Shobox : Romero-Esquivias, Morales-Arellano Weights and Final Quotes

JONATHAN ROMERO & EFRAIN ESQUIVIAS 

ROMAN MORALES & JONATHAN ARELLANO

 

Friday, Sept. 21, LIVE on SHOWTIME® At 11 p.m. ET/PT

From Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, Calif. <> SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (Sept. 20, 2012) - The four confident, determined and motivated super bantamweights competing on an excellent doubleheader on ShoBox: The New Generation tomorrow/Friday, Sept. 21, live on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) made weight Thursday at Chumash Casino Resort.

Combined, the ShoBox fighters are 62-1-1, but each will be facing his toughest opponent to date on Friday night.

In what should be an exciting 10-round main event between boxers with contrasting styles, unbeaten, world-ranked Jonathan Romero (21-0, 12 KOs) of Cali, Colombia, faces Efrain Esquivias Jr. (16-1, 9 KOs), of Gardena, Calif., for the No. 2 ranking in the IBF.

A terrific ShoBox co-feature will match Roman Morales (12-0, 6 KOs), of San Ardo, Calif., and Jonathan Arellano (13-0-1, 3 KOs), of Ontario, Calif., in an eight-round match for the WBC Latino Championship..
Tickets for the Gary Shaw Productions event, priced at $35, $45, $55, $70 and $85, are on sale at Chumash Resort Casino Box office or online at www.startickets.com.

Barry Tompkins will call the blow-by-blow action on ShoBox with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. Gordon Hall is the executive producer of ShoBox with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

WEIGHTS: Romero and Esquivias each weighed 122 pounds, but Esquivias had to shed two pounds to do it. Morales and Arellano also tipped the scale at 122.

What the fighters said Thursday:

JONATHAN ROMERO

"It's exciting to be back on SHOWTIME and I just love the attention and exposure it brings to me.

"I expect Esquivias to come forward from the start and try and get right in my face, so I am prepared to do whatever it takes. Whether it means I have to box and move around or slug in the middle of the ring, I'm ready. I hurt my left thumb in my last fight, but it is 100 percent now.

"I feel I am mentally stronger than when I fought Chris Avalos (Romero won a split decision last Dec. 2 on ShoBox), and look to put on a better show this time.

"Esquivias is a good fighter. I've watched a lot of tape and know he is very aggressive and will be coming to fight his fight. But his style is good for me and I will adjust to whatever he is trying to do.

"This is an important fight with a top ranking on the line. I hope if I win I can fight for the world title in my next fight. I know I feel I'm ready.''

EFRAIN ESQUIVIAS

"This fight is for No. 2 in the IBF, so it is very important. I'm looking to win, make a good impression and fight for the title.

"I've seen Romero's fights. I'm not sure he likes to get pressured. But for sure I'm going to make him go backwards.

"I've trained hard and have worked especially hard getting off to a fast start. I know I'm a slow starter. I'm expecting to start fast and set a good pace. I like to be a crowd-pleaser and entertain the fans.

"Even though I thought I won my fight against Chris Avalos (he lost a majority decision last June 23), I didn't get discouraged when the decision didn't go my way. In fact, it made me become more motivated and work even harder.

"I plan to bring it against Romero. That's my style. I think I showed in my last fight (against Avalos) that I belonged. Now I need to show that I can win.''

ROMAN MORALES

"I've done it twice so I feel much more comfortable going eight rounds. I think I did a good job in my last fight on ShoBox (he won a unanimous decision over the Roger Mayweather-trained Alexis Santiago) and listened to my corner OK. When I needed to get my second wind, I did and kept pushing forward.

"I think this is the toughest fight I've had. I know Arellano is quick and moves a lot and is going to box. I just have to be smart, keep my hands up and try and cut him off. If I get him against the ropes, I'll go to the body. But I think jabbing a lot more is the most important key for me heading into the fight.

"I just hope to win so that when I get a few more fights and get some more experience, I'll be ready for a 10-round fight against a top-10 guy fight. I've been winning decisions, but that is good. I just want to win. There is no pressure to try for a knockout. If it comes, it comes ...

