JOHN THOMPSON AND ANTOINE DOUGLAS REMAIN UNDEFEATED WITH WINS IN THE SOONER STATE

NUTLEY, NJ (May 14, 2013)—This past Friday night, John “Apollo Kid” Thompson and Antoine “Action” Douglas remained perfect with bog victories at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma.

Thompson and Douglas are promoted by Vito Mielnicki’s GH3 Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions.

Thompson scored an eight round unanimous decision over Geovanni Rodriguez in a Jr. Middleweight bout that was televised live on SHOWTIME’s acclaimed series SHO BOX: The New Generation.

Douglas scored a ninety-eight second destruction over Coy Witt in what was a scheduled six round Middleweight bout.

Thompson looked spectacular as he scored four knockdowns and finished the fight in style as he dropped Rodriguez twice in the final frame en route to the victory that read 78-70; 78-70 & 78-71.

Thompson, 24 years-old of Newark, New Jersey is now 12-0 was making his national television debut.

“I know I still have things to work on”, said Thompson.

“I used my movement and I know I have to use my head.”

On the four knockdowns, Thompson said, “I went for it.  I landed a couple of jabs. Against the southpaw, I landed those jabs and stepped over with the right hand.”

On wanting a knockout, “It’s a win.  A knockout would have been a plus.  I thought I had him in the 8^th round but for some reason the referee stepped in and I actually thought he was stopping the fight."

On Winning on National Television, “It means a lot. I hope the right people were watching”.

On trainer Buddy McGirt, “Buddy has been a great asset to me.  Expect to see more improvements with each fight.”

Douglas of Washington, DC is now 7-0 with five knockouts after his win.

Douglas dropped Witt twice and finished the fight by knockout Witt cold with a booming right hand.

“It was a team effort.  He was reaching in and my coach (Kay Karome) told me to step over and land the right hand," said Douglas.

“Every fight and victory is a step up.  I am in great position knock away all obstacles and keep moving.  I want to thank my team in my promoters Vito Mielnicki and Greg Cohen, my coach Kay Karome, my manager Billy Mielnicki plus all the family and fans that have supported me.”

Douglas will be back in action on June 15^th at South Mountain Arena in West Orange, New Jersey.

Both fighters are managed by William Mielnicki.

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.