Julius 'The Chef' Jackson Cooks Jonathan Nelson in Nine Rounds

Saturday night (December 20) in Shelton, Washington, undefeated super middleweight Julius "The Chef" Jackson (19-0, 15 KOs) made his national television debut a memorable one by roasting Little Rock's Jonathan Nelson in nine rounds. Despite his WBA #9 and IBF #5 ratings, 27-year-old Julius was previously regarded as the brother of better-known junior middleweight contender John Jackson and son of all-time middleweight great Julian Jackson. With the impressive Showtime-televised beating of Nelson, however, Jackson has announced his own arrival on the world scene. The fight was almost over as soon as it began. A long, powerful Jackson right hand had Nelson (20-1, 10 KOs) on the floor within the first thirty seconds. To his credit, Nelson recovered, but sustained a prolonged beating for most of the fight. Another hard right had Nelson back on the deck in the eighth round and referee Jack Reiss had seen enough and waved it off at the 28-second mark of the ninth. "Julius was very impressive," said Jackson's co-promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz (along with 340 Boxing). "His opponent was a good fighter, but Julius was too strong for him. He couldn't take his punches." If Jackson, of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, was nervous about debuting on Showtime while simultaneously having his first fight on the US mainland, it didn't show. Perhaps the time he's spent recently, working with a couple world champions, had something to do with it. "I learned so much working with Sergio 'Maravilla' Martinez and Gennady Golovkin as a sparring partner that I want to thank them and their camps," said Jackson. "With teachers like them, there is no doubt I will become a super middleweight world champion." 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 CUELLAR RETAINS INTERIM WBA FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE WITH BRUTAL FIFTH-ROUND KNOCKOUT OVER RUBEN TAMAYO ON SHOWTIME BOXING on SHOWTIME EXTREME® FROM LITTLE CREEK CASINO IN SHELTON, WASH.

Gary Russell Jr. Returns With Facile Decision Over Christopher Martin,

Undefeated Julian Williams Stops Jamar Freeman in Eighth,

Julius Jackson Remains Unbeaten 
With Ninth-Round TKO Over Jonathan Nelson
 

Catch Replay on Tuesday, Dec. 23 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, on SHOWTIME EXTREME^® 

SHELTON, Wash. (Dec. 21, 2014) – Aggressive-minded Jesus “El Jinete” Cuellar (26-1, 20 KOs), of Santa Fe, Argentina, won his ninth in a row and retained his interim WBA Featherweight Championship for a third time with a rock-solid fifth-round knockout over fellow southpaw Ruben “Kanelito” Tamayo (23-5-4, 17 KOs), of Ciudad Obregon, Mexico, in the Goossen Promotionsmain event Saturday on SHOWTIME BOXING on SHOWTIME EXTREME from Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, Wash.

In the co-feature, world-ranked featherweight Gary Russell Jr. (25-1, 14 KOs), of Capitol Heights, Md., pitched a near-shutout againstChristopher Martin (28-5-3, 9 KOs) of Chula Vista, Calif., winning a lopsided 10-round decision.

In other televised action on the final SHOWTIME^® boxing event of the year – and the fourth of back-to-back SHOWTIME telecasts on consecutive weekends – promising undefeated super welterweight Julian “J Rock” Williams (18-0-1, 11 KOs), of Philadelphia, scored three knockdowns en route to an eighth-round TKO over Jamar Freeman (13-4-2, 6 KOs) of New Haven, Conn. Opening the four-fight telecast, unbeaten world-ranked super middleweight Julius “The Chef” Jackson (19-0, 15 KOs) of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, registered two knockdowns en route to a one-sided but hard-fought ninth-round TKO over Jonathan “The Sensation” Nelson (19-2, 10 KOs), of Little Rock, Ark.

“Cuellar showed why he is an exciting featherweight,’’ SHOWTIME boxing historian and expert analyst, Steve Farhood, said afterward. “He tries to knock you out with every punch. He’s crude but relentless, and was way too strong for Tamayo.

“I can’t wait to see how Cuellar matches up against some of the other featherweights in the top 10.’’

Cuellar, 28, a devastating body puncher ranked No. 1 in the WBA, dropped Tamayo twice in the fourth and once in the fifth. The first knockdown came from a right to the chin; the others were from body shots. After the last knockdown, referee Mark Nelson stopped the match at 1:48 of the fifth.

