Cohen Congratulates All His Fighters for Their Performances Friday in Miami, Oklahoma

Promoter Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions wishes to thank his promotional partners (Eye of the Tiger, Vito Mielnicki and GH3 Promotions, and Pitbull Promotions) and congratulate all four of his fighters who scored impressive victories on Friday, May 10, in Miami, Oklahoma. Fighting in the night's main event and live on ShoBox: The New Generation Canada's Dierry "Dougy Style" Jean (25-0, 17 KOs) won his 12-round IBF elimination bout with a spectacular, one-punch TKO 4 (2:01) over Cleotis "Mookie" Pendarvis (17-4-2, 6 KOs). Jean took a few rounds to study the tricky southpaw Pendarvis before unloading his paralyzing right hand. Pendarvis rose bravely, but a follow-up barrage rightfully brought the stoppage. Jean is now the mandatory challenger for the IBF Super Lightweight Championship. "Dierry made the most of his USA premium cable debut. He not only won his fight but did so in a way that establishes him as a top contender and will create added anticipation when he does challenge for a world title," said Cohen. "He laid out a good fighter with that right hand and sent a message to the rest of the division. My promotional partner on Dierry, Camille Estephan, and I know that after his next fight, Dierry will be crowned junior welterweight champion of the world." In the night's nationally televised co-feature, junior middleweight John "Apollo Kidd" Thompson IV (12-0, 4 KOs) dominated formerly undefeated Giovany Rodriguez (8-0, 5 KOs) of Puerto Rico, scoring four knockdowns over eight one-sided rounds. In an eye-opening performance, Thompson kept his composure and let his advantages in speed and talent dominate Rodriguez. Thompson was moving in for the kill when the final bell rang. "That was the most controlled performance John has ever given," continued Cohen. "(Co-trainers) Buddy McGirt and John Thompson III have done a terrific job with John. He's developing into a very solid prospect at 154 lbs." In the chief supporting bout of the undercard, GCP's  unbeaten welterweight Cecil McCalla (16-0-0, 6 KOs) scored a six-round unanimous decision over respected veteran Abel Perry (18-7-0, 9 KOs) and  middleweight Antoine Douglas moved his record to 7-0-0, 5 KOs by making quick work (TKO 1 @ 1:36) of fellow Virginian Coy Witt (now 2-4). "All my fighters did exactly what we hoped they'd do," said Cohen. "Cecil and Antoine both continued their climbs with solid wins over decent opposition. Both guys made it look easier than people thought they would. It was a great night for GCP and our fighters. I want to thank my partners, Camille Estephan, Vito Mielnicki and GH3 Promotions and Pitbull Promotions and the staff at the Buffalo Run for a terrific event. The future is bright for all of our guys who fought tonight."

UNBEATEN DIERRY JEAN EARNS NO. 1 SPOT IN IBF 140-POUND DIVISION WITH 4TH-ROUND TKO OVER MOOKIE PENDARVIS IN SHOBOX MAIN EVENT FROM BUFFALO RUN CASINO IN MIAMI, OKLAHOMA

 Undefeated John “Apollo Kidd” Thompson Scores Four Knockdowns

En Route to Unanimous Decision over Geovanni Rodriguez in Co-Feature;

 Replay Is Thursday, May 16, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME

MIAMI, Okla. (May 11, 2013) – Undefeated Dierry “Dougy Style” Jean (25-0, 17 KOs), of Quebec, Canada, overcame a bad cut on the side of his right eye to register two knockdowns en route to a fourth-round TKO over southpaw Cleotis “Mookie” Pendarvis (17-4-1, 6 KOs), of Long Beach, Calif., in the main eventFriday on ShoBox: The New Generation from Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla.

By winning, Jean becomes the No. 1 contender in the IBF 140-pound division. He entered the scheduled 12-rounder ranked No. 3, four spots higher than Pendarvis.

In a battle of unbeaten middleweights in the co-feature,  John “Apollo Kidd” Thompson (12-0, 4 KOs) of Newark, N.J., dropped left-hander Geovanni “Tarantula” Rodriguez (8-1, 5 KOs), of San Juan,  Puerto Rico, four times en route to taking a unanimous eight-round decision. Thompson, making his second start for trainer, former world champion James “Buddy” McGirt, triumphed by the scores of 78-70 twice and 78-71.

