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Fighting Professionally in his Hometown for the First Time this Friday, Nick Casal to Make First Ring Appearance in Nearly Five Years
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FOUR UNBEATEN, U.S.-BORN CRUISERWEIGHTS LOOKING TO MAKE NAME FOR THEMSELVES, ADD LIFE TO DIVISION
CRUISIN’ FOR A BRUISIN: CAMP NOTES
FRIDAY, MAY 13 ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION LIVE
ON SHOWTIME® FROM SAM’S TOWN LIVE IN LAS VEGAS
Quadrupleheader Highlighted By 10-Round Fights Between
Andrew Tabiti vs. Keith Tapia, Michael Hunter vs. Isiah Thomas
Tickets on Sale!
LAS VEGAS (May 10, 2016) – Four young, undefeated cruiserweights from the United States will look to make a name for themselves when they meet in the featured bouts on ShoBox: The New Generation this Friday, May 13, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Sam’s Town Live.
The cruiserweight division has traditionally been dominated by Europeans boxers. Friday’s U.S.-born ShoBox fighters will be seeking to change that perception.
In the main event, talented Mayweather star Andrew “The Beast” Tabiti (12-0, 11 KOs), of Las Vegas, takes on power-puncher Keith “Machine Gun” Tapia (17-0, 11 KOs), of Bronx. N.Y. 2012 U.S. Olympian, Michael Hunter (11-0, 8 KOs), of Las Vegas, faces Isiah Thomas (15-0, 6 KOs), of Detroit, in the co-feature.
Other televised fights of a quadrupleheader: TMT’s Ronald “The Thrill” Gavril (15-1, 11 KOs), of Las Vegas, will meet hard-punching Colombian Juan Camilo “La Boa” Novoa (26-6-1, 24 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight bout and his TMT stablemate Sanjarbek “War” Rakhmanov (4-0, 3 KOs), of Las Vegas by way of Uzbekistan, will be opposed by Alfonso Olvera (7-2, 3 KOs), of Tucson, Ariz., is a six-round welterweight bout that will open the telecast. All but Gavril will be making their ShoBox debuts.
Tickets for the event promoted by Mayweather Promotions are priced at $25 and $50, not including applicable fees, and are on sale. Tickets can be purchased online atwww.samstownlv.com/entertain, by calling (702) 284-7777, or at any Boyd Gaming box office.
Here’s what the fighters said about their fights Friday, training camp, their respective opponents and more:
ANDREW TABITI
“It’s great that four undefeated cruiserweights are fighting each other. I want us to get the ball back into U.S. territory, since it is a historically European-dominated division. I definitely think the emergence of young cruiserweights like myself is changing that.
“I don’t compare myself to other cruiserweights in the division, I know I’m the best. I’m always looking to win impressively, and I look to put on a great performance for the fansFriday night.
“Everything has been perfect. Training camp has been going great. I started camp in February so I feel strong and comfortable. What’s interesting is that I’m not nervous at all despite this being my first headlining debut. I see it as any other fight where I know what I am coming in to do. I think that lets me know that I am maturing as a fighter and feel a lot more confident in my skills and abilities.
“I’ve been waiting for the right date and this is it. I believe my career moving is great, what I dreamed of. Now it’s time to take the next step.
“Personally I’ve never seen Tapia fight, but I’ve watched videos. He is unbeaten, a solid opponent. Styles make fights and this is a good one for me. I’m looking forward to continuing to step up and give everybody a good performance and get close to a title fight.
“I can’t wait. I’m going in confident. The key is to get the victory, it’s the main thing. Winning is everything.
“I feel blessed to be training out of Floyd’s gym and be able to fight under Mayweather Promotions. He’s someone I look up to so being where I am is a dream coming to reality. I love training at Mayweather Boxing Club. It keeps me focused and hungry.”
KEITH TAPIA
“Fighting Tabiti is a great, real challenge. I like the way he fights. I respect him, but I’m going to be bad weather for him. I’m going to take control right away; it will be a Tapia fight, not a Tabiti fight. That’s a fact.
“Tabiti is a talented boxer. His style is a Mayweather style. I love Floyd Mayweather as a fan, but Tabiti’s not Floyd Mayweather. Me? I come to fight, hands up, moving forward as I go. I want to run over you.
“I’m definitely going to change the perception about me in this fight and the division because I’m a machine. I’m really confident and can’t wait to fight.
