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Tag Archives: Shobox
Ivan Baranchyk – Is he the next Arturo Gatti?
Miami, OK (February 14, 2017) – On Friday, February 10, boxing fans were treated to a fight of the year candidate between junior welterweights Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk of Brooklyn, NY and Arizona’s Abel Ramos. The bout took place at the Buffalo Run Casino in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation. It was a significant fight for both combatants, with Baranchyk looking to move further up the ladder while Ramos hoped to become a player at 140 pounds by taking out his highly regarded foe.
When the matchup was announced, Baranchyk and Ramos were expected to put on an entertaining fight. What ultimately transpired however far exceeded expectations.
For ten rounds, Baranchyk and Ramos had the capacity crowd on their feet cheering on the incredible action. Both men hit the canvas and were badly hurt at different points of the fight, trading punches at a frenetic pace. They bled, brawled and left everything in the ring in a fight that was among the greatest in ShoBox’s 17 year history.
Scores were 99-91, 97-92 and 97-93 for Baranchyk, who is 14-0 with 10 knockouts. Ramos, whose stock went up tremendously in defeat, is 17-2-2 (12 KO’s).
The CompuBox stats were similar to the first showdown between Arturo Gatti and Mickey Ward. Baranchyk and Ramos combined to land 664 total punches and 482 power shots. Gatti-Ward I saw a total of 618 connects with 521 being power punches.
“I believe this has to be the best fight in ShoBox history,” exclaimed Baranchyk’s promoter Tony Holden, who promotes him along with DiBella Entertainment and Fight Promotions Inc. “Ivan is a natural crowd pleaser. He has the biggest heart in boxing and incredible conditioning. Like we saw many times from the late, great Arturo Gatti, Ivan was hurt, bloodied and took a lot of punches but his will powered him to victory. I believe he could become the next Arturo Gatti but there’s still work to do.”
Lou DiBella, who promoted the aforementioned Ward, believes Baranchyk is boxing’s newest action star.
“We got stats from CompuBox and they were almost identical to Gatti-Ward 1 and Corrales-Castillo 1, two of the greatest fights in boxing history. Baranchyk and Ramos put on a fight for the ages and I think the comparison to Gatti-Ward is a good one. Ivan’s offensive mindedness and willingness to take and give punishment is reminiscent of Arturo Gatti. He’s already shown he can get a crowd behind him and that was proven by how quickly the fans in Miami, OK adopted him as if he were one of their own. I really think he can become the Belarusian Gatti.”
ENCORE PRESENTATION OF IVAN BARANCHYK-ABEL RAMOS SLUGFEST TO AIR TONIGHT AT 10 P.M. ET/PT ON SHOWTIME EXTREME®
Watch Complete Third Round Coverage Including Both Fighters Scoring Knock Downs: YouTube: http://s.sho.com/2kLRB54; Download: https://we.tl/s8TQRRD001
Click HERE For Photos; Credit Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
An encore presentation of Friday’s thrilling ShoBox: The New Generation, featuring a potential Fight of the Year slugfest between unbeaten super lightweight Ivan Baranchyk and a game Abel Ramos, will air tonight/Monday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME.
Baranchyk and Ramos both landed more than 50 percent of their power punches in the 10-round brawl, well above the super lightweight average of 36.6 percent. They nearly doubled the divisional average in total punches landed and power punches landed in a bout that featured three total knockdowns.
CompuBox records indicate that Baranchyk (314) & Ramos (350) combined to land 664 total punches. As a point of reference, the epic first encounter between Micky Ward (268) and Arturo Gatti (350) featured 618 combined total punches landed. Of the 664 punches landed on Friday night, 482 were power punches.
The three-fight telecast will re-air in its entirety Monday. In the opening bout, undefeated Spanish super featherweight prospect Jon “Johnfer” Fernadez knocked out formerly once-beaten Ernesto Garza with a punishing series of unanswered combinations in the third round. In the co-feature, undefeated light heavyweight prospect Joseph “Mack” Williams won a close, majority decision over previously undefeated Dominican Olympian Lenin Castillo.
