Jared Anderson won a 10-round unanimous decision over former cruiserweight world champion Ryad Merhy in a listless heavyweight bout at the American Bank center in Corpus Christi, Texas.

The bout lacked action as it seemed that Merhy was happy staying out of close range and eating jabs and right hands all fight from Anderson.

Anderson landed 128 of 662 punches. Merhy was a putrid 34 of 144. Merhy threw the third lowest amount of punches in the history of Compubox for a 10-round bout.

Anderson, 250.9 lbs of Toledo, OH won by scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91 and is now 17-0. Merhy, 235.6 lbs of Brussels, BEL is 32-3.

Anderson said, “Another day, another night in the office. I wanted to give the fans a better show, but what can you do when they show up to fight like him. It’s just another day in the office. We’re going to continue working.

“I stayed sharp for 10 rounds. That’s the biggest takeaway. I got to make some changes. I made some mistakes. I got hit with a few punches. I shouldn’t have gotten hit at all because he didn’t even come here to fight.

“I want all of the names. If I’m ranked with you and your name is near mine, then we can get it crackin’. We’re coming to knock everybody off.”

Ajagba Wins Split Decision over Vianello

Efe Ajagba won a 10-round split-decision over Guido Vianello in a heavyweight bput.

In round two, Vianello hurt Ajagba badly when he landed a hard right to the head. Ajagba got it together and took the middle rounds by boxing and showing off his skills. Vianello made a late push but it feel just short as Ajagba won by scores of 96-94 on two cards and a third card was 96-94 in favor of Vianello.

Ajagba landed 186 of 583. Vianello was 177 of 622.

Ajagba, 241.2 lbs of Ughello, NIG is 20-1. Vianello, 244.5 lbs of Rome, ITA is 12-2-1.

Conceicao Stops Guardado in 7

Former two-time world title challenger Robson Conceicao stopped Jose Guardado in a scheduled eight-round junior lightweight bout.

In round nine, Conceicao dropped Guardado with a hard left to the body. Guardado was hurt badly and eat a barrage of punches until the fight was stopped when he was sent to the canvas for a second time at 2:27.

Conceicao, 131.6 lbs of Bahia, BRA is now 18-2-1 with nine knockouts. Guadardo, 131.5 lbs of Ensanada, MEX is 15-2-1.

Julian Delgado made a successful pro debut with a four-round unanimous decision over Juan Tamez in a middleweight fight.

Delgado, 159.3 lbs of Corpus Christi, TX won by scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37 and is 1-0. Raez, 159 lbs of Laredo, TX is 1-1.

Ruben Villa IV won a 10-round unanimous decision over Cristian Cruz in a featherweight bout.

Villa, 125.6 lbs of Salinas, CA won by scores of 98-92 twice and 97-93 and is now 22-1. Cruz, 125.1 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 22-7-1.

John Rincon remained undefeated with a six-round majority decision over Yainel Alvarez in a welterweight bout.

Rincon, 143 lbs of Corpus Christi, TX won by scores of 59-55, 58-56 and 57-57 and is now 9-0. Alvarez, 143.5 lbs of Ciego de Avila, CUB is now 3-4-2.

Abdullah Mason remained undefeated with a fourth round stoppage over Ronal Ron in a scheduled eight-round lightweight bout.

In round one, Mason landed a perfect left that put Ron on the canvas. In round three, Mason dropped Ron with a hard body shot and then a left to the head. In round four, Mason landed a vicious barrage of head and body shots that forced referee Laurence Cole to stop the bout at 1:02.

Mason, 134.6 lbs of Cleveland, OH is 13-0 with 11 knockouts. Ron, 134.7 lbs of Guarico, VEN is 14-6.

Charly Suarez remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Louie Coria in a junior lightweight fight.

In round eight, Coria landed a left that put Suarez backed into the ropes that was ruled a knockdown. That was not enough as Suarez dominated with boxing ability through just about the whole fight.

Suarez, 131.8 lbs of San Isidro, PHL won by scores of 7-74 twice and 76-75 and is now 17-0. Coria, 131.7 lbs of Moreno Valley, CA is 15-7.

Alejandro Guerrero scored an upset by stopping previously undefeated Jalen Walker in round seven of an eight-round lightweight bout.

In round two, Guerrero dropped Walker with a straight left hand. In round four, Guerrero scored another knockdown when Guerrero landed a right to Walker’s body.

In round six, Walker was credited with a knockdown after he landed a combination that bent Guerrero over that was ruled a count. In round seven, Guerrero landed a hard uppercut that hurt Walker on the ropes and the towel was thrown in by Walker’s corner after a follow up flurry had Walker defenseless at 1:36.

Ali Feliz made a successful pro debut with a second round stoppage of Anthony Woodson III in a scheduled four-round heavyweight bout.

In round two, Feliz dropped Woodson with a hard left and right to the chin and the fight was stopped at

Feliz, 219.1 lbs of Danbury, CT is 1-0 with one knockout. Woodson, 280.2 lbs of Gary, IN 1-2.

Xander Zayas stopped Roberto Valenzuela Jr. in round five of their 10-round junior middleweight bout.

Halfway through round one, Zayas dropped Valenzuela with a left hook. Later in the round, the two got tangled, but Zayas landed a right hand that put Valenzuela down for a second time. Zayas continued to beat up and batter Valenzuela until the bout was stopped at 42 seconds.

Zayas, 153.7 lbs of San Juan, PR is 17-0 with 11 knockouts. Valenzuela, 153.4 lbs of Agua Prieto, MEX 21-5.

Emiliano Fernando Vargas stopped Alejandro Guardado in round three of a six-round lightweight bout.

Vargas hurt and landed a hard flurry and was very impressive until the bout was stopped at 1:37.

Vargas, 135.8 lbs of Las Vegas is 7-0 with six knockouts. Guardado, 136.3 lbs of Sevilla, SPA is 5-1.

Julio Luna won an eight-round unanimous decision over Omar Aguilar in a welterweight contest.

Luna, 146.6 lbs of Gomez Palcios, MEX won by scores of 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75 and is now 21-1-2. Aguilar, 146.6 lbs of Ensenada, MEX is 25-2.

John Rincon remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Bryan Ismael Rodriguez Rivera in a welterweight fight.

Rincon, 143.4 lbs of Corpus Christi, TEX won by scores of 60-54 twice and 58-56 and is now 8-0. Rivera, 143.9 lbs of Caguas, PR is 4-2-1.

Jermaine Ortiz won a 10-round unanimous decision over Antonio Moran in a junior welterweight bout.

In round six, Moran began to bleed from the nose. In round eight, Ortiz was cut under the right eye.

Ortiz, 137.8 lbs of Worcester, MA won by scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 and is now 17-1-1. Moran, 137.5 lbs of Mexico Cuty is 29-6-1.

Former world title challenger Ruben Villa IV won an eight-round unanimous decision over Brandon Valdes in a featherweight bout.

Villa, 126.7 lbs of Salinas, CA won by scores of 78-74 on all cards and is now 21-1. Valdes, 126.9 lbs of Barranquilla, COL is 15-4.

Tiger Johnson remained undefeated with a eight-round majority decision over Ricardo Quiroz in a junior welterweight fight.

Johnson, 141,7 lbs of Cleveland won by scores of 79-73 twice and 76076 and is now 10-0. Quiroz, 141.6 lbs of Oxnard, CA is 13-3.

Janibek Alimkhanuly retained the WBO Middleweight title with a second round obliteration of Steven Butler at The Stockton Arena in Stockton, California.

In round two, Alimkhanuly dropped Butler with a devastating left uppercut that was followed by a huge left. When Butler got up, he was on unsteady legs. Alimkhanuly jumped on Butler and sent him to the canvas for second time with a big flurry of punches. Alimkhanuly continued to pound a wounded Butler and put him flat ion his back and the fight was stopped at 2:35.

Alimkhanuly, 159.2 lbs of Kazakhstan is now 14-0 with nine knockouts. Butler, 159.6 lbs of Montreal 32-4-1.

Alimkhanuly said, “Championsl. Boxing superstars! Where are you? I am waiting. Let’s fight. I am the most avoided boxer. I am the middleweight king. Let’s go. Let’s fight. I am ready for anybody. Anytime. Anywhere.”

Jason Moloney Decisions Astrolabio to Win Bantamweight Title

Jason Moloney won the vacant WBA Bantamweight title with a 12-round majority decision over Vincent Astrolabio

Moloney was cut around the left eye in round seven.

Moloney landed 143 of 463 punches. Atrolabio was 109 of 596.

Moloney, 117.8 lbs of Melbourne, AUS won by scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 114-114 and is now 26-2. Astrolabio, 117.2 lbs of General Santos City, PHL is 18-4.

Moloney won the title on his third attempt.

Moloney said, “I thought I won it going away, but all that matters is the victory. And now I have this belt for the rest of my life.

“I broke my hand in the third or fourth round. It hurt every time I threw it. But I knew this was my last chance to make my dream come true.

“This is half the job done for Team Moloney. Next week, [twin brother] Andrew will join me as champion of the world.”

Gabriel Flores Jr. destroyed Derrick Murray by scoring an opening-round, one-punch stoppage in a eight-round lightweight bout.

Flores landed a perfect check left hook to the chin that sent Murray crushing down to the canvas with the back of his head hitting the canvas and the fight was stopped at 30 seconds.

Flores, 134.4 lbs of Stockton, CA is now 22-2 with eight knockouts. Murray, 134.4 lbs of Saint Louis, MO is 17-9-1.

Former world title challenger Ruben Villa IV stopped Maicol Lopez Viillagrano in round five of their eight-round featherweight bout.

In round four, Villa dropped Villagrano with a left uppercut that was followed by a straight left to the chin. In round five, Villa landed several big lefts that forced a referee stoppage at 1:55.

Villa, 126.4 lbs of Salinas, CA is 20-1 with seven knockouts. Villagrano, 126.6 lbs of Mexicali, MEX is 16-5.

Javier Martinez and Joeshon Jones fought to an eight-round split draw in a battle of undefeated middleweights.

Martinez won a card 77-75; Jones took a card 79-73 and a third card was even at 76-76.

Martinez, 160.2 lbs of Milwaukee, WI is 8-0-1. Jonez, 161.2 lbs of Sacramento, CA is 7-0-1.