“For me, this is the right time. I am here and definitely ready to fight. I feel I’m the best in my weight class except no one has seen me yet. Tabiti may have the fame, but I’m not just going to talk the talk, I’m going to walk the walk.
“I think this is a big step up for me when I beat him. Once the bell rings, that’s when we know what is going to really happen.
“I’m going to become the cruiserweight champion, defend it a couple of times and then move up. I already feel like a champion both mentally and spiritually.
“All of my fights are equally important. I’m really satisfied with the way my career is going. If it wasn’t for boxing I wouldn’t be here right now. God and boxing saved me. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be alive.”
MICHAEL HUNTER
“This is a step up as far as competition compared to the past, with him being an undefeated cruiserweight. He’s a good, long-ranging southpaw. We are actually around the same age; we were in the amateurs at the same time, but never fought each other.Friday, I aim to win impressively. I don’t want to say I’m going for the knockout, if it happens it happens, but hopefully we can get it.
“Although I’ve fought on TV quite a few times before, this is going to be a good show with Mayweather Promotions. I’m thankful to be fighting on the undercard of my good friend Andrew Tabiti. That’s an honor, to be honest. It’s going to be great that my family and friends outside of Las Vegas will be able to tune in to watch me, so that’s a blessing.
“I wouldn’t say I’m satisfied with the way my career is going. I can’t complain because I have no losses, I just wish it would go at a little faster pace. I’m a two-time Olympian and in the amateurs we’re used to fighting 4-5 times out of the week, so adjusting to fighting once every few months or so feels a little stagnant to me. I really try not to think too far into the future, I try to live in the moment, but I hope to get a title shot relatively soon.
“I went into training camp right after my last fight, so it’s been about eight weeks. There’s always ups and downs in training, but as long as you keep a positive spirit, everything will end up going perfectly well. So it’s been going good I can’t complain. I usually train out of the Mayweather Boxing Club, but there’s been some construction going on so we have moved it to Fight Capitol and a few other places.
“I have been changing my training just to better myself, not necessarily for my opponent or for this fight.
“You have to be a little more focused in the Mayweather Gym. There’s a lot of stuff that doesn’t really happen in a normal gym simply because he is Floyd so it will bring it out of you or it won’t. Only the strongest survive.”
ISIAH THOMAS
“Friday is a good thing for up-and-coming, American cruiserweights. There are a lot of us in the division looking to make our mark. Not just myself. This is our chance to show that America has good fighters in the cruiserweight division. It’s the perfect showcase.
“I’m very excited about being part of Friday’s card. I am just taking it all in and looking to perform to the top of my ability and showcase my talents.
“Hunter is young and hungry just like me, but I haven’t really seen or watched him. I’ve heard about him and I’m sure he’s going to bring his “A” game.
“I know what I can do, there’s no need for a lot of strategizing. I’m not just showing up.
“I feel my career is going good to this point. I keep rising. I’m on television. I like the pace I’m going but there is only way to really go, and that’s to the top. I don’t consider myself the best cruiserweight, just one of the top comers. Eventually, and in due time, though.
“Friday, I’m just going to do what I do best. Of course, you want to win impressively but the most important thing is to win. I’ve got to get that W.
“I live in Detroit but train in Miami, which is like a second home to me. Training camp has been going for about two months and it has been great. I get great sparring in Miami.”
RONALD GAVRIL
“I’m looking forward to having this big opportunity. Many people don’t know who I am so fighting on SHOWTIME will start giving me the exposure and recognition I need.
“Training camp has been going great, I feel strong and prepared. I’m happy and have no complaints. I feel blessed to be a part of this great card full of fighters with tremendous talent. It’s exciting to be able to share this with my stablemates here in our town.
“I’m looking forward to what this will bring not only for my future but for all of ours.”
JUAN NOVOA
“Training camp has been going great, I have been training for seven weeks now. I’m currently training in Miami, Fla.
“I have seen videos of his fights and can tell he is a strong fighter who is not afraid to mix it up. Considering that I have more professional fights and over 180 amateur fights, it is tough to say whether Gavril is a step up for me, until I step into the ring this Friday.
“I would be more satisfied with my career if I had already won a world title, but unfortunately the circumstances from my last world championship challenge didn’t turn out in my favor. I know that by winning this fight I would immediately launch myself into world title contention and potentially another world title opportunity. I see myself either challenging for, or defending a world title a year from now.”
SANJARBEK RAKHMANOV
“I’ve watched Olvera enough to feel I know him. He’s a taller, Mexican guy. I’m looking forward to fighting him.
