Perez Inks Deals with Maravilla Box and Sampson Boxing

Argentinean lightweight contender Israel "Cachito" Perez (23-2-1, 13 KOs) has signed a managerial agreement with middleweight champion Sergio Martinez's Maravilla Box and a long-term promotional agreement with promoter Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing. 33-year-old Perez, from Buenos Aires, Argentina, is a former WBA Fedelatin Super Featherweight Champion, and as an amateur, represented Argentina at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Perez is currently undefeated in 15 fights. Perez, as a new member of the Maravilla Box stable, which in addition to Sergio Martinez also includes world-ranked fighters such as Javier Fortuna, Alexander Brand, Hector Saldivia and uncrowned light heavyweight champion Gabriel Campillo, will now be trained by super trainer Pablo Sarmiento. "Israel has had long periods of inactivity and we're going to fix that," said Lewkowicz. "We've got him at the right weight now where he is very strong and ready to make his mark in the lightweight division. The difference in his technique and ability will be noticeable right away now that he's working with Pablo as well."

Margules Congratulates Victorious Fighters

Warriors Boxing Promotions' President, Leon Margules, wishes to congratulate all four of his fighters who were victorious this past Friday, May 11.

Making his nationally televised ShoBox: The New Generation debut in the co-main event of a Warriors Boxing event entitled "Shootout at Texas Station", from the Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas, undefeated super middleweight Badou Jack "The Ripper" (11-0, 8 KOs) survived a close fight against awkwardly confusing opponent Alexander Brand (17-1, 15 KOs).

Jack had to call on all his experience to overcome the herky-jerky style of Brand and win via split decision (77-75, 77-75, 75-77).

To his credit, the Swedish import was able to keep his cool and deliver well-placed power shots and control just enough of the rounds, while Colombia's Brand ran around the ring and then jumped in with unconventional punches from strange angles.

On the Texas Station undercard, super featherweight powerhouse Rances "Kid Blast" Barthelemy (16-0, 11 KOs) scored a clear-cut unanimous eight-round decision (79-72, 78-73, 78-73) over Denmark, via Nigeria's Robert "Super" Osiobe (11-5, 6 KOs).

Osiobe went for broke in the early rounds and found limited success, but gradually the strength and wicked body attack of Barthelemy took over. After finding a way to outbox the careful Hylon Williams in his last fight, Barthelemy showed in this fight that he also knows what to do when an opponent tries to bull rush him.

Puerto Rican super middleweight prospect Roberto Jose Acevedo (3-0, 2 KOs) dropped and stopped opponent Martinez Sharod Porter (1-1) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at 2:19 of round two. Acevedo displayed tremendous timing and strength while walking down the game Porter.

Meanwhile, on the same night at the Miriam "Betty" Segarra Coliseum in Peñuelas, Puerto Rico, Warriors Boxing Promotions' (co-promoted with Universal Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions) undefeated lightweight sensation Jorge "Machito" Maysonet (7-0, 6 KOs) scored a breathtaking first-round TKO over Gabriel Diaz ( 5-7, 1 KO ). Diaz was down three times before the referee stopped the fight at 1:26.

"All my fighters got what they needed tonight," said the proud Margules. "Badou Jack showed tremendous focus in sticking to the plan against a very awkward opponent. It was a valuable learning experience for an up-and-coming fighter of what to do when a guy doesn't come at you in the conventional way. Rances Barthelemy showed once again why he's a monster at super featherweight. Give Osiobe credit, he came to fight, but after Rances sunk a few of those body shots he settled down quite a bit. Roberto Acevedo and Jorge Maysonet are both developing prospects we look for big things from and they both got early stoppages against decent opponents. These kinds of fights give a young prospect time in the ring and get them ready for the next step up."

For more information on any Warriors Boxing fighter, please visit www.warriorsboxing.com.

Results from Shootout at Texas Station

Friday, May 11, 2012 at 
Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel

Presented by Warriors Boxing

by Tim Kudgis

alltimegreat.com

Both Willie Nelson (18-1-1) & Yudel Jhonson put on a performance of a lifetime in front of millions of viewers at home.  Both warriors showed heart rising from the canvas, as well as being stunned numerous times.  By the end of the 4th many observers Ringside did not believe it would go the distance.  Nelson overcame a knockdown that would taken out most men in the 4th to impose his will throughout the fight.  Jhonson had his moments but they were just not enough.  The judges scored the fight 97-92 x 2 as well as 95-94 all in favor of Willie Nelson!

