'Rock City Cobra' Samuel Rogers Feeling Ready to Take on 'Latin Snake' Sergio Mora this Saturday, May 31, at DiBella Entertainment and Sampson Boxing's 'REAL FIGHTS' at Tropicana in Las Vegas

U.S. Virgin Islands-based middleweight contender Samuel "Rock City Cobra" Rogers says he's ready for the biggest fight of his career this Saturday, May 31. Rogers (14-1, 8 KOs) will face former WBA junior middleweight world champion and "The Contender" champion, WBA #10-rated Sergio "The Latin Snake" Mora (25-3-2, 8 KOs) in an eight-rounder that will serve as the chief supporting bout on DiBella Entertainment's and Sampson Boxing's (in association with Right Hook Promotions) event entitled "Real Fights" in the Tropicana Pavilion at the New Tropicana Resort in Las Vegas. The co-main events that night will be telecast live on HBO Latino and HBO2 (12 midnight [ET/PT]) and feature a 10-round super featherweight battle between Dominican former world champion Javier "El Abejon" Fortuna (24-0-1, 18 KOs) and heavy-handed Mexican contender Juan Antonio Rodriguez (26-4, 23 KOs), as well as an "All Puerto Rico" 10-round super bantamweight war between undefeated Luis Rosa (16-0, 7 KOs)  and Luis "Orlandito" Del Valle (18-1, 13 KOs). Tickets for "Real Fights" are priced at $85, $65 and $37 (plus applicable taxes). They are available for purchase online (www.troplv.com), in person at the Tropicana Las Vegas Show Tickets desk or by phone (800-829-9034). Rogers knows he'll be coming in as the underdog in this bout, as he suffered his first professional loss in his last fight, a 10-round decision to Argentina's Carlos Adan Jerez, in Argentina, last February. But says it's a role he is looking forward to playing in this battle of "serpentine" middleweights. How did training go for this fight? Training was awesome. We stepped it up and brought in guys from Puerto Rico and Spain for sparring. Long and lanky guys, who don't do a lot of punching but are explosive and sharp. They were all very good fighters too, not chumps I can walk over. They pushed my stamina to where I need to be, conditioning-wise. Working hard at that level put me in a new mind frame and made it seem as if I was in the fight already. My stamina is tremendous. I'm really confident and I can't wait to step in the ring. What have you learned so far about your opponent, Sergio Mora? The guy talks a lot. He has a big mouth and that's expected of him. That's how he is. I just need to stay calm and relax. For me, the fight will begin at the press conference because he'll be trying to get in my head. I have to stay poised and get ready for that bell. He's a spot fighter. He doesn't fight the whole three minutes of every round. He does bursts and then goes into a void for another minute and a half. He doesn't hit that hard. He's a technician. The one thing that is positive in his favor is he's durable. He can do ten rounds, so I'm expecting to go ten with him. If I catch him with a good punch, I'll try to stop him early. I'm looking forward to a good explosive fight. You lost your last fight. What have you learned from that experience? Staying focused, being relaxed. No matter what happens in a fight; if I'm cut or get an injury, I have to stick to the game plan and listen to my corner. They can see more than I can when I'm in there. What would a victory over Sergio Mora mean to you? It's going to put me where I need to be. I'm rated number 16 by the NABF. He's number 9. I'm going to take his spot and call out guys like Peter Quillin and Gennady Golovkin and all the champs at 160. Tell me about the support you receive from the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands? The fans back home are unbelievable. We got a lot of sponsors behind us too, too many to mention them all from memory. Everybody back home comes out and supports us. The sponsors have made it possible for me to be here with their support. I want to thank everyone from the USVI and all my sponsors. Without all of you, I wouldn't be able to do this. How do you envision this fight with Mora unfolding? He's going to get frustrated and try to come in and pressure me and wear me down, mentally. He'll try to get in my head by talking a lot of smack. I need to be aggressive, throw combinations and never back up. I need to stick to the jab, keep that telephone pole in his face all night long like Vernon Forrest did to him. ### In separate bouts, hometown favorites Rocco Santomauro (11-0) and Jesus Gutierrez (11-0) both put their unblemished record on the line when Santomauro squares off against Daniel Quevedo and Gutierrez takes on Pablo Becerra. For fight updates, visit www.dbe1.com, www.hbo.com/boxing andwww.troplv.com, Facebook (facebook.com/dibellaentertainment,facebook.com/hboboxing)and Twitter (twitter.com/dibellaent,twitter.com/loudibella, twitter.com/sampsonboxing). Tweet this: LIVE doubleheader boxing event @TropLV feat. @AbejonFortuna vs J. Rodríguez & L. Rosa vs L. Del Valle! @HBOLatino About The New Tropicana Las Vegas | TropLV.com Welcome to affordable luxury. The New Tropicana resort in Las Vegas redefines the expectations of today's global travelers with a recently completed $200 million transformation that provides a casually elegant experience on the Las Vegas Strip. With a unique South Beach vibe, the resort features all-new rooms, suites and luxury villas that evoke the sentiment of a breezy beach house or penthouse in Miami, a fresh redesign of the 50,000-square-foot casino, several award-winning restaurants, a new race and sports book, and Glow®, a Mandara Spa and fitness center. First-class entertainment includes headliners in the all-new Tropicana Theater, Laugh Factory and live music in the Tropicana Lounge. Coming spring 2014, the Tropicana Theater will be home to the smash hit musical MAMMA MIA!