“I train at Mayweather Boxing Club with Dewey Cooper; he’s been my coach since I turned pro. I had about 150 amateur fights and I got a lot of international experience.
“I consider myself a puncher. Once the bell rings, I come to fight.
“I’m happy with the way things are going. I train hard every day. I’m coming to take all the titles. This is my weight, around 143 pounds. I don’t plan to go up much or down
“In this fight I want to win and look good and then come right back. I think after about a year I will be ready to take on all the top guys.’’
ALFONSO OLVERA
“Training camp has been great; we’ve been in training for about a month. Road work is good, the sparring is good with different boxers. The weight is not an issue. I train at Scrapyard Boxing Gym in Tucson, Ariz.
“Our opponent is formidable and to be taken serious. We know he is aggressive and expects to win so we have to bring our “A” game to the ring. We also expect to win.
“At this point in my career I am very happy with my progress. This card is definitely for the world to see, and is also a big step forward for us.
“We are welcoming the opportunity and grateful for it. We hope this fight elevates us to more opportunities and gets us closer to someday challenging for a world title.”
For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.mayweatherpromotions.com, follow on Twitter: @FloydMayweather, @MayweatherPromo @SHOSports, @andrewtabiti89, @machine_gun_tapia_, follow on Instagram at: @floydmayweather, @Mayweatherpromotions, @shosports, become a fan on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/FloydMayweather, www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.
UNDEFEATED CRUISERWEIGHTS ANDREW TABITI, KEITH TAPIA TO DEFEND THEIR PERFECT RECORDS ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION LIVE ON SHOWTIME FRIDAY, MAY 13 FROM SAM’S TOWN LIVE IN LAS VEGAS
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NIKOLAY POTAPOV & STEPHON YOUNG FIGHT TO A DRAW, MASON MENARD STEALS THE SHOW WITH HIGHLIGHT-REEL KO ONSHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION
VIDEO: Menard Knocks Out Previously Unbeaten Eudy Bernardo: http://s.sho.com/1NtEYjW
Catch The Replay Tuesday, April 19, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHO EXTREME®
Click HERE To Download Photos
Photo Credit: Rosie Cohe/SHOWTIME®
VERONA, N.Y. (April 15, 2016) – Undefeated bantamweight prospects Nikolay Potapov and Stephon Young fought to a majority draw in theShoBox: The New Generation main event Friday on SHOWTIME from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
The bout was scored 96-94 Potapov and 95-95 twice.
Potapov and Young were facing their toughest opponents in each other. Potapov (14-0-1, 6 KOs) controlled the pace early with his jab and was the more active fighter, throwing nearly double the punches that Young threw. Young picked up steam and gained confidence in the middle rounds and was at his best when he pressed the action and let his hands go. But the Russian Potapov, who had gone at least 10 rounds in his last six fights, was clearly more comfortable as the fight progressed.
After slowing in the seventh and eighth, Young (14-0-3, 6 KOs) found another gear in an impressive ninth, winning the penultimate round on all the judges’ scorecards. But, even after urgent instructions from his corner, Young couldn’t carry the momentum into the 10th and lost the final round on all three scorecards.
“I am very unhappy with the decision. For every time he hit me, I hit him twice,” said Potapov, who threw 315 jabs compared to just 113 for Young. “I was the much busier fighter. I don’t know what fight the judges were watching. At the very most I lost four rounds.
“I’ve never had a draw before. I feel cheated from a win. I was very happy to be fighting in America but I now feel cheated.”
After the fight, St. Louis native Young was disappointed but knew that he needed to throw more punches.
“I feel like it was a good fight, but I should have got the decision,” Young said. “I hurt him every time I hit him. I let him be busier than me, but as far as the contact, I feel like I landed the more effective punches. That was my strategy.
“I should have come on a bit sooner. That was my plan, but I got a little relaxed in the fight. I came on in the ninth round when my coach told me to get him out of there.
“I most definitely want a rematch. I would like to do that again.”
Once-beaten Louisiana lightweight Mason Menard knocked out previously undefeated Eudy Bernardo with a vicious one-punch KO at2:11 of the third round. VIDEO: http://s.sho.com/1NtEYjW
Facing his toughest opponent to date, Menard floored (31-1, 23 KOs) Bernardo for the first time in his career with a series of rights near the end of the second round. The Dominican Bernardo beat the count and finished the round, but he had no answer for Menard’s power. Less than one minute into third, Menard connected with a huge right, knocking Bernardo (21-1, 15 KOs) out before he even hit the canvas.
