PRIMM, Nev. (Sept. 5, 2008) – Proud ShoBox alum and former World Boxing Council (WBC) light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson returns to the critically acclaimed series TONIGHT, not as a fighter but as a guest, during this evening’s SHOWTIME telecast of ShoBox: The New Generation (LIVE on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast)..
Dawson (26-0, 17 KOs), will join ShoBox announcers Nick Charles and Steve Farhood to talk about his highly anticipated upcoming bout with light heavyweight kingpin Antonio Tarver (27-4, 19 KOs). Dawson and Tarver will fight for Tarver’s International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight title, LIVE on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, Saturday, Oct. 11, from The Pearl Theatre at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
“We’ve seen Chad develop on ShoBox from a prospect to a contender and then go on to become a world champion,” said Gordon Hall, executive producer of ShoBox. “And that’s what this series is all about. Tonight presents a nice opportunity to get an update from Chad on his preparations for what should be the biggest night of his career-Oct. 11 against Tarver.”
In tonight’s ShoBox main event, lightweight contender Antonio DeMarco (19-1-1, 14 KOs), of Los Mochis, Mexico, will attempt to score his third ShoBox victory in one year when he takes on World Boxing Organization(WBO/LA) Lightweight Champion Jose Reyes (23-4, 8 KOs), of Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico in a 10-round bout.
In the co-feature, Yonnhy Perez (17-0, 12 KOs), of Santa Fe Springs, Calif., will face late replacement David Martinez (18-4-1, three KOs), Albuquerque, N.M. in a 10-round bantamweight bout. Martinez got the fight on late notice after Tomas Rojas was forced to withdraw when he encountered visa problems and was unable to leave his native Mexico in time.
Solis, Lara, Kretschmann and Aydin in action next week in Cuxhaven
Cubans hottest rising stars set to bring some Caribbean flair to the German North Sea
ARENA-CEO Ahmet Öner brings Cuba libre, Cuban music and Caribbean atmosphere to the German North Sea on September 12th! Heavyweight sensation Odlanier Solis (10-0, 6 kos) is ready to delight the fans at Cuxhaven’s Kugelbake Halle. The 2004 Olympic gold medallist is one of the last great Cuban amateur boxing stars. This year in Peking no other fellow Cuban was able to reach gold.
In Cuxhaven “La Sombra” will step into the ring for the 11th time as a pro against veteran Chad Van Sickle from the USA (22-8-3, 12 kos). A tough challenge for Solis but ARENA-CEO Ahmet Öner assures: “Solis will beat him. I hope that he will be able to knock him out. After all he wants to prove that he is ready for higher challenges and to beat the big names in the heavyweight division.”
After an injury break which prevented him from fighting since early June Solis is back in shape and ready to go. “Of course, it is always hard to come back after an injury”, says coach Orlando Cuellar, “but Odlanier looked great in sparring lately. He is ready and will run over his opponent.”
To prepare for Van Sickle Solis did some rounds of sparring with fellow Cuban and heavyweight championship contender Juan Carlos Gomez. “The Black Panther” himself is currently preparing for his WBC Final Eliminator against Vladimir Virchis from Ukraine on September 27th in Hamburg.
Light middleweight prospect Erislandy Lara is the second Cuban on the card. The 2005 world amateur champion who defected from his home country earlier this year to turn pro will face Latvian journeyman Denis Alekseevs.
Lara and Solis have two things in common: only an impressive performance will bring them closer to future championship bouts.
The German boxing fans in Cuxhaven are especially looking forward to seeing unbeaten German heavyweight hope Steffen Kretschmann. “Kretsche” has had a great amateur career as well winning bronze at the world championships in Houston (1999) and Bangkok (2003) and excellently mastered his first steps in the pro ranks, winning his first 10 bouts, knocking out 8 of his opponents. In Cuxhaven Kretschmann will face US journeyman Otis Tisdale (25-21-1, 15 kos) and is very ambitious regarding his next steps: “I hope to get in line for a shot for the European championship soon”, states Kretschmann.
Exciting rising welterweight star Selcuk Aydin (15-0-0, 12 kos) has already won his first title. ARENA’s “Mini-Tyson” is the reigning WBC International Champion. He will defend his belt against Russian contender Marat Khuzeev (17-3-1, 6 kos). Coach Karsten Röwer expects an impressive victory from his protégée: “Selcuk works hard for this challenge; he will be at the top of his game.”
Unbeaten cruiserweight prospect Tino Groß (6-0, 4 kos) wants to impress the crowd as well. The 6’7’’ fighter from Gotha will face Georgian Armen Azizian (9-7, 1 ko).
Eight Fights are scheduled in total for next Friday. The show starts at 7:00 p.m. The german sports network DSF will be broadcasting live from 8:30 p.m. Tickets are still available, call +49(0)4721-408188 or visit www.nordwest-ticket.de.
STAR BOXING CARD ON GOFIGHTLIVE.COM TONIGHT
Tonight’s Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing card, at the Bally’s in Atlantic City, NJ will be broadcast live and for FREE on www.GoFightLive.tv. Jerry Palmer of GoFightLive is excited to be working with Star Boxing again. “This is going to be a great event on Friday night and we are glad to be a part of it. We always look forward to working with Joe DeGuardia and Star Boxing, he puts on great shows and we are looking forward to the large number of people that will be in attendance at Bally’s Friday night. We feel that this is the new and best way of reaching wide range audiences and the best part about it is that we offer it for free,” said Palmer.
Doors open at 7PM with the first fight going off at 7:30PM. The main event of the evening features WBO #8 and IBF #10 jr. welterweight “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis (19-2-2, 9KO’s) taking on Nasser Athumani (20-6-2, 16KO’s) over ten rounds. The co-main event pits the number seven rated heavyweight in the world Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson (19-0-1, 6KO’s) against former heavyweight champion of the world Bruce “The Atlantic City Express” Seldon (38-6, 34KO’s) in a ten round heavyweight contest. The undercard is made up of 4 exciting match-ups featuring some of Star Boxing’s top talent. Star Boxing’s Ray Robinson (8-0, 3KO’s) battles Eberto Medina (5-3, 1KO) in a 6 round jr. welterweight contest. Star Boxing’s Yathomas Riley (2-0, 2KO’s) takes on Zeferino Albino (3-7-2, 1KO) in a four round light heavyweight contest. Heavyweights Terrell Nelson (8-5, 5KO’s) and Bernard Brown (5-4-2, 3KO’s) will battle it out over 6 rounds and Patrick Lopez (13-1, 10KO’s) takes on Doel Carrasquillo (12-7-1, 10KO’s) in a 6 round welterweight contest.
Marc Abrams will be doing the play by play while Joe Santoliquito, the associate editor of Ring Magazine, and heavyweight contender, Eddie Chambers will be doing the color commentary