Steve Rolls Edges Demond Nicholson & Jon Fernandez KOs Juan Reyes At Turning Stone Resort Casino In Verona, N.Y..

An Encore Presentation Of Friday tus Tripleheader Will Air Monday Ntawm 10 p.m. THIAB/PT Nyob SHOWTIME huab^®

Nyem NTAWM NO Rau cov duab; Credit Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

Verona, N.Y.. (Lub rau hli ntuj 10, 2017) – Undefeated super lightweight Regis Prograis made an emphatic statement Friday rauShoBox: Tshiab Tiam, knocking down previously undefeated Joel Diaz Jr. four times in the second round as he stamped his arrival as a legitimate contender in the 140-pound division.

The southpaw Prograis (20-0, 17 Kos), who was making his fourth start on the prospect developmental series, called out the top names at 140 after the second round demolition (LEEJ TWG 2:55) at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y..

The special Hall of Fame edition of ShoBox: Tshiab Tiam featured four members of the International Boxing Hall of Fame: ShoBox mainstays Barry Tompkins and Steve Farhood and special guests Al Bernstein and Jimmy Lennon Jr. Tompkins and Farhood will be inducted just down the road in Canastota on Sunday nyob rau hauv ib tug 2017 class headlined by boxing greats Evander Holyfield, Marco Antonio Barrera and Johnny Tapia.

The super lightweights, Prograis and Diaz, entered the main event with a combined record of 42-0, but it was clear they were in a different class after the first round. Prograis knocked down Diaz in the opening 30 seconds of the second in an exchange that appeared to be the result of a clash of feet. Tsis hais, Prograis smelled blood and pounced on Diaz, flooring him again with a straight left midway through the round.

The Houston resident, who relocated from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, knocked down Diaz again just 15 seconds later with a straight left. The fourth and final knockdown, courtesy of a left hook, sent Diaz (23-1, 19 Kos) tumbling back and was enough for referee Mark Nelson to halt the bout with just seconds left on the clock.

It was a convincing statement for Prograis, uas tsaws 62 percent of his power shots in the toughest test of his career.

"Hmo no I proved I graduated from ShoBox,” Prograis said. “I’m ready for the bigger stage. I’m ready for the big show. I want to fight best the best in the division. Kuv xav (Terrance) Crawford, (Victor) Postol, (Adrien) Broner. I want them all. None of these guys have fought anybody like me. The boogeyman is coming. They better get ready.

“He was tough, he was strong and hit hard, but I went through it. That’s another opponent I ran through. I run through everybody. I’m ready for my shot. I’m coming for everybody at 140.”

Diaz, who became the 164^th fighter to suffer his first defeat on the series, was clearly disappointed with his game plan.

“I went out there too hyper, trying to kill him,” Diaz said. “I went out too aggressive. I should have toned it down a bit. I had 10 rounds but I just went out there trying to take him out. I should’ve calmed down.

“I should have used my jab a bit more to knock him down but I came out swinging.”

Super middleweight prospect Steve Rolls managed to maintain his undefeated record with a closely contested eight-round slip decision victory over Demond Nicholson scored 77-75 Nicholson, 77-74 Yob, 77-74 Yob.

Rolls got off to a quick start, flooring Nicholson with a left hook in the closing seconds of the first to pocket a 10-8 puag ncig. He came out attacking to sweep the second, but the fight appeared to change course in the third when Nicholson hurt Rolls in the final minute with his first meaningful punch of the fight.

Nicholson (17-2-1, 16 Kos) carried the momentum to sweep the fourth, but the remaining four rounds featured back-and-forth action and were difficult to score. Yob (16-0, 9 Kos) was the slightly busier fighter, txuas rau 412 total punches compared to 390 tshaj yim rounds, but Nicholson edged his opponent 134-117 in total connects.

ShoBox announcers Tompkins, Farhood and Raul Marquez all had Nicholson winning the final six rounds and edging Rolls 77-74 on their unofficial scorecards.

“What made the difference for me hmo no was my jab, my patience, my overall boxing ability,” Rolls said. “I came in to this fight having no doubts. Nicholson was talking beforehand about my last fight, he was talking about my footwork, and I knew he was going to be in for a big surprise. I adapt for each fight.

“I knew I had him from the first round. My corner calmed me down and told me to take my time.”

Nicholson, who has mostly competed at 160 phaus, disagreed with the judges’ decision.

“I’m not going to make any excuses. He won the fight,” Nicholson said. “That’s what the judges saw, but I don’t agree. He hurt me in the first round. He hit me viciously in the head. I was dizzy but I recovered and I went on. I think I did a very good job but clearly not enough.

“I can’t fight at 160 – I’m a 168-pounder. Fighting at that weight drained me. I wasn’t at my best.”