Undefeated Badou Jack (11-0) was in the fight of his life with previously undefeated Colombian Alexander Brand (17-1).  Brand used awkward movement as his attack.  He mimicked teammate and Middleweight Kingpin Sergio Martinez.  Badou found success in the later rounds.  The Judges had it a split decision in favor of Badou Jack with all score reading 77-75.  ATG's sorecards read 77-75 Jack via Frank Stea, 76-76 Draw via Tim Kudgis, and 77-75 Brand via Matt Bishop of BoxingTalk.com

After the fight Badou Jack had this to say "He's awkward he didn't want to fight.  I had to press him hard to get to him.  I will do better next time."

Super Featherweight Prospect Rances Barthelemy remained undefeated with a unanimous decsion over the very game and rugged Robert Osiobe (11-5-4).  Judges scored the fight 79-72 & 78-73 x 2 for your winner Rances Barthelemy!

Roberto Acevedo showed great hand speed and power to drop Martinez Porter in the second then landing a barrage of punches forcing the ref to step in at 2:19 of round two.

Cruiserweight Mitch Williams showed he was not a "Wild Thing" by using his heavy hands to administer punishment dropping the previously undefeated Carlos Gaytan (3-1-1) at the 1:20 mark of the 1st round.

Cuban Light Heavyweight Yunieski Gonzalez (8-0) destroyed the very overmatched Carlos Reyes (5-3-1) dropping him once before the ref called a halt to the action at the 1:39 mark of the 1st round.

Team Nelson Planning an Upset

I like fighting Southpaws. I'm real comfortable against Southpaws. Is he (Jhonson) ready for a 6' 3" right hander that can box and bang?? Willie Nelson    Tom Casino/SHOWTIME Cleveland's Willie "The Great" Nelson(17-1-1, 11 KOs) may have come up a little short in his ShoBox: The New Generation debut against Vincent Arroyo last April, but he's planning on doing what all great fighters can do: come back stronger than ever. Nelson and his training team and promoters, Rumble Time Promotions, are focused on making the second time the charm when he faces Cuba's Yudel Jhonson (12-0, 8 KOs) this Friday, May 11, in the 10-round junior middleweight main event of the ShoBox: The New Generation telecast (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) presented by Warriors Boxing, entitled "Shootout at Texas Station", from the Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas. The eight-round co-featured battle of undefeated super middleweights Badou Jack "The Ripper" (10-0, 8 KOs) of Sweden and Colombia's power-punching Alexander Brand (17-0, 15 KOs) will go on as scheduled. Original opponent Jhonson opponent Freddy Hernandez was forced to pull out with an injury and Nelson stepped in on 11 days' notice. "We were training for a six-round tune-up fight a week later, so I've been working very hard and I'm in great shape," said Nelson of his decision to take this important fight on short notice.  "When this opportunity came to showcase my talents and progress on Showtime, I could not turn it down. We were hoping for a big TV fight this summer, so when this opportunity came up it was very exciting. I have been there before and this time, I'll be ready!" 25-year-old Nelson says his only reservation about fighting Jhonson was weight. "Weight was a big consideration. We were just deciding to leave the welterweight division and it was important to agree on a catch weight of 152 pounds because it just would not be smart to step right in and fight a guy at 156-157 pounds on short notice. My instinct is to jump in and fight anybody, but my team helped me make smart decisions." A former USA and European amateur champion, Nelson says he has great respect for his opponent Jhonson. "He comes from a great line of Cuban fighters, and like me, he had an extensive and successful amateur career. As a pro, he has had only 12 fights and none against anyone that can do the things I can do. I respect Yudel, but I look forward to beating him." "I'm excited to have my 6' 3" beast back on Showtime!" exclaimed Nelson's much less reserved promoter, Steven Smith of Rumble Time Promotions. "He had a rough outing last time he was on ShoBox! He had some personal things going on in his life and wasn't fully focused! He back and ready to destroy! I'm anxious to let Willie expose this overrated Cuban fighter! Willie has all the tools to shatter Jhonson's dream. He's tall, fast and can punch with a great amateur and pro background. I think Willie knocks him out in round six!" Nelson has switched trainers since the close decision loss to Arroyo. He is now working with Jack Loew, of Kelly Pavlik fame. Losing to Arroyo, he says, was a learning experience. "After losing that fight, I had to go back and work on some defense and use some of my advantages better. I switched trainers. I had a long experience with my old trainer, dating way back to my amateur success. He is a fantastic trainer, but sometimes you need a change to shake you up and improve on things that you hadn't done in the past. I think my current style reflects that. Since I joined (trainer) Jack Loew and the rest of my team in Youngstown, we have been working so hard to prepare me to showcase my skills." Tickets for "Shootout at Texas Station" are on sale now, priced at $27 and $52 and are available at Ticketmaster, any Texas Station rewards center or atSCLV.COM/CONCERTS. A few VIP seats are available at a price of $102 can be purchased by calling (954) 985-1155. On fight night, doors open at 6:30 and the action starts at 7:00 pm. Station Bucks may be used to purchase tickets. All ages welcome. Under 21 must be accompanied by an adult 21 or over. Show subject to change without notice. Management reserves all rights. Digital Photography and video prohibited. Tickets can be purchased at any Station Casinos Boarding Pass Rewards Center, The Fiesta's, by logging onto stationcasinos.com/concerts or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel is located at 2101 Texas Star Lane in North Las Vegas. Telephone: (702) 631-1000 or (800) 654-8888.