Jean, who was cut after an unintentional clash of heads in the third round, dropped Pendarvis the first time with an overhand right hand flush on the chin. Pendarvis gamely made it to his feet, but Jean continued to attack with both hands until the referee stepped in and stopped the bout at 2:16 of the fourth.

“It couldn’t have gone better for Jean because he scored a one-punch knockdown and with the severity of that cut he very well may have needed a knockout,’’ saidShoBox expert analyst Steve Farhood. “Dierry was a virtual unknown to American fight fans before this bout and now fight fans are responding with one word: Wow!”

Jean was making his second start in the United States and first on SHOWTIME. He was ahead on two of the three scorecards after three rounds, 30-27 and 29-28, and losing on the other, 29-28. Blood was streaming down the right side of his face for much of the third round.

“The cut was bad,’’ said the 31-year-old Jean, who was born in Haiti but has lived in Canada since he was 10. “I couldn’t see anything. But my corner did a great job with it, and then I caught him with a perfect right hand. I was very surprised the referee let it go so long after the first knockdown but I knew I had to keep fighting and finish the job.

“I’m just so excited to finally be in a position to be getting a shot at the world title. I don’t care who it comes against. I feel I’m ready for anybody.

“Pendarvis was a good fighter and he surprised me a little bit with his counter-punching. But I thought I was winning all the rounds. So the fact he was ahead on one scorecard is surprising to me.’’

The loss snapped a six-fight winning streak for Pendarvis. “This is very disappointing,’’ he said, “but I just got caught with a great punch. I went into a shell after I got up and felt I was blocking most of his punches, but there are no excuses. I’ll be back.’’

Thompson, an upcoming 6-foot-1, 24-year-old, decked Rodriguez twice in the fourth round and two more times in the eighth.

“I’m happy with the win but I know I can do better,’’ he said. “I still need to jab more. I should be able to dominate with the jab. But he was a good fighter. I definitely felt I had him out in the final round, but once he started to hold I knew the fight was going the distance. My speed and defense were the keys to my win tonight.’’

Southpaw Rodriguez was making his first start in eight months.

Barry Tompkins called the ShoBox action from ringside with 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.

Friday’s doubleheader will re-air this week as follows:

            DAY                                                                CHANNEL

Thursday, May 16, at 10 p.m. ET/PT             SHOWTIME EXTREME

The twinbill will be available ON DEMAND beginning today, Saturday, May 11.

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

FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & WEIGHTS: DIERRY JEAN & MOOKIE PENDARVIS, JOHN THOMPSON & GEOVANNI RODRIGUEZ

ShoBox: The New Generation Doubleheader

Tomorrow/Friday, May 10, Live on SHOWTIME^® at 11 p.m. ET/PT

From Buffalo Run Casino, Miami, Oklahoma; Tickets On Sale

MIAMI, Okla. (May 9, 2013) – The four confident boxers who will compete onShoBox: The New Generation tomorrow/Friday, May 10, live on SHOWTIME^® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) participated in a press conference /weigh-inThursday at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla.

In the ShoBox main event, undefeated Dierry “Dougy Style” Jean (24-0, 16 KOs), of Quebec, Canada, will meet southpaw Cleotis “Mookie” Pendarvis (17-3-1, 6 KOs), of Los Angeles, Calif., in a 12-round elimination bout for the No. 1 spot in the IBF’s 140-pound division.

The co-feature will pit unbeaten middleweights John “Apollo Kidd” Thompson (11-0, 4 KOs) of Newark, N.J., and left-hander Geovanni “Tarantula” Rodriguez (8-0, 5 KOs), of San Juan, Puerto Rico, in an eight-round scrap.

WEIGHTS: Jean weighed 139.6 pounds; Pendarvis tipped the scale at 139.8 pounds. Thompson weighed 153.8 pounds; Rodriguez 155.8.

Tickets priced at $25, $40 and $60 are available at www.buffalorun.com or by calling The Buffalo Run Box Office (918) 542-7140. Doors open at 7 p.m. CT.

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former World Champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts.  The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillipsdirecting.

What the fighters said Thursday:

DIERRY JEAN

“I can’t lie. This is the biggest fight of my career. I’m very excited and totally prepared for this opportunity. I appreciate everybody who made the fight happen.