Undefeated Featherweight Rocco Santomauro Returns to Action on May 31 on DiBella Entertainment and Sampson Boxing's 'REAL FIGHTS' Undercard at Tropicana in Las Vegas

You'd remember if you've ever met Vegas-based featherweight Rocco "So Cal Kid" Santomauro (11-0, 1 KO). He's the kind of guy who is hard to forget. The well-liked and colorful 26-year-old is as known for his out-of-ring antics, such as his signature move of eating cake while weighing in, as he is for his undefeated streak as a professional fighter. Originally from Hesperia, California, Santomauro moved to Vegas six years ago to pursue his dream of becoming the first world champion in history of Uruguayan heritage. Santomauro will appear on Saturday, May 31, as one of the featured undercard fighters on DiBella Entertainment's and Sampson Boxing's (in association with Right Hook Promotions) event entitled "Real Fights" in the Tropicana Pavilion at the New Tropicana Resort in Las Vegas. His opponent is, thus far, TBA. The co-main events that night will be telecast live on HBO Latino and HBO2 (12 midnight [ET/PT]) and feature a 10-round super featherweight battle between Dominican former world champion Javier "El Abejon" Fortuna (24-0-1, 18 KOs) and heavy-handed Mexican contender Juan Antonio Rodriguez (26-4, 23 KOs), as well as an "All Puerto Rico" 10-round super bantamweight war between undefeated Luis Rosa (16-0, 7 KOs)  and Luis "Orlandito" Del Valle (18-1, 13 KOs). Tickets for "Real Fights" are priced at $85, $65 and $37 (plus applicable taxes). They are available for purchase online (www.troplv.com), in person at the Tropicana Las Vegas Show Tickets desk or by phone (800-829-9034). "It's a natural energy," said Santomauro of his flashy ring persona. "I watched a lot of movies growing up and always saw the hero come in with a lot of energy. When it's fight time, I bring that in with me. Its' a winning energy. I come in with the attitude to fight and win in a memorable way." Santomauro also says there's an underlying motive for his penchant for dining on the scale. "I hate making weight. About six years ago, I started working with a doctor and I learned how to diet properly. I'm at weight now a week before my fights, while other fighters are dying and suffering. I'm always light the day of the weigh-in. I could eat breakfast, but I'd rather have my meal when I step on the scale. I do it for show and to intimidate my opponent and get the psychological edge. They get very angry. Plus, the media, the commission and fans all seem to enjoy it." Born to an Argentinean mother and Uruguayan father, Santomauro says it's a funny story how he became connected with his promoter: the equally colorful Uruguayan-born Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing. "My dad came to visit me in Vegas. I dropped him off at the airport to go home. My dad is crazy. He was at the airport and heard a guy on the phone speaking about boxing in Plate River Spanish, so he started following him around. At about 5:30 am I got a call from my dad and he said he met a promoter from Uruguay. I'm like '??? There's only one promoter from there, you ran into Sampson?' Next thing you know, Sampson is on the phone. He said 'you're going to be fighting for me in July on ESPN2 and that's that.' That's how it started. There are no world champions from Uruguay and Sampson shares my dream of making me the first ever." An aggressive counterpuncher, Santomauro had about 60 amateur fights and now trains at Mayweather Gym with his coaches, Pops Anderson (Samuel Peter), former world champion Cornelius Boza Edwards and his own brother, former USA #1 amateur boxer, Jason Ingwaldson, whose own promising career was cut short by unfortunate injury. "I'm in your face. Even though I don't have a lot of knockouts, anyone who knows me knows I hit very hard. I'm very aggressive. I'm the one who controls the pace of the fight. With the team I have in place and all the hard work I put in every day, I feel like I could fight the world title right now, but I need to cross a few more bridges before I get there. Hopefully by the end of next year, I'm ready to go." Whatever happens, it'll almost certainly be memorable. ABOUT SAMPSON BOXING After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008. Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world's most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world's best fighters and most promising young contenders. Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.

