Nineteen-year-old Devin Haney turned in an impressive performance in a unanimous decision victory in his second consecutive ShoBox: The New Generation main event on Friday night, dominating veteran Mexican fighter Juan Carlos Burgos on SHOWTIME from Pechanga Casino Resort.
The prodigious Haney (20-0, 13 KOs) of Las Vegas used the entire ring to dominate the former three-time world title-challenger Burgos (33-3-2, 21 KOs). Two judges scored the fight 100-90, and the other 97-93 in favor of Haney.
“Burgos is a crafty veteran with a lot of heart but tonight I showed the world why I’m the next super star in boxing,” said Haney, who also promoted his first fight with Haney Promotions. “I’m ready to take on all the champions in the lightweight division. I’m the new money and SHOWTIME is my home. I’m coming for everyone!”
Haney said he won the fight on the inside. “Burgos was softer on the inside,” he said. “Once I started to break him down that took some steam out of him. It depends on who I’m fighting, but I can box on the outside or mix it up on the inside, and tonight I showed both. I used my jab and worked the inside. That was my dad’s gameplan and it worked.”
Longtime ShoBox commentator Steve Farhood agreed that Haney looked impressive on the inside. “I thought at times he should have forced the fight even more on the inside,” Farhood said afterward. “He was the bigger guy. He would do it in spurts, and then he’d circle the ring and that’s when the fans got a little impatient because that’s what we all wanted to see.”
Haney hurt Burgos badly in the sixth landing two right uppercuts, but was unable to finish Burgos, who was fighting after a 13-month layoff. “These veterans don’t go down easy,” Farhood said.
“It’s a natural progression for Devin,” Farhood added. “I didn’t see a lot of snap in his power shots. That’s the only criticism. That and I would have like to have seen him fight on the inside more and land more body shots. It would have been a lot more exciting if he would have gotten the stop.”
Burgos is a natural 130-pounder who was once ranked No. 4 in the junior lightweight division. “I feel this was a test for me,” he said. “One-hundred thirty-five pounds may have been too much. I’m going to go back down to 130. I’m at my best at that weight.”
He added: “It was hard to fight against a guy that moved so much. He was running up and down the ring. That’s not boxing for me. I’m not going to let this loss defeat me. You’ll see more of me. I’m not going anywhere. Soon I’ll go back to challenge for a world title. You’ll see.” (Watch ShoBox Analyst Raul Marquez break down round six HERE).
In the highly anticipated rematch that settled little in the end, undefeated Thomas Mattice (13-0-1, 10 KOs) and Zhora Hamazaryan (9-1-1, 6 KOs) fought to a split draw in the ShoBox co-feature. The judges scored the fight 77-75 in favor of Mattice, 77-75 in favor of Hamazaryan and 76-76.
Just like in the first fight won by Mattice via split decision, Hamazaryan won the statistical battle although this time the fight was much closer than the first one. Hamazaryan led 150-93 in total connects and was the more active fighter with 525 total punches compared to Mattice’s 305.
Unlike the first right, it was a decision the ShoBox commentators agreed with.
“It was a great fight,” Mattice said. “I felt I won the last three rounds including the last one. I think I did enough to get the win but I respect the judges’ decision. I thought I won by one point.”
Mattice had solid third and seventh rounds in a fight that was moved to super middleweight after Mattice failed to make the 135-pound limit Thursday.
Hamazaryan, of Los Angeles by way of Armenia, said he was thankful for the opportunity to get the rematch from Mattice. “I don’t agree with everything that happened tonight,” he said. “I’ve been fighting for a long time. I’m tough on myself. Perhaps I didn’t do enough to get the win. I’ll have to make some adjustments.”
Both fighters said they would entertain a rematch to settle the score once and for all. “With pleasure I’ll fight him again anytime,” Hamazaryan said. “I’ll give him the rematch before the end of the year. Let’s do it, Canelo-GGG style.”
Added Mattice: “I fought really hard. He wanted a rematch. I gave him a rematch. I think it was a really good fight. I went in, did my job and we’ve got a draw. If he wants a rematch, I’ll talk to my team. It’s up to them ultimately. We’ll go back to the drawing board and see what’s next.”