Nyob rau hauv lub qhib sib ntau sib tw ntawm cov telecast, undefeated lightweight prospect Jon Fernandez scored a brutal knockout of Juan Reyes at2:36 ntawm lub thib ob puag ncig.

Fernandez stepped on the gas from the opening bell, utilizing superior activity and accuracy to pick apart the game yet outmatched Reyes. The pair combined to throw 240 punches in the opening stanza but Fernandez landed his right at will and was clearly the more effective fighter.

The Sergio Martinez protégé had a bloodied Reyes hurt in the opening minute of the second and closed the show in the final minute with a sharp right to the ear that sent Reyes (14-4-3, 2 Kos) falling back toward the canvas. The perfectly placed punch had Reyes seemingly out before he hit the floor.

The Spaniard Fernandez (13-0, 11 Kos) landed a staggering 55 percent of his power shots and 40 feem pua ​​ntawm nws tag nrho punches.

“The one-two, one-two was the key to opening the door,” Fernandez said. “The straight right hand is one of my best punches and I caught Reyes in the perfect spot. I hope he is OK. I feel that I am ready for the next level. I’ll fight wherever there is an opportunity, but I believe the big fights are here in the U.S.”

Reyes was responsive but taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure.

Friday tus tripleheader will replay rau hnub Monday ntawm 10 p.m. THIAB/PT rau Showtime huab thiab yuav muaj nyob rau ntawm Showtime xav tau^® thiab SHOWTIME txhua lub sij hawm^®.

The event was co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment (DBE) and AASHA Record Breakers.

# # #

Barry Tompkins called the ShoBox txiav txim los ntawm ringside nrog Steve Farhood thiab yav tas los lub ntiaj teb champion Raul Marquez pab raws li cov kws muaj txuj tshuaj ntsuam. The executive producer was Gordon Hall with Rich Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

Yog xav paub ntxiv mus xyuas www.sho.com/sports raws li nyob rau hauv Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, SHOSports, #ShoBox, @loudibella and @DiBellaEnt or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, thiabwww.facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment.

Friday, Lub rau hli ntuj 9 ntawm 10:30 p.m. ET/PT from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y..

 

Nyem NTAWM NO Rau Weigh-Nyob rau hauv cov duab; Credit Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

Nyem NTAWM NO For Hall of Fame Opening Bell Photos; Credit Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

 

Verona, N.Y.. (Lub rau hli ntuj 8, 2017) – Regis “Rougarou” Prograis and Joel Diaz Jr. ua hnyav rau hnub Thursday just hours after the “Opening Bell” to kick off festivities for the 2017 International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend.

 

The undefeated Prograis (19-0, 16 Kos) and fellow unbeaten Diaz (23-0, 19 Kos) will square off in the 10-round super lightweight main event of a Hall of Fame edition of ShoBox: Tshiab Tiam Friday, Lub rau hli ntuj 9, nyob rau SHOWTIME (10:30 p.m. THIAB/PT) los ntawm Txoj siav pob zeb Resort Twv txiaj yuam pov nyob rau hauv Verona, N.Y..

 

The ShoBox tripleheader will celebrate longtime analysts Barry Tompkins and Steve Farhood just two days before their induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Farhood and Tompkins were joined at the Opening Bell rau hnub Thursday by a handful of their fellow 2017 inductees: boxing legend Marco Antonio Barrera, Australian trainer Johnny Lewis, and the wife of the late Johnny Tapia, Teresa Tapia.

 

In the ShoBox co-feature, undefeated super middleweight Steve Rolls (15-0, 9 Kos) will take on the hard-hitting Demond Nicholson (17-1-1, 16 Kos) nyob rau hauv ib yim-round bout. Nyob rau hauv lub qhib sib ntau sib tw ntawm cov telecast, Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez’s protégé, Jon Fernandez, (12-0, 10 Kos) faces Juan Reyes (14-3-3, 2 Kos) nyob rau hauv ib yim-round sib matchup.

 

Daim pib rau cov kev tshwm sim, co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment (DBE) and AASHA Record Breakers, yog luv nqi ntawm $65 for ringside, $50, $40 thiab $30 (tej zaum yuav raug them nyiaj ntxiv) and are available at the Turning Stone Box Office, by calling 877-833-SHOW, or online at Ticketmaster.com. Qhov rooj yuav qhib thaum 7:00 p.m., nrog rau cov thawj sib ntau sib tw teem rau 7:30 p.m.

