NOTE: WEIGHTS (July 14, 2011) – On the eve of a special 10-year anniversary ShoBox: The New Generation telecast, all four fighters made weight on Thursday.
The Top Rank-promoted doubleheader will feature a night of junior lightweight action on Friday, July 15, at 11:05 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) from Texas Station Gambling Hall & Casino in Las Vegas.
Undefeated Diego Magdaleno (19-0, 7 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nev., weighed in at 130 pounds while his opponent Alejandro Perez (15-2-1, 10 KOs) of Salinas, Calif., tipped the scales at 129 pounds. Casey Ramos (13-0, 4 KOs) of Austin, Texas, was the same 129 pounds and Georgi Kevlishvili (8-2, 3 KOs) of Moscow, Russia, came in at 130 pounds.
Here are what the fighters had to say on Thursday:
Diego Magdaleno:
“I will definitely win a world title at this weight. No doubt in my mind.
“I’ve been learning fight to fight. I have power in both hands. I’ve stopped my last four opponents.
“My best punch is really a combo of punches. I’m a volume guy that keeps coming.
“I feel the pressure of fighting in my hometown, fighting on TV. More is at stake.
“I bring a diverse crowd, any race. I try to carry myself in a way to appeal to a lot of people.”
Alejandro Perez:
“You can expect a very tough fighter, one who goes non-stop from the first to the last round. I love the fighters from the 70s like Roberto Duran and Salvador Sanchez. I’ve fought many guys in their hometowns and beat them. This is no different.
“I’m not worried about facing my first lefty. I had great sparring. I’m very confident.
“If he boxes, I’ll cut off the ring. If he wants to brawl, let’s do it.”
Casey Ramos:
“You can always get surprised by a late sub opponent. That’s why I never underestimate an opponent. Never.
“The SHOWTIME fans are going to get a boxing lesson tomorrow. Watch for my straight right and left to the body.”
Georgi Kevlishvili:
“I want to prove I was stronger and better than my last opponent (who beat me) by winning tomorrow.
“This is a very important fight. I hate to lose. I will take victory for my home country (Georgia).”
The 10th anniversary edition of ShoBox will feature Curt Menefee calling the action alongside expert analyst Steve Farhood. Gordon Hall is the executive producer of ShoBox with Richard Gaughan producing the Rick Phillips directing.
Live at 11:05 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) on SHOWTIME®
Diego Magdaleno: 130 pounds
Alejandro Perez: 129 pounds
Casey Ramos: 129 pounds
Georgi Kevlishvili: 130 pounds
SUPER CHANNEL FIGHTS BOXING UPDATE: Catch the Tenth Anniversary Edition of ShoBox: The New Generation – Friday Night!
Undefeated, world-ranked junior lightweight prospect Diego Magdaleno (19-0, 7 KOs) works out in his hometown of Las Vegas, Nev., just three days before he faces Alejandro “Alacran’’ Perez (15-2-1, 10 KOs) in the 10th anniversary telecast of ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday, July 15, live on SHOWTIME® at 11:05 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
D.Magdaleno media day 110712_002a – Ranked No. 6 by the World Boxing Association (WBA) and No. 11 by World Boxing Council (WBC), Magdaleno will become the 84th boxer in ShoBox history to enter the ring undefeated. Since its inception as a proving ground for prospects 10 years ago, 43 fighters who have fought on ShoBox have gone on to win a world title.
Friday’s Top Rank-promoted event at Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas, will also feature an eight-round match between unbeaten junior lightweight Casey “The Wizard” Ramos (13-0, 4 KOs), of Austin, Tex., and Philadelphia-based Russian, Georgi Kevlishvili (8-2, 3 KOs), a late substitute for Joselito Collado, who withdrew with the flu.
All the action airs LIVE in Canada in Vivid HD only on SUPER CHANNEL, starting at 11:05 PM ET.
Mariusz Wach and Kevin McBride “Heat Wave” Press Conference quotes
BOSTON (July 14, 2011) – Undefeated Polish heavyweight contender Mariusz Wach (24-0, 12 KO) and Irish strongman Kevin McBride (35-9-1, 29 KO) met face to face for the first time Thursday afternoon at The Greatest Bar in downtown Boston to announce their July 12-round World Boxing Council (WBC) International Heavyweight championship match on July 29 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.
Wach of North Bergen, NJ by way of Krakow, Poland and McBride of Dorchester, Mass., by way of Clones, Ireland were nose to nose as each stated their confidence ahead of their main event fight at “Heat Wave”, which is promoted by Classic Entertainment & Sports and Global Boxing Promotions.
“He is definitely the most experienced fighter I have ever fought,” said Wach, a 2004 Olympic representative for his native Poland. “It’s gonna be the biggest challenge in my professional career, but I know that I’m ready for that. It’s time to stop dreaming, stop playing and start fighting. On July 29th you will see what I’m all about.”
McBride, who represented Ireland in the 1992 Olympic games, wasn’t intimidated at all by his opponent’s boldness.
“There were a lot of fireworks on the Fourth of July, but you will see the real fireworks on July 29th,” said McBride, whose career best performance was a knockout of heavyweight legend “Iron” Mike Tyson in 2005. I respect Wach, but I’m coming to Mohegan Sun to win.”
While focused on the opponent in front of him, Wach had a message for the heavyweight champion brothers Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, both of whom Wach is planning to target next should he emerge victorious on July 29.
“Klitschko brothers, don’t even think about retirement. After McBride, I’m coming for your belts!”
In the era of super heavyweight boxing, Wach’s 6’8″, 250 pound frame and McBride’s 6’6″ 280 pound body are both equipped with enough power to end the fight with a single punch.
In the 10-round co-featured bout, Elvin Ayala (23-5-1, 11 KOs) of New Haven, Conn., will battle Hartford’s Israel “Pito” Cardona (36-10, 28 KOs) for the vacant WBC U.S. National Boxing Council (USNBC) middleweight championship.
Also featured will be Global Boxing heavyweight Artur Szpilka, who is unbeaten at 6-0 (4 KO), in a four-round heavyweight.
Tickets for “Heat Wave” are $40.00, $65.00 and $105.00 and can be purchased by calling CES at 401.724.2253/2254 or calling Ticketmaster at 1.800.745.3000. Fans can also purchase tickets online at www.cesboxing.com, www.ticketmaster.com, or at the Mohegan Sun Box Office.
For more information on “Heat Wave,” visit www.cesboxing.com or www.mohegansun.com. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the first bout scheduled for 7:30 p.m.