15.07.04 -Photos by Tom Casino/Showtime: Six days before the three-year anniversary of the first “ShoBox: The New Generation” telecast on SHOWTIME, fans across the country were treated to the type of fights they have come to expect on the popular boxing series: competitive matchups, hard-fought bouts, exciting, non-stop action and determined efforts by young, talented boxers trying to establish and make a name for themselves.
In Thursday’s main event, once-beaten David Estrada dealt previously undefeated Nurhan Suleymanoglu his first defeat and captured the vacant USBA welterweight crown with an impressive, surprisingly easy 12-round unanimous decision on SHOWTIME. In the excellent co-feature from Chumash Casino Resort, Ugandan Mohammed Kayongo and Jose Antonio “Tony” Ojeda battled to a hotly contested, thrilling eight-round majority draw. The doubleheader was promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and aired at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The telecast represented the 47th in the “ShoBox” series, which debuted on SHOWTIME on July 21, 2001.
Estrada (17-1, 8 KOs), of Miami, by way of Chicago, mostly had his way with the favored Suleymanoglu en route to triumphing by the scores of 120-108 and 117-111 twice. Estrada’s, who’s only loss came in his “ShoBox” debut when he dropped a 10-round decision to undefeated Ishe Smith on July 31, 2003, was a totally different boxer on this night as he totally outworked the pre-fight favorite while dictating the pace and keeping the pressure on throughout. “I told everybody that that wasn’t me in the fight against Smith, that I had a bunch of personal and physical problems beforehand and that I would be 100 percent improved,” said Estrada, who is trained by the world-renowned Angelo Dundee. “This was a good win for me, but I was not surprised. When I am right, I feel I am as good as anybody. I feel I outclassed this guy tonight.” When he is not punching for pay, Estrada teaches individual and group boxing classes as an instructor at the South Florida Boxing Gym.
Suleymanoglu (14-1, 6 KOs), of Chicago, by way of Kazakhstan, was effective when he worked the body, but did not possess the offensive firepower to keep the aggressive Estrada off him. He landed several solid shots on occasion, but not enough of them and seemed to tire in the later rounds. Suleymanoglu, who turned pro at the age of 30 in April 2001, earned a number of Russian titles during his amateur career. He moved to Turkey shortly before the 1992 Olympic Games and represented the country at the Barcelona Games. Four years later, Suleymanoglu earned a silver medal at the ’96 Olympics.
Ojeda (9-3-1, 6 KOs), of nearby Santa Maria, Calif., by way of Michoacan, Mexico, was the fans’ favorite and many felt he had done enough to get the victory. The crowd-pleasing boxer-puncher got the nod on one of the judges’ scorecards, 77-75, but the other two called the bout even at 76-apiece. Ojeda, who finished strongly, counterpunched effectively and had the unbeaten Koyango backing up the last few rounds. The victory improved Ojeda’s record to 2-0 on “ShoBox.” In his debut, he stopped Arturo Barraza in the third round on Jan. 15, 2004.
Kayongo (10-0-1, 7 KOs), of Uganda, started quickly and rocked Ojeda with a left hook in the second round. “The African Iceman” seemed to land the better, single shots, but seldom managed to connect in combination.
“ShoBox: The New Generation” features up-and-coming prospects determined to make a mark and eventually fight for a chance at a world title. The best of the new generation of hungry, young boxers will have an opportunity to showcase their talent and heart as they battle each other in competitive fights in front of a national television audience. “ShoBox: The New Generation” is pure, basic boxing, reminiscent of the golden days of the sport.
Nick Charles called Thursday’s action from ringside, with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of the telecast is Gordon Hall, with Richard Gaughan producing.
The next “ShoBox” telecast on SHOWTIME is Thursday, Aug. 5, at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). In the 10-round main event, a boxer fast becoming the division’s worst nightmare, undefeated, hard-hitting Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter (19-0, 17 KOs) faces a tough test when he takes on Jovo Pudar (22-2, 12 KOs). In a 12-round battle of unbeaten junior welterweights, Juan “El Mello” Urango (13-0, 10 KOs) will be opposed by “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis (10-0, 4 KOs) in a bout for the vacant North American Boxing Organization (NABO) title in the co-feature.
For information on “ShoBox: The New Generation” and SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecasts, including complete fighter bios, records, related stories and more, please go the SHOWTIME website at http:www.sho.com/boxing