“I’m happy with my performance tonight,’’ said Cuellar, who averaged 100 punches a round. “My team and I worked very hard in training camp and it showed. I corrected mistakes from my last fight. Sometimes, I get too anxious in there and I come out too strong. I feel that this time I was a little bit more patient. 

“I’m very happy I could close out the year headlining on national television on SHOWTIME and also on Argentina’s public channel. That was a dream come true.’’ 

Cuellar doesn’t know what’s next, but says he wouldn’t mind a fight against former three-time world champion Abner Mares. 

“I really wanted to make a good impression on the fans tonight and I’m looking forward to fighting often again next year,’’ Cuellar said. “There are a lot of possibilities, but I think the fighter I’d like to fight is Abner Mares, who I met recently in Las Vegas. He approached me and we took a picture together and then he tweeted it out, saying he wanted to fight me. Well, I’d like to fight him, too. It would be a really exciting fight for the fans.’’ 

Cuellar, a six-time Argentine national amateur champion and two-time South American amateur champion, is unbeaten as a professional since suffering his lone loss in October 2011. 

His trainer, Robert Garcia, says Cuellar is still a work-in-progress and will continue to improve. 

“We haven’t seen the best of Cuellar, not by a longshot,’’ Garcia said. “He’s making good progress from fight to fight, but still has things to learn. Little by little, though, he is getting better. There is not a fighter as dedicated as he is. He’s very disciplined, trains hard, spars hard and does everything to the extreme. 

“With more time, I really expect great things out of him.’’ 

Russell, in his first fight since his only defeat via 12-round majority decision to two-time Olympic Games Gold Medalist Vasyl Lomachenko last June 21 on SHOWTIME, won by the scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91.

“I’m O.K., pretty cool with the result and my performance,’’ said the talented, quick-fisted Russell who dominated from the outset. “I wanted to totally outbox Martin and I did. I wanted to get in some rounds, get some of the ring rust off and I did that too. I felt real comfortable in there. I wanted to box and show good ring generalship. It’s going to be a big 2015 for me.’’

Williams, 24, thoroughly outboxed Freeman before turning on the power late. He scored two knockdowns in the seventh and one in the eighth. The first knockdown in the seventh came from a right hook to the chin. The punch seemed to stun Freeman, who took a delayed knee in the center of the ring. Late in the round, Williams decked Freeman with a right hook. When the eighth began, Williams cornered Freeman and landed a flurry. Freeman crumpled to the canvas and referee Robert Byrd stepped in and stopped the fight.

“I knew he’d be tough, but it feels good to win by knockout,’’ said Williams, the new WBC Continental Americas 154-pound champion. “It’s crazy but this was my fourth scheduled 10-round and fourth knockout.

“Tonight, I just wanted to show patience and pace myself. My last fight was very disappointing to me. I rushed everything. I know I have to keep improving. When I watch tapes of my fights, I am not looking to admire myself but to see where I can improve.

“I’d like to improve 25 percent each time out. A lot of prospects get satisfied with early success, but I’m not like that. The 154-pound division is loaded. The top five guys, even the bottom five are all really tough. I want to be ready for all of them when my turn comes up.’’

Jackson, a 2008 Olympian and the current No. 4 IBF, No. 9 WBA and No. 16 WBC contender at 168 pounds, scored knockdowns early in the first and late in the eighth. Jackson was well ahead on the scorecards when referee Jack Reiss stopped the fight 28 seconds into the eighth.

“He was a tough fighter, much tougher than I thought,’’ said Jackson, 27, a five-year-pro and the son of former WBA Super Welterweight and two-time WBC Middleweight Champion Julian “The Hawk” Jackson and the older brother of super middleweight and fellow-2008 Olympian John Jackson. “He could take a punch. I don’t think I hit him that hard at the end. I feel a combination of punches may have worn him down a little.

“These are the kinds of fights I want, and hope to have. I want to prove myself to myself and these are the kinds of fights that will do it. I am happy with my performance tonight.’’

Offered Nelson, “I’m disappointed in losing but I think I gained a few fans along the way. I will definitely learn from this fight.’’