“I’m going to try and make it look easy, but I definitely expect a good fight. I know a lot of people have never seen me so I hope to make a great impression. But getting the big “W” is what counts the most.

“I’m one step from a world title shot, but all my focus is on this one fight. I know I have to take it one fight at a time. There is some pressure, of course, fighting in front of a huge TV audience. But it’s a good pressure, a positive pressure.

“Pendarvis is a slick guy, but I can fight any style. I am very excited about fighting on Friday.’’

CLEOTIS “MOOKIE’’ PENDARVIS

“Win -- and I get a shot at the world championship. It doesn’t matter against whom. It’s as simple as that. I’ve put in the work and I’m ready to go.

“I’m ready to prove myself. I truly believe in myself. He’s got the undefeated record, but I’ve fought better than he has and have more skills than the guys he’s fought.

“I don’t feel like I’m the B-side in this fight. That kind of thing doesn’t matter to me. What does is what happens in the ring, and tomorrow it’s all about him and me.

“I’ve never had the kind of stability in my career that I have now. I have a good team. I’m more mature. I know what I have to do. I’ve gone through a lot in my life, but I’m happy where I’m at now.

“I’m ready for anything. I feel I can adapt to anything. I’m going to do what I have to do to get the win.’’

JOHN THOMPSON

“I really want to thank SHOWTIME for this opportunity. This is my first pro fight on television and I am very excited.

“I’m going to do what I do best and that is box and use my height and reach. I love to fight and mix it up but my job is to box well and keep my poise. Those really are two main keys for me in all my fights.

“There’s no pressure, but I have to win impressively. I have to be myself. He’s unbeaten, I’m unbeaten. This will be a good fight.’’

GEOVANNI RODRIQUEZ

“I’m excited for the opportunity to showcase my skills. This is the kind of fight I’ve been waiting for. It’s discouraging to not have fought in eight months, but we’ve challenged a couple of undefeated fighters twice and they both turned us down.

“I don’t know anything about my opponent except that he’s tall and likes to move a lot. But I’ve fought tall guys who move before, so that will not be a problem.

“This is an important step up fight for me. I need to win so I can move on to the next level. I am very hungry and very determined to come out victorious on Friday night.’’

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

Full Card Announced for Tomorrow Night's ShoBox: The New Generation Event in Miami, Oklahoma

The undercard has been announced for tomorrow's (Friday, May 10) ShoBox: The New Generation doubleheader (on SHOWTIME at 11 PM ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma. Presented by Camille Estephan, of Eye of the Tiger and Greg Cohen, of Greg Cohen Promotions, in association with Pitbull Promotions, the night's ShoBox-televised main event will pit Canada's undefeated IBF #3-ranked Dierry "Dougy Style" Jean (24-0, 16 KOs) taking on Los Angeles' IBF #7-rated southpaw Cleotis "Mookie" Pendarvis (17-3-2, 6 KOs) in a 12-round IBF eliminator for the mandatory #1 spot at 140 lbs. In the televised co-feature, New Jersey middleweight John "Apollo Kidd" Thompson IV (11-0, 4 KOs) will face Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico's also-undefeated Giovany Rodriguez (8-0, 5 KOs) over eight rounds. Tickets are priced at: Reserved: $25.00, Premium: $40.00 and Platinum: $60.00 and are available at www.buffalorun.com or by calling The Buffalo Run Box Office (918) 542-7140. On fight night, doors open at 7 pm. The chief supporting bout will be a six-round welterweight scrap between talented, unbeaten Maryland product Cecil McCalla (15-0-0, 6 KOs) and Colorado Springs, Colorado's capable veteran Abel Perry (18-6-0, 9 KOs). Also featured that night will be an eight-round welterweight bout between Ahmad Cheiko (9-4-2, 5 KOs) of Montreal, Canada, and Russellville, Missouri's Shad Howard (14-16-3, 6 KOs). Undefeated middleweight Antoine Douglas (6-0-0, 4 KOs) of Richlands, Virginia, will face Coy Witt (2-3-0, 1 KO) of Burke, Virginia, over six rounds; and to start things off,Montreal, Canada's undefeated newcomer Chris Plaitis (3-0) will face the winless Octavio Garay (0-6) of Muleshoe, Texas, in a junior welterweight four-rounder.

