FIGHTERS MAKE THE WEIGHT FOR FIRST SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION TELECAST OF 2015
TRIPLEHEADER STARTS AT 11 P.M. ET/PT ON SHOWTIME® DURING FREE PREVIEW WEEKEND
Undefeated Lightweight Ivan Redkach Faces Yakubu Amidu In Main Event Of Tripleheader From Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, Calif.
CABAZON, Calif. (Jan. 8, 2015) – The six fighters who will compete on Friday’s ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME(11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) made weight on Thursday at Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa in Cabazon, Calif.
In the main event of the DiBella Entertainment-promoted event, unbeaten lightweight Ivan “El Terrible” Redkach (17-0, 1 NC, 13 KOs), of Los Angeles by way of Ukraine, will meet Yakubu Amidu (19-5-2, 17 KOs), of Los Angeles by way of Ghana, in a 10-round fight.
In the co-feature, former amateur standouts Patrick Day (9-0-1, 5 KOs), of Freeport, N.Y., and Alantez “SlyAza” Fox (13-0-1, 4 KOs), of Forestville, Md., collide in an eight-round junior middleweight bout.
In the opening bout of the telecast, former amateur sensation Ievgen “Ukrainian Lion” Khytrov (7-0, 7 KOs), of Brooklyn, N.Y. by way of Ukraine, will take on Maurice “The Natural” Louishomme (8-0-1, 4 KOs), of Colorado Springs, Colo., in an eight-round middleweight bout.
ALL ACCESS: Stiverne vs. Wilder will premiere at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME immediately preceding the ShoBox telecast.
Weights: Redkach and Amidu tipped the scale at 137 pounds; Day weighed 154 pounds while
Fox measured 155 pounds; and Khytrov weighed in at 163 pounds and Louishomme measured 161 pounds.
Here’s what the fighters had to say prior to Thursday’s weigh-in:
IVAN REDKACH:
“This year I have a new team, I have a new manager and this year I’m going to fight for a world title. It would be my dream matchup to fight Jorge Linares for the title. I’m ready.
“I trained for about five months, training three times a day in Oxnard at Robert Garcia’s gym.
“With Robert Garcia we’ve been sparring with some of the top fighters. We sparred with Brandon Rios, Jessie Vargas, Ray Beltran, Mike Perez. Top fighters. It was a great experience.
“Robert has changed some of my techniques to get ready for this fight. He’s made 11 world champions out of his gym. That’s why he was the top trainer of the year. There’s a reason that he’s made so many champions so I think I’m in good hands.
“I’ve sparred with Amidu and I’ve seen him train. It’s good to have that under my belt going into this fight.”
YAKUBU AMIDU:
“Training camp has been going great. I’ve been working out for a few months because I was supposed to fight an opponent at an earlier date that had to pull out.
“My entire team has been working very hard, focusing on this fight.
“I have been training with Freddie [Roach] at WildCard gym, we are all a family at the gym. It has been very comfortable for me.
“I know that Redkach is a tall, strong puncher. I have a strategy for him. We will see what he comes with after the first few rounds.
“Redkach is a very good fighter. I have done my homework on him. If the knockout comes then I will take it, but if it doesn’t come then there’s nothing to worry about.”
PATRICK DAY:
“I guess we’ll find out tomorrow in the ring if this is the toughest guy that I’ve faced. On paper he is, but statistics don’t always prove it. We’ll find out. We’ll see how he reacts.
“His height won’t be a problem for me. Not at all. It will be a bit different than usual, but I’ve faced tall opponents in the past before and I know how to deal with it. It’s not new to me.
“He’ll try to clinch once he feels my speed, how fast I can strike. If I release a hard power shot he’ll definitely try to clinch to slow things down a little.
“I’m looking to make a statement.
“Camp was excellent. We had a superb camp. We trained for about two months straight. We brought in some tall sparring partners to prepare for his height and style. We were running in freezing weather in New York and my will kept me going. We’re ready.”
ALANTEZ FOX:
“Training camp has been great, I feel super strong. I’m ready for this fight and will be in great condition if the fight goes eight rounds. It was a six week camp and I feel 100 percent.
“I don’t know much about [Patrick] Day. I know he’s short, but everyone is short to me. I will use my distance to my advantage like I always do.
“I know that he has to come on the inside and press, and if he doesn’t then he will be playing to my game beautifully.
“I have to thank my team for giving me this wonderful opportunity to be fighting on SHOWTIME. This is what I have been waiting for my entire boxing career since I was eight years old.
“I hope this won’t be my last time on SHOWTIME. I hope to be fighting for a championship bout within the next year or two.”
IEVGEN KHYTROV:
“Training camp was great. We were sparring with Daniel Jacobs, Luis Collazo, Marcus Browne, the strongest guys in the division.
“We knew about this guy for about a week, but it doesn’t matter who I fight. I want to be champion of the world.
“I’ll do my best to knock him out. Fans want the knockout and I’ll try to give them a knockout. I can’t predict the future, but I’m going to do everything possible to get it done.
“I can’t predict the future, but I’m looking for a big year in 2015.”
MAURICE LOUISHOMME:
“I have been training the past 10 years for this fight. I have constantly stayed busy in the gym with the hopes of being able to get this opportunity.
“My biggest strength in this fight will be my jab. I really utilize my jab well. I am looking to set the entire fight up with the jab, and then look for openings with my right hand and uppercuts.
“This is an eight round fight. I am looking to box, move and avoid his big shots. If I can catch him and hurt him I am definitely going to jump on him for the knockout.
“I feel privileged and blessed to be here. I am thankful for SHOWTIME for giving me this opportunity. It’s a chance of a lifetime.”
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CONTACTS:
Sean Sullivan, DiBella Entertainment: (347) 886-2883, sean@dbe1.com
Chris DeBlasio, Showtime Networks Inc.: (212) 708-1633, chris.deblasio@showtime.net
Matt Donovan, Showtime Networks Inc: (212) 708-1663, matt.donovan@showtime.net
Flo Jocou, Showtime Networks Inc.: (212) 708-7319, flo.jocou@showtime.net
John Beyrooty, BZA/Showtime: (562) 233-7477, johnnybey@aol.com
Jared Kaufer, BZA/Showtime: (818) 621-1111, JaredK@bzapr.com