Jesus Gutierrez to Return, May 31 on DiBella Entertainment and Sampson Boxing's 'REAL FIGHTS' Undercard at Tropicana in Las Vegas

Undefeated Las Vegas-based lightweight Jesus "Chuy" Gutierrez (11-0, 3 KOs) is getting ready to electrify the ring once again on Saturday, May 31, when he takes on Mexico's Pablo Beccera (7-6, 4 KOs). 25-year-old Gutierrez will face Beccera on the undercard of DiBella Entertainment's and Sampson Boxing's (in association with Right Hook Promotions) event entitled "Real Fights" in the Tropicana Pavilion at the New Tropicana Resort in Las Vegas. The co-main events that night will be telecast live on HBO Latino and HBO2 (12 midnight [ET/PT]) and feature a 10-round super featherweight battle between Dominican former world champion Javier "El Abejon" Fortuna (24-0-1, 18 KOs) and heavy-handed Mexican contender Juan Antonio Rodriguez (26-4, 23 KOs), as well as an "All Puerto Rico" 10-round super bantamweight war between undefeated Luis Rosa (16-0, 7 KOs)  and Luis "Orlandito" Del Valle (18-1, 13 KOs). Tickets for "Real Fights" are priced at $85, $65 and $37 (plus applicable taxes). They are available for purchase online (www.troplv.com), in person at the Tropicana Las Vegas Show Tickets desk or by phone (800-829-9034). Gutierrez, who was named the "Breakout Athlete of the Year" at the Vegas Music Awards, defeated Moris Rodriguez on April 4, at Sam's Town Hotel and Casino, in his last fight.   Born in the Mexican town of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Gutierrez's family emigrated to the US when he was still an infant. He discovered his passion for boxing after arriving in Las Vegas at age 14 and venturing into Johnny Tocco's Boxing Gym, where he met his trainer, Danny Garcia. Extremely popular in his adopted hometown, Gutierrez is also an outspoken advocate with Bully Busters 702, a local anti-bullying campaign. "I've always been a confident fighter, but it wasn't till the guys from the Mexican Olympic committee got a hold of me, that really convinced me that this boxing thing was for real," Gutierrez recalls. "This sport had strangely found me, and there is no way I'm gonna let it go. I've always stood out in everything I've done, but boxing gives me this high, this feeling which I've never felt, nor can I replace."   Gutierrez says boxing is his destiny, and he is constantly improving.  "I was born for this, and every day that passes, I get better. With the support of my family, friends, and my ambition, there is nothing that can stop me. I'm here to make my name remembered in this this sport. I can talk about it all day, but I'd rather show you." Jesus Gutierrez is promoted by Right Hook Promotions along with promotions by HustleGurl Entertainment. Also scheduled to appear on the card in a special-attraction eight-round middleweight bout will be former WBA junior middleweight world champion and "The Contender" champion, WBA #10-rated Sergio "The Latin Snake" Mora (25-3-2, 8 KOs) taking on once-beaten Samuel Rogers (14-1, 8 KOs).   To view Tropicana Las Vegas hotel rates, visit www.troplv.com. ABOUT SAMPSON BOXING After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008. Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world's most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world's best fighters and most promising young contenders. Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.

Del Valle returns in big fashion

April 5, 2013 - Last night Puerto Rican prospect, Luis "Orlandito" Del Valle(17-1, 12KO's) scored a solid win by TKO in the fifth round over southpaw puncher, Andre Wilson (13-6-1, 11KO's) in a scheduled featherweight eight-round bout held at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City.  Referee Randy Newman stopped the action at 1:32.

