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.

Thompson Looking to Put Another Masterpiece on Canvas This Friday on ShoBox in Miami, OK

As a painter and artist in his spare time, Newark, New Jersey, boxer John "Apollo Kidd" Thompson IV (11-0, 4 KOs) has created many satisfying works of art. But Thompson will be looking to put his finest work yet on canvas this Friday, May 10, when he takes on Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico's also-undefeated Giovany Rodriguez (8-0, 5 KOs). The two middleweights will clash over eight rounds in the co-feature of a 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. In the ShoBox-televised main event, Montreal, Quebec, Canada's undefeated IBF #3-ranked Dierry "Dougy Style" Jean (24-0, 16 KOs) will take 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. 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. 24-year-old Thompson is a true renaissance man, combining a day job at an airline, his love for travel, his art and a blossoming career as a professional boxer. "Working at United Airlines allows me a discount on travel," he said. "Last year, I went to Paris and Scotland. I also have my own business, called Divine Artist. I do portraits and landscapes, even abstract art. My motto is if you can think it, I can put it on canvas. But boxing is in my blood. My father started me in boxing when I was four. It comes very, very naturally for me. It's so easy for me to feel people out and beat them." An old-school technician in the ring, Thompson styles himself after the pure boxers in the sport.  "I'm a boxer. That's the name of the game: to hit somebody and not get hit back. A lot of people get caught up in brawls. I like Floyd Mayweather because he's a true boxer." Despite all his other pursuits, Thompson takes his boxing career very seriously. He trains twice a day at McGirt's Training Facility in Nutley, NJ, under new trainer, former world champion James "Buddy" McGirt (his father and original trainer, John Thompson III, now serves as co-trainer). "Buddy has been a great help as part of the team," the younger Thompson said. "He's a really cool guy who knows a lot about boxing. My father and I are still very close and Buddy has been able to add dimensions to what he and I were able to build." Thompson also says he's very pleased with manager William Mielnicki and his promoters, Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions and Vito Mielnicki of GH3 Promotions. "William, Greg and Vito have been moving me very well and I am very thankful. I'm very pleased with where I am in my life and career. A lot of people have about four to five fights in two years. I've had 11 and won them all in less than two." Despite it being his first showcase for a national audience, Thompson says he's expecting things to go his way. "He's (Rodriguez) a southpaw, more of a boxer. He's 8-0. I read he plans on winning, but we can't both be victorious. I'm pretty sure I'll win. I'm working on giving him a boxing lesson, but if the knockout comes, it comes. It's not something you should plan on." Thompson is a well-rounded, intelligent man who will see how far his fistic talents take him, but no matter what, will continue to strive to be a role model and leader. "After I become a champion, I want to start a business and be self-sufficient in my community of Newark. I go Downtown and see less-fortunate people. I want to start a program where I can help people provide for themselves. I want to help people get on their feet. It's hard out here. I love my family and my coach. I'm very thankful for everything given to me. I have a lot of people to thank for that. I will always try to give back in my life." The exciting undercard will be announced shortly. All bouts subject to change.

JOHN “APOLLO KID” THOMPSON READY FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION DEBUT THIS FRIDAY NIGHT ON SHO BOX

PLUS ANTOINE DOUGLAS TO SEE ACTION ON UNDERCARD

NUTLEY, NJ (May 7, 2013)—This Friday night at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma undefeated Jr. Middleweight John “Apollo Kid” Thompson and undefeated Middleweight Antoine “Action” Douglas will be back in action in separate fights.

In the main event, undefeated Dierry Jean (24-0, 16 KO’s) will take on Cleotis Pendarvis in an IBF Jr. Welterweight Elimination bout.

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

Thompson (11-0, 4 KO’s) of Newark, NJ will take on fellow unbeaten Giovany Rodriguez of Puerto Rico in the eight round televised co-feature.

“All I know he is a southpaw and ranked number two in Puerto Rico”, said Thompson.

“I finally get to showcase my talent for television.  This is a great opportunity”.

“I am very confident this win will boost my rankings and open up new doors”.

As for Douglas, he will take part in a scheduled six round bout against Coy Witt.

Douglas (6-0, 4 KO’s) of Washington, DC is one of the top Middleweight prospects in the United States.

“Camp has been great.  I feel strong, fast and my weight is good”

Douglas doesn’t know much about Whitt but he feels that he will have a big performance on Friday.

“I have only seen one piece of footage on him and based on that, a knockout is the plan”

This will already be Douglas’ fifth fight of 2013.

“My team is doing their job and my only worry is boxing.  After this win I will be back to fight on June 15^th.

Thompson and Douglas are managed by William Mielnicki.

Undefeated Stars John Thompson and Giovany Rodriguez Battle for WBC Latino Title May 10

It was confirmed earlier today two undefeated rising prospects—John Thompson of Newark, NJ and Giovany Rodriguez of Puerto Rico—will exchange leather as they battle for the 154-pound WBC Latino Title.

WBC President Alberto Guerrera approved this fight, and the showdown between Thompson (11-0, 4 KO) and Rodriguez (8-0, 5 KO) will take place next Friday, May 10 at the Buffalo Run Casino in Oklahoma. 

Managed by William Mielnicki, promoted by GH3 Promotions’ Vito Mielnicki and trained by Buddy McGirt, Thompson has quickly risen up the ranks of the middleweight division by dismissing of one opponent after another in earning this shot at the hardware.

Last year he stayed active within the squared circle, fighting seven times through the calendar year, and in his first trip into the ring in 2013 he stopped the then 5-1 Grayson Blake in the fifth round to extend his unbeaten record to 11-0. 

This will be Giovany Rodriguez’s second time fighting in the states as he looks to carry over his winning ways from last year into 2013.  Unlike Thompson, Rodriguez has been anything but consistent in his young career.  Since 2010 he has only fought three times but will be looking to make a name for himself as well as make an impact fighting one of the fastest rising prospects within the division in Thompson.

Although neither fighter is known for their one-punch knockout power, both have demonstrated in previous fights their ability to deliver accrued damage to their opponent and finish them off.

This fight is going to be about which boxer is able to use his speed and craftiness to out think and outwork the opposition.  It also marks the first time each pugilist will fight in an eight-round contest, so if the bout goes the distance, conditioning may become a factor. 

Through the first 11 fights of his career Thompson has prided himself on his ability to make his opponent miss, and that elusiveness has led him to remain undefeated.  

Fans will be in for a treat upon the commencement of the first round, and can expect a very technical, thought out fight plan to be executed. 

Also appearing on the undercard is GH3 Promotion’s rising star Antoine “Action” Douglas (6-0, 4 KO). 

The fight will be televised on Showtime at 10 p.m.as part of the undercard for the IBF junior welterweight eliminator between Dierry Jean and Cleotis Pendarvis.