"I've had some good sparring with Nonito Donaire. I think we've helped each other.''

JONATHAN ARELLANO

"This is my first fight on ShoBox but I feel I've been preparing for it since I was a kid. So, naturally, I am very excited but at the same time I'm not overwhelmed. I've always felt that if I worked hard these kind of opportunities would come.

"This is going to be a great fight. I'm looking forward to fighting someone who is really going to try and push me. I feel I I have good movement and speed, but my trainer, Henry Ramirez, has been trying to get more to stay in the pocket and throw more.

"I work very hard. I'm looking at this great opportunity for me to prove myself.''

ESPN's First Take: Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez IV

Gross vs. Sugiman-Marangos Confirmed for The Score Fighting Series

TORONTO, September 17, 2012 – Two more fights have been confirmed for The Score Fighting Series (SFS) event Sarnia, Ontario on Friday, October 19^th. Jesse “The Ghost” Gross will battle Seiji Sugiman-Marangos in a main card featherweight tilt while Joel Paquette will take on Ronnie Phillips in a preliminary bout.

Gross (6-3) is an SFS veteran who started his career with six straight wins but has since dropped his last three. His most recent loss was to Daron Cruikshank, who went on to compete in the Ultimate Fighter and is now in the UFC.

Originally from Wallaceburg, Ontario, Gross will have strong local support at his first fight since taking time off to hone his skills at the Adrenaline Training Centre in London, Ontario where he works out alongside UFC veterans Chris Clements, Mark Hominick and Sam Stout as well as SFS competitors Jesse Ronson and Chris Horodecki. This has led to a leaner physique and a new weight class resulting in his first fight at featherweight.

Jesse Gross

A very well rounded fighter, Gross is known for pushing the pace and brutal ground and pound with all six of his wins coming via T/KO. He predicted a similar outcome for his fight with Sugiman-Marangos.
”Someone needs to have Tylenol on standby because Seiji’s going to have one hell of a headache when he regains consciousness after this fight,” he said.

Sugiman-Marangos was born and raised in Toronto but has spent the last nine years living in Hamilton, Ontario where he attends McMaster University. He is currently in the final year of a PhD in biochemistry.

“Despite his recent hiccups, Jesse is a very dangerous opponent and I’m very excited to be facing him in October,” he said. “This fight hearkens back to the early days of Canadian MMA as we are two young fighters coming out of two of the oldest MMA camps in Ontario."

 Seiji Sugiman-Marangos

Sugiman-Marangos has been training with Shah Franco for the past seven years at Shah Franco Martial Arts/Innercity MMA and with Marco Costa of Body of Four BJJ. Inside the cage he sports a 5-1 record and is on a four-fight win streak. Outside of MMA, Sugiman-Marangos has competed extensively in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, where he won the Ontario Provincial Championships at Purple belt in 2009 and Brown/Black in 2011.  He also took second place at Naga Toronto 2011 and won a superfight against Shaun Krysa on the SubX show, also in 2011. He is currently a Brown belt in BJJ.

In undercard action Joel Paquette (0-1) will be competing for the first time since a submission loss to Jason Meisel in December. Ronnie Phillips (0-1) will also be looking for his first win after being TKOed by Oliver Vadnais in April.

Gross and Sugiman-Marangos joins Lyndon Whitlock and Rick Glenn on the main card for the event, which will be televised live in Canada on theScore Television Network and in the US on AXS TV beginning 10:00pm EST. Tickets are on sale now starting at $29.95 and can be purchased through the RBC Centre box office and rbccentresarnia.com. Additional fights will be announced soon.

GONZALEZ MAKES 2ND DAY WEIGH-IN FIGHT WITH DZINZIRUK IS ON

VERONA, NY (SPETEMBER 1, 2012) - Undefeated Puerto Rican Jr. Middleweight Jonathan Gonzalez made his mandated second day weigh-in and his HBO televised co-feature with former WBO Jr. Middleweight champion Sergei Dzinziruk will go on as scheduled tonight at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino

The bout was scheduled to take place at 154 pounds and the WBC Continental Americas championship would be on the line but Gonzalez weighed in at 162 pounds and because of missing weight, the fight would only go on if Gonzalez weighed in at 166 pounds. 