In the first round, Del Valle managed to put Wilson in bad shape with a left hook to the face.  In the second round, the Puerto Rican continued his aggression, but finally dropped Wilson in the third and applied the same in rounds 4 and finally round 5, where the referee stopped the fight. 

"Orlandito" was landing strong combinations of straight right and left hooks to the body and face throughout the fight.

"I feel very fast handed and stronger. Definitely Im back in the winning track with the help of my new trainer Don Nacho (Beristain) and now its a matter of staying focused in the gym, while I wait for the next opponent" said "Orlandito ", who is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Gary Shaw Productions.

This bout marked the return to the ring of "Orlandito" after suffering his first loss to the legendary Vic Darchinyan in September.

The card was promoted by DiBella Entertainment (DBE), Gary Shaw Productions and sponsored by Manfredi Auto Group, Newlio.com, and Everlast. The event will be broadcast live on FIGHT NOW TV and on broadband throughGFL.TV. SNY will broadcast the event tape-delayed.

'Broadway Boxing' Returns Live on FIGHT NOW TV

April 4 featuring Yuri Foreman, Luis Del Valle, Ionut Dan Ion & Gabriel Bracero HOBOKEN, N.J. (March 25, 2013) - DiBella Entertainment's popular "Broadway Boxing" series returns live on FIGHT NOW TV  - America's only 24-hour combat sports and entertainment channel - April 4, starting at 9 p.m. ET, from the historic Roseland Ballroom in midtown Manhattan. Former World Boxing Association (WBA) junior middleweight champion Yuri Foreman (29-2, 8 KOs) returns to action against Gundrick King (18-9, 11 KOs) in a six-round bout. Foreman won the WBA title in 2009, taking the belt from Daniel Santos, by way of a 12-round decision. "We're excited to be airing another 'Broadway Boxing' show live because DiBella Entertainment events always showcase entertaining boxers in compelling matches," said FIGHT NOW TV Co-Founder & General Manager Mike Garrow. "Our viewers have given us positive feedback from all of the 'Broadway Boxing' shows that we aired last year." Also fighting on the broadcast in eight-round bouts are Puerto Rican featherweight Luis "Orlandito" Del Valle (16-1, 11 KOs), Romanian welterweight Ionut "Jo Jo" Dan Ion (30-2, 17 KOs), and Brooklyn junior welterweight Gabriel "Tito" Bracero (21-1, 4 KOs). The 26-year-old Del Valle is going out to rebound from his first loss as a pro, suffered last year to multiple world champion Vic Darchinyan, on HBO. Del Valle, who is now being trained by Hall-of-Famer Nacho Beristain, faces Andre Wilson (13-5, 11 KOs). Ion, rated No. 6 by the World Boxing Council (WBC), now lives and trains in Montreal. The rugged veteran takes on upset-minded Cuban-born Damian "Devo" Farias (19-6-1, 10 KOs), fighting out of Miami, who defeated 21-1-1 Henry Crawford in 2011. Ion has never been stopped and his only two career losses were both to Selcuk Aydin in WBC Silver title fights. Bracero, a former North American Boxing Federation (NABF) champion, is back on track with three consecutive victories since he suffered his only loss as a professional to former world champion DeMarcus Corley in 2011. Bracero faces battle-tested Mexican-invader Pavel Miranda (19-9-1, 10 KOs). Some of the other fights on the April 4 "Broadway Boxing" card, or highlights, may also be televised on FIGHT NOW TV, pending time availability.   FIGHT NOW TV is available in the Cablevision Gold Pack! About FIGHT NOW TV: With offices in New Jersey, Las Vegas and Toronto, FIGHT NOW TV is a cross-platform media company that creates and distributes content through its television, video on demand, and online outlets. Founded by Channel Zero, Inc. and media entrepreneur Mike Garrow, FIGHT NOW TV is the only 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week combat sports channel in the nation. The network's mandate is to bring the best battles, fiercest fights and stunning knockouts to America. FIGHT NOW TV caters to fight fans of every genre, giving them a front row seat to compelling coverage of MMA, boxing, wrestling/grappling, Muay Thai, kickboxing and other combat sports. FIGHT NOW TV is the place for the best analysis, live and current events, documentaries and news coverage of the biggest PPV events and matchups from around the globe. For more information about FIGHT NOW TV go on line at www.fightnow.com, or follow on Twitter @fightnowtv and Facebook.com/fightnowusa.