The event was promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Tony Holden Productions in association with Fight Promotions. Fernandez vs. Garza was promoted in association with MaravillaBox Promotions and Jaafar Promotions.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR HISTORIC “DETROIT CITY GOLD” BOXING EVENT ON FRIDAY, MARCH 10, AT MGM GRAND DETROIT, FEATURING OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST CLARESSA SHIELDS AND PRESENTED BY SALITA PROMOTIONS
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IVAN BARANCHYK vs. ABEL RAMOS SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FINAL WEIGHTS, QUOTES & PHOTOS FOR TRIPLEHEADER TOMORROW LIVE ON SHOWTIME®
Friday, March 10 at 10:05 p.m. ET/PT from Buffalo Run Casino & Resort in Miami, Okla.
Click HERE To Download Weigh-In Photos; Credit Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
Click HERE To Download Press Conference Photos; Credit Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
MIAMI, OKLA. (Feb. 9, 2017) – Undefeated super lightweight powerhouse Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk and once-beaten Abel Ramos weighed-in on Thursday for their 10-round main event tomorrow/Friday on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME® (10:05 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Buffalo Run Casino & Resort in Miami, Okla.
The hard-hitting Baranchyk (13-0, 10 KOs), who trains in Los Angeles and fights out of Miami, has scored 10 KOs inside of three full rounds, while the aggressive-mindedRamos (17-1-2, 12 KOs), of Casa Grande, Ariz., has knocked out three straight and promises to be the toughest test of Baranchyk’s career.
Undefeated former Dominican Republic Olympian Lenin Castillo (15-0-1, 10 KOs) and former national Golden Gloves champion Joeseph “Mack” Williams (10-0, 7 KOs), of Far Rockaway, N.Y., meet in a matchup of undefeated light heavyweights in an eight-round featured bout.
In the opening bout of the telecast, Spain’s up-and-coming unbeaten Jon “Johnfer” Fernandez (10-0, 8 KOs) takes on southpaw Ernesto Garza (7-1, 4 KOs), of Fort Hood, Texas, in an eight-round super featherweight bout.
Tickets for the event promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Tony Holden Productions in association with Fight Promotions are priced at $35, $55 and $75 and are available at buffalorun.com and at stubwire.com.
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS:
Ivan Baranchyk: 140 Pounds
Abel Ramos: 139 ½ Pounds
Lenin Castillo: 177 ¼ Pounds
Joseph Williams: 178 ½ ounds
Jon Fernandez: 129 ½ Pounds
Ernesto Garza: 126 ¼ Pounds
FINAL QUOTES:
IVAN “THE BEAST” BARANCHYK:
“I’m working with a new trainer (Eduard Kravtsov) at Wild Card Gym. We had some mistakes with our old team and it was time for me to move on. It was my decision to move on.
“We have better sparring now, a new coach, new strategy. Wild Card is a different experience. We have tough sparring, tough training. It was a good change.
“I’m still the same aggressive fighter; I come forward and try to stop you. We’re just working on a few new things, more combos, better defense.
“Ramos is my toughest opponent, but we’re ready for everything he brings. We’re ready to fight on the inside, on the outside.
“The game plan is to get the victory. That’s the most important
“The first couple rounds are the most dangerous. We know he’s tough and experienced. We need to make it my fight, style-wise.
“My last two fights went the distance, but it was good to know I can go 10 rounds. It was good to get that experience.
“People connect with me here (in Miami, Okla.). I can’t explain it, it just works.”
ABEL RAMOS:
“Ivan is a different fighter. We know what we’re getting in there with and we’re going to feel out his power. His last two fights went the distance so he must not hit that hard. We’re going to wear him out.
“Ivan is aggressive, and he can be explosive at times, but he makes mistakes. He fights a little wild.
“I think I can start to worry him. We’re going to test his power and decide how I need to fight. He hasn’t fought anyone at my level yet.