Perry Frustrated With Opponent Withdrawals

 

Colorado Springs, CO (August 8, 2012) – Abel “Truth Serum” Perry is sick of opponents pulling out of fights and the 6 ½ months wasted because of it.

 

With a five bout winning streak intact Perry, 18-5 (9 KO’s), twice was scheduled for a potentially career-changing match against Antonio Margarito, but the “Tijuana Tornado” surprisingly elected to retire. To make matters worse, the retirement took place following an initial postponement due to an injury. After spending time in camp alongside middleweight titlist Gennady Golovkin and stablemate Carson Jones, the Colorado City, CO native signed to fight hard-hitting Emmanuel Steward protégé Tony Harrison August 25 in Michigan.

 

Shortly after agreeing to face Harrison, Perry’s manager Bobby Dobbs received an offer for unbeaten Alex Perez in New York City. Out of respect, Dobbs turned the Perez fight down because he’d agreed for Perry to fight Harrison.

 

Although he’s not recognized at the level of Margarito, Harrison, 9-0 (8 KO’s) is very highly regarded and Perry was training hard to hand him his first career defeat. To his total disgust, Harrison decided that he wanted an easier opponent and backed out of the fight.

 

“This is so frustrating because I signed the contract and was ready to go,” said Perry. “Harrison comes from Emmanuel Steward’s stable so I thought he would’ve taken fight. He is a talented guy from a world class camp but I would be the best opponent he’s ever faced. Maybe he was worried because of my experience.”

 

Even with the recent letdowns, Perry’s still confident something big will happen in the near future.

 

“I’m committed to making a name for myself and hope to get back in the ring as soon as possible. I want to step up and take on more tough opponents in meaningful fights. I want to show people in the fight community that I’m worth keeping an eye on.”
 

Fans can interact with Abel by going to http://www.facebook.com/abelperry or HDboxing.net.

 

Perry frustrated with Margarito’s untimely Retirement

 

Big Bear Lake, CA (June 11, 2012) – When junior middleweight Abel “Truth Serum” Perry received word that he’d be facing Antonio Margarito May 26, the Colorado City native was confident that a victory over the former three-time welterweight champion would lead to the kind of opportunity he’s dreamed of since day one.

 

With many ups and downs during his 6 ½ year pro career, Perry, 18-5 (9 KO’s), won five straight bouts and believed that May 26 would be his sixth. This was until Margarito injured his Achilles 12 days before fight night and the bout was postponed until July.

 

“Everything was rescheduled for July 7 to my knowledge and I actually saw on the internet that the fight was going to take place on the 21^st,” said Perry. “To be honest, I assumed he wasn’t training because he looked heavy in recent photos.”

 

He also viewed the delay as something that would only benefit him leading up to the fight of his life.

 

“I was actually grateful for the postponement because many of my fights came on short notice or without a proper training camp. For the Margarito bout, my manager Bobby Dobbs sent me to a training camp in Big Bear Lake, CA where I was working with Carson Jones and Gennady Golovkin. I was sparring world class guys and the extra time would only give me a bigger advantage. This was the perfect situation.”

 

To his unpleasant surprise, Margarito announced his retirement on June 8, canceling the fight altogether while leaving Perry without the career-changing opportunity.

 

“It left a sour taste in my mouth. I felt wronged because they changed the date multiple times and I committed so much time preparing for this fight, while I could’ve been looking for another fight. Everybody was writing me off and they expected Margarito to run right through me. If he’s retiring because he doesn’t have what it takes to fight top guys any longer and I’m supposedly a “safe opponent,” why not face me in a farewell fight?”

 

“This was a major letdown and Margarito handled this like anything but a professional,” stated Dobbs. “My fighter was in camp getting ready to pull off the upset, only for Margarito to cancel the bout after agreeing to reschedule it. I understand that he’s taken a ton of punishment during his career and didn’t want to fight again, but since this is the case, why even sign to face Abel?”

 

While Dobbs explores other suitable options, Perry will remain at Big Bear as a sparring partner for Jones and Golovkin.

 

Fans can interact with Abel by going to http://www.facebook.com/abelperry or HDboxing.net.