DIBELLA LOOKING FOR BREAKOUT PERFORMANCES ON SEPT 29TH HBO BOXING AFTER DARK TRIPLE-HEADER

New York, NY (8/30/12) - On Saturday, September 29, DiBella Entertainment presents the HBO Boxing After Dark triple-header, live from the MGM Grand at Foxwoods, in Mashantucket, CT. Headlining the card will be Worcester, Massachusetts' Edwin "La Bomba" Rodriguez (21-0, 14KO's) defending his USBA super middleweight championship against New Jersey knockout artist Jason "El Monstruo" Escalera (13-0-1, 12KO's). In the televised co-feature, Luis "Orlandito" Del Valle (16-0, 11KO's) faces his toughest opponent to date when he squares off against former world champion Vic Darchinyan (37-5-1, 27KO's) for the vacant NABF super bantamweight title. Opening up the televised portion of the card will be former two-division undefeated world champion Zsolt Erdei (33-0, 18KO's) taking on Isaac Chilemba (19-1-1, 9KO's) in a key light heavyweight matchup. The card is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, in association with Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing and Gary Shaw Productions. HBO begins live coverage at 9:30PM ET/PT. The triple-header is being called "Road to Glory" and the name is quite fitting as each fight carries heavy implications. It is just the second time that the top-rated Rodriguez will see airtime on the network (first in the main event), and it is a first for Escalera, Del Valle, Chilemba, and Erdei. Together the five fighters have a combined record of 102-1-2, with the lone fighter on the card sporting more than one loss being the veteran and former three-time world champion Darchinyan. Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment (DBE), has a knack for signing good young talent. DiBella guided the career of Andre Berto from his pro-debut to his first championship. He was also was the only promoter who was willing to take a shot at a then unknown Argentinean, Sergio Martinez. So when this past year's ESPN Boxing's Prospects to Watch List, compiled by esteemed writer Dan Rafael, came out, it was little surprise that several DBE-promoted fighters topped the list. DiBella sees championship material and expects big things in the careers from each of the DBE fighters on the card, and for that reason he feels there could be not one, not two, but three separate breakout performances on September 29.       Below is a closer look at each match-up. EDWIN RODRIGUEZ VS. JASON ESCALERA The 27-year-old Dominican-native Rodriguez, lives in Worcester, MA, but has been training in Houston with renowned trainer Ronnie Shields for his past three fights. The 2005 United States Amateur Champion and 2006 National Golden Glove Champion has gradually climbed the super middleweight world rankings since turning pro in early 2008. Rodriguez is currently rated as the IBF #4, WBC #4 and WBA #8 super middleweight in the world. Rodriguez is coming off an impressive 10-round unanimous decision over fellow contender Donovan George that was shown live on HBO. Rodriguez hopes an impressive showing against Escalera will propel him into his first world title opportunity. The Puerto Rican Escalera, also 27 years old, calls Union City, NJ, his home. With devastating power in both hands, Escalera has the ability to end a fight in the blink of an eye. Like Rodriguez, Escalera also turned pro in early 2008, after winning the New Jersey Golden Gloves Light Heavyweight Championship in 2007. The only blemish thus far on Escalera's record is an eight-round split decision draw against fellow prospect Nick Brinson back on May 18 of this year. LUIS DEL VALLE VS. VIC DARCHINYAN From 2004-2007, while Del Valle was tearing through the amateur ranks, picking up a number of regional and national championships (http://boxrec.com/media/index.php?title=Human:450099), Darchinyan, already a pro for four years, was the king of the flyweights. Darchinyan won the first of his three world titles by stopping longtime IBF champion Irene Pacheco on December 16, 2004. Darchinyan defended that title six times, before being knocked out by Nonito Donaire in 2007. By 2008, Darchinyan had moved up in weight to claim the IBF super featherweight title. On November 1, 2008, Darchinyan became the undisputed champion, knocking out Cristian Mijares, to add the WBC and WBA belts to his collection. Seven months before Darchinyan fought Mijares, the Puerto Rican Del Valle made his pro debut scoring a third-round KO over Ray Rivera in Atlantic City. After starting his career campaigning in the featherweight and super featherweight divisions, Del Valle has since begun the gradual drop down to super bantamweight. Del Valle is currently rated #4 in the WBA featherweight ratings, #10 in the WBO and #13 in the WBC super bantamweight ratings. A win over Darchinyan, for the vacant NABF title, will allow Del Valle to crack the top 10 of the super bantamweight rankings. On the other hand, Darchinyan knows that this could be his last chance at reclaiming another world championship and will undoubtedly be leaving it all on the line come fight night. ZSOLT ERDEI VS. ISAAC CHILEMBA From 2004-2009, Erdei ruled the light heavyweight division, defending his WBO title 11 times. In 2009, Erdei moved up in weight to challenge WBC Cruiserweight Champion Giacobbe Fragomeni. Despite giving up 17 pounds, Erdei won a majority decision. Soon after that, Erdei retired. The retirement didn't last long though, as Erdei returned a year later making his U.S. debut under new promoter DiBella Entertainment. Erdei was scheduled to challenge IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Tavoris Cloud last year, but was forced to withdraw after suffering an injury in training camp. Now Erdei is back, healthy and rested, and ready to make another run at light heavyweight supremacy. In his way stands the IBF #5, WBC #6, WBA #13, and WBO # 14 rated Chilemba. The 25-year-old South African Chilemba's lone loss came way back in 2007. The only other blemish on Chilemba's record is a 12-round split decision draw to highly regarded, undefeated super middleweight contender Thomas Oosthuizen (also promoted by DBE). Chilemba is coming off his most impressive victory to date, a dominant 10-round decision victory over former world title challenger Edison Miranda. Chilemba currently holds six victories over previously undefeated fighters and is confident that September 29 will make lucky number seven. "Road to Glory" is the highly anticipated HBO Boxing After Dark tripleheader, featuring some of the brightest young fighters in all of boxing looking to continue on their respective paths toward world championships. The card will take place on Saturday, September 29, at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods. The event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, in association with Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing and Gary Shaw Productions. All three bouts will be aired on HBO's Boxing After Dark beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through the Foxwoods MGM Grand box office by calling (800) 200-2882. Tickets are priced at $45, $75, $100 and $200.

ROAD TO GLORY CONFERENCE CALL QUOTES

HBO BOXING AFTER DARK TRIPLE-HEADER SEPTEMBER 29 AT THE MGM GRAND AT FOXWOODS New York, NY (7/19/12) - Earlier this afternoon, DiBella Entertainment (DBE) held a teleconference to officially announce their much anticipated HBO Boxing After Dark Triple-Header, which will take place on September 29, at MGM Grand at Foxwoods.  The card, billed as "Road to Glory", is headlined by DBE's undefeated top-rated super middleweight contender Edwin "La Bomba" Rodriguez (21-0, 14 KO's) squaring off against the hard-hitting, up-and-coming super middleweight prospect Jason "Monstruo" Escalera (13-0-1, 12 KO's).  In the televised undercard bouts, undefeated former two-division world champion Zsolt Erdei (33-0, 18 KO's) takes on South Africa's top-rated light heavyweight Isaac Chilemba (19-1-1, 9 KO's), and Luis "Orlandito" Del Valle (16-0, 11 KO's) squares off against former three-time world champion Vic Darchinyan (37-5-1, 27 KO's).    The card is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, in association with Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxingand Gary Shaw Productions.  All three bouts will be aired live on HBO's Boxing After Dark,beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT. Tickets go on sale tomorrow morning at 10 AM ET and can be purchased through the Foxwoods MGM Grand box office by calling 1 (800) 200-2882. Tickets are priced at $45, $75, $100 and $200.  Below are some of the highlights from the call: LOU DIBELLA:  I'm very excited to announce this tremendous fight card which takes place on September 29 at the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods, televised by HBO. This is a card that showcases a number of young talent fighting in true crossroads battles which have significance across multiple weight classes. I'm very happy to say that this card was done in cooperation with Gary Shaw Productions and Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing, so for a change you have promoters working together as opposed to going after each other and I think that's good for the sport. This card is entitled Road to Glory and while we have big plans and championship aspirations for all of our guys on the card, all three of these bouts are dangerous fights and we can't look past the task at hand on September 29th. EDWIN RODRIGUEZ: This is an important fight in my career. I'm fighting a young, up-and-coming prospect who has power in both hands and a strong will to win. I'm ready. I've been in camp for about three weeks. Prior to that, I was working with Andy Lee to help him get ready for the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fight. I'm excited to get back on HBO on September 29, which is actually the day that my twins were born. It was a good day and a bad day for me at the same time because my kids were born premature at 23 weeks and five days. I'm working extremely hard with Ronnie Shields to keep getting better and improving my game. I'm looking forward to fighting in Connecticut, which is about an hour and a half from my hometown, so I'll have a lot of people supporting me. Jason's going to have a lot of fans there as well, and it's going to be a war. JOE DEGUARDIA (PROMOTER OF JASON ESCALERA): This fight between Jason Escalera and Edwin Rodriguez figures to be a Gatti-Ward kind of fight because they're both bangers, both exciting fighters. I'm proud of Jason Escalera, he's a real gentleman and a real warrior in the ring. LUIS ORLANDO DEL VALLE: I want to be the best and to be the best, you have to beat the