 

RAWS NTAUB NTAWV tes taw hnyav li

 

10-Round Super Lightweight Main Event:

Regis Prograis - 139 ½ phaus

Joel Diaz Jr. - 137 ¼ phaus

Referee: Lub cim Nelson; Tus txiav txim: Don Ackerman, Tom Schreck, John McKaie

 

Eight-Round Super Middleweight Co-Feature:

Steve Rolls – 161 phaus

Demond Nicholson – 162 ½ phaus

Referee: Benjy qhov kwv yees; Tus txiav txim: Glenn Feldman, Don Trella, Wynn Kintz

 

Eight-Round Lightweight Telecast Opener:

Jon Fernandez – 132 ½ phaus

Juan Ramon Reyes – 131 ½ phaus

Referee: Charlie Fitch; Tus txiav txim: Don Ackerman, Glenn Feldman, John McKaie

FINAL QUOTES:

 

Regis Prograis

“The person that wins this fight goes up, hopefully, to a title fight. Kuv 19-0, nws yog 23-0. I feel like this is a real big fight.

 

“I take all my opponents seriously, but I’m taking this one even more seriously than others in the past. Nws yog 23-0, and there’s a reason he’s undefeated. He’s good, and he has the best record I’ve ever faced.

 

“I’m at a stage in my career where every fight can lead to the next big thing and I think this fight may be it for me. I’m patient, but I’m ready for more. I want a shot at a title.

 

“He’s a brawler fighter, but I have the better punching power, and the speed.

 

“If I feel like he [Diaz] can’t hurt me from the first round, I’ll probably just walk him down the whole night and punish him.

 

“Seeing what [Errol] Spence did motivates me, especially the way he did it in his opponent’s hometown. It got me thinking: that can be me one day. We went at it in the amateurs, so I know how good he is, but I’m good too. Just seeing him go over there and take the title away, I know my time is coming next.

 

“I grew up watching Macho Camacho, Roberto Duran, Mike Tyson, but I watched more Duran than anything. I really liked his style. I learned a lot watching the boxing greats on tape.

 

“Terence Crawford, Adrien Broner, Victor Postol. Those are the type of guys I want to fight.

 

“I started boxing in New Orleans, and if it wasn’t for Katrina, I probably wouldn’t be where I am right now. When I moved to Houston, I got into the boxing scene and started taking it seriously. It was a horrible situation [nyob rau hauv New Orleans], but it changed my life.

 

“My family went back [to New Orleans], but not me. I stayed in Houston to box. I feel it’s not time for me to go back home just yet. I’ll come back when I become a superstar, like I’m supposed to be.”

 

Joel Diaz Jr.

“This is my chance, Nov yog kuv lub sijhawm. I’ve been told, ‘you only get one chance’, and this is it for me. I know Regis is good, but we’re going to put it on him. I’m going to be on him like flies on shit. This is one of the opportunities I can’t let pass.

 

“We’re going to break him down mentally, find our way in, and drop the bomb.

 

“He throws combos, and that’s what I have to take away from him. I have to be on him and be the first to attack. My power will take care of his speed.

 

“This means a lot to me, getting to show the world who the ‘secret’ is. People haven’t really seen what I have, but there will be no more secrets after tag kis.

 

“I’m going to show the world who the real Joel Diaz is. I’m now at the right weight for me and I’m 110 feem pua. I didn’t waste four weeks of training camp trying to lose weight. Kuv xav tias muaj zog.

 

“A world championship after this fight, that’s what I want. This is my opportunity to actually show who I am and I can’t let it go. If I let this go, I might as well go back to school. This is going to open all the doors for me.

 

“We’ve been ready for this step for a while. I’d like to fight the winner of [Adrien] Broner- [Mikey] Garcia, tiam sis peb yuav pom. I know Broner doesn’t want to fight me. I tried to fight him and he turned it down. He knows I’ll give him trouble.

 

“I changed trainers. I used to be with Abel Ramos, now I’m with Chris Byrd. With Coach Chris, it’s more defense than offense. Working with Chris is amazing. He was a fighter, so he knows what it takes to step in that ring. Nws tau muaj, so he understands me from a fighter’s perspective and that’s very important for me. The bond we have inside and outside the ring is special.

 

“You’re going to see a more active Joel Diaz and a more defensive Joel Diaz. I’m going to show the world who Joel Diaz is at 140 and trust me, they will ask for more after they see it.”

 

Steve Yob

“My last fight on ShoBox [against Steed Woodall in December 2015] was a learning experience. I was knocked down in the third, but I rebounded. You never know how you are going to react in the face of adversity until you are put in that position. I’m glad that happened early on in my career. It taught me a lot.

 

“I’m know I’m 33, but I feel better than when I was younger. I take care of myself. I have a clean lifestyle. Age is not a thing for me.

 

“Nicholson has a good jab. I’ve seen him fight before. I’m not sure if he’s made adjustments or if he’s coming with a different game plan. Kuv npaj txhij txhua yam nws coj.

 

“From what I’ve seen, nws muaj peev xwm sib ntaus. He knows what he’s doing in there and it looks like he has some experience.”