Future Champ Acevedo Back in Action at Texas Station on Friday

Puerto Rican super middleweight prospect Roberto Jose Acevedo (3-0, 2 KOs) says his upcoming opponent, Martinez Sharod Porter (1-1) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, had better be prepared for battle this Friday... because he is. Acevedo and Porter will meet in a four-round non-televised preliminary bout on the undercard of the ShoBox: The New Generation telecast presented by Warriors Boxing, entitled "Shootout at Texas Station", scheduled for Friday, May 11 (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast), from the Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas. The night will be headlined by Cleveland's once-beaten Willie "The Great" Nelson (17-1-1, 11 KOs) stepping in to face Cuba's Yudel Jhonson (12-0, 8 KOs) in the 10-round junior middleweight main event, plus an eight-round co-featured battle of undefeated super middleweights Badou Jack "The Ripper" (10-0, 8 KOs) of Sweden and Colombia's power-punching Alexander Brand (17-0, 15 KOs). 25-year-old Acevedo stands 6' 2" and has an almost 80-inch reach. He was born in Miami, but grew up in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. As an amateur, Acevedo was 50-1, 20 KOs, qualified for the Puerto Rico National Olympic team and was a three-time Puerto Rican Regional and two-time Puerto Rican National champion. What are your impressions of professional boxing now that you've had a few fights? Is it a difficult transition from amateur to pro? More dedication and sacrifice are required in the pros, but for me pro fighting hasn't been all that different from amateur fighting because I've always had a professional style, even in the amateurs. What do you know about your opponent Martinez Porter? Other than his name and record, nothing. All I know is that come May 11, he needs to be prepared, because I know I am. You're young and fairly big for a super middleweight, will we ever see you take a jump up in weight? I'm not really considering going up in weight for now. I've always been comfortable doing 165 lbs or less. My height is something I like to use to my advantage. Describe yourself as a fighter. Style? Best Punch? Biggest Strength as a fighter? I would say I'm a complex fighter. I never count on using only one style, one technique or one punch. I try to keep myself from being predictable. Me and my team take care of that by studying and taking on new techniques and fixing my flaws. Best punch? I'd say watch out for my uppercuts. My biggest strength? My desire and dedication. How did you start in boxing? Truth is the fight has always been in me. When I was a teenager, I went to juvenile detention for fighting. So as soon as I got out, I thought that the best ways to straighten my ways and do what I loved without getting in trouble was boxing (laughs). Even though my father was against it, my uncle went and bought me all the gear. So, here I am. Since then, throughout the years my reasons for boxing have changed, but the passion that I feel for it only grows. You were born in Miami and moved to Puerto Rico. Why? Even though I was born in Miami both of my parents are Puerto Rican. Eventually my father and mother divorced and my father decided to move back to Puerto Rico along with me and my brothers. It's in my blood!! I'll always say I'm a Boricua even if I had I been born on the moon! Why did you turn professional when you did?  Even though I had a great amateur career, I had to fight people way bigger in weight classes to get fights. After making the Puerto Rico Olympic team for the Mayagüez 2010 - XXI Juegos Centroamericanos y del Caribe, my fiancée was pregnant and we needed the money and I was made a great offer to jump to the pro boxing. It never happened due to poor management and it wasn't till I spoke with my older brother and actual manager, Jose Alberto Acevedo. They helped me go pro and make my dream come true. Tell me about your home life in Bayamon. I live a normal life. I'm a boxer and a barber, but above all, a father and a husband, a brother and a son. My life is very family oriented. Everything I do, I do for my family. I have been living in the same town since I first moved to Puerto Rico, and everyone follows my career. I have great support from my people in Bayamon. What is your dream in boxing? My biggest dream in boxing would have to be to achieve a place among the best. I'd like to win titles and defend them. I'll prove I'm worth them. Tickets for "Shootout at Texas Station" are on sale now, priced at $27 and $52 and are available at Ticketmaster, any Texas Station rewards center or atSCLV.COM/CONCERTS. A few VIP seats are available at a price of $102 can be purchased by calling (954) 985-1155. On fight night, doors open at 6:30 and the action starts at 7:00 pm. Station Bucks may be used to purchase tickets. All ages welcome. Under 21 must be accompanied by an adult 21 or over. Show subject to change without notice. Management reserves all rights. Digital Photography and video prohibited. Tickets can be purchased at any Station Casinos Boarding Pass Rewards Center, The Fiesta's, by logging onto stationcasinos.com/concerts or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel is located at 2101 Texas Star Lane in North Las Vegas. Telephone: (702) 631-1000 or (800) 654-8888.