Amado Fernando Vargas won a four-round unanimous decision over Bernando Marzano in a junior lightweight bout.

In round one, Vargas dropped Manzano with a hard left.

Vargas, 129.4 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 40-35 on all cards and is ow 7-0. Marzano, 129.6 lbs of Mexico City is 2-5.

Brian Norman Jr. remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Jesus Perez in a welterweight fight.

Norman, 148 lbs of Atlanta, GA won by scores of 78-74 and 77-75 twice and is now 24-0. Perez, 147 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 24-5.

(April 3, 2023) — Featherweight contender Ruben “Drac” Villa, the 25-year-old southpaw dynamo from Salinas, California, has inked a multi-fight promotional contract with Top Rank. Villa will make his long-awaited ring return in an eight-rounder Saturday, May 13, on the undercard of the Janibek Alimkhanuly-Steven Butler WBO middleweight title fight at Stockton Arena in Stockton, California.
 
“Ruben Villa has everything it takes to become a world champion,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “He’s a young, talented southpaw who has already tested himself at the sport’s highest level. His future is very bright.”
 
Villa said, “I have always dreamed of fighting on ESPN consistently and being with Top Rank to make the big fights. I want to win a world title and to do it as soon as possible. I look forward to fighting in Stockton, where my hometown fans will be out in full force.”
 
“Villa will be a world champion very soon,” said Rick Mirigian, Villa’s manager. “This partnership was the perfect fit, and we thank Top Rank for a tremendous deal for Ruben to prove he belongs with the top featherweights.”
 
Villa (19-1, 6 KOs) turned pro in 2016 and captured the WBO International featherweight strap in May 2019 with a unanimous decision over Luis Alberto Lopez, who is now the IBF featherweight world champion. Four months after toppling Lopez, he pitched a shutout over top Mexican contender Jose Enrique Vivas. Those victories helped earn him a shot at Emanuel Navarrete for the WBO featherweight world title in October 2020. Navarrete dropped Villa in the first and fourth rounds, but Villa outboxed Navarrete for long stretches. The two knockdowns were critical, as Navarrete notched a unanimous decision by scores of 114-112 2x and 115-111. Villa has fought once since the Navarrete loss, knocking out Horacio Garcia in the ninth round last April.

Former world title challenger Ruben Villa returned from a 16-month layoff to look impressive in stopping Horacio Garcia in round nine of their 10-round featherweight bout at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California.

In round one, Garcia was cut over his left eye. Villa looked sharp in landing crisp three and four-punch combinations for which Garcia had no answer for. Villa did not look like he took any time off as he continued to break down and bloody Garcia more and more as the rounds went by.

Finally in round nine, Villa landed hard combinations that forced referee Raul Caiz Jr. to stop the bout at 1:12.

Villa, 126.4 lbs of Salinas, CA is now 19-1 with six knockouts. Garcia, 126.8 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 35-6-1.

In a rematch, Richard Brewart Jr. won a six-round unanimous decision over Antonio Duarte.

Brewart, 161.3 lbs of Rancho Cucamonga, CA won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 11-0. Duarte, 161 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 2-3.

This was a rematch of June 14, 2019 bout at the same venue where Brewart won by similar scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55.

Pedro Valencia shook off a first-round knockdown to win a six-round unanimous decision over Edgar Palacios in a battle of undefeated lightweights

In round one, Palacios dropped Valencia with a big straight left. Valencia was able to battle back and dominate the final two rounds and win by scores of 57-56 on all cards.

Valencia, 137.8 lbs of Pocoima, CA is 9-0. Palacios, 136.6 lbs of La Paz, MEX is 3-1.

Esteban Munoz stopped Kenny Williams after round three of their six-round welterweight bout.

In round three, Munoz and Williams clashed heads and Williams started to bleed around the right eye. In between rounds, the fight was halted by the corner.

Munoz, 145 lbs of San Bernardino, CA is 6-1 with three knockouts. Williams, 148.1 lbs of San Antonio, TX is 4-7-1.

Nelson Oliva stopped Manuel Martinez in the opening round of their four-round super welterweight bout.

In round one, Oliva dropped Martinez with a left hand. Seconds later, it was another left hand that sent Martinez down for second time and the fight was stopped at 1:42,

Oliva, 157 lbs of Riverside, CA is 2-0 with two knockouts. Martinez, 158 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 6-6-4.

Alejandro Barajas made a successful pro debut with a four-round unanimous decision over Ulises Rosales in a bantamweight fight.

Barajas, 117.4 lbs of Los Angeles, CA won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is now 1-0. Rosales, 117.8 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 0-6.

Ontario, CA (April 14, 2022) – Featherweight world title contender, Ruben “Drac” Villa (18-1, 5 KOs) weighed in at 126.4 pounds while his opponent Horacio Garcia (35-5-1, 25 KOs) checked in at 126.7 pounds for their Friday night 10-round fight at The Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California.

Villa of Salinas, California is co-promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing. will be competing in the main event of a card that will be streamed live on Banner Promotions Facebook page, Thompsonboxing.com, and Thompson Boxing social media as well as the Thompson Boxing app beginning at 8 PM PT /11 PM ET.

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please like the Banner Promotions Facebook Page, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing.

ONTARIO, CA (April 13, 2022) – Upset minded featherweight, Horacio Garcia (35-5-1, 25 KOs), of Guadalajara, Mexico, will looking derail
Thompson Boxing’s featherweight contender Ruben “Drac” Villa (18-1, 5 KOs), who is co-promoted with Banner Promotions. Villa vs. Garcia, a 10-round bout, will headline Thompson Boxing’s “Path To Glory” event on Friday, April 15, 2022.

This event will take place at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, CA. Doors open at 6:30 pm PT with the first fight starting at 8:00 pm PT. Tickets are priced at $50, $75, and $100, are available for purchase by calling 714-935-0900

On his upcoming matchup with Ruben Villa:

“I think Villa struggles with my style of fighting, and they picked the wrong guy to face in his return. Villa is a good boxer, but I am not sure we can say he is an elite pro or even an elite fighter. He has skills, but he’s going to be in a dog fight, and I question his heart.”

On his recent training camp:

“Things have been great, I was given tons of time to prepare for this fight, and I am ready to be in Villa’s face for every minute of every round. He better have trained hard for this fight because I am coming.”

On fighting on Thompson Boxing cards:

“I am excited to be fighting on another Thompson Boxing card as this will be back-to-back outings for me on their platform. I like that Thompson Boxing offers streaming of the fight worldwide. Thompson always provides a great professional environment, and I am excited to show my skills on their card.”

On what a win will do for his career:

“Simply put I will take Ruben’s spot in the sport. I want to take everything he worked for and make it my own. This is a big opportunity for me and a win will lead to bigger fights against some big names.”

#

SALINAS, CA (April 12, 2022) – Featherweight world title contender, Ruben “Drac” Villa (18-1, 5 KOs), who is co-promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing, has wrapped up training camp in Salinas, California for his fight, Friday, April 15, 2022, as he battles tough veteran Horacio Garcia
(35-5-1, 25 KOs), of Guadalajara, Mexico in a 10-round main event.

This event titled “Path To Glory” will take place at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, CA. Doors open at 6:30 pm PT with the first fight starting at 8:00 pm PT. Tickets are priced at $50, $75, and $100, and are available for purchase by calling 714-935-0900.

Here is what Villa had to say about his recent training camp, his upcoming fight with Garcia, and more.

On his matchup with Horacio Garcia:

“I am glad to be back, and I want to thank my team, Garcia Boxing, Max, Sam, Kathy as well as my father for the support, as well as my promoters Thompson Boxing and Banner Promotions for getting me back in the ring. My opponent is a solid guy, he is talented, but I see myself as a world champion, and just made small mistakes in my last fight that cost me a world title. The experience I’ve gained makes me an even more dangerous fighter, and you will see that in this fight.”

On his recent training camp:

“Camp has been really intense and I’ll be in great shape. I recently opened a new form of my boxing gym in Salinas, California, and the big spark came this week when NFL Pro Bowler Patrick Willis visited the gym and worked out with me. Training can be very much the same thing repeatedly and getting a surprise visit by a legend really got me inspired to finish camp strong.”

On fighting back in Ontario, CA at the DoubleTree Hotel:

“It feels good to be back at the DoubleTree. I started my career on these cards, and to return is a good feeling as I know the venue and the fight week stuff very well. It is like visiting an old friend if an old friend could be a building. The fans always bring good energy there and I can’t wait to bring an exciting fight to everyone in attendance.”

On what a win will do for his career:

“I want to get back into the world title picture. I see the division as fairly empty outside of the fighter I lost to and we had a close fight. I spent my whole amateur career fighting the best fighters in the world, and after this fight I want to face the best fighters possible. I have a very good record, and now I am going for legacy with the goal to bring a world title fight to Salinas, California.

The fight can be seen on Banner Promotions Facebook Page.

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please like the Banner Promotions Facebook Page, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing.

Emanuel Navarrete became a two-division world champion as he won the WBO Featherweight Title with a 12-round majority decision over previosuly undefeated Ruben Villa at the MGM Conference Center in Las Vegas.

In round one, Navarrete scored a knockdown from a left uppercut. In round four, it was another uppercut that sent Villa down.

Navarrete outlanded Villa 163-131.

Navarrete, 126 lbs of Mexico won by scores of 115-111 and 114-112 twice and is now 33-1. Villa, 125 lbs of Salinas, CA is 18-1.

Navarrete said, “I knew that Villa was a fighter that moved a lot, and I knew that he was going to move even more once he felt my power. I didn’t get the knockout, but I got the victory.
 
“I’m very happy with this championship. It’s a reflection of all the sacrifices and all the hard work I put in. I conquered my second weight class because of all that hard work.
 
“I have my sights set on all the world champions at 126. I would love to face {Josh} Warrington. I think that our styles will make for a great fight.”

Alimkhanuly stops Coria in 2

Janibek Alimhanuly destroyed Gozala Cora in two rounds of their scheduled 10-round middleweight bout.

In round one, Alimkhanuly dropped Coria with a hard left. In round two, Alimkhanuly landed anther booming left that sent Coria down face-first and the fight was stopped at 2:59.