 

Demond Nicholson

“This guy [Yob] is not as experienced as me. I’m a big step-up for him.

 

“My last fight [against Immanuwel Aleem] was a big step up, and I fought to a majority draw. It was a slow start, but I’m a fighter, and I soldiered through. That fight really opened my eyes up to better my career, my future.

 

“Look at what Aleem has done since we fought. He knocked out an undefeated guy [Ievgen Khytrov] that no one wanted to face.

 

“My experience is going to get us over the hump against this guy. He has a dangerous right hand, but I’m going to take that away from him.

 

“I’m a natural boxer, but people were calling me a brawler after my performance with Aleem and that’s not who I am. But I get it – I didn’t box at all in that fight. That’s why I had to go back to the drawing board.

 

“I learned a lot training at Head Bangers in Washington, D.C. with Barry Hunter, Lamont Peterson and all those guys. I’ve learned from Lamont, from Adrien Broner, from Austin Trout. They spar with top fighters and that’s why they perform at the highest level – because they’ve sparred with the best. So I’m doing the same.”

 

“I have one loss, and that taught me a lot. I had to lose 15 phaus in three days for that fight and that took a toll on me. There are no issues making weight for this fight.”

 

Jon Fernandez

“This is my second fight with my new trainer Tinin Rodriguez. I always try to get better and changing trainers seemed to be the best path for me. He’s helping me round up the fundamentals of boxing.

 

“I know I’m tall for my weight class, but I feel OK. Kuv xav hais tias 130 is my ideal weight, but I might go up in weight in the future. Peb mam li pom. I’m still young and I have a long career ahead of me.

 

“I used to watch tape of Maravilla when I was growing up. He inspired me to be serious about boxing. He was so good. It’s such of honor to be working with him. I respect him a lot.”

Juan Reyes

“I haven’t fought anybody that tall, but I have a good game plan. I know he’s a volume puncher, but that’s just going to get me excited. It’ll get my adrenaline pumping.

 

“I’m excited that I’m fighting on TV and in such special weekend, it’s the Boxing Hall of Fame. Qhov no yog ib tug npau suav tuaj tseeb. If I beat this guy it could change my life.”

 

Sergio Martinez – Jon Fernandez Co-Promoter

“Jon is a thinker. He knows when to attack and when to defend himself. He’s truly gifted.

 

“Some may draw comparisons of him with Paul Williams, but I fought Williams twice and let me tell you they are not alike. Paul was the type of fighter that would get in the ring and go from first, to second, to third gear without thinking. JonFer will read you, will go to whatever gear he needs to be to defeat his opponent. He has a very high boxing IQ.”

Chris Byrd – Diaz’s Trainer

“Joel is an aggressive machine, so my main focus has been on developing his defense. He’s a talented boxer, but his aggressiveness sometimes opens holes in his defense. In this training camp, we worked on that. We have a good strategy going.

 

“He already knew how to fight, but you just have to push him a little bit on defense. He’s still aggressive as ever, but he needed to think about what’s coming back at him.

 

“My main thing is life after boxing. I have two brothers that are messed up from boxing. That’s why I focus on defense so much. He has an aggressive style, but he also has talent, good feet and eye coordination. He’ll go on to do great things.

 

“You’re going to see something special. Regis is good, I give him props, but you’re going to see something special from Joel. And a great fight.”

 

# # #

 

Barry Tompkins yuav hu rau ShoBox txiav txim los ntawm ringside nrog Steve Farhood thiab yav tas los lub ntiaj teb champion Raul Marquez pab raws li cov kws muaj txuj tshuaj ntsuam. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Rich Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

 

Yog xav paub ntxiv mus xyuas www.sho.com/sports raws li nyob rau hauv Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, SHOSports, #ShoBox, @loudibella and @DiBellaEnt or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, thiab www.facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment.

Tag kis/Friday, Lub rau hli ntuj 9 ntawm 10:30 p.m. THIAB/PT from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y..

Nyem NTAWM NO Rau Weigh-Nyob rau hauv cov duab; Credit Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

Nyem NTAWM NO For Hall of Fame Opening Bell Photos; Credit Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

Verona, N.Y.. (Lub rau hli ntuj 8, 2017) – Regis “Rougarou” Prograis and Joel Diaz Jr. ua hnyav rau hnub Thursday just hours after the “Opening Bell” to kick off festivities for the 2017 International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend.

The undefeated Prograis (19-0, 16 Kos) and fellow unbeaten Diaz (23-0, 19 Kos) will square off in the 10-round super lightweight main event of a Hall of Fame edition of ShoBox: Tshiab Tiam tag kis/Friday, Lub rau hli ntuj 9, nyob rau SHOWTIME (10:30 p.m. THIAB/PT) los ntawm Txoj siav pob zeb Resort Twv txiaj yuam pov nyob rau hauv Verona, N.Y..