In the telecast opener, Cem Kilic (12-0, 7 KOs) remained undefeated winning a unanimous decision over DeAndre Ware (12-1-2, 8 KOs) in a two-way war that saw 1,418 punches thrown and 494 total connects recorded. The scores were 78-74 79-73 twice.
Farhood called the 10-round super middleweight fight a fan-friendly fight between two guys “blowing it up.” It was the ninth time this year that two undefeated fighters have met in a ShoBox fight and 181st time a fighter has lost his undefeated record on the popular prospect series.
Los Angeles-area resident Kilic, who grew up in Germany and is of Turkish descent, averaged 91.8 total connects per round compared to Ware at 85.5. Kilic’s dedicated body attack made the difference as he led 108-48 in that category.
“I thought tonight’s performance was one of my best,” said Kilic, 24. “He gave me eight hard rounds and a shout out to him. He’s a very good fighter with good skills. It was always a dream for me to be fighting on SHOWTIME as I watched other great fighters before me. I never thought that one day I’d be fighting on this network. I wanted to make my dream come true and it happened tonight.”
Kilic impressive four, five and six-punch combinations, strong jabs and consistent left hook were on full display. Round one alone produced a total of 228 punches and 79 combined punches landed.
The 30-year-old Ware is a Toldeo, Ohio, firefighter who took the fight on two weeks’ notice. “I thought I did enough to win the fight, but no excuses,” Ware said. “It comes with the territory and know I have to work harder in the gym. I hope SHOWTIME gives me another opportunity, and I hope all the fans enjoyed it.”
The full telecast will replay on Monday, October 1 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME ANYTIME® and SHOWTIME on DEMAND®.
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 Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.
Devin Haney and Juan Carlos Burgos made weight just a day before their ShoBox: The New Generation 10-round main event headlines a tripleheader live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. The 19-year-old Haney (19-0, 13 KOs) returns for his second ShoBox challenge of 2018 against the veteran Burgos (33-2-2, 21 KOs).
The much-anticipated rematch between Thomas Mattice and Zhora Hamazaryan will go on as an eight-round super lightweight bout as Mattice failed to make the contracted 135-pound lightweight limit. Cleveland’s Mattice, who battled the flu earlier in the week, said he was feeling 100 percent and ready to go on Thursday.
Two undefeated super middleweight prospects will meet in the opening bout as Cem Kilic (11-0, 7 KOs) of Los Angeles and DeAndre Ware (12-0-2, 8 KOs) Toledo, Ohio, both weighed in at the same 167-½ pounds.
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Devin Haney Promotions and Ringside Tickets Inc., are priced at $19 for General Admission, and $29, $59, $79, $99, and $129 for Ringside and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Pechanga Casino Box Office at 1-888-810-8871 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
FINAL WEIGHTS, REFEREES AND JUDGES
Lightweights 10-Round Bout
Devin Haney – 134 ¾ lbs.
Juan Carlos Burgos – 134 ½ lbs.
Referee: Zachary Young; Judges: Sergio Caiz (West Covina, Calif.), Edward Hernandez, Sr. (Moreno Valley, Calif.), Alejandro Rochin (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Super Lightweights 8-Round Bout
Thomas Mattice – 138 ½ lbs.
Zhora Hamaryan – 134 ½ lbs.
Referee: Ray Corona; Judges: Sergio Caiz (West Covina, Calif.), Edward Hernandez, Sr. (Moreno Valley, Calif.), Alejandro Rochin (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Super Middleweight 8-Round Bout
Cem Kilic – 167 ½ lbs.
DeAndre Ware – 167 ½ lbs.
Referee: Tony Krebs; Judges: Sergio Caiz (West Covina, Calif.), Edward Hernandez, Sr. (Moreno Valley, Calif.), Alejandro Rochin (Los Angeles, Calif.)
FINAL QUOTES:
DEVIN HANEY:
“I’m one of the best boxers in the game. I think most of my opponents know that when they get in the ring with me and that’s why they try to land their best shot as soon as the fight is on. They try, but they don’t touch me.