best. We're going to prove to the world that we belong with the big boys on September 29. We've already started training camp and we have no doubt that we're going to come out with the win. We'll keep moving forward to our goal to capture on of the title belts. I can't wait. September 29 is a big day for me and is a big day for boxing because everyone will know who 'Orlandito' Del Valle is." ELIAS NASSAR (REPRESENTATIVE OF VIC DARCHINYAN): I want to thank HBO, Lou DiBella and Gary Shaw for putting this together for Vic. Vic's looking forward to fighting Del Valle on September 29. He's preparing very well over in Armenia and it should be a very exciting bout." ZSOLT ERDEI: Last time I fought was a year ago. I missed a fight in December because of my injury and I am very hungry to be in the ring again and I am very excited. I feel very strong and I feel 100 percent. I thank DiBella Entertainment and HBO for this fight. I am hoping to win and it is a big chance for the next fight to fight for a world championship again ISAAC CHILEMBA: I'm really looking forward to this fight. This is a fight that I have been waiting for all my life. I'm looking forward to showcasing my ability against someone like Zsolt Erdei, who is undefeated in 33 fights and is a former two-time world champion "Road to Glory" is the highly anticipated HBO Boxing After Dark Triple-Header, featuring some of the brightest young fighters in all of boxing looking to continue on their path towards their respective world championships.  The card will take place on Saturday, September 29, at MGM Grand at Foxwoods.  The event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, in association with Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing and Gary Shaw Productions.  All three bouts will be aired on HBO's Boxing After Dark beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT Tickets go on sale tomorrow morning at 10 AM. ET and can be purchased through the Foxwoods MGM Grand box office by calling 1 (800) 200-2882. Tickets are priced at $45, $75, $100 and $200.

THOMAS OOSTHUIZEN & MARCUS JOHNSON, LUIS ORLANDO DEL VALLE & CHRIS MARTIN, JOSE PEDRAZA & GIL GARCIA WEIGHTS & FINAL QUOTES

ShoBox: The New Generation Tripleheader Tomorrow/Friday, April 27, LIVE on SHOWTIME® At 11 p.m. ET/PT

MIAMI, Okla. (April 26, 2012) – All six fighters participating in an eagerly awaited tripleheader on ShoBox: The New Generation tomorrow/Friday, April 27, live on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) made weight on their first attempts Thursday at Buffalo Run Casino.

In the ShoBox main event at Buffalo Run Casino, unbeaten southpaw and IBO super middleweight champion Thomas “Tommy Gun’’ Oosthuizen (18-0-1, 13 KOs) of Gauteng, South Africa, will make his ShoBox debut when he meets Marcus “Too Much” Johnson (21-1, 15 KOs), of Houston, in a 10-round super middleweight bout.

The co-featured bout will match undefeated Luis Orlando Del Valle (15-0, 11 KOs) of Bayamon, P.R., against his toughest opponent to date, Christopher Martin (23-1-3, 6 KOs), of Chula Vista, Calif., in a 10-round super bantamweight battle.

Former international amateur standout and current World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight Youth champion Jose “The Sniper” Pedraza (7-0, 6 KOs), of Caguas, P.R., will open the telecast against Gil Garcia (5-2-1, 1 KO) in an eight-round super featherweight match.

WEIGHTS: Oosthuizen weighed 169 pounds, Johnson 169½; Del Valle and Martin each tipped the scale at 123 pounds; Pedraza weighed 131½ pounds, Garcia 132¼ .

