some bad experiences with judges recently.

 

“I have had some big fights. I dealt with big guys and talkers, but that doesn’t concern me because in the ring it’s going to be just the two of us. That is when the real fight is going to happen.

 

“I did my job against Arreola, I did what I had to do against Dominic Breazeale. I got robbed.

I’ve never fought a heavyweight shorter than me. I’m usually the shorter one in the ring, but I know my game.  I know what I’m doing.”

 

“I’ve gotten robbed so many times. I was coming on hard against Hughie Fury. I didn’t do great in the first rounds, but I was leading in the late ones, and he was slowing down. The stoppage was a relief for him. He was running out of gas.

 

Mason Menard, Lightweight Prospect

“After that last knockout, so many people were actually exhilarated about it.  People that didn’t even know me, they’d come up and say, ‘Are you Mason?  Man, I saw that KO [and show me the video]. I’ve watched it a thousand times.’”

 

On his opponent…

“He’s one of those guys that no one wants to fight.  I took this fight as soon as it was offered because it’s another step up for me.  I have to beat guys like this to get to the A-class of fighters.  He’s not a bad fighter but he’s not A-class.  I simply have to beat guys like this.

 

“Hand speed and foot speed, those are my difference makers.”

 

On his growth beyond the La., circuit now, after 35 fights:

“I am glad to be getting the national exposure now.  We had some step up fights in Louisiana at first.  Now, we are right where we need to be.  It’s all happening now.”

 

Bahodir Mamadjonov Lightweight Prospect

“Menard fought many of the same fighters that we have. Many guys in the same class as we did.  So, we are not impressed with his record or his knockouts.  We prepared for seven or eight weeks. Although we only knew of this opponent for two-three weeks.  At this level, this is no surprise.  We are ready.

 

“We tried to fight him years ago.  He was 17-1 or 18-1 at the time and he didn’t want the fight.  Now, he’s out of options.  I am by far the toughest test of his career.

 

“We are close to a world title now. A win here, our third appearance on SHOWTIME, and against a world-rated lightweight…. “I will bring the fight to Mason Menard.  That is my style and it doesn’t change for this fight.  He’s fighting to prove he’s legitimate.  I am here to earn my title shot.”

 

Antonio Nieves, Bantamweight Prospect

“When they tell you are going to fight and then you hear your opponent got injured, you get a little bit down. Thankfully, Alejandro Santiago was ready to step up.

 

“We’ve noticed he’s successful when the fighter gets in his face, and I have the right strategy for that.

 

“From my last fight I took two weeks off, and then back in the gym. I didn’t even know the name of my opponent. I just wanted to be ready to go when the fight was set.

 

“I’m ranked fifth in the WBO, after Santiago I want to fight for the WBO bantamweight title and then, I will probably look for Rau’shee Warren to unify the titles. I think there’s not enough action in my division and I’m ready to change that.”

 

Alejandro Santiago, Bantamweight Prospect

“I’ve known about this fight for two months. I was about 130 pounds when I found out. I’ve been training hard and I feel ready to move up in weight. I’m ready for my opponent.

 

“I like to box. I like to get in my opponent’s face. I like to hit and not get hit. I’ve worked a lot on my defensive skills.

 

“I know Nieves is a tough fighter. He’s skilled. But I have a good strategy. I’ll approach him smartly, and I’ll get the decision.”

 

Bakhtiyar Eyubov, Undefeated Welterweight Prospect

“We have been training in a large ring, specifically to prepare to cut the ring off.  We are prepared to go 10 rounds, to go 15 rounds.  We are not worried about going rounds.”

 

(Re: only 10 fights so far in career):

“I grew up in the gym, had a great amateur career.  I expect to progress quickly just like the great amateurs before me.  I am at the peak of my strength and I am ready.  Karim has never been stopped, never been dropped.  He’s a real test.

 

“I grew up in a rough environment, in the streets.  I am not intimidated.  If not for boxing, I would be in a very bad situation back home (Kazakhstan).”

 

(Re: Mayfield)

“It will be a real fight. I hope he is ready 100 percent because we are.  I am not a God, we can’t predict, but know this, it will be a good show.  Let him do his job.  I will do my job.  And I will have him out of there within five rounds.”

 

 

Karim Mayfield, Welterweight Prospect

“I’m a world class opponent. I’ve fought better fighters than him. He will be taking his first loss.

 

“For those that say it’s too late at 36, I tell them they are wrong. I’m not worn out. I haven’t been in one-sided wars or beatings. I’ve been taking care of myself.  I’m experienced and I know my craft.

 

“I’m planning to show my opponent I know how to utilize the ring. I’ve only been down once.  I know my opponent is a strong fighter and that he’s going to come strong, but he’s not going to take me down.

 

“I’m used to training late. I hit the gym at 7 or 8 o’clock at night. Our fight is latetomorrow, but I’m used to it. At that time Eyubov is going to sleep. So, I’m going to do him a favor and I’ll put him to sleep.

 

“I feel that I still have the opportunity to thrive, to move forward in my boxing career. There’s still a lot of me left.”

 

# # #

 

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.

 

About Salita Promotions
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

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VIDEO: GROWING UP FAST IN THE HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION

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“I want to be heavyweight champion of the world.  I want all the belts’’ – Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller

 

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Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller is brash, outspoken and powerful.  In the last year alone, he’s called out the entire heavyweight division, most notably world champions Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua.  It’s Miller Time, “Big Baby” believes.  Bring on anybody!