The ShoBox tripleheader will celebrate longtime analysts Barry Tompkins and Steve Farhood just two days before their induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Farhood and Tompkins were joined at the Opening Bell rau hnub Thursday by a handful of their fellow 2017 inductees: boxing legend Marco Antonio Barrera, Australian trainer Johnny Lewis, and the wife of the late Johnny Tapia, Teresa Tapia.

In the ShoBox co-feature, undefeated super middleweight Steve Rolls (15-0, 9 Kos) will take on the hard-hitting Demond Nicholson (17-1-1, 16 Kos) nyob rau hauv ib yim-round bout. Nyob rau hauv lub qhib sib ntau sib tw ntawm cov telecast, Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez’s protégé, Jon Fernandez, (12-0, 10 Kos) faces Juan Reyes (14-3-3, 2 Kos) nyob rau hauv ib yim-round sib matchup.

Daim pib rau cov kev tshwm sim, co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment (DBE) and AASHA Record Breakers, yog luv nqi ntawm $65 for ringside, $50, $40 thiab $30 (tej zaum yuav raug them nyiaj ntxiv) and are available at the Turning Stone Box Office, by calling 877-833-SHOW, or online at Ticketmaster.com. Qhov rooj yuav qhib thaum 7:00 p.m., nrog rau cov thawj sib ntau sib tw teem rau 7:30 p.m.

RAWS NTAUB NTAWV tes taw hnyav li

10-Round Super Lightweight Main Event:

Regis Prograis - 139 ½ phaus

Joel Diaz Jr. - 137 ¼ phaus

Referee: Lub cim Nelson; Tus txiav txim: Don Ackerman, Tom Schreck, John McKaie

Eight-Round Super Middleweight Co-Feature:

Steve Rolls – 161 phaus

Demond Nicholson – 162 ½ phaus

Referee: Benjy qhov kwv yees; Tus txiav txim: Glenn Feldman, Don Trella, Wynn Kintz

Eight-Round Lightweight Telecast Opener:

Jon Fernandez – 132 ½ phaus

Juan Ramon Reyes – 131 ½ phaus

Referee: Charlie Fitch; Tus txiav txim: Don Ackerman, Glenn Feldman, John McKaie

FINAL QUOTES:

Regis Prograis

“The person that wins this fight goes up, hopefully, to a title fight. Kuv 19-0, nws yog 23-0. I feel like this is a real big fight.

“I take all my opponents seriously, but I’m taking this one even more seriously than others in the past. Nws yog 23-0, and there’s a reason he’s undefeated. He’s good, and he has the best record I’ve ever faced.

“I’m at a stage in my career where every fight can lead to the next big thing and I think this fight may be it for me. I’m patient, but I’m ready for more. I want a shot at a title.

“He’s a brawler fighter, but I have the better punching power, and the speed.

“If I feel like he [Diaz] can’t hurt me from the first round, I’ll probably just walk him down the whole night and punish him.

“Seeing what [Errol] Spence did motivates me, especially the way he did it in his opponent’s hometown. It got me thinking: that can be me one day. We went at it in the amateurs, so I know how good he is, but I’m good too. Just seeing him go over there and take the title away, I know my time is coming next.

“I grew up watching Macho Camacho, Roberto Duran, Mike Tyson, but I watched more Duran than anything. I really liked his style. I learned a lot watching the boxing greats on tape.

“Terence Crawford, Adrien Broner, Victor Postol. Those are the type of guys I want to fight.

“I started boxing in New Orleans, and if it wasn’t for Katrina, I probably wouldn’t be where I am right now. When I moved to Houston, I got into the boxing scene and started taking it seriously. It was a horrible situation [nyob rau hauv New Orleans], but it changed my life.

“My family went back [to New Orleans], but not me. I stayed in Houston to box. I feel it’s not time for me to go back home just yet. I’ll come back when I become a superstar, like I’m supposed to be.”

Joel Diaz Jr.

“This is my chance, Nov yog kuv lub sijhawm. I’ve been told, ‘you only get one chance’, and this is it for me. I know Regis is good, but we’re going to put it on him. I’m going to be on him like flies on shit. This is one of the opportunities I can’t let pass.

“We’re going to break him down mentally, find our way in, and drop the bomb.

“He throws combos, and that’s what I have to take away from him. I have to be on him and be the first to attack. My power will take care of his speed.

“This means a lot to me, getting to show the world who the ‘secret’ is. People haven’t really seen what I have, but there will be no more secrets after tag kis.

“I’m going to show the world who the real Joel Diaz is. I’m now at the right weight for me and I’m 110 feem pua. I didn’t waste four weeks of training camp trying to lose weight. Kuv xav tias muaj zog.