Jhonson Looking to Shine Against Nelson

Some fighters are concerned by an opponent switch, especially in their premium cable debut... not Yudel Jhonson. With original opponent Freddy Hernandez out, Cuba's Johnson (12-0, 8 KOs) will now face Cleveland's formidable Willie "The Great" Nelson (17-1-1, 11 KOs) on Friday, May 11in the 10-round light middleweight main event of a liveShoBox: The New Generation(11 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME®, delayed on the West Coast) doubleheadertelecast entitled "Shootout at Texas Station". "Shootout at Texas Station" is presented by Warriors Boxing live from the Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas. In the co-featured bout, undefeated super middleweight Badou Jack "The Ripper" (10-0, 8 KOs) of Sweden will face Colombia's also undefeated Alexander Brand (17-0, 15 KOs). "I'm ranked in the top 10 and I'm ready for anybody they put in front of me," said a confident Jhonson, via translator. "I had 400 amateur fights and I was one of the best amateur fighters who ever lived. Now I'm ready to make my mark as a professional. I have a lot of experience. I'm a seasoned fighter, ready to fight any top 154 pounders in the world." Hernandez. Nelson. To Jhonson, it matters little. "I don't care who they put in front of me at this point. I've fought tall guys, short guys and every style you will ever see. Willie Nelson is a very good fighter, I've seen him fight, but there's nothing he can do I haven't already seen a hundred times and know exactly what to do with." Jhonson has been training with the great Cuban trainer Ismael Salas for this fight and says the two have perfect chemistry. "I have to shine against Willie Nelson to get to the next level as a pro. I have to put in a performance that people will remember and I'm going to do it. I don't know how the fight will go exactly, but I know I'm going out there to impress. Whatever it takes to impress people, that's how I'll make the fight go. I'm happy to be back on national television again and very happy Showtime gave me this opportunity to fight in a main event on their air." Tickets for "Shootout at Texas Station" are on sale now, priced at $27 and $52 and are available at Ticketmaster, any Texas Station rewards center or atSCLV.COM/CONCERTS. A few VIP seats are available at a price of $102 can be purchased by calling (954) 985-1155. On fight night, doors open at 6:30 and the action starts at 7:00 pm. Station Bucks may be used to purchase tickets. All ages welcome. Under 21 must be accompanied by an adult 21 or over. Show subject to change without notice. Management reserves all rights. Digital Photography and video prohibited. Tickets can be purchased at any Station Casinos Boarding Pass Rewards Center, The Fiesta's, by logging onto stationcasinos.com/concerts or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel is located at 2101 Texas Star Lane in North Las Vegas. Telephone: (702) 631-1000 or (800) 654-8888.

Willie Nelson Steps in to Face Yudel Jhonson ShoBox: The New Generation Telecast to Go Forward as Doubleheader