Alimkhanuly, 159.6 lbs of Kazakhstan is 9-0 with five knockouts. Coria, 158.6 lbs of Argentima is 16-4.

Alimkhanuly said, “I want to fight a world champion soon, like Demetrius Andrade and Jermall Charlo. Canelo, of course. Top Rank promotes Ryota Murata at 160. I want to fight him as well. Whoever the top guys are 160, I want them next.”

Rodriguez Stops Krael in 3

Good looking prospect Elvis Rodriguez stopped durable Cameron Krael in round three of their scheduled eight-round junior welterweight bout.

In round three, Rodriguez landed a right hook to the head that sent Krael down for the 10-count at 53 seconds.

Rodriguez, 141.5 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR is 10-0-1 with 10 knockouts. Krael, 141.2 lbs of Las Vegas is 17-17-3.

Lorenzo Simpson won an eight-round unanimous decision over Sonny Duversonne in a battle of undefeated middleweights.

Simpson controlled the action with his superior boxing ability.

In round sfive, Duversonne landed a right hand that forced Simpson’s left glove to touch the canvas and ruled a knockdown.

Simpson, 156 lbs of Baltimore, MD won by scores of 79-73 and 78-73 twice and is now 9-0. Duversonne, 154.8 lbs of Miami FL is 11-1-2.

Bryan Lua remained undefeated as he won a six-round unanimous decision over Nelson Colon in a lightweight bout.

Lua, 131.6 lbs of Malera, CA won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 7-0. Colon, 131.6 lbs of Cayey PR is 4-4.

Rashiem Jefferson remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Steve Garaganza in a junior featherweight bout.

In round three, Garaganza was cut over his left eye.

Jefferson, 123.8 lbs of Philadelphia won by scores of 40-36 on all cards, and is now 3-0. Garaganza, 123.5 lbs Laredo, TX is 2-3-1.

Kahshad Elliott made a successful pro debut with a 1st round destruction over Akeem Jackson in a scheduled six-round junior middleweight bout.

Elliott scored two knockdowns, with Jackson not wanting to get up before referee Michael Ortega’s 10-count at 1:15

Elliott, 152.8 lbs of Plainfield, NJ is 1-0 with one knockout. Jackson, 151.5 lbs of Oxon Hill, MD is 1-2.

• Emanuel Navarrete 126 lbs vs. Ruben Villa 125 lbs
  (Vacant WBO Featherweight World Title – 12 Rounds)

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please like the Banner Promotions Facebook Page, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing.

LAS VEGAS (October 7, 2020) -Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete has won 27 consecutive bouts. Ruben Villa has never lost as a professional. Something will give Friday evening (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET), when the two battle for the vacant WBO featherweight world title, which became available after Shakur Stevenson moved up to the junior lightweight ranks.

The ESPN-televised co-feature will see Kazakh middleweight phenom Janibek Alimkhanuly against Gonzalo Coria in a 10-rounder. Undercard bouts, including middleweight prospect Lorenzo “Truck” Simpson against Sonny Duversonne and junior welterweight puncher Elvis “The Dominican Kid” Rodriguez against Cameron Krael, will stream live on ESPN+ at 7:15 p.m. ET.

Navarrete (32-1, 28 KOs) reigned as WBO junior featherweight world champion and became boxing’s most active world champion. He made five defenses of the title he won from Isaac Dogboe in a nine-month span and most recently knocked out Uriel Lopez in a June non-title bout in Mexico City.

Villa (18-0, 5 KOs), from Salinas, Calif, who is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing, earned this title shot with wins over the likes of Alexei Collado and Jose Enrique Vivas, but Navarrete represents a giant step up in class. Villa fights for his Salinas Valley home region, which has been ravaged by wildfires in recent months. The poor air quality has forced him to wear a mask during roadwork. The field workers are still out there, providing Villa with ample motivation as he awaits his first world title opportunity.

At Wednesday’s press conference, this is what Navarrete and Villa had to say.

Ruben Villa

“There have been a couple of restrictions and stuff due to COVID, but I’ve been in the gym, I’ve been active. It hasn’t gotten in the way of me training and my team’s training. Yeah, we trained hard, another hard camp, and we’re ready for Friday night.”

“My last couple of fights, they’ve been aggressive guys who come to beat me and think they’re going to get me off my game plan. But I adapted well. We always had good game plans and stuck to game plans, and now we’re here fighting for a world title. I feel like I’m ready. I feel like he’s beatable, and my style is the one to do it.”

“He’s an aggressive guy who throws 100 punches a round. I feel like it’s just going to bring the best out of me to do my job as well as I can.

“I feel like you’re going to see a bigger and better Ruben Villa this Friday.”

“Running with the mask on, seeing the field workers working during the pandemic and fires, it’s just another motivation for me to win this fight and bring Salinas its first world title. I just can’t wait to show you guys what I got.”

“I want to see the best Ruben Villa. I haven’t even seen him yet. I feel like Navarrete will bring it out of me. I’m just excited to perform and, like I said, show you guys what I got. I feel like I’ve been slept on. Maybe a lot of people think I don’t belong here, but I’m going to show everyone I’m an elite 126 fighter. Yeah, I’m coming to win and coming to fight.”

Emanuel Navarrete

“With the current situation and the camp we’ve had, {my team} has done a great job. We’ve worked through it, and we’re ready for this match.”

“My body is doing a lot better. I’m growing a little bit more. It was getting a little bit difficult making 122, but now going up to 126, I think I’m more prepared for that.”

“For now, we’re pretty much ready. We’re ready for this weight. We’re ready for this fight on Friday night, so I think we’re ready to go with what we have. After this fight, we’re going to keep moving forward.”

Use the hashtag #NavarreteVilla to join the conversation on social media.

SALINAS, CA (October 6, 2020) – The highly anticipated world title fight between Ruben Villa IV (18-0, 5KOs), who is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing, and Emanuel Navarrete (32-1, 28 KOs) will happen this Friday, October 9th, 2020 on ESPN with the vacant WBO featherweight world title on the line.

The fight is being promoted by Top Rank, in association with Banner Promotions Promotions and Thompson Boxing, taking place at “The Bubble” inside the MGM Grand Conference Center, televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (10 PM ET / 7 PM PT).

Prior to being in the professional ranks, Villa was largely considered as one of the greatest amateurs in recent years in USA Boxing. He is now looking to make a childhood dream come true by bringing a world title back to his hometown of Salinas, California.

Here is what Villa had to say about his upcoming fight world title fight.

On his recent training camp
“This camp has been the best camp of my life. I turned off all social media, I took a ‘Mamba Mentality’, and focused strictly on training. I’ve had great sparring partners preparing for this fight like Manny Jaimes, Javier Padilla, Andy Vences and Xavier Martinez, and they all gave me tough rounds, and I am ready for whatever Navarrete will bring, whether it is boxing or pressure.

On his matchup with Emanuel Navarrete
“Navarrete is a good fighter, but I will be honest, I feel largely disrespected coming into this fight. I am a southpaw who is the bigger man, and had a better amateur career, but am being viewed as an underdog. I have a chip on my shoulder, and though I respect Navarrete’s skills, I am looking to prove a point.”

On bringing a world title back to Salinas, California.
“I love my hometown of Salinas, California, and I want to bring home a world title to all the fans here that have supported me over the years. I have told my trainers Max Garcia and Sam Garcia that this has been a childhood dream of mine since I first laced up a pair of gloves. We’re working as a team to accomplish this goal.”

On what people expect when he steps in the ring.
“People will see someone who started boxing at a young age, show his skills and poise in accomplishing a childhood dream. I have been very focused, I am giving this my all, and I am ready. Everyone should tune in Friday, October 9th, on ESPN, because this will be a great fight for the fans.”

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please like the Banner Promotions Facebook Page, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing.

LAS VEGAS (October 2, 2020) — Undefeated southpaw middleweight phenom Janibek Alimkhanuly is set to introduce ESPN viewers to his brand of “Qazaq Style.” Alimkhanuly will fight Argentinian contender Gonzalo Coria in a 10-rounder Friday, Oct. 9 from the MGM Grand Las Vegas Conference Center.

Alimkhanuly-Coria will serve as the co-feature to the vacant WBO featherweight world title fight between Emanuel Navarrete and Ruben Villa, and both bouts will be televised LIVE on ESPN beginning at 10 p.m. ET.

Undercard action, including a 10-round lightweight showdown between Joseph “Blessed Hands” Adorno and Avery Sparrow, will stream live on ESPN+ at 7:30 p.m. ET. The ESPN+ stream will also see junior welterweight knockout sensation Elvis “The Dominican Kid” Rodriguez against veteran spoiler Cameron Krael in an eight-rounder.

“Janibek is a future world champion, and I expect him to take advantage of the ESPN platform,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Elvis Rodriguez is a born puncher and a splendid young talent, but Krael is not an easy out. Joseph Adorno can prove a lot with an impressive showing over Avery Sparrow.”

Alimkhanuly (8-0, 4 KOs) turned pro in October 2016 after concluding a sterling amateur run for his native Kazakhstan, which included gold medals at both the Asian and World Championships in 2013 and a berth at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He makes his 2020 debut after going 4-0 in 2019, a year in which he won the WBC Continental Americas and WBO Global belts. Alimkhanuly last fought Nov. 9 on the Jamel Herring-Lamont Roach Jr. undercard in Fresno, Calif., and he knocked out veteran Albert Onolunose in six rounds. Coria (16-3, 6 KOs) is coming off a career-best performance last June, a 12-round unanimous decision over Marcos Reyes in Reyes’ hometown of Chihuahua, Mexico.

“I’ve been out of the ring for a long time, and I’m very anxious to return,” Alimkhanuly said. “I had a great training camp with Buddy McGirt and excellent sparring partners. This is the next step as I prepare to fight for a world title in the near future. I can’t wait for Oct. 9 to show my fans ‘Qazaq Style.’”