“A world championship after this fight, that’s what I want. This is my opportunity to actually show who I am and I can’t let it go. If I let this go, I might as well go back to school. This is going to open all the doors for me.

“We’ve been ready for this step for a while. I’d like to fight the winner of [Adrien] Broner- [Mikey] Garcia, tiam sis peb yuav pom. I know Broner doesn’t want to fight me. I tried to fight him and he turned it down. He knows I’ll give him trouble.

“I changed trainers. I used to be with Abel Ramos, now I’m with Chris Byrd. With Coach Chris, it’s more defense than offense. Working with Chris is amazing. He was a fighter, so he knows what it takes to step in that ring. Nws tau muaj, so he understands me from a fighter’s perspective and that’s very important for me. The bond we have inside and outside the ring is special.

“You’re going to see a more active Joel Diaz and a more defensive Joel Diaz. I’m going to show the world who Joel Diaz is at 140 and trust me, they will ask for more after they see it.”

Steve Yob

“My last fight on ShoBox [against Steed Woodall in December 2015] was a learning experience. I was knocked down in the third, but I rebounded. You never know how you are going to react in the face of adversity until you are put in that position. I’m glad that happened early on in my career. It taught me a lot.

“I’m know I’m 33, but I feel better than when I was younger. I take care of myself. I have a clean lifestyle. Age is not a thing for me.

“Nicholson has a good jab. I’ve seen him fight before. I’m not sure if he’s made adjustments or if he’s coming with a different game plan. Kuv npaj txhij txhua yam nws coj.

“From what I’ve seen, nws muaj peev xwm sib ntaus. He knows what he’s doing in there and it looks like he has some experience.”

Demond Nicholson

“This guy [Yob] is not as experienced as me. I’m a big step-up for him.

“My last fight [against Immanuwel Aleem] was a big step up, and I fought to a majority draw. It was a slow start, but I’m a fighter, and I soldiered through. That fight really opened my eyes up to better my career, my future.

“Look at what Aleem has done since we fought. He knocked out an undefeated guy [Ievgen Khytrov] that no one wanted to face.

“My experience is going to get us over the hump against this guy. He has a dangerous right hand, but I’m going to take that away from him.

“I’m a natural boxer, but people were calling me a brawler after my performance with Aleem and that’s not who I am. But I get it – I didn’t box at all in that fight. That’s why I had to go back to the drawing board.

“I learned a lot training at Head Bangers in Washington, D.C. with Barry Hunter, Lamont Peterson and all those guys. I’ve learned from Lamont, from Adrien Broner, from Austin Trout. They spar with top fighters and that’s why they perform at the highest level – because they’ve sparred with the best. So I’m doing the same.”

“I have one loss, and that taught me a lot. I had to lose 15 phaus in three days for that fight and that took a toll on me. There are no issues making weight for this fight.”

Jon Fernandez

“This is my second fight with my new trainer Tinin Rodriguez. I always try to get better and changing trainers seemed to be the best path for me. He’s helping me round up the fundamentals of boxing.

“I know I’m tall for my weight class, but I feel OK. Kuv xav hais tias 130 is my ideal weight, but I might go up in weight in the future. Peb mam li pom. I’m still young and I have a long career ahead of me.

“I used to watch tape of Maravilla when I was growing up. He inspired me to be serious about boxing. He was so good. It’s such of honor to be working with him. I respect him a lot.”

Juan Reyes

“I haven’t fought anybody that tall, but I have a good game plan. I know he’s a volume puncher, but that’s just going to get me excited. It’ll get my adrenaline pumping.

“I’m excited that I’m fighting on TV and in such special weekend, it’s the Boxing Hall of Fame. Qhov no yog ib tug npau suav tuaj tseeb. If I beat this guy it could change my life.”

Sergio Martinez – Jon Fernandez Co-Promoter

“Jon is a thinker. He knows when to attack and when to defend himself. He’s truly gifted.

“Some may draw comparisons of him with Paul Williams, but I fought Williams twice and let me tell you they are not alike. Paul was the type of fighter that would get in the ring and go from first, to second, to third gear without thinking. JonFer will read you, will go to whatever gear he needs to be to defeat his opponent. He has a very high boxing IQ.”

Chris Byrd – Diaz’s Trainer

“Joel is an aggressive machine, so my main focus has been on developing his defense. He’s a talented boxer, but his aggressiveness sometimes opens holes in his defense. In this training camp, we worked on that. We have a good strategy going.

“He already knew how to fight, but you just have to push him a little bit on defense. He’s still aggressive as ever, but he needed to think about what’s coming back at him.

“My main thing is life after boxing. I have two brothers that are messed up from boxing. That’s why I focus on defense so much. He has an aggressive style, but he also has talent, good feet and eye coordination. He’ll go on to do great things.