 

The unbeaten, world-ranked Miller, of Brooklyn, N.Y., is 17-0-1 with 15 knockouts.  The 28-year-old meets veteran Fred Kassi (18-5-1, 10 KOs), of New Orleans, in Friday’s 10-round main event of a ShoBox: The New Generation quadrupleheader live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Rhinos Stadium in Rochester, N.Y.

 

“Every time I get into the ring I’m looking for knockouts,’’ says Miller, who has scored six consecutive stoppages in a row. “I want to be heavyweight champion of the world. I want all the belts.

“I can box. I can slug. I bring the pain … and I’ve got a big damn mouth
and I’m not afraid to use it.”

 

# # #

 

In the ShoBox co-feature, Louisiana lightweight “Rock Hard Mighty” Mason Menard (31-1, 23 KOs) faces Bahodir “Baha” Mamadjonov(18-2, 11 KOs) of Houston, Texas by way of Uzbekistan in a 10-rounder for the WBO NABO Lightweight Title.

 

In two more scheduled 10-round bouts, unbeaten Antonio Nieves (16-0-1, 8 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio, defends his WBO NABO 118-pound crown against Mexico’s Alejandro Santiago (11-2-1, 3 KOs), and, in the telecast opener,undefeated welterweight knockout artist Bakhtiyar Eyubov (10-0, 10 KOs) of Brooklyn, N.Y. by way of Kazakhstan, meets veteran Karim Mayfield (19-3-1, 11 KOs), of San Francisco, Calif.

 

Tickets for the event presented by Salita Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions are available at http://www.rhinossoccer.com/and http://www.etix.com

 

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez will serve as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Rich Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

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KARIM MAYFIELD, BACK AT 100 PERCENT, PLANNING SURPRISE PARTY FOR UNBEATEN BAKHTIYAR EYUBOV ON AUG. 19

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Welterweights Collide In Opening Bout on ShoBox: The New Generation;
Undefeated heavyweight Jarrell Miller Meets Fred Kassi in Main Event
 Live at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME®
 
NEW YORK (Aug. 11, 2016) – If the team behind Bakhtiyar Eyubov think his next fight will be another easy showcase for their unbeaten welterweight, his opponent, Karim Mayfield has a message.
 
“He’s a very strong guy, but I’m more experienced than he is for sure,” said Mayfield. “He comes out looking for the first-round knockout by swinging with everything he’s got and he’s going to find it doesn’t work on me.”
 
Mayfield (19-3-1, 11 KOs), of San Francisco, will take on Kazakhstan’s Eyubov (10-0, 10 KOs) in the 10-round opening fight on ShoBox: The New Generation®  on Friday, Aug.  19, live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Rhinos Stadium in Rochester, N.Y.
 
In the 10-round main event, power-punching Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (17-0-1, 15 KOs) will take on smooth veteran Fred Kassi (18-5-1, 10 KOs) for the NABO Heavyweight Title. In the 10-round co-featured bout, top prospect Mason Menard (31-1, 23 KOs) will face tough Bahodir Mamadjonov (19-2, 11 KOs) in a 10-round battle for the NABO Lightweight Title. Also featured is WBO NABO Bantamweight Champion Antonio Nieves(16-0-1, 8 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio, defending his title against Alejandro “Peque” Santiago (11-2-1, 3 KOs), of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.
 
 
Tickets for the event, presented by Salita Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions, are available at www.rhinossoccer.com/and http://www.etix.com.
Mayfield, who has held and defended the NABO Super Lightweight Championship, beaten “uncrowned” world champion Mauricio Herrera by unanimous decision, as well as former world champion Steve Forbes and taken the “0” of then red-hot prospect Raymond Serrano, correctly points out Eyubov’s lack of experience. Eyubov has only boxed a total of 16 rounds as a professional over four and a half years. Take his victory over Jarred Robinson off the list and the combined record of his other nine opponents is 20-87-10 and they have been knocked out 48 times.
“He doesn’t show too much footwork either, so he’s going to have trouble,” Mayfield said. “I expect to bring it to him and for him to not be able to last the whole 10 rounds with me.”
 
Mayfield’s promoter, Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions, says another KO by Eyubov is far from a foregone conclusion.
 
“There is no doubt that Eyubov is very strong and a tremendous puncher, but his lack of experience and quality of opposition leaves glaring question marks that will definitely be answered when he fights Karim,” said Cohen. “Mayfield has fought at the highest level of the sport. Just take a snapshot of his last four opponents and their combined record of 73-14 with 44 KO’s.”
Cohen says that if Eyubov can steamroll his fighter like he has his previous ones, he’ll be the first to congratulate him.
“This is the classic matchup of a young stud vs. the established veteran. If Eyubov can knock out Karim like he has the opposition he has faced to date, I will be the first to take my hat off to him and would instantly consider him one of the top new contenders to burst onto the scene. On the flipside, if Karim beats Eyubov, this win should catapult him back to the top of the contender list and would immediately make him eligible for a world title bout or title eliminator. Truly a crossroads fight for both guys and one in which I really like Karim’s chances.”
“I’m training hard and getting prepared and sparring guys who come forward,” Mayfield said. “You haven’t seen a 100 percent Karim Mayfield. I’ve shown glimpses of it, but the past three fights, my training hasn’t been on point. I was training like a boxer. I’m not the boxer type. I bring it to you and I’m back to my original style. That wasn’t a good look for me. I was burning more energy moving around. I’m excited about this opportunity. After this win, I’ll be back in the top-tier fights. I’m excited I have a great opportunity and proper time to get prepared. I’m working hard and getting ready and I look forward to a sensational victory.”
 
Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhoodand former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.