Adorno (14-0-1, 12 KOs) has not fought since a January draw against Hector Garcia, and he recently had his scheduled June 23 bout canceled after falling ill before the weigh-in. Adorno, who has wowed audiences with his highlight-reel knockouts, looks to regain his career momentum with an impressive showing against Sparrow (10-2, 3 KOs). A veteran of Philadelphia gym wars, Sparrow is coming off a competitive decision defeat June 25 to the unbeaten Abraham Nova. He took the Nova fight on short notice, but with a full training camp to prepare for Adorno, Sparrow hopes to graduate from prospect-tester to contender.

Rodriguez (9-0-1, 9 KOs) emerged as a “Bubble” superstar, having won three bouts by stoppage in three rounds or less. On July 2, he knocked out Danny Murray in the opening round. Nineteen days later, he stopped Dennis Okoth in the second round. In his last bout, Aug. 29 on the Jose Ramirez-Viktor Postol undercard, he knocked out Cody Wilson in the third round. Krael (17-16-3, 4 KOs) has four wins over previously undefeated prospects, four defeats by split or majority decision, and only one knockout loss. In 2016, he pushed Egidijus “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas to the limit before losing an eight-round unanimous decision.

In other undercard bouts:

Lorenzo “Truck” Simpson (8-0, 5 KOs) vs. Sonny Duversonne (11-0-2, 8 KOs)
8 Rounds, Middleweight
Simpson, a 20-year-old phenom from Baltimore, made headlines in August when he became the first American-born fighter to sign an advisory deal with MTK Global. Simpson last fought July 11 in Biloxi Miss., where he stopped Alex Sandro Duarte in 1:45. Duversonne has won 10 straight bouts since starting his career 1-0-2.

Bryan Lua (6-0, 3 KOs) vs. Nelson Colon (4-3, 3 KOs)
6 Rounds, Lightweight
Lua, from Madera, Calif., returned Sept. 19 following a layoff of more than two years and knocked out Luis Norambuena with a left hook in the second round. Colon’s only defeats have come against undefeated prospects, and on Aug. 21, he dropped a majority decision to Ofacio Falcon.

Rashiem Jefferson (2-0) vs. Steve Garagarza (2-2-1, 1 KO)
4 Rounds, Junior Featherweight
Jefferson, a 19-year-old prospect from Philadelphia, fought inside the “Bubble” on Sept. 5 and turned back Jose Martinez via four-round unanimous decision. Garagarza, from Laredo, Texas, has never been knocked out as a pro and is coming off a March decision win over Oscar Barrera.

Kahshad Elliott (Pro Debut) vs. Akeem Jackson (1-1, 1 KO)
4 Rounds, Junior Middleweight
Elliott, from Plainfield, N.J., won 10 national titles as an amateur and will turn pro at 154 pounds after attempting to qualify for the Olympics in the 165-pound division. He finished his amateur career with a reported 117-23 record.

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to 8.5 million subscribers, offering fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content. 

Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $5.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) at ESPNplus.com,ESPN.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu (ad-supported) — all for just $12.99/month.

PHILADELPHIA, PA/ / ORANGE, CA. (Sept. 21, 2020) – On Friday night, October 9th, undefeated WBO number-two ranked featherweight contender Ruben Villa (18-0, 5 KOs) gets his much deserved world title shot when he takes on former WBO super bantamweight world champion, and WBO number-one ranked contender, Emanuel Navarrete (32-1, 28 KOs), in a battle for the WBO World Featherweight title.

Navarrete is undefeated in the last eight-years, which spans 27 fights.

The fight will take place at “The Bubble” inside the MGM Grand Conference Center, and will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.

“I have been working my butt off since I was a little kid for this opportunity, and I just can’t wait to get in there and fight for the title,” said Villa, who is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing. “Navarrete is a real aggressive Mexican fighter. He is coming to win. He was a former champion, and I am the underdog, but I have the style to beat him. We have kept the camp the same. We just treat it like it’s every other fight, just that this fight is for a world title. All my hard work is paying off. I am honored and excited to represent everyone who has supported me and my journey to become a world champion, and I plan on bringing the world title back to my home city of Salinas, California.”

“This is what we envisioned for Ruben when we signed him out of the amateurs, to be fighting for a world title,” said Artie Pelullo, President of Banner Promotions. “That opportunity has now arrived, and we expect Ruben to put on a great performance on October 9th and win the WBO Featherweight World Title. I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Stephen Espinoza and Gordon Hall of Showtime for all their help with the development of Ruben’s career, by showcasing him on ShoBox that has helped get him ready for this fight.”

“Ruben Villa is a terrific fighter and has the ability to make his dream to become a world champion a reality. The hard work that Banner Promotions and us at Thompson Boxing have put on his career will surely pay off,” said Ken Thompson, CEO of Thompson Boxing. “Navarrete is a terrific champion and it will be a huge challenge for our fighter, but I’m sure Ruben will rise up to the occasion and make us all proud.”

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please like the Banner Promotions Facebook Page, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing.

PHILADELPHIA, PA / ORANGE, CA- February 25, 2020 – The accolades continue to come in for undefeated featherweight Ruben Villa (18-0, 5 KOs) as he is now ranked #2 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO).

Last week it was announced that Villa is now ranked #9 by Ring Magazine

The new position has the Salinas, California native inching ever closer to a world title opportunity against amateur rival Shakur Stevenson. Villa and Stevenson split four bouts in their amateur career.

“Now to be ranked #2 by the WBO shows that the hard work is paying off. I am looking to face any champion. I am just being patient, and when my time comes, I will be ready for that opportunity,” said Villa.

Villa is co-promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing.

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please like the Banner Promotions Facebook Page, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing.

PHILADELPHIA, PA / ORANGE, CA- February 20, 2020 – Undefeated featherweight Ruben Villa is now ranked #9 by Ring Magazine.

Villa (18-0, 5 KOs) of Salinas, California is just three weeks removed from an impressive 10-round unanimous decision over Alexei Collado in a bout that headlined a ShoBox: The New Generation card in Shreveport, Louisiana. With the win, Villa successfully defended his WBO International title.

In that bout, Villa was dominant throughout and displayed a diverse arsenal of punches that were very effective in decisively out punching the offensive minded Collado.

The ranking from the heralded magazine, adds to his world rankings of #5 by the WBO and #13 by the WBC.

“I was just surprised to get the recognition that I deserve. It’s been tough, but its finally starting to payoff. I am trying to get better with each fight and the people were happy. That the last fight against Collado meant a lot and opened up many doors,” said Villa

“Being recognized in the top-10 by Ring Magazine solidifies and validates Ruben of graduating from top-prospect to bona fide contender. In his next bout, we are looking for Ruben to really make a statement and face another world-ranked opponent in order to put him in position to fight for a world title,” said Banner Promotions President, Artie Pelullo.

“The rise of Ruben Villa has been gaining momentum since the world got to see him on Showtime last year. A world title bout is in his immediate future and it’s great to see the media, like Ring Magazine, recognizing his accomplishments.” stated Ken Thompson, CEO of Thompson Boxing Promotions.

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please like the Banner Promotions Facebook Page, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing.

SHREVEPORT, La. – January 31, 2020 – After his fourth consecutive victory in a little more than 12 months on ShoBox: The New Generation, Ruben Villa is ready to graduate from the 19-year prospect series.

The undefeated featherweight Villa put on a boxing clinic in a dominating unanimous decision win over Alexei Collado. The judges scored the fight 99-91 and 98-92 twice in the main event Friday night from George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport, La.

Photo By Emily Harney/Banner Promotions

The 22-year-old Salinas, Calif., native Villa (18-0, 5 KOs), who entered the ring paying tribute to the late Kobe Bryant by wearing his No. 8 Lakers jersey into the ring, called his performance “solid” against a “tough and aggressive fighter.”

“He was challenging throughout the fight,” said Villa. “I feel like I put on a good show. He was a big knockout puncher and he’s no pushover. He brought out the best in me.”

Villa, who was the was also the 2014 and 2016 National Golden Gloves Champion, is currently ranked No. 5 at 126 pounds by the WBO and No. 13 by the WBC. He said after the fight he’s ready for the best his division has to offer.

The 31-year-old Cuban Collado (26-3, 23 KOs) who lives in Miami, lost for the first time in seven bouts. “It was a good fight,” said Collado, who won the 2006 Junior World Title in the flyweight division. “We both brought everything. We put on a good show for the fans. He moves a lot and he’s a smart fighter. I feel like when I threw a lot I hit him but I wasn’t active enough.”

Villa said he stayed disciplined training during the holidays. “Now I’m going to take a few weeks off and then get right back in the gym,” he said.

In the co-featured bout, undefeated Ukrainian and 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist Taras Shelestyuk (18-0, 10 KOs) recorded a dominating unanimous decision victory against Argentina’s Luis Alberto Veron (18-2-2, 9 KOs). The judges scored the 10-round welterweight fight 97-93 and 98-92 twice.

Shelestyuk, who overcame a bad fifth-round cut on his forehead, had boxed just 10 rounds in the last three years.

Photo By Emily Harney_Banner Promotions

“It was a good fight,” Shelestyuk said. “I hit him with some good shots, and controlled the fight. I have been out since March, and I feel that I performed well. I am happy to be back on television.

“The cut didn’t bother me. This is professional boxing, and these things happen. I want to be back in May or June. If I come back in the next several months, I want to fight a big name – guys like Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia.”

In the telecast opener, late replacement Sulaiman Segawa (12-2-1, 3 KOs) looked impressive in his ShoBox debut seemingly out-boxing Zhora Hamazaryan (9-1-2, 6 KOs) and recording the better stat sheet, but the close lightweight fight was called a split-decision draw. One judge had Segawa winning 78-74, another 77-75 for Hamazaryan and the third judge called it even, 76-76.

ShoBox analyst Steve Farhood had the fight scored 77-75 Segawa, while Barry Tompkins and Raul Marquez both saw it 78-74 in favor of Segawa.

“I won the fight,” said Segawa, who took the fight on just four days’ notice. “I maintained him and his aggressiveness. I came up to his weight and dictated the action. I staggered him a couple of times and he was not touching me.”

Segawa earned the better stats in nearly every category. Hamazaryan was more active (57.5 punches per round to Segawa’s 53.6) but Segawa outlanded him 130-100 overall, 42-14 jabs and 88-86 power and was more accurate in all phases (30%-22% overall, 28%-8% jabs, 31.3%-31.1% power). Segawa even led 25-22 in body connects

Segawa, 28, moved to Silver Spring, Md., two years ago and is originally from Kampala, Uganda. He has won six times against previously undefeated opponents with his two losses also to undefeated fighters.