“I made a statement tonight. Not many people knew who I was going into this, but they know me now,” said Menard, who landed nearly 50 percent of his power shots. “My speed, power and footwork were the difference.
“I said a prayer for him in the middle of the ring that he goes back to his family healthy.”
Bernardo, who was removed from the ring on a stretcher as a precautionary measure, was taken to nearby Oneida Healthcare where he was awake and responsive.
In the opening bout of the telecast, undefeated cruiserweightConstantin Bejenaru handed Alexey Zubov the first loss of his career in a convincing eight-round unanimous decision scored 77-74, 78-73 twice.
Save for a flash seventh round knockdown, Bejenaru (11-0, 4 KOs) controlled the fight from the outset. The Moldova native overcame a four-inch height disadvantage, attacking from different angles and controlling the exchanges on the inside and outside. Zubov (10-1, 6 KOs) never got into rhythm and failed to capitalize on his reach advantage against the active and athletic southpaw.
“He was a good classical boxer, but he’s too straight up and he couldn’t adjust,” Bejenaru said. “It wasn’t as easy as it looked to beat him. I adjusted my style to do that because I knew it would make him hesitate. I knew if I just constantly attacked him he wouldn’t know what to do.”
Zubov and Bernardo are now the 146th and 147th boxers to suffer their first pro loss on the prospect developmental series.
Friday’s three-fight telecast will re-air Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME ON DEMAND beginning April 16
Barry Tompkins called the ShoBox action from ringside with Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer was Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughanproducing and Rick Phillips directing.
THE UK’S BOX NATION ACQUIRES RIGHTS TO BROADCAST POTAPOV VS. YOUNG SHOWDOWN, APRIL 15 AT TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO
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RUSSIA’S ZUBOV LIVING OUT HIS DREAMS FIGHTING FOR DETROIT’S KRONK GYM WHILE PREPARING FOR HIS SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION DEBUT THIS FRIDAY, APRIL 15
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BERNARDO AND MENARD READY FOR THEIR CROSSROADS BATTLE ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION, LIVE ON SHOWTIME®
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EIGHT FIGHTERS WITH A COMBINED RECORD OF 116-2-4 HIGHLIGHT SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATIONQUADRUPLEHEADER FRIDAY, APRIL 15, AT TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO, VERONA, N.Y.
Unbeaten Bantamweights Nikolay Potapov and Stephon Young
Meet in Main Event; In Co-Feature, Undefeated Lightweight Eudy Bernardo Faces Mason Menard; Alexey Zubov Risks Perfect Record
Against Constantin Bejenaru, Devastating Bakhtiyar Eyubov Takes On Sam Teah
Live on SHOWTIME® At 10 p.m. ET/PT
Tickets on Sale Now
NEW YORK (March 16, 2016) –Eight talented up-and-coming boxers with a combined record of 116-2-4, 71 KOs will compete on a compelling ShoBox: The New Generation quadrupleheader on Friday, April 15, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
In a clash of unbeaten bantamweights in the main event, undefeated world-ranked Nikolay Potapov (14-0, 6 KOs), of Podolsk, Russia, faces Stephon Young (14-0-2, 6 KOs), of St. Louis, Miss. in a 10-round bout. Eudy Bernardo (21-0, 15 KOs) of the Dominican Republic faces Mason “Rock Hard Mighty” Menard (30-1-0, 22 KOs), of Rayne, La., in an eight/10-round battle of hard-hitting lightweights in the co-feature.
Promising Russian cruiserweight Alexey Zubov (10-0, 6 KOs) measures against Constantin Bejenaru (10-0, 4 KOs, WSB: 0-1-1) of Mandilesti, Moldova, in one of the eight-round bouts.
The two ShoBox returnees will box in the eight-round telecast opener when Kazakhstan’s devastating junior welterweight Bakhtiyar “Bakha Bullet” Eyubov (10-0, 10 KOs), of Brooklyn, N.Y., takes on Liberia-born Samuel Teah (7-1-1, 2 KOs), of Philadelphia, Pa.
Six of the fighters, all seeking to establish their credibility and make a name for themselves, are newcomers to the network and will be making their ShoBox debuts on a four-fight telecast that has a distinct international flavor (two Americans, two Russians, one Romanian, one from Kazakhstan, one Dominican and one from Liberia).
Tickets for the event presented by Salita Promotions in association with AASHA Record Breakers are currently on sale and can be purchased at the Turning Stone Resort Casino Box Office, by calling 877.833.SHOW, or online at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets are priced at $60 for ringside seats, $35 and $25.