Highlights of unbeaten Detroit middleweight Tony Harrison’s 62-second, first-round knockout over veteran Tyrone Brunson (22-4-1, 21 KOs), of Philadelphia, were shown during the telecast. Harrison, who was also interviewed live between fights, finished Brunson (who began his career 21-0 with 21 KOs until losing on ShoBox: The New Generation) with a body shot while improving to 19-0 with 16 knockouts. In a top non-televised fight, the younger brother of former world champion Marcos Maidana, welterweight Fabian Maidana (4-0, 3 KOs), of Santa Fe, Arg., scored two knockdowns in the opening round en route to a second-round TKO (0:57) over Omar Avelar (3-12, 2 KOs), of Othello, Wash.

Saturday’s four-fight telecast will replay on Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME ANYTIME and On Demand beginning on Sunday, Dec. 21. 

For more information on Goossen Promotions follow them on Twitter and Facebook @GoossenBoxing and view their new website at www.GoossenPromotions.com. For more information on SHOWTIME follow them at @SHOSports or www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit www.SHO.com/sports.  

Barry Tompkins called the SHOWTIME BOXING on SHOWTIME EXTREME 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.

GARY RUSSELL JR. TO FACE CHRISTOPHER MARTIN IN NEW CO-FEATURE THIS SATURDAY, DEC. 20, ON SHOWTIME BOXING on SHOWTIME EXTREME®

Interim WBA Featherweight World Champion Jesus Cuellar Defends Against Ruben Tamayo in Main Event; Unbeaten Prospect Julian Williams 
Will Now Meet Jamar Freeman at Little Creek Casino in Shelton, Wash.

Quadrupleheader Begins at 10 p.m. ET/PT, Live on SHOWTIME EXTREME

NEW YORK (Dec. 17, 2014) – A 10-round featherweight fight between 2008 U.S. Olympian and former world title contender Gary Russell Jr. (24-1, 14 KOs), of Capitol Heights, Md., and former California State Champion Christopher Martin (28-4-3, 9 KOs) of Chula Vista, Calif., has been elevated to co-feature of this Saturday’s SHOWTIME BOXING on SHOWTIME EXTREME live telecast (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast, SHOWTIME EXTREME) from Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, Wash.

The Russell vs. Martin scarp is co-headlining the SHOWTIME EXTREME telecast in replacement of previously announced bout between Anthony Peterson and Yakabu Amido. Peterson will now box on the non-televised portion of the card against Mexican veteran Héctor Velázquez (56-24-3, 38 KOs).

In another change to the televised lineup, promising undefeated world-class prospect Julian “J Rock” Williams (17-0-1, 10 KOs), 24, of Philadelphia, will now be opposed by  Jamar Freeman of Wilson, N.C. in a 10-round junior middleweight clash. Freeman (13-3-2, 7 KOs) is a late substitute for Mexico’s Edgar “Nene” Ortega, who withdrew due to an injury suffered in training.

The final SHOWTIME BOXING event of the year – and the fourth and final of back-to-back SHOWTIME telecasts on consecutive weekends – is presented by Goossen Promotions.

The talented, quick-fisted Russell will be making his first start since suffering his lone loss via hard-fought 12-round majority decision to former international amateur standout and two-time Olympic Games gold medalist (2008, 2012)  Vasyl Lomachenko, of Ukraine, last June 21 on SHOWTIME.  Russell came up short in the epic showdown for the WBO Featherweight World Championship by the scores of 114-114 and 116-112 twice.

Martin, 28, a winner of five of his last seven outings, is a clever boxer and excellent counter-puncher who is making his second start at featherweight. One of his most noteworthy victories came in August 2010 in the first of his two appearances on ShoBox: The New Generation when he recorded an upset 10-round decision over promising super bantamweight prospect Chris Avalos, who has appeared on ShoBox more than any other fighter.

In the 12-round main event, southpaw interim WBA Featherweight World Champion Jesus Andres “El Jinete” Cuellar (25-1, 19 KOs), of Buenos Aires, Argentina, will seek his ninth victory in a row when he defends against Ruben “Canelito” Tamayo (23-4-4, 15 KOs), of Ciudad Obregon, Mexico. In the opening bout of the telecast, undefeatedJulius “The Chef” Jackson (18-0, 14 KOs) of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, will battle once-beaten Jonathan Nelson (20-1, 10 KOs), of Little Rock, Ark., in a 10-round super middleweight match.