Hamazaryan, who was making his third ShoBox appearance, returned to the ring after 16 months as he returned to his native Armenia to get his physical education degree.

“It was a good fight,” the 23-year-old Hamazaryan said. “I started slow because of the switch in opposition and felt rusty. I’m going to go right back to the gym and keep on learning. And I will be better.”

It was the second consecutive split draw for Hamazaryan, who also recorded a split draw against Thomas Mattice in his last ShoBox appearance in September of 2018.

Friday’s fights were promoted by Banner Promotions, Thompson Boxing and Bishop Promotions LLC. The full telecast will replay on Monday, February 3 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME ANYTIME® and SHOWTIME on DEMAND®.

Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins called the action from ringside with fellow Hall of Famer Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

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About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 81 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

SHREVEPORT, LA. – January 30, 2020 – Undefeated featherweight prospect Ruben Villa and hard-hitting KO artist Alexei Collado (pictured above) both made weight a day before their ShoBox: The New Generation main event on Friday, January 31 live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport, La.

The former two-time Junior Olympic National Champion Villa (17-0, 5 KOs) of Salinas, Calif., will make his fourth ShoBox: The New Generation appearance in just over a year as he faces Cuba’s Collado (25-2, 22 KOs) in a 10-round 126-pound bout. Undefeated Ukrainian and 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist Taras Shelestyuk (17-0, 10 KOs) meets Argentina’s Luis Alberto Veron (18-1-2, 9 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight matchup in the co-featured bout. In the telecast opener, ShoBox veteran Zhora Hamazaryan (9-1-1, 6 KOs) from Armenia has moved over to the “A” side and will face new opponent Uganda’s Sulaiman Segawa (12-2, 3 KOs) who replaces Jerry Perez, who fell out of the fight earlier in the week because of the flu. The lightweight bout is scheduled for eight rounds.

The event is promoted by Banner Promotions, Thompson Boxing and Bishop Promotions LLC. Tickets can be purchased at www.Bishoppromotions.com and prices are $20-$100.

Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins will call the action from ringside with fellow Hall of Famer Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

FINAL WEIGHTS, REFEREES AND JUDGES

Featherweight 10-Round Bout
Ruben Villa – 125 ¾ lbs.
Alexei Collado – 125 lbs.
Referee: Mark Nelson (Minnesota); Judges: Keith Thibadeaux (Houma, La.), Pat Dayton (Monroe, La.), Micky Lofton (Monroe, La.)

Welterweight 10-Round Bout
Taras Shelestyuk – 146 ¾ lbs.
Luis Alberto Veron – 146 ¼ lbs.
Referee: Keith Hughes (Mississippi); Judges: Keith Thibadeaux (Houma, La.), Pat Dayton (Monroe, La.), Todd Singletary (Baton Rouge, La.)

Lightweight 8-Round Bout
Zhora Hamazaryan – 136 ½ lbs.*
Sulaiman Segawa – 135 lbs.
*Initially missed weight, but was allowed to re-weigh and after one hour made weight.
Referee: Mark Nelson (Minnesota); Judges: Keith Thibadeaux (Houma, La.), Pat Dayton (Monroe, La.), Todd Singletary (Baton Rouge, La.)

FINAL QUOTES:

RUBEN VILLA:

“I said in the past it will be one year till I fight for a world title and I think that’s still true.

“I’m ready and can’t wait to display my talents. I’m on ShoBox again and a main event. I want to look good and get the win, so it’s No. 2 on my list to get the stoppage. Getting the win is most important.

“I know there are some boxing fans who appreciate what I do. As far as me being concerned about what others think of me, I don’t care. We work on footwork every day, religiously. Every day for 45 minutes. That’s our priority.

“I’m not running away from anyone in there. I’m progressing and still an exciting fighter.

“I know I look relaxed out here, but I’m locked in. Once I finish all of my interviews I’m back and locked in. The fun starts now because I get to eat.”

ALEXEI COLLADO:

“The last time I fought on ShoBox I was undefeated and weight was an issue because I’m not a 135-pound fighter.

“I know how Villa fights: Box, box, box. I have to be smart and we have our game plan. No one has been able to figure him out yet, but we will see. He’s in for a test, and I have the experience.

“The hunger is still there and I have to do this for my family. Because they have supported me and are behind me.

“I come from the Cuban school of boxing which is hit and don’t get hit. I want the knockout. We’re on T.V. so we need to be impressive.”

TARAS SHELESTYUK:

“I fought on ShoBox in the past but I think I’m more experienced now and had never fought 10 rounds before that. I think I’m mentally stronger.

“I’ve lived in Los Angeles since 2013 when I turned pro. I know I’ve been inactive but it won’t affect me. I’m 34-years-old and now I’m looking for the next big fight, the Keith Thurmans or the Kell Brooks. I want to be back in the mix at 147 pounds so it’s of course important that I look good and I’m looking forward to showing that Friday night.

“I’ve had a long layoff, 22 months. But I’ve always been training. It’s a variety of reasons I was out of the ring. Sometimes the opponent just falls out.

“I’m so excited to be back on ShoBox. Most of the great champions have fought on ShoBox. I have had a goal since a very young age to be the world champion. I feel my body has served me well over the years.

“Bobby Benton will be in my corner, as well as my brother Bogdan Shelestyuk.”

LUIS ALBERTO VERON:

“I fought just 12 days ago in Argentina so I’m definitely ready for this battle.

“I know I have to correct some mistakes I’ve made in the ring recently, and we went right back to the gym and did that.

“In my mind I’m always thinking about winning and I’m always looking for the victory.

“This is my debut in the United States and I’ve fought 20 times in my native Argentina and one time in England. It’s exciting being here, and I’m ready to put on a show. Don’t miss it. It’s going to be fun giving him his first defeat.

“I have more confidence now that I see him face-to-face and he’s not even as big as I thought or as big as me.

“I know I have to make a statement on Friday night. This is a big step-up fight for me and so important for my career.”

ZHORA HAMAZARYAN:

“I did recently receive my degree in physical education back in Armenia. Boxing is my life right now, but it’s good to have something to fall back on.

“I have a new trainer now Edmund Tarverdyan and my training camp was the best one ever. He was the Armenian National coach and worked as the former trainer to Vic Darchinyan and Rhonda Rousey. It’s been three months now and things are going great.

“I’m living full-time in Armenia but have applied for my Green Card. ShoBox fans know me from the (Thomas) Mattice fights. Not many agreed with the decision when I lost to him, but I’m just looking to move forward and just looking ahead.

“My opponent is a strong fighter and a southpaw. I’ve fought lots of them so I’ll be ready.

“I’m so excited to be back on ShoBox. It’s a dream come true. I’ve been watching fights on T.V. since I was a kid.”

SULAIMAN SEGAWA:

“I just got called on Monday for this fight, but it’s great and I’m ready.

“My style is unique and I have a ton of weapons. I’ve fought stronger competition than he has and I know this is a fight I can win.

“I haven’t watched my opponent’s past fights but my trainer and my team has. They say he reminds them of my last few opponents and comes forward.

“I’ve fought on short notice before so it’s nothing new. I’m 100 percent ready, and not just physically, but mentally. And sometimes that’s even more important.

“I moved from Uganda to Maryland two years ago and I’ve come to realize that boxing in the U.S. is war. You are under a lot of pressure to win here. They hit to kill. You have to be ready for everything.”

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For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.

About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 81 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

Philadelphia / Orange, Ca. – January 28, 2020 – Undefeated featherweight and world-ranked Ruben Villa (17-0, 5 KOs) is winding down his training for his 10-round showdown with Cuban knockout artist Alexei Collado (26-2, 23 KOs), this Friday night at the Hirsch Memorial Coliseum in Shreveport, Louisiana. The bout will headline a three-fight telecast on ShoBox: The New Generation and live on SHOWTIME (10 PM ET/PT).
Villa has been working hard just outside of his native Salinas, California.

“Training camp has been good. I have been training in Prunedale which is a little bit outside of Salinas, but its close enough, so in a way I am home, but I am not at home.”

In Collado, he is facing a tough veteran, who has an impressive knockout ratio.

“Collado is a real strong aggressive guy. He is a veteran. I have to be cautious because of his power and play it very smart on our end.”

With a winning performance on January 31st, Villa can see himself in the middle of the featherweight title chase as he looks to improve on his number-five ranking by the WBO.

“I feel like I’ve proven myself with the last couple of fights. I feel like I belong in the top-five if not higher. I feel that a win will set me up for bigger and better things. ”
Villa has been more them grateful to accelerate from prospect to contender on the series that has showcased more than 75 world champions.

“Another main event on ShoBox. I am excited to showcase my talents in Louisiana again. It’s motivation to prove myself to people that I should be the main event.”

“I am usually just real focused. I know the featherweight division is stacked, but I am really just focused on what is in front of me and focused for the fight. After we are finished on January 31st, my team and I can figure out what is next; however, I feel that I am close to competing for a world title.”

Villa is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing.

Undefeated Ukrainian and 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist Taras Shelestyuk (17-0, 10 KOs) meets Argentina’s Luis Alberto Veron (18-1-2, 9 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight matchup in the co-featured bout. The televised opener features an eight-round lightweight bout pitting ShoBox veteran Zhora Hamazaryan (9-1-1, 6 KOs) of Armenia against Sulaiman Segawa (13-2, 4 KOs) of Uganda.

The event is promoted by Banner Promotions, Thompson Boxing and Bishop Promotions LLC. Tickets can be purchased at www.Bishoppromotions.com and prices are $20-$100.

NEW YORK – January 10, 2020 – Undefeated featherweight prospect Ruben Villa will make his fourth ShoBox: The New Generation appearance in just over a year as the former two-time Junior Olympic National Champion takes on hard-hitting Alexei Collado in a 10-round main event of a three-fight telecast on Friday, January 31 live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Hirsch Memorial Coliseum in Shreveport, La.