The fast-rising Potapov, of Potolsk, Russia, is ranked 10th in the IBF. Extremely rare for a fighter at this point in his career, he’s already gone 10 rounds five times and 12 rounds once against good opposition. This is his second start in the United States since signing with Salita Promotions in June 2015. The 5-foot-4, 26-year-old is coming off a shutout 10-round decision over Pedro Melo last Oct. 29 in Brooklyn.
An outstanding amateur with international success, Potapov had around 200 fights before he turned pro in March 2010. He went 13-0 as a pro in Russia. In his outing before last – and last in his homeland — he produced perhaps a career-best performance while winning a unanimous 12-round decision over then-IBF No. 10-ranked Jasoin Canoy, on Nov. 8, 2015.
“I’ve been training very hard to make my ShoBox debut a spectacular one,’’ Potapov said. “This will be my second fight in New York against a very skilled boxer in Stephon Young, who is undefeated like me. I look forward to a great competitive fight and I’m putting in my work to come out on top.’’
Young is a talented, lightning-fast-handed southpaw who’s done more than enough to deserve his standing as a rising star in the Midwest. He’s making his 2016 and 10-round debut.
Like Potapov, Young was a top-notch amateur. He compiled a record of 86-13 while representing the United States in many tournaments. In theU.S. Olympic Trials in 2011, he lost to the No. 1-rated amateur,Rau’shee Warren.
His pedigree solid and after years of having “celebrated amateur” permanently affixed to his name, Young turned pro in August 2011.The 5-foot-5, 27-year-old has gone eight rounds once and six rounds on four occasions. He’s coming off a third-round TKO over Terrance Roylast Aug. 8 and by far his toughest task, Young boxed unbeaten Antonio Nieves to an eight-round draw on June 20, 2015.
Young hasn’t fought near the caliber of fighters as Potapov but he’s excited and optimistic about April 15. “This is a great opportunity for me, going up against another undefeated fighter in front of the world onShoBox,’’ Young said. “You can’t pass up an opportunity like that. Training is going great. I’m training with some of the top notch fighters in the world like Juan Carlos Payano, Claudio Marrero and Yenifel Vicente.
“I know little about my opponent, but what I know makes me feel like we are the perfect match. We both have good records and we are both good fighters, but once I bring my A game, he’d be helpless. I will be watching all my P’s and Q’s. Once you get me in that zone I have no doubt I will win.’’
Bernardo, a 29-year-old with a million-dollar smile – and a punch to match — has registered knockouts in nine of his last 10 fights. In Menard, he’s facing unquestionably the most seasoned foe of his career. This is Bernardo’s fourth U.S. start and second in a row. He’s coming off a clinically ruthless second-round demolition of Ben Odametey last Feb. 6 in Detroit, Mich.
Born and raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Bernardo had an extensive amateur career (128 fights) before turning pro in October 2009. He captured the Dominican Republic Lightweight Title in his fourth start. Tall for his division at 5-foot-10½, Bernardo is aggressive, technically sound and possesses two-fisted power.
“With him being 30-1, beating Mason Menard will take me to the next level, exactly where I want to go,’’ said Bernardo, who trains in Houston with former world champion Frank Tate. “I’m excited about this fight onShoBox because it’s a good opportunity for America to get to know me. Training is going very well. Every day I am learning. My diet is terrific. My whole team is with me, pushing me to get better.’’
Menard, former Louisiana State and UBO All-Americas Lightweight Champion, is a pressure and hard-punching fighter who’s won 28 in a row.
He has fought all but one of his fights in Louisiana and this will be his second start in 21 months. In his most recent effort, he stopped Jesus Lule-Raya in the first round on Aug. 8, 2015.
While inactivity could pose a problem, Menard is primed for Bernardo. Nobody, he says, is going to deter him from his aspirations of making it to the top.
“It’s blessing to me to be able to fight and showcase my talent on SHOWTIME,’’ said Menard, who has weighed at or around 135 pounds throughout a pro career that began in October 2007. “It’s been a part of a dream of mine to do so and to one day fight for a major world title. OnApril 15, Bernardo stands between me and my dreams. It’s all or nothing. It’s rise or lay down. April 15 is the day I’ll be able to be known as a real legit fighter. I WILL NOT let this guy stop me from accomplishing any of those things. Quote me, I will give it my all, I will rise, I will be known and I will be world champion.’’