Photo Credit: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME Cleveland's once-beaten Willie "The Great" Nelson (17-1-1, 11 KOs) will step in to face Cuba's Yudel Jhonson (12-0, 8 KOs) in the 10-round junior middleweight main event of the ShoBox: The New Generation telecast presented by Warriors Boxing, entitled "Shootout at Texas Station", scheduled for Friday, May 11 (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast), from the Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas. Original Jhonson opponent, Freddy Hernandez, has been forced to pull out with an injury. In addition, East Los Angeles lightweight Aalan Martinez has also been forced to pull out of his eight-round bout against Rances "Kid Blast" Barthelemy. Barthelemy (15-0, 11 KOs) will still fight an opponent to be determined but his bout will not be televised. The eight-round co-featured battle of undefeated super middleweights Badou Jack "The Ripper" (10-0, 8 KOs) of Sweden and Colombia's power-punching Alexander Brand (17-0, 15 KOs) will go on as scheduled. Cleveland, Ohio's 25-year-old Willie "The Great" Nelson (16-0-1, 10 KOs) stands an enormous 6' 3" and has a massive 76-inch reach. Before turning pro at age 18, the quick-fisted southpaw had over 230 fights as an amateur and was ranked #1 in the United States. He is also a former USA and European amateur champion. In January of this year, Nelson rebounded from the only loss of his career (last April via majority decision to Vincent Arroyo) by scoring a TKO 2 over Brad Jackson. Nelson is in shape, as he was originally scheduled to fight May 18 in Missouri. Also a southpaw, Jhonson was the Pan American Junior Champion at light fly in 1998 and the Cuban National Champion at welterweight in 2002 before capturing a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games. Overall, he went 379-16 in the amateurs while winning numerous titles. The 5-foot-10, 30-year-old Jhonson is coming off a third-round TKO over Eduardo Mercedes last October 15 in the Dominican Republic. "It is unfortunate that Freddy Hernandez got injured," said event promoter Leon Margules. "But in his place steps Willie Nelson, which I think makes the main event an even better, more significant fight on the world stage. This will be a tremendous battle between two young, strong, up-and-coming contenders." Tickets for "Shootout at Texas Station" are on sale now, priced at $27 and $52 and are available at Ticketmaster, any Texas Station rewards center or atSCLV.COM/CONCERTS. A few VIP seats are available at a price of $102 can be purchased by calling (954) 985-1155. On fight night, doors open at 6:30 and the action starts at 7:00 pm. Station Bucks may be used to purchase tickets. All ages welcome. Under 21 must be accompanied by an adult 21 or over. Show subject to change without notice. Management reserves all rights. Digital Photography and video prohibited. Tickets can be purchased at any Station Casinos Boarding Pass Rewards Center, The Fiesta's, by logging onto stationcasinos.com/concerts or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel is located at 2101 Texas Star Lane in North Las Vegas. Telephone: (702) 631-1000 or (800) 654-8888.

NEW FACES LOOK TO MAKE A NAME ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION

Five Fighters Will Debut On ShoBox Tripleheader;

Yudel Jhonson Meets Freddy Hernandez; Badou Jack Takes On Alexander Brand;

Rances Barthelemy Battles Aalan Martinez in Telecast’s Opening Bout

Friday, May 11, at 11 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME^®

From Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas

NEW YORK (April 25, 2012) –- Five promising boxers, four of whom are unbeaten, make their debuts on ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday, May 11, live on SHOWTIME^® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) at Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas.

Former Cuban amateur standout and 2004 Olympian, junior middleweight Yudel Jhonson (12-0, 8 KOs), and six-time Swedish national champion and 2008 Olympian, super middleweight Badou Jack(10-0, 8 KOs), head up a strong contingent of talented, undefeated newcomers on a telecast that also includes power-punching super middleweight Alexander Brand (17-0, 15 KOs) and skilled lightweight Rances Barthelemy (15-0, 11 KOs).

The southpaw Jhonson, of Miami, Fla., faces former world title challenger Freddy “El Riel’’ Hernandez (30-2, 20 KOs), of Mexico City, in the 10-round junior middleweight main event. Hernandez, who is coming off a unanimous 10-round decision over ex-world champion Luis Collazo, will be making his fourth start on ShoBox.  

Unbeaten super middleweights Jack and Brand clash in the eight-round co-feature. Jack, of Las Vegas, by way of Stockholm, Sweden, is a former sparring partner of Floyd Mayweather and Andre Dirrell. Brand, of Bogota, Colombia, is the longest tenured boxer in the history of the Colombian Olympic team with 437 fights as an amateur.

In the opener of a televised tripleheader, Barthelemy, of Havana, Cuba, meets southpaw Aalan Martinez (10-1-1, 6 KOs), of East Los Angeles, via Michoacán, Mexico, in an eight-round lightweight bout.

Jhonson was the Pan American Junior Champion at light fly in 1998 and the Cuban National Champion at welterweight in 2002 before capturing a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games. Overall, he went 379-16 in the amateurs while winning numerous titles. He turned pro on May 22, 2009, shortly after he’d defected to the United States with fellow Cubans Yordanis Despaigne and Guillermo Rigondeaux.