Undefeated Ukrainian and 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist Taras Shelestyuk (17-0, 10 KOs) meets Mexico’s Alejandro Davila (19-1-2, 7 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight matchup in the co-featured bout. The televised opener features an eight-round lightweight bout pitting Southern California native Jerry Pérez (12-0, 9 KOs) against ShoBox veteran Zhora Hamazaryan (9-1-1, 6 KOs) from Armenia.

The event is promoted by Banner Promotions, Thompson Boxing and Bishop Promotions LLC. Tickets can be purchased at www.Bishoppromotions.com and prices are $20-$100.

“On January 31 we have three prospects at different points in their careers with Ruben Villa developing into a must-see prospect with high expectations,” said Gordon Hall, Executive Producer of ShoBox: The New Generation. “Taras Shelestuyk is still undefeated and working on rebuilding a once-promising career in a must-win fight and Jerry Pérez is young and relatively unknown, but in a big step-up fight looking to be noticed. Each of these three are in meaningful fights that should be action-packed.”

The 22-year-old Salinas, Calif., native Villa (17-0, 5 KOs) was also the 2014 and 2016 National Golden Gloves Champion and is currently ranked No. 5 at 126 pounds by the WBO and No. 13 by the WBC. Villa was a 2016 U.S. Olympic Team alternate, and had an impressive amateur record of 166-17 with wins against Devin Haney, Shakur Stevenson, and Gary Antonio Russell.

The southpaw Villa has looked impressive in each of his three previous ShoBox appearances, including his debut last January when he outclassed then-unbeaten Ruben Cervera. In May, Villa stepped up to 10-round status for the first time and won a unanimous decision against Luis Alberto Lopez and in September, Villa scored a second-round knockdown against Enrique Vivas en route to a comfortable shutout unanimous decision.

“I know my opponent has a good record at 26-2 and he has heavy hands, but he is wild,” Villa said. “I feel that I am close to a title eliminator, but the middle or at the very latest at the end of 2020. ShoBox has helped me with my recognition and showcasing my talent. I am just thankful to be headlining once again on ShoBox. I know I’m close to making that next step up to contender so I have to look impressive on January 31.”

In Collado (26-2, 23 KOs), Villa will face a tough, 31-year-old Cuban currently living and training in Miami. Collado is on a seven-bout winning streak with six KOs and was active in 2019 winning four times, including his last victory via first-round KO against Facundo Eduardo Ased four days before Christmas. Collado won the 2006 Junior World Title in the flyweight division.

“I participated on a ShoBox event in the past and I couldn’t close the show,” said Collado, who made his ShoBox debut in April of 2014 in a 10-round lightweight unanimous decision loss to Rod Salka. “This time the story will be different and I am more than ready for Ruben Villa. Ruben is a young talented boxer but he will not be able to do with me what he was able to do to other guys. I’m far more experienced, much stronger and way smarter than all the guys put together that he has faced so far. This is an opportunity that I will not take for granted, Villa better be ready to get shocked.”

Management issues have kept the 34-year-old Shelestyuk mostly inactive and he has fought just once in two and a half years. Currently living and training in Southern California, Shelestyuk has trained with Freddie Roach and his stable of fighters at the famed Wild Card Gym in Hollywood. Shelestyuk’s last fight came in March, a unanimous decision against Martin Angel Martinez in Southern California. His best win came in 2015 on ShoBox over once-beaten Aslanbek Kozaev.

“Training camp is going great and a lot of the hard work is already done, but we have three more weeks to rock it and finish strong,” said Shelestyuk, who has previously fought twice on ShoBox, recording unanimous decisions in November of 2015 and 2016. “We always have a great atmosphere with the team during the training camp. It’s exciting to be back on SHOWTIME. The fans like my style and I’m ready to give them a show. My opponent is tough and a big guy, He has more fights than me in the professional ring, and it will be clash of different styles.”

Davila has campaigned almost exclusively in Mexico since turning professional in 2014. He was undefeated over his first 20 bouts, including two draws, before suffering his first loss in his last fight in November against once-beaten Mikael Zewski in Canada. Davila notched his last victory via unanimous decision over Luciano Chaparro Araujo in July in Mexico.

“I know Taras has a tremendous amateur and professional career but I also got what it takes to beat anybody at this level,” Davila said. “I am coming to win this fight and hand Taras his first defeat. I will do my best to win this fight.”

The 26-year-old Pérez had 45 amateur fights with some international experience and currently trains with four-division world champion Leo Santa Cruz, whom he met through a family friend in 2016. Perez made his pro debut on the Santa Cruz-Carl Frampton undercard at MGM Grand in Las Vegas as Perez recorded a knockout against Javier Cepeda in January 2017. In his young career, Perez has also fought at Staples Center in Los Angeles on the Mikey Garcia-Robert Easter undercard scoring a second-round KO against Aaron Jamel Hollis. Perez started boxing at age 9 learning his craft at the High Desert Boxing Club in Victorville, Calif., in San Bernardino County.

“We have been knocking on doors for a while and finally that door has opened up to us,” Perez said. “It’s now time to show I belong in the ring with a guy like Zhora whom I respect but have the certainty I can beat. I’m coming to make a statement in my TV debut and show that I’m a force at lightweight.”

The 23-year-old Hamazaryan resides in Los Angeles and has fought on ShoBox twice, both memorable and exciting bouts against lightweight prospect Thomas Mattice. Hamazaryan lost the first matchup by split decision in July of 2018 after out-landing and out-powering Mattice in a fight many observers thought Hamazaryan clearly won. Hamazaryan earned a draw against Mattice in an immediate rematch two months later.

“I have had a tremendous camp and am excited to get back on ShoBox,” Hamazaryan said. “I feel I am still undefeated and the fans now know what I bring and that is a fighter who fights hard for the whole fight. I do not know much about my opponent except his record. I just fight my fight and I will bring home the victory.”

Barry Tompkins will call the action from ringside with boxing historian Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

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For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports

About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 81 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

PHILADELPHIA – September 23, 2019 – This past Friday night, three members of the Banner Promotions stable were in action and had impressive performances.

In Midland, Texas lightweight Michael Ducthover (13-1, 10 KOs) took on Thomas Mattice in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation that was televised Live on SHOWTIME.

Dutchover took the fight to Mattice and was up on two of the three judges scorecards as the bout entered the eighth round.

In that round, Dutchover was cut over the left eye. The cut was ruled from a punch, but instant replays were inconclusive on how the cut occurred, and Mattice was ruled the winner of the bout.

Dutchover was ahead 69-64, 68-65 while Mattice was ahead on one card 67-66.

“It was a great fight. Mattice is a warrior, but the fight was going my way,” said Dutchover. “My body punches and uppercuts were working well, and I stunned him in the 6th round. It was a good performance and I had the fight won.”

On the punch the allegedly stopped the fight, Dutchover did not know how the cut was opened. “They said I got with a punch, and I guess that’s boxing. I don’t know if it was a punch and I don’t know if it was a headbutt. I just know that I started bleeding. I was good, but the doctor stopped the fight. The thing that disappointed me was that they did not let my cutman Andrew Rodriguez work on it between rounds. In fact, after the fight was over, he worked on it for about 20 seconds, and the cut was under control.”

Dutchover showed great sportsmanship in defeat.

“I take my losses the same way I take my wins, but now I just can’t wait to get back in there. It says that I have a loss on paper, but with my performance, I feel that I won. I would take a rematch with him without hesitation. But as soon as I heal up, I would take that as the 1st fight back.”

The fight took place in front of a sold out crowd in Dutchover’s hometown for which SHOWTIME analyst’s said it was the loudest they heard a venue in many years.

“Midland supported this event, and I helped bring a major event here. It exceeded all expectations, the fans loved the fight, and they are already talking about bringing another event here.”

In the co-feature, world-ranked featherweight, Ruben Villa (17-0, 5 KOs) was very impressive in shutting out previously undefeated Enrique Vivas to retain the WBO International title.

Villa used a variety of punches throughout the fight which included a perfect two punch combination that dropped Vivas in round two, and Villa cruised to the victory by matching 100-89 scores on all cards.

“It was a pretty good performance. He was confident, but we had a good game-plan which we stuck to the whole fight, and I was smart about it what I wanted to do in there,” said Villa.

“We planned that he would be more aggressive. We know that feints and jabs would be key and they worked great. Once I landed the jab that was followed by a left hand in round that that dropped him, I saw him begin to lose his confidence.”

Villa was very satisfied with his performance in his 3rd appearance on ShoBox.

“If you consider the tough opponent, who came in undefeated and combine it that I scored a knockdown and won all the rounds, I would say it was my best performance to date.”

Villa is very confident that major opportunities are on the horizon.

“I am going to take a couple of weeks off, and then get right back in the gym. I am hopeful that by middle of next year I will get my world title opportunity.”

In Ontario, California, two-time world title challenger Petr Petrov registered his 3rd stoppage victory of the year as he stopped Dedrick Bell in the 2nd round of their main event at The Doubletree Hotel.
Petrov dominated the action, and stopped Bell with a body shot at 2:48.

With the win, Petrov (41-6-2, 22 KOs) will look for a major opportunity, which could include a world title shot with a particular interest in fighting newly crowned WBC Interim lightweight champion Devin Haney.

“I am very proud of Michael, Ruben and Petr,” said Artie Pelullo, President of Banner Promotions. “Michael was ahead in the fight that ended because of a situation where no one has clearly seen a punch. If the referee would have declared it a headbutt, Michael would have won the fight as he was ahead on two the cards. It’s just bad luck. Michael is 21 years-old and he is terrific young fighter. It is just a bump in the road. Ruben was outstanding, and he keeps showing us he is on his way to a world title. He took on an undefeated fighter who was promoted by Mikey Garcia’s company. Mikey knows talent. Ruben won every round, and he is proving why he is one of the best at 126 pounds in the world. Once again Petr showed that he is a true professional as he has been active, and has three straight knockouts. A big fight is in his near future.”

Dutchover and Villa are co-promoted by Thompson Boxing.

MIDLAND, Texas – September 19, 2019 – Midland native and undefeated Michael Dutchover and highly regarded lightweight prospect Thomas Mattice both made weight a day before their main event showdown on ShoBox: The New Generation Friday, September 20 live on SHOWTIME (10:30 p.m. ET/PT).