“I have to win this fight. This is my third time on SHOWTIME and I have to win. I have to make a statement.
“I’ve been working on pushing the pace. You’ll see some of that tomorrow night.
“We sparred with Sergey Lipenets, helping him get ready for his fight in December. That was a good experience for us.
“I’ve learned lot since my loss to Regis (Prograis – ShoBox, 2015). I’m training harder, working in the gym, taking this more seriously.
“I’m here to show that I’m back and ready for the top guys. I’ve had three wins by knockout since the loss. I’m a different fighter.”
LENIN CASTILLO:
“We know Williams is an aggressive fighter that comes forward. I’ve seen some tape. I’m expecting him to come at me. But it’s nothing I’ve never seen before.
“I need to bring the pressure so the judges won’t have any doubt. I need to fight my fight.
“I think I’ve fought the better opponents. I think my experience is going to be the difference.
“The quality of fighters here (in the U.S.) is better than back home (Dominican Republic). This is where I want to fight now.”
JOSEPH “MACK” WILLIAMS:
“He (Castillo) has a few more fights, but mostly in the Dominican Republic, so we don’t know how good he actually is.
“He’s never fought anyone like me. He’s going to come with confidence because he’s 15-0 with 10 KOs. He’s confident because he’s Olympian. But he’s never faced anyone like me.
“He may be an Olympian, but look who I fought in the amateurs. Look at the men that I beat. And those guys are mostly cruiserweights now. I’m much stronger at light heavyweight.
“This is the right time and right place for us. This is a huge opportunity.
“I don’t think he’s the best fighter I’ve faced. If I hit him clean I don’t think it will go that far. I’m going to go in there with an open mind and exploit his weakness.
“I’ve gradually moved down in weight. I’m faster at light heavyweight. When I was heavy I took my time. I’m sharper, faster. I’m just a totally different person.
“I always compare myself to James Toney. I can hit hard, I can take a punch, and I’m slick. What you see will depend on my opponent. If I feel he’s weak, I’ll jump early. I can brawl, I can box. I’m explosive.”
JON FERNANDEZ:
“I sparred with (Carl) Frampton in Las Vegas for the (Leo) Santa Cruz fight. It was a great experience sparring with him three times a week. It gave me more confidence knowing I could handle him.
“Garza is basically the same height as Frampton, so that will be an advantage.
“I know he’s going to come at me, and we’re ready for that. I need to keep my rhythm and make it an entertaining fight. I believe my power and speed will be the difference. I throw a lot of punches.
“This fight means a lot to me. We’re both good fighters and the TV exposure means a lot. It’s a good opportunity and I need to take advantage of it.”
ERNESTO GARZA:
“We’re going to give him something he’s never seen before. We’re going to bring the action.
“I’ve always been an aggressive fighter. I like to bring the pressure.
“I’ve faced guys as tall as him before, I fought a guy that was 6-foot-2. I know I need to get inside with a guy like this.
“I’ve seen a lot of his fights, and I don’t think he’s a fast puncher. He always fights the same style, and his opponents are always there for the taking. I’m not going to be there for him to hit like that.
“This is my chance. This is a big opportunity for me.”
The event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Tony Holden Productions in association with Fight Promotions. Fernandez vs. Garza is promoted in association with MaravillaBox Promotions and Jaafar Promotions.
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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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.
Ivan Baranchyk: An unlikely journey from Belarus to Miami, Oklahoma
For Immediate Release
Miami, OK (February 7, 2017) – When junior welterweight powerhouse Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk first entered a boxing gym at age 12 in his native Belarus, he quickly learned why boxing is known as the loneliest sport.
“The man who ran the gym I went to was supposed to be the trainer but he had a drinking problem,” Baranchyk recalled. “Instead of teaching us the sport of boxing, he just opened the gym door each day and left us without steady guidance.”
Baranchyk learned much of the sweet science on his own and didn’t have a stable trainer throughout his amateur career. Amazingly, he won the 2009 World Junior Championships and defeated future two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Robeisy Ramirez of Cuba in the process. After continuing to excel as an amateur, the word quickly got out about the Belarusian buzzsaw.
He had offers from promoters across the globe to turn pro and elected to sign with Fight Promotions Inc. Baranchyk relocated to Brooklyn, NY after turning pro in June 2014. Nine victories later, he was matched with fellow unbeaten Nicholas Givhan of Michigan on ShoBox: The New Generation at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, OK. A transplanted New Yorker who fought most of his professional bouts at that point in the Big Apple, Baranchyk never heard of Oklahoma and wasn’t sure what the environment would be like.
On paper, the bout was viewed as a tossup and Givhan had more professional experience. Both fighters weren’t known to locals but it took less than half a minute to change that. Just 21 seconds after the opening bell, Baranchyk flattened Givhan with a vicious left hook that was one of 2016’s best knockouts. The standing room only crowd at the Buffalo Run was amazed and wanted to see him fight there again.
Three months later, Baranchyk granted their wish when he made his second straight ShoBox appearance, taking apart previously undefeated Eliseo Cruz Sesma inside of three rounds. The all-action Baranchyk had the crowd on their feet throughout the contest chanting “Beast, Beast, Beast” until the stoppage.
Shortly thereafter, Baranchyk signed with Tony Holden Productions, who promotes Baranchyk alongside DiBella Entertainment and the aforementioned Fight Promotions Inc. He’s since won two more bouts at the Buffalo Run, raising his professional record to 13-0 with 10 knockouts while capturing the USBA and WBC USNBC titles in the process.
“I feel very comfortable with the fans out there,” said Baranchyk. “I felt the energy at the Buffalo Run instantly and I’m grateful that the fans have been so supportive of me.”
Holden has been promoting fights for more than two decades and had many crowd attractions, most notably former champions Tommy Morrison and Johnny Tapia. He thought he’d seen it all. This was until a fighter with a background far different from the majority of his fans became an adopted son in the 14,000 person city of Miami, OK.
“He’s truly special to the fans at the Buffalo Run Casino and residents of Miami to the point where they’ve adopted him as if he were a lifelong local,” Holden said of Baranchyk, who is a member of Holden Productions’ Four State Franchise. “His style is entertaining and all boxing fans like action fighters. It’s amazing because when Ivan first fought here in March 2016 he was virtually unknown and now he’s a house fighter.”
Baranchyk will have a tough task when he faces Arizona’s Abel Ramos at the Buffalo Run Friday February, 10 in the ten round main event of a ShoBox tripleheader. Ramos, 17-1-2 (12 KO’s), has multiple wins over unbeaten fighters including a fifth round stoppage of 13-0 Dario Ferman last May. He’s faced quality opposition and is expected to be Baranchyk’s biggest test to date.
To ensure he’s at his best, the IBF #7 ranked Baranchyk trained in Los Angeles at Wildcard Boxing Club alongside new trainer Edward Kravtsov. With a solid training camp in the books, Baranchyk is prepared to deliver a solid performance Friday evening.
“This was a great camp and Wildcard is an awesome environment. It was something I needed to prepare for a good tough opponent in Abel Ramos. I’m fully prepared to entertain my fans at the Buffalo Run Casino. If everything goes as planned and I emerge victorious, I trust my team to get me to the next level.”
The ShoBox tripleheader airs at 10:05 pm ET and tickets are available at the Buffalo Run Box Office or by going tostubwire.com/event/
TWO-TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST CLARESSA SHIELDS TO MAKE PROFESSIONAL TELEVISION DEBUT FRIDAY, MARCH 10 ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION
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HEAVYWEIGHT TREY LIPPE MORRISON SUFFERS CUT WHILE SPARRING, OFF FEB. 10 SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION
ShoBox Telecast Continues As Tripleheader Beginning at 10:05 p.m. ET/PT
NEW YORK (Feb. 1, 2017) — Undefeated heavyweight Trey Lippe Morrison suffered a cut over his left eye while sparring on Tuesday at Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles and is unavailable to fight on next Friday’s ShoBox: The New Generation telecast.
“I’m very disappointed for Trey because this is the best camp that we’ve had together,” said trainer Freddie Roach, who was in his sixth camp with the undefeated heavyweight. “Trey should be healed and back in the gym in three or four weeks to come back stronger than ever.”
Lippe Morrison (13-0, 13 KOs) was set to make his second ShoBox start in an eight-round heavyweight bout against Daniel Martz on Feb. 10 at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla., near his hometown of Vinita. (See attached for photo of Lippe Morrison’s cut)
“This is a small setback for Trey,” said Tony Holden of Tony Holden Productions. “You can’t prevent these injuries, they are just part of the sport. I can’t wait to get him back in the gym with Freddie to continue his path toward becoming a world title contender.”
The Feb. 10 ShoBox will continue as a tripleheader live on SHOWTIME beginning at 10:05 p.m. ET/PT. In the 10-round main event, undefeated super lightweight powerhouse Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk (13-0, 10 KOs) will face aggressive-minded once-beaten Abel Ramos (17-1-2, 12 KOs).
In the eight-round co-feature, former Dominican Republic Olympian Lenin Castillo (15-0-1, 10 KOs) and former national Golden Gloves champion Joe “Mack” Williams(10-0, 7 KOs), of Far Rockaway, N.Y., clash in matchup of undefeated light heavyweights. In the opening bout of the telecast, Spain’s up-and-coming unbeaten Jon “Johnfer” Fernandez (10-0, 8 KOs) takes on southpaw Ernesto Garza (7-1, 4 KOs), of Fort Hood, Texas, the eight-round super featherweight scrap.
Tickets for the event promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Tony Holden Productions in association with Fight Promotions are priced at $35, $55 and $75 and are available at buffalorun.com and at stubwire.com.
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UNDEFEATED IVAN “THE BEAST” BARANCHYK MEETS DANGEROUS ABEL RAMOS IN MAIN EVENT OF SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION QUADRUPLEHEADER FRIDAY, FEB. 10, LIVE ON SHOWTIME®
Undefeated Heavyweight Trey Lippe Morrison Seeks 14th Consecutive KO When He Faces Daniel Martz In ShoBox Co-Feature
Live on SHOWTIME at 10:05 p.m. ET/PT
From Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma
Tickets on Sale Now
NEW YORK (Jan. 30, 2017) – Undefeated super lightweight powerhouse Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk (13-0, 10 KOs) will face aggressive-minded once-beaten Abel Ramos (17-1-2, 12 KOs) in the 10-round main event of a ShoBox: The New Generation® quadrupleheader on Friday, Feb. 10 live on SHOWTIME® (10:05 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla.
In the co-feature, rising local favorite and son of the late former world heavyweight champion, Tommy “The Duke” Morrison, hard-hitting heavyweight Trey Lippe Morrison(13-0, 13 KOs), makes his second start on ShoBox when he faces the dangerous Daniel Martz (15-4-1, 12 KOs), of Clarksburg, West Virginia, in an eight-round match.
Undefeated former Dominican Republic Olympian Lenin Castillo (15-0-1, 10 KOs) and former national Golden Gloves champion Joe “Mack” Williams (10-0, 7 KOs), of Far Rockaway, N.Y., clash in a confrontation of undefeated light heavyweights in an eight-round featured bout.
In the opening bout of the telecast, Spain’s up-and-coming unbeaten Jon “Johnfer” Fernandez (10-0, 8 KOs) takes on southpaw Ernesto Garza (7-1, 4 KOs), of Fort Hood, Texas, the eight-round super featherweight scrap.
“The ShoBox main event on Feb. 10 between Ivan Baranchyk and Abel Ramos guarantees fireworks,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “This is a tremendous quadrupleheader and I am happy to be back at Buffalo Run Casino, where heavyweight Trey Lippe Morrison will look to delight hometown fans with another spectacular knockout. The light heavyweight battle between Joseph Williams and former Dominican Olympian Lenin Castillo features two undefeated prospects, and Jon Fernandez, co-promoted by Sergio Martinez, will collide with Ernesto Garza in a can’t-miss clash at junior lightweight.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing Ivan against a very good opponent,” said Tony Holden. “Give Daniel Martz a lot of credit for taking the fight against Trey — we had serious difficulties finding an opponent willing to face him. Both Ivan and Trey should be in position to advance their careers with a victory.”
Tickets for the event promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Tony Holden Productions in association with Fight Promotions are priced at $35, $55 and $75 and are available at buffalorun.com and at stubwire.com.
IVAN BARANCHYK VS. ABEL RAMOS – 10 Rounds Super Lightweights
The offensive-minded Baranchyk packs outstanding power in both hands. Until winning a 10-round decision over Zhimin Wang last Sept. 23 on ShoBox, he’d won nine consecutive fights by knockout. In his last outing, Baranchyk scored a 10-round decision over Wilberth Lopez on Dec. 10.
“I am looking forward to continuing my pursuit of a world title,” said the 5-foot-10-inch Baranchyk, who will make the first defense of his USBA junior welterweight title. “Ramos is a very tough fighter and a ShoBox alum himself, so I will enjoy knocking him out.
“I think I’ve proved my durability by going 10 rounds in my last two fights. My team wants me to box more and let the knockouts come, so that is something we work on all the time.’’
The former European amateur standout, who was born in Minsk, Byelorussia and lives in Brooklyn, is making his fourth appearance on the prospect developmental series. The 24-year-old’s two other ShoBox starts, both first-round knockouts versus undefeated foes, totaled a combined 2:49. All 10 of Baranchyk’s knockouts have come inside three full rounds, including six in the first.
The skilled Ramos is a five-year pro who’s won three in a row, all by knockout in 2016, since his only loss, a ninth-round TKO to highly regarded undefeated Regis Prograis (15-0) in 2015 on ShoBox.
A prospect at 140 pounds and a legit test for Baranchyk, the 5-foot-9-inch Ramos was a stellar amateur. The 25-year-old was the bronze medalist at both the 2010 U.S. National PAL Championships and 2010 U.S. National Championships (at 141 pounds) before turning pro in September 2011.
“I’m very excited for this fight and I am preparing for a war,” said Ramos, who possesses an aggressive style, good skills and movement. “Baranchyk likes to fight moving forward as do I, so it is going to be an action-packed main event at Buffalo Run.”
Ramos, who grew up in Gettysburg, Pa. and resides in Casa Grande, Ariz., is coming off a seventh-round TKO over Juan Jesus last Aug. 26. In his ShoBox debut in 2014, Ramos and fellow unbeaten Maurice Hooker (12-0-1 going in) slugged it out for eight rounds, battling to a majority draw in one of the most exciting fights on the series that year.
TREY LIPPE MORRISON VS. DANIEL MARTZ – Eight Rounds, Heavyweights
The power-punching Morrison has recorded nine first-round knockouts, three second-round knockouts and one fourth-round KO in a career that began in February 2014. Morrison, who bears a striking resemblance to his late father in both his looks and his fighting style, has fought all but one of his fights in Oklahoma but trains at the Wild Card Boxing Club with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.
In his outing before last, Morrison won his ShoBox debut with a ruthless first-round TKO over previously undefeated Ed Latimore (13-0) on Sept. 23, 2016.
Latimore was expected to provide Morrison with his most daunting test but wound up getting demolished, going down twice, in Morrison’s first start since he underwent surgery on his right tendon from an injury suffered in January, 2016.
“Health-wise, I’m great,’’ said the 6-foot-2, 27-year-old Morrison who resides in Hollywood, Calif. “I’m going to approach this fight like I did my last fight, like I do all my fights. I can’t afford to look past any fight. I have to take them one at a time. I just have to focus on my opponent.
“My training has been going really good, the transition with me and Freddie continues to be smooth. I just want to continue to improve. I’m hoping for a good performance, and I think I’ll have one. All I can do is give the best I can and then whatever happens will happen.’’
Morrison, who was born in Vinita, Okla., is one of promoter Tony Holden’s group of fighters known as the “Four State Franchise.” They include Trey’s half-brother Kenzie Morrison, Baranchyk and Dillon and Jesse Cook. The Oklahoma-based Holden promoted Tommy Morrison for most of his career.
The 26-year-old Martz is a classic all-or-nothing heavyweight. All but three of Martz’ wins have come via knockout, and he aims to pick up his fifth win over an undefeated opponent when he takes on Lippe Morrison.
Martz, who stands at 6-foot-7, handed heavyweight prospect Alexis Santos his first defeat and has shared the ring with newly crowned WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker.
LENIN CASTILLO VS. JOE WILLIAMS – Eight Rounds, Light Heavyweights
Castillo, who represented the Dominican Republic at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, turned pro in August 2010. He’s won three straight by knockout, since boxing an eight-round majority draw with unbeaten Travis Peterkin (15-0) on Aug. 21, 2015.
The 6-foot-2, 28-year-old Castillo has 10 knockouts, and all have come in five rounds or less.
“I know that Williams is undefeated and that he will come in at his best,” Castillo said. “Well, I’m coming with my best too, so it going to be an exciting fight. It’s two undefeated fighters – the perfect kind of fight for ShoBox.”
Williams, who owns an amateur victory over undefeated prospect Andrew Tabiti, was a three-time New York Golden Gloves Champion and a 2012 National Golden Gloves Champion. A 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Alternate, Williams is popular on the New York fight scene and a union worker outside the ring.
The 28-year-old has been dominant since turning pro in September 2013, however he’ll be taking a leap in class in facing former Olympian Castillo.
“I’m already in great shape and I won’t be stopped,” said Williams, who’s fought eight of his 10 fights in New York. “I’m a throwback fighter, the last of a dying breed that will fight and beat anyone in my way. It’s hard to find a fighter who can do all this.
“I can’t wait till Feb. 10 because I’m finally getting my shot on national television to show the world what I can do. This will open a lot of doors for me and the world will see the next superstar of boxing, Joseph ‘Mack’ Williams.”
JON FERNANDEZ VS. ERNESTO GARZA – Eight Rounds, Super Featherweights
Fernandez, of Bilbao, País Vasco, Spain, is co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and legendary Argentine superstar and former longtime middleweight world championSergio Martinez. He was an amateur champion in his native Spain and member of the Spanish National Team in 2013 and 2014.
A pro since March 2015, the 21-year-old has won eight straight by knockout, all inside five rounds. The 5-foot-10 Fernandez was a chief sparring partner for Carl Frampton as he prepared for his Jan. 28 rematch with Leo Santa Cruz.
“This fight is very important to my boxing career and I will put on a great performance for the fans in attendance and those watching on SHOWTIME,” said the-5-foot-11 Fernandez who is coming off a fourth-round TKO over Mikael Mkrtchan (16-1 going in) to capture the WBC Youth Super Featherweight World Title last Oct. 8.
“Garza is a pressure fighter that throws a lot of punches. He reminds me of Nacif Martinez, who I beat by TKO in Connecticut. I think I can beat Garza by KO, too. His style is perfect for me.”
Feb. 10 will be Fernandez’ second fight in the United States, and second outside of Spain. He’s remained active since turning pro in March 2015; he fought five times that year, and five times in 2016.
A decorated amateur, Garza was a six-time Michigan Golden Gloves champion and the 2008 National Golden Gloves Champ at 119 pounds. The 28-year-old has won seven of eight since turning pro, including victories in his last two fights.
“I’m so excited for this great opportunity,” the 5-foot-4-inch Garza said. “It’s a dream that’s coming true. I finally get a chance to show my talent to the world.”
Fernandez vs. Garza is promoted in association with MaravillaBox Promotions and Jaafar Promotions.
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.
Baranchyk-Ramos Headlines ShoBox: The New Generation February 10
Five unbeaten fighters featured at the Buffalo Run Casino!
For Immediate Release
Miami, OK (January 29, 2017) – Holden Productions, DiBella Entertainment and Fight Promotions Inc. return to the Buffalo Run Casino for an outstanding evening of boxing Friday, February 10 in Miami, OK.
The card is highlighted by a quadrupleheader airing live on Showtime at 10:05 PM ET as part of the ShoBox: The New Generation series and features eight fighters with a combined record of 100-6-4 and 76 wins by knockout.
Headlining is a 10 round showdown between USBA and WBC USNBC junior welterweight titlist Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk and Abel Ramos.
A perfect 13-0 with 10 knockouts, Baranchyk fought on ShoBox last September, shutting out previously unbeaten Zhimin Wang. Residing in Brooklyn, NY by way of Russia, The IBF #7 ranked Baranchyk became the Buffalo Run Casino’s adopted son and is a member of Holden Productions’ “Four State Franchise.” He is promoted by Holden, DiBella Entertainment and Fight Promotions Inc.
Fighting out of Arizona, Ramos has an impressive 17-1-2 professional ledger and 12 victories by KO. In May 2016, Ramos needed less than 5 rounds to stop undefeated Dario Ferman and he owns impressive victories over Carlos Villa (4-0) and Roberto Ramirez (13-1). The 25-year-old Ramos also has draws against Levan Ghvamichava (9-0-1) and Maurice Hooker (12-0-1).
Trey Lippe-Morrison looks to continue working his way up in the heavyweight division when he squares off with Daniel “The Mountain” Martz.
Trained by Freddie Roach out of the Wildcard Boxing Club in Los Angeles, CA, Lippe-Morrison’s 13-0 with all of his wins coming by way of knockout. The Vinita, OK native stopped 9 of his 13 foes in less than a round, with only one of his opponents making it out of the second stanza. The son of Tommy Morrison, Lippe-Morrison received major attention when he stopped 13-0 Ed Latimore in less than a round on ShoBox and is a member of the “Four State Franchise.”
The fighting pride of Clarksburg, WV, Martz looks for his fifth win over an undefeated foe. Martz, 15-4 (12 KO’s), most notably handed Alexis Santos his first defeat, sending the then 13-0 Santos to the canvas in the opening round. He’s also shared the ring with newly crowned WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Ivan against a very good opponent and give Daniel Martz a lot of credit for taking the fight against Trey,” said Tony Holden. “We had serious difficulties finding an opponent for Trey. Both fighters should be in position to advance their careers with a victory.”
Somebody’s 0 must go when 2008 Dominican Olympian Lenin Castillo, 15-0-1 (10 KO’s), and Queens, NY’s Joseph “Mack” Williams, 10-0 (7 KO’s), meet in an eight round light heavyweight scrap. Castillo or Williams, both 28, could become a player in 175 pound decision with a victory.
Rounding out the televised portion of the card will be the US debut of Spain’s Jon Fernandez. At 10-0 with 8 victories by knockout, Fernandez won the WBC Youth title in his last fight and looks to capture the attention of American fight fans when he challenges 7-1 Michigan native Ernesto Garza. The bout is scheduled for eight rounds in the super featherweight division.
Castillo, Williams and Fernandez are promoted by DiBella Entertainment.
“With an all-action main event between Baranchyk and Ramos, the American debut of Jon Fernandez, a battle of two unbeaten light heavyweights and the return of Trey Lippe-Morrison, this card represents what ShoBox is all about,” said Lou DiBella. ShoBox is a great series and I’d like to congratulate Showtime’s Gordon Hall for winning the Taub Award for the outstanding job he’s done running the program.”
In the untelevised portion of the undercard, heavyweight Kenzie Witt, 9-0-2 (8 KO’s), and welterweight Jarrett Rouse, 10-0-1 (4 KO’s), will face opponents to be named.
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