“When I fought Mason Menard, skeptics said I was over my head, that I didn’t stand a chance. And I got in the ring and I won. I outclassed him. Then, they started saying that Menard was not at his best, that he didn’t bring his ‘A’ game. I feel I don’t get the recognition I deserve. I work really hard. I love this sport and I give my all.
“I have been fighting at 132 since I was 16, now I’m at 135. It takes a lot of discipline. I have a great team that stands by me and helps me be the best version of myself.”
JUAN CARLOS BURGOS:
“This is my second fight at 135. I feel good. I feel that I have evolved as a boxer since my last fight. I feel strong. I think it has to do with experience, after some time you just learn your lesson and move forward.
“I am very skilled boxer and after the Mikey [Garcia] fight I learned a lot about myself mentally and physically. I want to get another title shot and. I feel this fight is the right opportunity for me, because with this fight I’m planning to show the world I’m still an elite boxer.
“I don’t think Haney has fought a fighter with the experience I have. You can be talented but there are things you can’t teach. You only learn them with time. No matter how talented you are.”
THOMAS MATTICE:
“I’m recovering from the flu but now I’m 100 percent physically, and mentally I’m there too. I lost focus after the knockdown and never was able to get back on track.
“The cross country travel from New Jersey to California was tough, and we had some issues and I lost a few days because of things out of my control.
“It was tight. Every round was tight in the first fight. It depends on how you look at it. I know 80 percent of the people watching think I lost. But there were rounds that I won. The only round he out-landed me was the second and seventh round.
“I didn’t give my best effort in the first fight. That’s why I decided to take the rematch. I didn’t have to take it, but I did. I’m not paid to judge fights; I fight them.”
ZHORA HAMAZARYAN:
“I’m just going to pressure him and come forward. I can’t leave it in the judges’ hands. I know I have to be the aggressor, so it should only last three or four rounds.
“It was very unfair. I know I did everything in the books to look good, to have a clean fight, to win but the judges gave it to him. I was not happy.
“Once I get in the ring, I’ll break him down and I’ll make adjustments. He’s not going to win without deserving it again. I’ll make sure of that.”
CEM KILIC:
“When I came to the United States I struggled to find the right trainer. The right adjustment from what I was used to do in Germany and what I wanted to do here. Trainers in Germany are different. I tried a few trainers here and there and then, I found Buddy McGirt. I liked him right away, he’s old school and that’s exactly what I wanted.
“I’ve had very good sparring partners, not only for this fight, but also throughout my career. I’ve sparred with Jermell Charlo, Miguel Cotto, Errol Spence Jr. You make one mistake and you pay for it, that’s one of the thing I’ve learned – especially Charlo. He capitalizes on your mistakes. I think Spence was more difficult than Charlo. He just brings it. He’s so quick. He gave me a lot of confidence. He told me to keep it up because one day I’d be a world champion.
“Before I started boxing I admired Muhammad Ali. He loves Islam, the real Islam, the one is all about love. Then I started boxing and although dancing is not my style, Ali remained as my favorite fighter, my inspiration.
“I get in your face. I like to come forward. If I wanted to be a dancer, I’d be a dancer. I’m a boxer and you’ll see me doing that tomorrow. I’ll get in his face.
“Besides Charlo, I don’t know anyone that would stand in front of me and apply pressure. All the other fighters I’ve been in the ring with have to do combinations and move around. They can’t take it.”
DeANDRE WARE:
“I’m confident in my skills. I’ve been in the gym doing the things that I need to do, strength and conditioning, sparring. My confidence comes from my hard work and dedication. I know what I put in and I know what I’m capable of. I listen to my trainer, I’m disciplined. I’m all business.
“I took this fight with little notice but trust me, I’m ready. I know I’m the B side and all. And I know what that means: I have to do more than just box. I have to win the public, the judges, the people watching at home. I’m basically in my opponent’s hometown. I know what I’m in for. They are in for a surprise.
“I’m a firefighter. I work on Station 4 on Hill Avenue in Toledo. They support me 100 percent, they even built me a gym at the station so I can train there too. I was supposed to work tomorrow but someone is covering for me.”
