LAS VEGAS (Aug. 4, 2006) – Photos: Mary Ann Owen / For SHOWTIME–The semi-finals of the “ShoBox” super middleweight tournament are set as Tony Hanshaw and LaFarrell Bunting advanced with victories in opening-round bouts Friday on SHOWTIME.
Despite injuring his left hand in the fourth round, Hanshaw (20-0, 13 KOs), of Warren, Ohio, cruised to a 10-round unanimous decision shutout over Esteban Camou (18-2, 15 KOs) of Navojoa, Mexico. In a battle of knockout specialists, late substitute Bunting (16-1-1, 16 KOs), of Memphis, Tenn., opened the telecast from The Sports Center of Las Vegas by scoring a fifth-round TKO over Jose Luis Herrera (14-2, 14 KOs), of San Onofre, Colombia.
A tournament that offers two boxers in the original international field of eight the rare opportunity to appear on national television three times in only seven months will resume Friday, Oct. 6, on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast). In 10-round contests, Jean Paul Mendy will take on Henry Buchanan, while former sparring partners Hanshaw and Bunting will square off..
On Jan. 5, 2007, the winner of the tournament final will take home the International Boxing Organization (IBO) 168-pound title. Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, is promoting the event.
Favored by many insiders to win the super middleweight tournament, Hanshaw recorded his second consecutive victory by decision and remained undefeated following a nearly two-year layoff. Each of the judges scored the contest 100-90.
Hanshaw was impressed by his opponent and sees no roadblocks en route to capturing the IBO title in early January.
“Camou was tough and came to fight,” Hanshaw said. “I was over anxious and tried to get him out of there. I rushed it. I tried to get him on the ropes and set him up with combinations. I needed the rounds because of my layoff, but now I am back. I am not worried about any fighter in the tournament. I am in tip-top shape. This is my time.”
“ShoBox” expert analyst Steve Farhood said that Hanshaw showed why he was such a highly touted prospect.
“Hanshaw boxed magnificently, was consistent, and showed tremendous hand and foot speed,” Farhood said.
Replacing the injured Sakio Bika, Bunting took the fight on four day’s notice and cancelled a fishing trip with his grandfather. The decision turned out to be a good one as “Memphis Fairway” knocked out his 11th consecutive opponent.
Following a barrage of more than 20 unanswered punches against the ropes, referee Kenny Bayless gave Herrera a standing-eight count and decided to stop the contest at 1:20 of the fifth round.
“I had to lose some weight pretty quickly, but it did not make a difference,” Bunting said. “It feels great to win and advance to the next round. I was trying to bait Herrera with the jab and catch him with the uppercut.”
SHOWTIME televised the Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, doubleheader at 11 p.m. ET/PT. The telecast represented the 81st in the popular “ShoBox” series, which debuted on SHOWTIME in July 2001.
Nick Charles called Friday’s action from ringside, with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of the telecast was Gordon Hall, with Richard Gaughan producing.
The critically-acclaimed series, “ShoBox: The New Generation,” debuted on SHOWTIME in July 2001 as a proving ground for up-and-coming fighters determined to eventually fight for a world title. Friday’s Super Middleweight Tournament opening-round bouts represented the 80th episode of “ShoBox.” A number of fighters who have appeared on the series have gone on to become world champions, including Ricky Hatton, Juan Diaz, Leonard Dorin, Joan Guzman, Scott Harrison and Jeff Lacy.
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.