Zubov, a sensational former international amateur standout and seven-time cruiserweight tournament champion in Russia and Europe, turned pro in April 2014. His first five fights were in the U.S. – four in California and one in Brooklyn. He won all but one inside the distance.
The 6-foot-1½-inch 30-year-old will be making his 2016 debut after fighting four times in 2015 and six times in 2014. Zubov’s last five fights were in Russia; he is coming off a first-round TKO over Rihards Bigislast Nov. 29.
Zubov was born and raised in Magnitogorsk, a city which isn’t exactly a fistic hotbed. Getting into boxing was hardly common for his corner of the world. He didn’t grow up in a nasty neighborhood or fighting in the streets. In fact, he has a profound mathematical background, having attended a special school that concentrated on physics and mathematics. But while his first sport was hockey, he took to boxing.
Regarding his upcoming skirmish, Zubov said, “I spent several weeks training at the Kronk Boxing Gym with Javan ‘Sugar’ Hill in Detroit for my ShoBox debut. I learn every day in the gym and look forward to putting my knowledge to use April 15 on ShoBox. I want to follow in the footsteps of all the great Kronk fighters.’’
Bejenaru a Moldovan-born fighting out of Catskill, N.Y., is making his 2016 debut. Since moving to the U.S., the 5-foot-10, 31-year-old southpaw is 10-0 with 1 No Contest dating to September 2012. In his last outing, he won a unanimous eight-round decision over Joel Shojgreen on Oct. 14, 2015.
“I know Zubov is a good fighter. I am training very hard and have been waiting for an opportunity like this so people can see just what I can do,’’ said Bejenaru, who was born in a Moldovia, a small land-locked country in Eastern Europe. “I am ready to go and very excited about this fight.’’
As an amateur, Bejenaru won a bronze medal at the 2006 European Amateur Boxing Championships, multiple medals at the European Union Amateur Boxing Championships and the Gold Medal at the 2010 World Combat Games.
Eyubov, 29, of Astana, Kazahstan, has fought a total of 16 rounds in his 10 fights since going pro in February 2012. A one-main offensive juggernaut, he’s scored six first-round knockouts, two second-round knockouts and two third-round knockouts. This will be his ninth fight in the U.S.
In his ShoBox debut in his last start this past Jan. 22, Eyubov droppedJared Robinson, three times en route to a third-round TKO (0:56).
“I’m honored to be back on ShoBox,’’ said the 5-foot-6 Eyubov who’s promoted by Salita Promotions. “I went back home to Kazakhstan after my last fight and came back with more inspiration and motivation to be the best fighter in the world. I am training very hard every day in New York City and look forward to putting on a show April 15. My gratitude toShoBox for giving a young upcoming fighter like me the opportunity to showcase his skills against the best possible opponents on national TV in the U.S. It’s just amazing.’’
Eyubov got into boxing the hard way. “I used to live in a very bad neighborhood and would constantly get into street fights. I’m not a big guy so I started boxing to learn to defend myself,’’ he said. “I had over 150 amateur fights. I won about 125-130, most were by knockout. I beat Olympic champions and international champions, but I was not allowed to travel. It might have been because of where I come from – they didn’t have political connections. They’d tell me, ‘Win by knockout, or you’re not going to win.’ I had to fight heavier guys sometimes. But I was so rough and hit so hard, I’d ruin some of their best fighters at my weight.’’
Teah, a 5-7, 28-year-old, won his ShoBox and eight-round debut lastNov. 6 with an upset, unanimous decision over previously undefeatedO’Shanique Foster. Teah outpointed Foster, who would go on to win his ensuring start on ShoBox.
“It’s a privilege and honor to be facing Eyubov on SHOWTIME,’’ said Teah, who’s coming off an eight-round draw against Demond Brock last Jan. 22. “I don’t know much about him. I know he’s from Kazakhstan with a perfect record. He fought last time I fought on the same card, but I didn’t get to see him and he didn’t get to see me. Now we get to fight each other. When I got the call I was in the gym already, just not in a fight mindset. Now it’s just matter of turning up the intensity and getting ready for an aggressive opponent and getting my fight mindset going.’’
Teah, who was born in Liberia, fled with his family to Ghana, where his father’s from, to escape the civil war when Sam was a youngster. The family’s been in the U.S. since he was 10.
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 Gaughanproducing and Rick Phillips directing.
GH3 Promotions Lopez, Foster, Odom and Frometa shine this past Friday night in Atlantic City
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