Gonzalez checked in at 165.2 pounds and the fight will go on as scheduled and will be televised Live on HBO beginning at 9:45 Eastern / Pacific.

The main event will feature undefeated WBA Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin taking on Grzegorz Proksa.

TICKETS:  Tickets, priced at $75, $70, $45, $30 and $25 can be purchased

                     through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800)

                     745-3000.  The Turning Stone Casino is located at 5218 Patrick

                     Road in Verona, NY.  For further information please visit their

                     website at www.TurningStone.com.

Gary Shaw Productions, Universal Promotions and DiBella Entertainment "Night of Champions" Results

September 1, 2012 - Yesterday the "Night of Champions" card at the Guillermo Angulo Coliseum in Carolina, PR took place.  In the main event coveted welterweight fighter Thomas Dulorme (16-0, 12 KOs), completely dominated Yoryi Estrella (10-8, 7 KOs) in a bout that was scheduled for 10 rounds.  An aggressive Estrella tried to keep up in the fight, but Dulorme's quickness and constant combinations caused Estrella to be outshined all the way across the fight.  All three judges scored the fight 100-90.

"My opponent came into the fight overweight, but we went after the victory without caring how many pounds he had over the limit.   It's no excuse as I accepted the fight because I will fight anybody being that  I am a warrior", said Dulorme.

In the co-feature bout, Jose "Sniper" Pedraza (10-0, 6 KO) defeated Jose Valderrama (4-2, 2 KOs) by unanimous decision.  Pedraza gave a boxing clinic, going from conventional to southpaw on various occasions.  In the sixth round, Valderrama hit the canvas after a pinpoint left hook from Pedraza landed flush on his chin.  All judges scored the fight 80-71.

"Valderrama demonstrated that he was ready," said a joyous Pedraza.  "I said since the beginning that Arecibo sends well prepared fighters.  Even though he had few fights, the Boxing Commission approved the fight for a reason, and it was a good fight for the fans."

Dulorme and Pedraza are part of "Team Puerto Rico", a collaboration between Gary Shaw Productions, DiBella Entertainment and Universal Promotions with the purpose of gathering the best talent in Puerto Rico.

In a puncher's duel, Jorge "Destroyer" Melendez (24-2, 23 KO) retained his 154 pound Interim Latin World Boxing Organization title by defeating Milton Nunez (24-5, 22 KOs) by technical knockout in the first round.  Nunez visited the canvas on two occasions, recovering only to continue to suffer damage from Melendez's onslaught until the referee detained the contest.

In other bouts, Victor "Picu" Perez (1-0, 1 KO) beat Uziel Velez (1-1, 1 KO) by technical knockout in the first round, Miguel "El Gallo" Marrero (6-0, 3 KOs) defeated Pedro "El Gago" Hernandez (6-6-1, 2 KOs) in the second round by way of technical knockout, Efrain "Macho" Cruz (1-0, 1 KO) beat Nelson Agosto (0-3) 34 seconds after the opening bell.  In the welterweight division, Luis "Yeye" Rodriguez (2-0, 2 KOs) defeated Luis Ortiz in the first round by way of technical knockout.  At 118 pounds, Emanuel "Manny, El Sensacional" Rodriguez (3-0, 3 KOs) beat Luis Ortiz (2-13) by technical knockout in the fourth and final round, while Carlos "Kid" Narvaez (5-0, 5 KOs) defeated Jose Torres (2-2) by technical knockout in third round and 2011 National Champion at 152 pounds, Emanuel "Pirata" De Jesus (1-0, 1 KO) defeated Xavier Lazaye (0-1) by way of knockout just 22 seconds into the opening round.

 

Team Puerto Rico..........the new wave, once again making a splash.....