NEW YORK (Feb. 2, 2012) – Thomas Dulorme (13-0, 10 KOs), of Carolina, Puerto Rico, will face surging southpaw, Jose Reynoso (15-3-1, 2 KOs), of Riverside, Calif., by way of Mexicali, Mex., for the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF) welterweight title in the main event on ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday, Feb. 17, live on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).
The headlining fighters will make their ShoBox debuts in a 10-round welterweight bout with a contracted limit of 143 pounds.
In the co-feature at Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif., the power-punching Puerto Rican, Jonathan “Mantequilla” Gonzalez (14-0, 13 KOs), of San Juan, will battle Billy Lyell (24-10-2, 5 KOs), of Warren, Ohio, in a 10-round junior middleweight match.
Despite having only 13 fights, Dulorme (pronounced Do-Lore-May) is already ranked in the top 10 by both the World Boxing Association (No. 3) and World Boxing Council (No. 8) at welterweight. Some consider the charismatic youngster a superstar in the making.
A hard-hitting sort who also can box, the highly regarded Dulorme has been spectacular and explosive enough to warrant the lofty praise. But he’ll get his toughest test to date against Reynoso, who’s unbeaten in his last six starts (5-0-1).
“I’m always looking to fight the best guys available and I’m expecting a good fight,’’ the crowd-pleasing Dulorme said. “I’ve been in with left-handers before. Fighting for the first time in 2012, I want to come out with a bang and show the audience on ShoBox that I’m the real deal.
“Capturing the NABF title will get me one step closer to my dream of becoming a world champion.”
Since turning pro after a terrific amateur career that included winning a Golden Gloves championship, the 5-foot-9 ½-inch Dulorme, who turns 22 on Jan. 29, has campaigned in three weight classes: welterweight, junior welterweight (140 pounds) and lightweight (135 pounds).
Dulorme won a four-round majority decision in his pro debut on Aug. 13, 2008. His next 10 fights ended by knockout — two in the first round, eight in the second. He’s been victorious in his last two starts via lopsided decision, a 10-round triumph over former world champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley on June 10, 2011, and a nine-round win over world title challenger Charlie Navarro the following Oct. 22.
Although he knows he’s an underdog, Reynoso is anxiously awaiting this fight, his first since taking an eight-round decision over Esteban Almarez on June 22, 2011.
“This is the most important fight of my career. I’m fighting for everything, and this fight means everything to me,’’ the 5-foot-7, 27-year-old Reynoso said. “I’ve seen tapes. I know he’s undefeated and a hard banger, but he hasn’t fought solid opposition like I have. He’s strong, but I’m strong too, and I plan to put him to the test. If I have to trade shots, I will. I have much more power than my record says.
“This isn’t the first time I’ll enter the ring an underdog, so I’m used to that kind of pressure. I’m coming to win and I’m going to surprise everybody.’’
In the co-featured bout, Gonzalez, who’s ranked by three of the four major boxing organizations, is 14 fights into a career that began in January 2009. A former amateur standout and a 2008 Olympic representative for Puerto Rico, he’s rated No. 7 in both the WBC and World Boxing Organization (WBO) and No. 12 in the WBA.
This will be Gonzalez’ second consecutive start on ShoBox. In his debut and most recent outing last June 11, he recorded a unanimous 10-round decision over Richard Gutierrez. It was the first time the 5-foot-11, 22-year old Gonzalez had gone the distance since he went pro. None of his previous 12 outings had lasted more than seven rounds. Eleven of the KO wins came within three sessions.
Lyell is a durable, hard-luck 27-year-old who doesn’t seem to get the benefit of the doubt in tough fights against favored fighters on the road.
In his last bout, the 5-foot-9 Lyell lost a majority 10-round decision to local favorite Dominik Britsch (25-0 going in) on Oct. 22 in Germany. On Jan. 29, 2011, he came up on the wrong end of a close 10-round decision to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (41-0-1 going in) in Mexico.
One fight that went Lyell’s way: He scored a shocking split 10-round decision over previously undefeated John Duddy on April 24, 2009.
For information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please visit the website at http://sports.SHO.com.
WBC declares 3 days of mourning for the passing of Angelo Dundee
A great icon of boxing has left and gone through the path of no return – Angelo Dundee, the master technician who handled the corners of Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard, among others, and who had the ability to guide these two heroes to the greatest victories against adversity.
Angelo will be remembered by the boxing world for his great charisma, a person who could encourage and motivate his fighters, who could manage to set the mind to be the one of a winner, no matter what. Defeat was not an option.
The World Boxing Council joins the world of boxing to remember one of the greatest in boxing and wishes to recommend that the 10-bell ceremony is rendered in all the arenas of the world as a posthumous homage to our dear Angelo.