What the fighters said Thursday:

THOMAS “TOMMY GUN’’ OOSTHUIZEN

 “Marcus might be hungry for a win but that doesn't mean I've lost my hunger. The hunger comes from both sides and I'm still hungry to destroy whatever comes my way. “I had a great camp in South Africa and I'm peaking at the right time. I feel sensational. Good luck to Team Johnson but I'm here to do a job.”

MARCUS “TOO MUCH’’ JOHNSON

“I'm glad to be back on SHOWTIME. I guarantee you'll see a totally different ‘Too Much’ tomorrow night. Winning tomorrow night's fight would mean everything for me and my family. That's why I'm here. “A win tomorrow is going to change my family's life. So I have to knock this guy off his pedestal.”

LUIS ORLANDO DEL VALLE

“I guarantee everybody who tunes in is going to see a great fight. It's SHOWTIME. It's my time. “I hope Christopher Martin has come prepared because I know that I am. I'm the new generation. I'm the new face of boxing.”

CHRIS MARTIN

“Don't call it an upset when I beat Del Valle tomorrow. It is going to be a good fight. You can expect fireworks. I'm coming off some tough fights but I learned a lot. I need to let my hands go. Round by round, I'll break him down. “This challenge helped me keep focused throughout camp. It will show tomorrow in my performance. The pressure is on him. Let him be the favorite. I'll take the victory.’’

JOSE PEDRAZA

“I'm inspired by the fact that people say I'm the most promising prospect out of Puerto Rico since Miguel Cotto. It makes me work harder for the fans. I'm happy to have those expectations.

“I’ve seen Garcia's fights. I know his techniques. He’s aggressive but I will tire him out and go after him late.”

GIL GARCIA

“It motivates me to fight a guy like Pedraza. I like challenges. I like to fight the best. That's what this is, fighting. We fight fights to win and go on to next one. I'm a tough guy. I just like fighting. I don't care who or where.

“Tomorrow is going to be a war. They are going to see a no-quit guy who won't stop throwing punches.”

Tickets are priced at $75, $45 and $35 and can be purchased through Buffalo Run Casino by visiting: http://www.stubwire.com/event/shoboxthenewgeneration/buffaloruncasino/miami/3130/  .

Mike Crispino 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. 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 .

NEXT STOP OKLAHOMA FOR "ORLANDITO" DEL VALLE

Press Release                                                                           For Immediate Release  April 25, 2012 - Puerto Rican prospect Luis "Orlandito" Del Valle (15-0, 11KO's) left early this Wednesday morning destined for Oklahoma for the most important bout of his young career.   This Friday April 27, Del Valle will be facing off against Californian Christopher Martin (23-1-3 6KO's) in the co-feature fight, which will be televised by the SHOWTIME series, ShoBox: The New Generation, live at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).   "We are very happy because since the beginning of my career we have been looking for good tests for my development, and they are arriving. You can expect fireworks guaranteed and you will see me very active, putting on a lot of pressure until victory is within my grasp," said "Orlandito" Del Valle, who is the cousin of former world champion Rafael Del Valle.   "Orlandito" left for Oklahoma with his trainer/manager Raymond Rivera and his nutritionist Carlos Espinoza.   Del Valle vs. Martin will be a 10-round bout in the super bantamweight division.  Del Valle began his professional career at the featherweight (126lbs) division where he was ranked #4 by the World Boxing Association (WBA) and #8 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO). Currently, Del Valle is campaigning at super bantamweight (122lbs). The 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games gold medalist and WBC Youthsuper featherweight World Champion, José "Sniper" Pedraza (7-0, 6 KO's) will be opening the broadcast at 11:00pm (ET) with a bout set for eight rounds against Gil García (5-1-1, 2KO's) from Texas. The boxing card, which is promoted by Dibella Entertainment, will be held at the Buffalo Run Casino, and will feature the main event fight between current IBO super middleweight champion Thomas Oosthuizen (18-0, 13 KO's) and Marcus Johnson (23-1, 12 KO's). Pedraza and Del Valle are members of "Team Puerto Rico", a collaboration of fighters between Gary Shaw Productions, Dibella Entertainment, Universal Promotions and Warriors Boxing made with the goal of gathering the best of Puerto Rico's boxing talents. For tickets you may contact DiBella Entertainment: (212) 947-2577and/or www.dbe1.com. For more information about Team Puerto Rico Boxing, you may visit www.teampuertoricoboxing.com. Team Puerto Rico..........the new wave, making a splash.....