Dutchover (13-0, 10 KOs) is making his second appearance on ShoBox and is fighting in his hometown for the first time as a professional. Dutchover said he would enter the ring wearing the high school football jersey of Midland legend and former NFL star Cedric Benson, who was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident on August 17 in Austin. Cleveland’s Mattice (14-1-1, 10 KOs) will be fighting on ShoBox for a fifth time.

In the co-feature, undefeated featherweight prospects Ruben Villa (16-0, 5 KOs) of Salinas, Calif., and Garcia Promotions’ talent Enrique Vivas (17-0, 9 KOs) of Mexico City clash in a 10-round matchup. In the telecast opener, super lightweight prospect Brandun Lee (15-0, 13 KOs), of La Quinta, Calif., will face Milton Arauz (10-1-1, 5 KOs), of Jinotega, Nicaragua in an eight-round bout.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing in association with GH3 Promotions, Garcia Promotions and Now Boxing Promotions, are priced at $120, $100 and $80 and can be purchased online at www.haciendamidland,com or by calling 432-563-3737.

FINAL WEIGHTS, REFEREES AND JUDGES

Lightweight 10-Round Bout
Michael Dutchover – 134 ¼ lbs.
Thomas Mattice – 134 ¼ lbs.
Referee: Robert Velez
Judges: Jesse Reyes (Dallas), Ursaio Perez (San Antonio), Ruben Carrion (San Antonio)

Featherweight 10-Round Bout
Ruben Villa – 125 ¼ lbs.
Enrique Vivas – 126 lbs.
Referee: Robert Velez (El Paso, Texas)
Judges: Jesse Reyes (Dallas), Ursaio Perez (San Antonio), Ruben Carrion (San Antonio)

Welterweight 8-Round Bout
Brandun Lee – 142 ½ lbs.
Milton Arauz – 142 lbs.
Referee: Daniel Sandoval (El Paso, Texas)
Judges: TBA

In Non-Televised action, Mattheus Avrella Lamarque and Marquese Steward each weighed 135 lbs. Lamaque is promoted by Banner Promotions.

Here’s what the fighters had to say before they weighed in at the Doubletree by Hilton.

FINAL QUOTES:

MICHAEL DUTCHOVER
“This is just like another fight. My family lives here, but I’m staying at the fight hotel and treating it like any other fight. The location doesn’t matter but I’m glad it’s here though. The ring is my home, so I fight at home every fight.

“Everyone knows football is king here, but my dream has come true and it is time for Friday Night Lights, boxing-style.

“Training camp at the Santa Fe Springs Boxing Club went great with my trainer Danny Zamora. We peaked at the right time. We’re just ready to go.

“Cedric Benson is a Midland legend and went to my arch-rival high school Midland Lee High. I grew up seeing him star here locally and then play in the NFL. He was a true inspiration for me and all aspiring athletes from Midland.

“August 31 is a tragic day for all of Midland and West Texas as five people were gunned down here. For the past few weeks everyone has been sad, but I feel this is a perfect time to bring some happiness and positivity to the area.

“My last fight was quick, but you can never be a perfect boxer and you can always get better. So we worked on some things and Friday night I’m going to show how I’ve improved.

“My ring generalship and just being calm in the ring is what I’ve focused on. The fight is won in training camp and I’m in the best shape I’ve been in.”

THOMAS MATTICE:
“This will be a tough test, but we’re ready. The crowd might ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’, but I won’t hear it. The crowd means nothing because what it boils down to is two men in a square.

“People expect me to start slow and that’s what I’ve shown, but you’ll see something different from me right from the start.

“There is a regional WBO belt on the line so it’s a big fight. Whoever wins will be ranked after this fight.

“I’m going to be on point tomorrow night. When I get hit, it’s because I do something stupid. That’s not going to happen this time.”

RUBEN VILLA:

“I feel like I adjusted OK in my last fight on ShoBox against an awkward fighter. It was a good learning experience. I can keep my composure and I know that if I’m in a dog fight, I can adjust and go into deep waters. My opponent will start to fade around round six and I can drown him.

“I feel like quiet and soft-spoken doesn’t get you very far, so I plan to be a little more aggressive.

“There aren’t many people as fast as me. I feel like my confidence is pretty high right now, but anything can happen.

“I’m a fast fighter and my quick feet are my biggest attribute. We all know, ‘slow feet, don’t eat.’

“Going to Robert [Garcia]’s gym in Riverside really helped me because he has a lot of young and hungry guys.

“Shakur Stevenson was my amateur rival and I know he’s fighting next for a world title. But my time will come. I predict that within 12 months I will be doing the same.”

ENRIQUE VIVAS

“I know I’m fighting a tough and skilled opponent, but I just feel like this is my time. We’re both Olympians and have had success. We know each other and have sparred together. This is a once in a lifetime chance for us and we jumped on it. It’s too big an opportunity to pass up.

“For this fight we decided to train in Otomi, Mexico. My trainers are Mario and Ramon Morales and they have many years of experience as they were trainers for Marco Antonio Barrera and they also helped me train when I won the regional WBF North America belt and the Latin American WBC belt.

“Villa is a very intelligent fighter with good technique. He’s not an easy fighter but we are prepared and look forward to getting the victory.

“I’m excited to fight on SHOWTIME. I fought on television once before against Edixon Perez, who was supposed to fight Diego De La Hoya in Mexicali, and I got the victory; I’m looking for the same result on my second televised fight.

“He is a good technical puncher and I know his style and that he won’t be too aggressive. So we’ve worked on how to close the ring. It’s a great style matchup and we expect an exciting fight.

“[His promoter] Mikey Garcia always watches my fights and gives me advice. He has taught me to fight more intelligently and always tells me to be patient. He’s my idol. I appreciate his guidance.”

BRANDUN LEE

“I’m excited to gain some new fight fans and I’m excited for my TV debut. I’ve worked for this my entire life.

“My defense, my speed and my offense are my biggest attributes. You’ll see great boxers who run around and around. I don’t do that. I always have a game plan and can do it all.

“Jaron [Ennis] and I are both managed by Cameron Dunkin and we were in the amateurs together. He has a bright future and we’ve become pretty close friends.

“I’ve gained so much confidence with who I’ve sparred and trained with in the past. I feel like this is just my moment to shine. I’m only 20 years old and still have so much to learn.

“It took me six fights to realize you can’t knock everyone out in the first round. After about 10 professional fights I think I finally started to feel comfortable in there.

“Boxing isn’t a tough-man competition. I don’t have to show that I’m the toughest, I just have to show I’m the most skilled.”

MILTON ARAUZ

“I’ve been here for more than a week and we worked out in California and did some sparring and completed our medicals and paperwork.

“I’m very happy for this opportunity and I’m well prepared. Tomorrow night I’m going to take away an undefeated record. I can’t wait.

“Being on TV for the first time doesn’t affect me. I won’t be nervous. I’m just excited.

“No one knows who I am, but I know I can win this fight. That’s how confident I am. I have to be smart and attack him from the start.

Nicaragua has had a strong history of former boxing champion, guys like Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez and Ricardo Mayorga. But Alexis Arguello is my favorite.

“I have a solid team behind me, including Marcos Caballero who is the father of former IBF bantamweight world champion Randy Caballero.”

Barry Tompkins will call the action from ringside with boxing historian Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Chuck McKean producing and Rick Phillips directing.

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For more information visit www.sho.com/sportsfollow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.

About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 80 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

MIDLAND, Texas – September 18, 2019 – Undefeated prospects Michael Dutchover and Ruben Villa talked training camp and upcoming matchups in advance of this Friday’s ShoBox: The New Generation tripleheader live on SHOWTIME (10:30 ET / PT) from La Hacienda Event Center in Midland, Texas.

Fighting in front of his hometown fans for the first time as a professional, the fast-rising Texan Dutchover (13-0, 10 KOs) returns for his second consecutive test on ShoBox after making an impressive debut in May with a first-round knockout. The 21-year-old prospect will face his toughest test to date in ShoBox veteran Thomas Mattice (14-1-1, 10 KOs), a fearless five-year pro that has displayed promising boxing skills in previous appearances on the developmental prospect series.

In a battle of undefeated featherweight prospects, two-time Junior Olympic National Champion and two-time Golden Gloves Champion Ruben Villa (16-0, 5 KOs) will face Garcia Promotions’ most coveted prospect, Mexico’s Enrique Vivas (17-0, 9 KOs) in a 10-round matchup. In the opening bout, undefeated welterweight prospect Brandun Lee (14-0, 12 KOs) will face Nicaragua’s Milton Arauz (10-1, 5 KOs) in an eight-round bout.

Here is what Dutchover and Villa, who are promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing, had to say at the conclusion of training camp as they prepare for their fights on Friday night:

MICAHEL DUTCHOVER:

“This was my best camp. I feel very confident. We stepped it up a notch. Everything went smooth. It was pure hard work and dedication throughout this camp.

“I know that my fights are getting tougher and opponents are getting better. Thomas Mattice is going to bring out the best in me. A lot of my fights have been quick knockouts, and hopefully now with this fight, people will see that I bring a high skill level.

“I have been very focused on the fight, and not focusing on where the fight is taking place. My family, friends, coaches and teachers will all be there, but It doesn’t matter where the ring is, I am at home.

“Every fight, I am looking to make a big statement being that it is a main event on ShoBox against a durable guy. I feel this win will catapult me into the rankings in the 135 lb. division.”

RUBEN VILLA:

“It was a good training camp. We trained in Riverside, Calif., for the last four weeks of camp.”

“I have sparred with Vivas in the past and from what I remember it was my first day back in the gym after a fight. He was an aggressive fighter, and I know I just have to be smart and execute to be successful on fight night.

“I am excited to be back on ShoBox. I know that I must be winning and doing my job for me to keep getting on ShoBox and getting this great exposure.

“I feel that a title shot is in reach. I see by mid-2020 that I will be fighting for a title.”

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing in association with GH3 Promotions, Garcia Promotions and Now Boxing Promotions, are priced at $120, $100 and $80 and can be purchased online at www.haciendamidland,com or by calling 432-563-3737.

NEW YORK – September 5, 2019 – Undefeated welterweight prospect Brandun Lee will make his television debut against Nicaraguan Milton Arauz in the eight-round opening bout of a three-fight ShoBox: The New Generation telecast on Friday, September 20 live on SHOWTIME (10:30 p.m. ET/PT) from La Hacienda Event Center in Midland, Texas.