Advance tickets priced at $100, $50 and $30 are now on sale through the Little Creek Casino Resort through their website, www.Little-Creek.com or by calling 1-800-667-7711. The Little Creek Casino Resort is located at 91 W. State Route 108 in Shelton, Washington 98584. Doors will open on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. PT. First non-televised bout starts at 6 p.m. PT.

For more information on Goossen Promotions follow them on Twitter and Facebook @GoossenBoxing and view their new website at www.GoossenPromotions.com. For more information on SHOWTIME follow them at @ShoSports or www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visitwww.SHO.com/sports.

Barry Tompkins will call the SHOWTIME BOXING on SHOWTIME EXTREME action from ringside with boxing historian Steve 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.

About Little Creek Casino Resort Named in 2013 as "Boxing's Venue Of The Year" by Northwest Fight Scene Magazine, The 190-room Little Creek Casino Resort is also known for its world class amenities, casual and fine dining options, and offering the latest in both electronic and table gaming, concerts and entertainment, truly making it an unmatched destination for the Pacific Northwest.  For more information, visit www.little-creek.com or call 800-667-7711. 

Thompson Boxing Path to Glory: Christopher Martin Victorious with knockout

"PATH TO GLORY"

Photo Credit: Carlos Baeza - THOMPSON BOXING PROMOTIONS

MARTIN VICTORIOUS WITH KNOCKOUT

ONTARIO CA (July 1, 2013) - This past Friday June 28, Thompson Boxing Promotions "Path to Glory" card at the Double Tree Hotel was another great success.  In the main event, super bantamweight Christopher Martin (27-2-3, 9 KOs) continued his march toward his goal of fighting for a world title with a hard fought KO win against Raul Hidalgo (20-9, 16 KOs).

Both fighters had their moments in the early rounds but it was Hildago who was landing the harder blows.  Martin had to dig deep to get them momentum back in his favor after it was evident that he was down in the fight.  Entering the fifth round, Martin started to put his punches together and Hildago was on the receiving end of some powerful combinations that had him hurt.  A hard punch to the body from Martin put Hildago down and the fight was over.  The bout was stopped at the 2:37 mark of round five.

"This was a tough fight but one I needed to win and that's exactly what I did." said Martin. "Hildago proved to be a very durable opponent but once I started to land my combinations I can see I was hurting him.  I landed a nice body shot and the referee stopped the fight.  I'm happy with my performance and I'm looking forward to my next fight."

"Christopher is riding a nice four-fight winning streak and he's put himself in a great position," said Thompson Boxing's Alex Camponovo. "If he continues to win, I can see him fighting for a world title by the end of the year.  We'll get together with his team and present him with a few different options."

  

In the co-main event, featherweights Efrain Esquivias (16-2-1, 9KOs) and Victor Sanchez (5-6-2, 2KOs) had their fight stopped early after an accidental clash of heads forced the referee to halt the bout at the 2:22 mark of round two.  The bout was ruled a technical draw.

Undercard Results: 

  

Jr. Welterweight Giovanni Santillan (9-0, 5 KOs) defeated Adam Ealoms (3-4-3, 1 KO) by way of a six-round unanimous decision.  All three judges scored the bout 60-54 in favor of Santillan. 

  

In a four round bantamweight contest, Daniel Roman (6-1-1, 2 KOs) defeated Manuel Ruvalcaba (1-5) by way of a four-round unanimous decision.  All three judges scored the bout 40-35 for Roman.

Middleweight Joshua Conley (7-0, 6KOs) remained undefeated with an impressive knockout victory over Roberto Lara (0-4).  The bout was scheduled for six-rounds.

Heavyweight Justin Goslee (1-0, 1 KO) was victorious in his pro debut defeating Jose Hermosillo (0-1) by knockout.  Hermosillio was dropped three times before the referee stopped the bout at the 2:14 mark of round one.  

"PATH TO GLORY" was presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions and  
sponsored by Lucas Oil, in association with Time Warner Cable  
Deportes. 

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