“You’re going to see something special. Regis is good, I give him props, but you’re going to see something special from Joel. And a great fight.”

# # #

Barry Tompkins yuav hu rau ShoBox txiav txim los ntawm ringside nrog Steve Farhood thiab yav tas los lub ntiaj teb champion Raul Marquez pab raws li cov kws muaj txuj tshuaj ntsuam. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Rich Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

Yog xav paub ntxiv mus xyuas www.sho.com/sports raws li nyob rau hauv Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, SHOSports, #ShoBox, @loudibella and @DiBellaEnt or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, thiabwww.facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment.

Hais txog ShoBox: Tshiab Tiam

Txij thaum nws inception nyob rau hauv Lub Xya hli ntuj 2001, lub critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: Tus Tshiab Tiam tau featured hluas txuj ci sib phim tawv. Lub ShoBox philosophy yog televise exciting, neeg coob coob-pleasing thiab sib tw ntais thaum npaj ib qhov tseeb hauv av rau kam zeem muag txiav txim sib ntaus rau ib lub ntiaj teb title. Ib co ntawm cov loj hlob daim ntawv teev cov 69 neeg tua hluav taws uas tau tshwm sim rau ShoBox thiab advanced rau garner ntiaj teb no lub npe muaj xws li: Errol Spence Jr., Lwm Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, 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, Errol Spence Jr. thiab ntau yam ntxiv.

 

ShoBox: The New Generation To celebrate 2017 Hall of Fame Weekend with a Special Tripleheader this Friday, Lub rau hli ntuj 9 nyob rau SHOWTIME^® (10:30 p.m. THIAB/PT) from Turning Stone Resort Casino

Duab los ntawm kev coj ua: Maravillabox Promotions

Verona, N.Y.. (Lub rau hli ntuj 7, 2017) – Former unified world champion and current boxing promoter and mentor Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez, along with his protégé Jon “JonFer” Fernandez, an undefeated prospect at 130 phaus, discuss future plans ahead of Fernandez’s second appearance on ShoBox: Tshiab Tiam no Friday, Lub rau hli ntuj 9, nyob rau SHOWTIME (10:30 p.m. THIAB/PT, delayed on West Coast) los ntawm Txoj siav pob zeb Resort Twv txiaj yuam pov nyob rau hauv Verona, N.Y..

 

Martinez, known for his extensive career and impact inside the ring and now at the helm of Maravillabox Promotions, has worked with Fernandez since his pro debut at only 19 xyoo. Fernandez (12-0, 10 Kos), who is co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and MaravillaBox Promotions, has remained undefeated and undeterred, climbing up the prospect ranks with five fights in 2015, another five in 2016 and now getting ready for his third fight this year.

 

In addition to Lub rau hli ntuj 9'S ShoBox being Fernandez’s third fight this year, it will also be his third time fighting on American soil as he opens the SHOWTIME telecast facing tough opposition in Juan Reyes (14-3-3, 2 Kos) for what could be an important fight in his development as he tries to turn from prospect to contender.

 

The card, which takes place during the 2017 Hall of Fame Weekend where longtime ShoBox analysts Barry Tompkins and Steve Farhood will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, features undefeated super lightweights Regis “Rougarou” Prograis (19-0, 16 Kos) and Joel Diaz Jr. (23-0, 19 Kos) nyob rau hauv lub 10-round ntsiab kev tshwm sim. The co-feature will pit Steve Rolls (15-0, 9 Kos) against Demond Nicholson (17-1-1, 16 Kos) in an eight-round super middleweight bout.

 

Daim pib rau cov kev tshwm sim, co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment (DBE) and AASHA Record Breakers, yog luv nqi ntawm $65 for ringside, $50, $40 thiab $30 (tej zaum yuav raug them nyiaj ntxiv) and are available at the Turning Stone Box Office, by calling 877-833-SHOW, or online at Ticketmaster.com. Qhov rooj yuav qhib thaum 7:00 p.m., nrog rau cov thawj sib ntau sib tw teem rau 7:30 p.m.

 

This week Martinez and his protégé, “JonFer,” spoke to SHOWTIME Sports about what the future might hold for the 130-pound prospect.

 

SERGIO “MARAVILLA” MARTINEZ:

How would you describe Jon Fernandez’s style?

“I believe that JonFer is a very well-rounded, complete fighter. He can take advantage of his great wingspan and reach but has no problem fighting in close distance. Tsis tas li ntawd, he’s hitting really hard. I believe we’ll see him fighting with big names in the division soon.

 

“JonFer has a classic boxing style—a classic, orthodox style. He’s effective when he’s attacking as well as defending. He poses a vision and a combat insight that is truly amazing. Not only does he have speed and precision, but he also has potential in his fists. Tab sis, the best characteristic that JonFer possesses is his great professionalism in the sport and in his personal life.”