In the previously announced main event, Midland native and fast-rising prospect Michael Dutchover will face ShoBox veteran Thomas Mattice in a 10-round lightweight bout while undefeated featherweight prospects Ruben Villa (16-0, 5 KOs) and Enrique Vivas (17-0, 9 KOs) clash in a 10-round matchup.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing in association with GH3 Promotions, Garcia Promotions and Now Boxing Promotions, are priced at $120, $100 and $80 and can be purchased online at www.haciendamidland,com or by calling 432-563-3737.

Super lightweight prospect Lee(15-0, 13 KOs), of La Quinta, Calif. turned pro at 17 after a decorated amateur career (196-5). He has sparred with Mikey Garcia, Devin Haney and Mauricio Herrera. Trained by his father Bobby, the 20-year-old has built up an 87-percent knockout ratio. A very active fighter, he had five bouts in 2018 and he will be facing his fourth opponent this year. He last fought on August 23 and is looking for a definitive win on his TV debut.

“I’m really excited about my first television fight on ShoBox and my first eight-round fight,” Lee said. “I’m in camp training really hard with my dad and trainer. This is an amazing opportunity for me. I will not disappoint on September 20.”

The 27-year-old, Arauz (10-1-1, 5 KOs), of Jinotega, Nicaragua, had a successful amateur run. He fought 80 amateur bouts and compiled a record of 74 wins against six defeats. He turned pro in 2014 and won his first nine bouts. His lone loss came in May of 2017, when he was disqualified for repeated low blows against Angel Galo. Nicknamed “El Norteño”, Arauz will be fighting outside of his native Nicaragua for the first time on September 20.

“I’m very excited to showcase my talent on such a big network,” Arauz said. “Knowing so many great fighters had the opportunity to fight on ShoBox, I’m ready to put on a show. Also being able to come to the United States for the first time. I’m ready to give it my all and put on a great performance.”

Arauz said he’s aware of the undefeated Lee’s background and that he was also an outstanding amateur. “That’s not going to stop me, and I’m ready to give it my all and take it to him,” Arauz said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me and I’m going to take advantage of it. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get the win.”

Barry Tompkins will call the action from ringside with boxing historian Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Chuck McKean producing and Rick Phillips directing.

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For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports  

About ShoBox: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 80 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more. 

NEW YORK – August 22, 2019 – Undefeated lightweight prospect Michael Dutchover returns to ShoBox: The New Generation seeking to make a statement win in his homecoming fight against Thomas Mattice in the 10-round main event of a three-fight telecast on Friday, September 20 live on SHOWTIME (10:30 p.m. ET/PT) from La Hacienda Event Center in Midland, Texas.

The fast-rising Texan prospect Dutchover (13-0, 10 KOs) returns for his second consecutive test on ShoBox after making an impressive debut in May with a first-round knockout. The 21-year-old prospect will face his toughest test to date in ShoBox veteran Mattice (14-1-1, 10 KOs), a fearless five-year pro that has displayed promising boxing skills in previous appearances on the developmental prospect series.

In a battle of undefeated featherweight prospects, two-time Junior Olympic National Champion and two-time Golden Gloves Champion Ruben Villa (16-0, 5 KOs) will face Garcia Promotions’ most coveted prospect, Mexico’s Enrique Vivas (17-0, 9 KOs) in a 10-round matchup. In the opening bout, undefeated welterweight prospect Brandun Lee (14-0, 12 KOs) will face an opponent yet to be named.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing in association with GH3 Promotions, Garcia Promotions and Now Boxing Promotions, are priced at $120, $100 and $80 and can be purchased online at www.haciendamidland,com or by calling 432-563-3737.

“We were able to put together one of the best ShoBox cards we’ve seen so far this year thanks to the collective efforts of five promoters that didn’t shy away from matching their prospects tough,” said Gordon Hall, Executive Producer of ShoBox: The New Generation. “We get to see unbeaten Michael Dutchover making his hometown debut in a step-up fight against the talented Thomas Mattice, a match of unbeaten prospects in Villa vs. Vivas and the series debut of a top prospect and former amateur standout Brandun Lee. September 20, is without any doubt, the classic example of what ShoBox is all about.”

“We are excited to once again be able to showcase Michael Dutchover and Ruben Villa on ShoBox,” said Artie Pelullo, President and CEO, Banner Promotions. “It will be a great experience for Michael to fight at home and continue his ascension up the ranks. Ruben is ranked very high, so we expect a great performance as he continues to position himself for a world title.”

“In a lot of ways this is a coming out party for Michael, but anyone that has followed his career knows he boasts world championship talent and has the dedication to get to the top,” said Ken Thompson, President of Thompson Boxing. “Also on the card is Ruben, another supremely talented youngster that will also be in the mix for a world title shot in the near term. Boxing fans who tune in on SHOWTIME are going to see two incredible talents.”

Dutchover, of Santa Fe Springs, Calif. by way of Midland, Texas, started boxing at the age of eight, compiling a notable amateur record of 130-17. He was a runner-up at the 2016 National Golden Gloves and a Bronze Medalist in the 2016 Olympic qualifiers, turning pro shortly afterwards. Dutchover, who boasts a 77 percent KO ratio, has knocked out his last five opponents including durable prospect Rosekie Cristobal in his last outing in just 109 seconds.

Dutchover will wear former NFL running back and legendary Texas Longhorn player Cedric Benson’s jersey to the ring on fight night. Benson, who also played football for the renowned Robert E. Lee High School in Midland, was fatally injured in a motorcycle accident on August 17.

“Mattice is a talented fighter, he will bring out the best in me,” said Dutchover, who is excited to headline in his hometown. “Fighting at home means everything to me. I have fought mostly in California and on the East Coast. This homecoming is overdue. Like Friday Night Lights, I will be the next big thing from Midland, Texas. I will have my teachers, coaches and classmates there on fight night. I am ready for a big outing.”
Mattice, who is making his fifth start on the series, is looking to rebound after last minute opponent, Will Madera, handed him his first defeat in his last ShoBoxappearance. Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, the 28-year-old lightweight fought to a split-draw in an immediate rematch with Zhora Hamazaryan in September 2018 after winning a controversial split-decision in their first bout. Prior to his back-to-back fights with Hamazaryan, Mattice had won six consecutive bouts via knockout. He scored a decision over Angel Sarinana in his last start in May.

“I am focused and confident,” said Mattice. “I haven’t watched much on my opponent. I let my team watch and develop the best possible game plan. I know he is a durable guy but I’m coming to win. This is my fifth ShoBox appearance and I feel that shows people recognize my talent and hard work.”

“Since day one Thomas Mattice has put his character on the line letting everyone know he doesn’t duck anyone,” said Mattice’s promoter Vito Mielnicki, President of GH3 Promotions. “It’s a crossroads fight for both fighters; Mike [Dutchover] is young and hungry and has never been in a top-level fight but has the pedigree, and Thomas has been tested and proven he belongs. It’s going to be the fight of the night. I predict Thomas will win by KO.”

The 22-year-old Villa of Salinas, Calif., returns for his third consecutive test on ShoBox after scoring a unanimous decision over Luis Alberto Lopez in May and outclassing then-unbeaten Ruben Cervera in January. Villa, who started boxing at the age of five, owns victories over Shakur Stevenson, Devin Haney and Gary Antonio Russell as an amateur (166-17). He turned pro in 2016 and is considered by many a prospect to watch. He hopes to continue his rapid ascension in the featherweight ranks with an exceptional showing against the undefeated Vivas.

“I am looking forward to performing in front of the fans in Texas,” said Villa, “I sparred with Enrique Vivas in the past, he’s an aggressive fighter. My team and I put together a good game plan and I’m going to follow it. I think a win here will position me a step closer to a title shot. I hope to be in a title eliminator or championship fight within the next 12-to-18 months. I have my eye on the vacant WBO belt.”

Vivas of Texcoco, Mexico, is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Jose Estrella in his United States debut in June. He started training in martial arts and kickboxing from an early age, turning to the sweet science at 17, after a motorcycle accident. As an amateur, he won national, regional and state championships, amassing a 93-7 record. He turned pro in late 2014 and has stayed very active, fighting three-to-five times per year. Nicknamed “El Ejecutor” (The Executioner) for his devastating combinations, the 25-year-old has built his undefeated record against limited opposition and a victory over a gifted prospect like Villa can catapult his rise through the ranks.

“I am very happy I got this opportunity,” said Vivas, who is making his television debut on September 20. “Ruben Villa is a very strong southpaw with a lot of experience. He is one of the best featherweights out there. I’m up for the challenge. All of the struggles I have been through in my life have led me here, to this fight. When I fight, I let it all out. It will be a very exciting fight. Don’t miss it.”

“I’m very excited for Vivas’ debut on ShoBox,” said four-division champion Mikey Garcia, who is the President of Garcia Promotions. “This is a 50-50 fight. When we agreed to this matchup, we made the decision with a premise in mind that we firmly believe in: We fight the best to be the best. That is and will continue to be the foundation of Garcia Promotions.”

Super lightweight prospect Lee, of Coachella, Calif., turned pro at 17 after a stellar amateur run (196-5). He has sparred with Mikey Garcia, Devin Haney and Mauricio Herrera. Trained by his father Bobby, the 20-year-old has built up an 86-percent knockout ratio. A very active fighter, he has fought Pablo Martinez and Jorge Munguia. A definitive win on his TV debut would help put his name on the map.

“I am very excited and grateful for this opportunity to fight on national television,” said Lee. “I am young and any good performance will boost my career in a positive way, whether it is a knockout or decision. I am a boxer-puncher and I can adapt to anything in the ring. I am looking forward to showcasing my skills on national television.”

“I can’t describe how excited I am about Brandun Lee,” said Now Boxing Promotions’ Cameron Dunkin, Lee’s promoter. “He was 196-5 as an amateur and won 16 National Championships. He is truly gifted and very talented. He’s of Korean heritage and his fan base is huge. They really support him. He has an amazing future.”

Barry Tompkins will call the action from ringside with boxing historian Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Chuck McKean producing and Rick Phillips directing.

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About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 80 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.