The 5-foot-10, 30-year-old Jhonson fought four times in 2009, five times in 2010, and three times in 2011. He is coming off a third-round TKO over Eduardo Mercedes last Oct. 15 in the Dominican Republic.

Jhonson registered a career-best seventh-round TKO over Richard Gutierrez on March 25, 2011. The following June 3, Jhonson won a 10-round decision over Jose Torres.

The vastly more experienced Hernandez is 3-0 on ShoBox. Two of the victories came against former world champions in back-to-back fights in 2010 – a fourth-round TKO over Mike Anchondo on Sept. 17 and a fifth-round knockout over DeMarcus “Chop Chop’’ Corley on Feb. 5. In his ShoBox debut on Oct. 23, 2009, Hernandez registered a unanimous 10-round decision over southpaw Damian Frias.

The 5-foot-10, 33-year-old Hernandez, a pro since February 2001, has performed well in three of his last four outings. On Oct. 15, he dropped Collazo in the eighth to win by the score of 96-93 on the three judges’ cards.

Hernandez’ only defeat since losing a split 12-round decision to Golden Johnson on Feb. 25, 2005, came when he stepped way up in class and lost to then-world champ Andre Berto on Nov. 27, 2010.  

In the co-feature, Jack, who trains at the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas, will be making his sixth consecutive start in the U.S. His initial five fights after turning pro on June 6, 2009, took place in Swedenor Finland.

The 6-foot-1, 28-year-old Jack started boxing at age 18. He went 122-28 as an amateur and represented his father’s country, Gambia, in the Olympics. He is the only boxer to represent Gambia in any Olympic Games.

Regarding his upcoming scrap, Jack said, “Both of us are big punchers. It’s going to be an exciting fight for the crowd. I like to go to the body a lot, that’s one of my biggest weapons. I’ll be ready for him.’’

In Brand’s amateur career, he went 417-20. Brand, 35, turned pro at the age of 32 on Aug. 9, 2009. Campaigning exclusively in Colombia, he won his first 12 professional fights by (T)KO. This will be his second outing in the U.S. In his stateside debut, Brand won a unanimous six-round decision over Terrance Woods on Nov. 20, 2011, in Las Vegas.

Brand, who’s fought twice in 2012, is coming off a fifth-round knockout over Luzimar Gonzaga last March 30, in Cartagena, Colombia.

Barthelemy, 25, is a 5-foot-11 crowd-pleasing puncher-boxer who won his last start with an impressive eight-round unanimous decision over former top amateur star and then-unbeaten pro, Hylon Williams, on Feb. 3, in Las Vegas.

Boxing’s in Barthelemy’s blood. Two of his siblings are also prizefighters -- older brother Yan, the 2004 Olympic Gold medalist at light flyweight, and younger brother, Leduan. Their cousin is longtime pro, Giorbis Barthelemy.

Rances started to box at an early age. "As a child in Cuba, I had a lot of discipline problems in school and I was always getting into fights," he said. “I was diagnosed as being hyperactive. So the school's personnel took it upon themselves to place me in their sports curriculum and I was selected for the boxing program. I’ve been fighting since.’’

Nicknamed “Kid Blast,” the fast-rising Barthelemy had an impressive amateur career, winning the majority of his 200 fights and earning the Cuban junior national championship before defecting to the United States. He turned pro on Aug. 8, 2009, in Columbia, S.C. The confident Cuban scored knockouts in his first 12 fights, but has gone the distance in two of the last three.

Martinez rebounded from the lone defeat of his career to knock out Ronald Rodriguez in the third round last Dec. 16, in Vernon, California.

After the 5-foot-9, 28-year-old Martinez won his pro debut in October 2004, he fought just one time in both 2005 (in September) and 2006 (in April). After three fights in two and a half years, he didn’t fight again for four and a half years. But the southpaw slugger has been much more active since, fighting three times in ’09, four times in 2010, and two times in 2011.

Martinez’ only loss came when he came up short in a competitive matchup against Evgeny Gradovich on  April 29, 2011, in Las Vegas. Martinez lost a six-rounder by the scores of 58-56 and 59-55 twice.

The event is promoted by Warriors Boxing.

Mike Crispino, known for his work on the MSG Network in New York, will call the blow-by-blow action on ShoBox with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. Gordon Hall is the executive producer ofShoBox with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

For information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, visit the website at http://sports.SHO.com.