We extend our deepest condolences to the Dundee family and our heartfelt feelings, as they must be very proud to see how this man has left his name in the history books, written with golden letters.
Hennessy Sports proudly presents “Men of Steel” Saturday Feb.18 at the Magna Science Adventure Centre, Rotherham
The New Generation looking to become Five Stars.
London (2 Feb) Hennessy Sports announced today that Kid Galahad and Chris Eubank Jr will be looking to impress millions of fight fans and lead the way as the new generation of boxing stars when they both appear on the “Men of Steel” event at the Magna Science Adventure Centre, Rotherham on Saturday Feb.18.
Both bouts will be shown exclusively on Channel 5.
Sheffield’s unbeaten hot prospect Kid Galahad will be vying for his first professional title when he takes on former British and Commonwealth champion and IBF world title challenger, Nottingham’s Jason “2 smooth” Booth for the WBC International Super Bantamweight title, which has been previously held by great fighters like Manny Pacquiao and Naseem Hamed.
Kid Galahad said “Jason Booth is an experienced operator, who has fought consistently at British and European title level for most of his career and also challenged for a world title back in 2010, but come the 18th February the millions of fight fans watching me live on Channel 5 will know who KID GALAHAD is and that I’m the next major star to come out of Sheffield.
“It’s an honour to be fighting for the prestigious WBC international title and I will look to emulate what Naseem and Manny have done.”
Middleweight sensation, Chris Eubank Jr, son of former world champion Chris Eubank, made his professional debut back in November last year on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s Commonwealth Heavyweight title defence said “I can’t wait to get back in the ring and start to show the world of boxing what I’m all about”
”I’m not just here to win- I’m here to entertain. I want people to be excited about tuning in to watch my second professional fight live on Channel 5.”
“I got a taste of professional boxing with my first fight and I’m hungry for more.” Added Chris
Promoter Mick Hennessy said. “I’m really proud to be showcasing these two brilliant young talents together on Channel 5 and with Kid Galahad headlining for the prestigious WBC International title in only his 11th fight, I believe he will show the boxing world why we have so much faith in him.
“There is great anticipation for Chris Eubank Jr’s second pro fight and rightfully so, he’s a special and unique talent who brings a real buzz to this great sport.”
“Obviously people have known about this great fight between Kid Galahad and Jason Booth for a while now but it was stipulated by the WBC and the Boxing Board that the fight could not be announced until Jason Booths medicals had cleared, which they have now.” Added Mick Hennessy
Joining Kid Galahad and Chris Eubank Jr will be former British Light Welterweight champion Lenny Daws of Morden who will be fighting Chris Truman from Birmingham, local fighters Kash Ali and Karl Bell, Leigh Wood from Nottingham and Jason Cunningham from Doncaster. The Central Area Middleweight titlewill also be contested over 10 rounds when Phill Fury from Lancaster takes on Lee Noble from Barnsley.
Tickets, priced at £30.00, £50.00 and £75 are available from Ticketline on 0844 888 4402, Ticketmaster on 0844 888 9991, Livenation on 0114 256 5567, HMV on 0843 221 0100 or from the Hennessy Sports Box office on 01925 755 222.
Tickets are also available to purchase from the following websites. www.hennessysports.com, www.ticketline.co.uk, www.ticketmaster.co.uk, www.hmv.com or at www.arenaticketshop.co.uk.
Go on line www.hennessysports.com for more information about the Feb. 18 show.
Fight Card – Magna Centre Feb 18.
Bill Subject to Change**.
Vacant WBC International Super Bantamweight Title
12 x 3 min rounds
Kid Galahad (Sheffield) vs. Jason Booth (Nottingham)
Middleweight Contest
6 x 3 min rounds
Chris Eubank Jr (Brighton) vs. Jason Ball (Doncaster)
Central Area Middleweight Title
10 x 3 min rounds
Phill Fury (Lancaster) vs. Lee Noble (Barnsley)
Light Welterweight Contest
8/10 x 3 min rounds
Lenny Daws (Morden) vs. Chris Truman (Birmingham)
Bantamweight Contest
4 x 3 min rounds
Jason Cunningham (Doncaster) vs. Delroy Spencer (Wolverhampton)
Super Bantamweight Contest
4 x 3 min rounds
Leigh Wood (Nottingham) vs. Pevels Senkovs (Mansfield)
Cruiserweight Contest
4 x 3 min rounds
Karl Bell (Rotherham) vs. TBA
Heavyweight Contest
4 x 3 min rounds
Kash Ali (Rotherham) vs. TBA
Lightweight Contest
4 x 2 min rounds
**Leo D’Erlanger (Sheffield) vs. TBA
**Pro Debut
For Channel 5 information, please contact Lesley Land at the Channel 5 Press Office on 0207 436 3633 or lesley.land@outside-org.co.uk