17.11.06 – One half of the popular Southern California-based “Bash Brothers,” Enrique Ornelas will face world-ranked Sam Soliman in the main event Friday, Nov. 17, on “ShoBox: The New Generation.” True to the “ShoBox” mantra, the 26-year-old Ornelas will take on his toughest opponent to date in a 10-round middleweight bout.
Also, in a battle of unbeaten heavyweights, the 2003 Golden Gloves champion Travis “Freight Train” Walker will battle the man who defeated him three times in the amateurs, 2004 United States Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada. The outstanding doubleheader at Soboba Casino in San Jacinto, Calif., will be presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions and air on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
Ornelas (25-2, 15 KOs), of Guanajuato, Mexico, has won five consecutive bouts, but has never faced anybody like Soliman. Ranked No. 4 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF), No. 6 by both the World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Association (WBA), and No. 13 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), Soliman (32-8, 13 KOs), of Melbourne, Australia, won the respect of the boxing world when he nearly upset former two-time world champion “Winky” Wright on Dec. 10, 2005.
Walker (21-0-1, 17 KOs), of Tallahassee, Fla., will attempt to turn the tables on Providence R.I.’s Estrada (7-0, 1 ND, 1 KO) when they meet in an eight-round match. One of the most decorated amateur heavyweight boxers in U.S. history, Estrada beat Walker the last time they fought at the 2004 U. S. Olympic Trials.
ENRIQUE ORNELAS (25-2, 15 KOs) 160.5 pounds
“We are not going to chase Soliman in a careless way. We are going to let him move. We are not going to look for a moving target. It would be a waste of time.”
“If Soliman wants to fight inside, I am up for it.”
“Soliman is just a busy fighter. He can make you look bad. We have to have an answer for everything he’s got.”
“I thought I was in the ‘Twilight Zone’ in the Christian Cruz fight (Sept. 30, 2004). I got careless, lost, and now it is over.”
“This fight can open so many doors for me and erase questions about my past.”
SAM SOLIMAN (32-8, 13 KOs) 160.5 pounds
“Ornelas comes to fight. When he gets knocked down, he does not waste time getting up and taking it to his opponent. I respect him. He has the attitude that I have.”
“Ornelas is consistent and holds his own. I don’t find him to be extraordinary, but I respect him. I am going to make him make mistakes.”
“In my early losses, I had no management. In three of those losses, the other trainer was the promoter of the show. There was no way I was going to win.”
“When I fought Winky Wright (Dec. 10, 2005), I tried a new diet. In the ring, I had no strength. It was the first time I was pushed around. I learned my lesson.”
TRAVIS WALKER (21-0-1, 17 KOs) 235 pounds
“Estrada is going to be full all night because I am going to be feeding him.”
“I actually do not want to knock Estrada out early. I want to beat him down badly. I want to prove something to myself. It’s all about me.”
“I want Estrada. If someone beats me, I want to fight until I beat him.” (note: Estrada defeated Walker three times in the amateur ranks).
“It does not really insult me that Estrada beat me three times. I was very green when he beat me. The difference is I am going to box. Estrada is taking me lightly. He is going to fight my fight.”
“I have learned to sit on my punches. I did not know what I was doing until I got with my new trainers (Dwight Pratchett & Dick Wood). My weight is beautiful. I am working more behind my jab.”
JASON ESTRADA (7-0, 1 ND, 1 KO) 257 pounds
“It is not personal with Walker. I am going to try to box his head off. I am trying to bring him in the deep water and drown his (expletive withheld).”
“Walker looks like the same fighter to me. He doesn’t have as much experience as he thinks he does. Look at his opponents.”
“I am sick of hearing about my weight. I am in great shape. I feel stronger than my last fight.”
“Everybody I fought, I hurt. I let my opponents off the hook. I did not see any reason to hurt them badly. I also don’t put myself in harm’s way. I am not looking to go in there and start bleeding.”
“I have learned how to relax in the ring and pick my shots. Before, I used to throw everything I had and got tired late in a fight.”