 

What would you say is different in Jon compared to other boxers in the division?

“His head, he is very mature for his age. In that sense, he reminds me of myself. He is very serious when he’s working and always looking to improve.

 

“He has a stupendous perception of the errors his rivals make. He knows how to read the battle and knows when and how to define a fight. I believe that the more fights and time go by, JonFer will establish himself at the top level alongside the top boxers in the world.”

 

As Jon develops, what plans do you have for him?

“To continue with the hard work like we have to this date. I respect every step in his career. I’d like for JonFer to continue training and preparing himself for what can be a bright and stupendous future.”

 

Who do you want him to fight – Jesus Cuellar, Orlando Salido, Gervonta Davis, Jose Pedraza, Carl Frampton?

“All of the names mentioned are already great champions. They are all owed their due respect and it would be an honor, not only for Jonfer but for Maravilabox to have the possibility of making fight with any of them.

 

“Jose Pedraza would be a great test. We’d really like to make that fight happen. JonFer has sparred with Frampton before his rematch with Santa Cruz and we know he was up to the challenge. Thiab ntawm chav kawm, we would love to go for the world title against Gervonta Davis and think it would be a great fight. A clash of styles.”

What belts do you want him to go for first?

"Ua ntej, we’d like him to set a good base. The best for us is to continue building his career step by step and for him to continue learning and adapting himself bit by bit to the top level. As we continue making fights happen, there will be more opportunities for international and world titles. The goal is to get JonFer to become a WBC champion, the most important entity.

 

“We would be really excited to be able to win the European championship, but we’re ready to fight anyone. All of the belts are important and provide experience.”

 

What would you see as the ideal next step for JonFer in the next few years?

“Ideally we want to keep him at a weight in which he feels the most comfortable. As fights and time go by, if he needs to go up in weight, he’d do so without a problem. It’s possible for him to end up fighting in superior divisions, but for now we are focused on 130 and I think he can still battle at this weight for several years.”

 

Can you name who you think are the top five active boxers today?

“I really like Errol Spence Jr., he has a great style that I feel is like mine was. Canelo [Alvarez] thiab [Gennady] Golovkin are two of my favorites as well, they’ll put on a great fight. Lwm Ward, Jorge Linares… There is a lot of talent in the sport at the moment.

What memories of Steve Farhood and Barry Tompkins stand out to you?

“Yes, ntawm chav kawm, I have some great moments of my years in the United States and I remember Steve always in front of the SHOWTIME cameras. He is a great professional.

 

“He is one of the highest-regarded boxing writers in the world. He is a man with a young mentality who knows how to appreciate good boxing.

 

“Barry Tompkins is a prestigious commentator and what I remember the most about him is seeing him commentate on fights in the era of Tyson and J.C. Chavez. To be a commentator of that stature then, he had to be an excellent professional.”

 

What would you say is the best (and worst) part about being a promoter?

“To be a promoter is thrilling. I believe that taking the career of the boxers in your hands must be treated like it’s your own life. It’s a true adventure. I can’t find a negative thing to say about being a promoter.”

 

Do you miss being a boxer?

“To this day I can say that I do not have any desire to return to the ring. My last fights were torturous and I still have problems with my knee to the date as I try to go about my daily life. I continue to train an hour each day and continue to love boxing, but now I prefer watching the youngsters like Jon and help them with my experience.”

 

JON “JONFER” FERNANDEZ:

Can you tell us what it is like for you to work with someone like Sergio Martinez?

“It’s great, Sergio is always very attentive and a mirror to watch yourself in. Like an athlete, he was one of the greats, but as a person he is even better. Maravillabox Promotions is composed of thorough professionals and the way they treat me is excellent.”

 

How is your training going? Is your camp any different for this fight?

“I haven’t had too much time since my last fight, just about five weeks. It has been tough, but we were coming off of a much more difficult preparation in fighting for Spain’s world title. I think this will make for a great fight and the fans will have a lot of fun.”

 

What are your plans for the future? In your career, life, boxing, in the next five years…

“I just got married in April and it was a great experience, the happiest day of my life. I would love to have kids soon. As far as boxing goes, of course I’d like to be a world champion. But first I’d like to go for the European title. I’d like to fight against the best prospects in the division and continuing to make great fights. I will be a world champion one day, I know I can get there.”

Who would you say is your all-time favorite boxer?

“I can’t just say one, I have several. Sergio Martinez, obviously. I also really like Terrance Crawford and Juan Manuel Marquez. Out of the boxing legends, I’ll stick to Alexis Arguello.”

 

# # #

 

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

 

Yog xav paub ntxiv mus xyuas www.sho.com/sports raws li nyob rau hauv Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, SHOSports, #ShoBox, @loudibella and @DiBellaEnt or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, thiab www.facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment.