FIGHTERS MAKE THE WEIGHT FOR FIRST SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION TELECAST OF 2015

TRIPLEHEADER STARTS AT 11 P.M. ET/PT ON SHOWTIME^®DURING FREE PREVIEW WEEKEND

Undefeated Lightweight Ivan Redkach Faces Yakubu Amidu In Main Event Of Tripleheader From Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, Calif.

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Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

CABAZON, Calif. (Jan. 8, 2015) – The six fighters who will compete on Friday’s ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) made weight on Thursday at Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa in Cabazon, Calif.

In the main event of the DiBella Entertainment-promoted event, unbeaten lightweight Ivan “El Terrible” Redkach (17-0, 1 NC, 13 KOs), of Los Angeles by way of Ukraine, will meet Yakubu Amidu (19-5-2, 17 KOs), of Los Angeles by way of Ghana, in a 10-round fight.

In the co-feature, former amateur standouts Patrick Day (9-0-1, 5 KOs), of Freeport, N.Y., andAlantez “SlyAza” Fox (13-0-1, 4 KOs), of Forestville, Md., collide in an eight-round junior middleweight bout.

In the opening bout of the telecast, former amateur sensation Ievgen “Ukrainian Lion” Khytrov (7-0, 7 KOs), of Brooklyn, N.Y. by way of Ukraine, will take on Maurice “The Natural” Louishomme (8-0-1, 4 KOs), of Colorado Springs, Colo., in an eight-round middleweight bout.

ALL ACCESS: Stiverne vs. Wilder will premiere at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME immediately preceding the ShoBox telecast.

Weights: Redkach and Amidu tipped the scale at 137 pounds; Day weighed 154 pounds while

Fox measured 155 pounds; and Khytrov weighed in at 163 pounds and Louishomme measured 161 pounds.

Here’s what the fighters had to say prior to Thursday’s weigh-in:

IVAN REDKACH:

“This year I have a new team, I have a new manager and this year I’m going to fight for a world title.  It would be my dream matchup to fight Jorge Linares for the title.  I’m ready.

“I trained for about five months, training three times a day in Oxnard at Robert Garcia’s gym. 

“With Robert Garcia we’ve been sparring with some of the top fighters.  We sparred with Brandon Rios, Jessie Vargas, Ray Beltran, Mike Perez.  Top fighters.  It was a great experience. 

“Robert has changed some of my techniques to get ready for this fight.  He’s made 11 world champions out of his gym.  That’s why he was the top trainer of the year.   There’s a reason that he’s made so many champions so I think I’m in good hands.

“I’ve sparred with Amidu and I’ve seen him train.  It’s good to have that under my belt going into this fight.”

YAKUBU AMIDU:

“Training camp has been going great. I’ve been working out for a few months because I was supposed to fight an opponent at an earlier date that had to pull out.

“My entire team has been working very hard, focusing on this fight.

“I have been training with Freddie [Roach] at WildCard gym, we are all a family at the gym.  It has been very comfortable for me.

“I know that Redkach is a tall, strong puncher. I have a strategy for him. We will see what he comes with after the first few rounds.

“Redkach is a very good fighter. I have done my homework on him. If the knockout comes then I will take it, but if it doesn’t come then there’s nothing to worry about.”

PATRICK DAY:

“I guess we’ll find out tomorrow in the ring if this is the toughest guy that I’ve faced.  On paper he is, but statistics don’t always prove it.  We’ll find out.  We’ll see how he reacts.

“His height won’t be a problem for me.  Not at all.  It will be a bit different than usual, but I’ve faced tall opponents in the past before and I know how to deal with it.  It’s not new to me. 

“He’ll try to clinch once he feels my speed, how fast I can strike.  If I release a hard power shot he’ll definitely try to clinch to slow things down a little.

“I’m looking to make a statement.

“Camp was excellent.  We had a superb camp.  We trained for about two months straight.  We brought in some tall sparring partners to prepare for his height and style.  We were running in freezing weather in New York and my will kept me going.  We’re ready.”

ALANTEZ FOX:

“Training camp has been great, I feel super strong. I’m ready for this fight and will be in great condition if the fight goes eight rounds. It was a six week camp and I feel 100 percent.

“I don’t know much about [Patrick] Day. I know he’s short, but everyone is short to me.  I will use my distance to my advantage like I always do.

“I know that he has to come on the inside and press, and if he doesn’t then he will be playing to my game beautifully.

“I have to thank my team for giving me this wonderful opportunity to be fighting on SHOWTIME. This is what I have been waiting for my entire boxing career since I was eight years old.

“I hope this won’t be my last time on SHOWTIME. I hope to be fighting for a championship bout within the next year or two.”

IEVGEN KHYTROV:

“Training camp was great.  We were sparring with Daniel Jacobs, Luis Collazo, Marcus Browne, the strongest guys in the division. 

“We knew about this guy for about a week, but it doesn’t matter who I fight.  I want to be champion of the world. 

“I’ll do my best to knock him out.  Fans want the knockout and I’ll try to give them a knockout.  I can’t predict the future, but I’m going to do everything possible to get it done.

“I can’t predict the future, but I’m looking for a big year in 2015.”

MAURICE LOUISHOMME:

“I have been training the past 10 years for this fight. I have constantly stayed busy in the gym with the hopes of being able to get this opportunity.

“My biggest strength in this fight will be my jab. I really utilize my jab well. I am looking to set the entire fight up with the jab, and then look for openings with my right hand and uppercuts.

“This is an eight round fight. I am looking to box, move and avoid his big shots. If I can catch him and hurt him I am definitely going to jump on him for the knockout.

“I feel privileged and blessed to be here. I am thankful for SHOWTIME for giving me this opportunity.  It’s a chance of a lifetime.”

IVAN REDKACH PUTS UNBEATEN RECORD ON LINE AGAINST YAKUBU AMIDU ON FRIDAY, JAN. 9 IN FIRST SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION TELECAST OF 2015

Undefeated Junior Middleweights Patrick Day and Alantez Fox Battle in Co-Feature; Unbeaten Middleweights Ievgen Khytrov and Maurice Louishomme Clash In Opener

Tripleheader Airs During SHOWTIME^® Free Preview Weekend;

Telecast Begins Live at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast)

From Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa in Cabazon, Calif.

NEW YORK (Jan. 6, 2015) – ShoBox: The New Generation, the popular, critically acclaimed boxing series that has produced 57 world champions since its inception in 2001, will kick off the new year with a tripleheader featuring five undefeated fighters on Friday, Jan. 9, live on SHOWTIME^® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast), during the premium network’s Free Preview Weekend.

In the main event, unbeaten lightweight Ivan Redkach (17-0, 13 KOs), of Los Angeles by way of Ukraine, will meet Yakubu Amidu (19-5-2, 17 KOs), of Los Angeles by way of Ghana, in a 10-round fight.

In the co-feature, undefeated prospects and former amateur standouts Patrick Day (9-0-1, 5 KOs), of Freeport, N.Y., and Alantez “SlyAza” Fox (13-0-1, 4 KOs), of Forestville, Md., will collide in an eight-round junior middleweight scrap.  In the opening bout of the telecast, former Ukrainian amateur star Ievgen “Ukrainian Lion” Khytrov (7-0, 7 KOs), of Brooklyn, N.Y. by way of Ukraine, will take on Maurice Louishomme (8-0-1, 4 KOs), of Colorado Springs, Colo., in an eight-round middleweight bout.

During the Free Preview Weekend SHOWTIME is available to over 70 million households.   For additional details and a full schedule of programming, go to SHO.com/freepreview. 

The live ShoBox telecast will be preceded by the premiere of ALL ACCESS: Stiverne vs. Wilder at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT.  The tripleheader at Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa in Cabazon, Calif., is promoted by DiBella Entertainment.

The promising southpaw Redkach, a native of Shostka, Ukraine, grew up on the rough side of town before turning to boxing and becoming one of his country’s top amateurs. Before relocating to Los Angeles and turning pro in November 2009, he amassed an impressive 260-40 record as an amateur, which culminated in him being a 2008 Olympic Team alternate for Ukraine. 

Since then, Redkach, who made ESPN.com’s “Top 20 Prospects to Watch” list in 2012 and 2013, has mostly had his way. He is coming off a lopsided 10-round decision over veteran Sergey Gulyakevich last June 27 in Saint Charles, Mo.

The power-punching Redkach, who is known for a relentless style that makes for entertaining fights, will appear for the second time on ShoBox and second at Morongo. Two outings ago he won his ShoBox debut with a unanimous 10-round decision over Tony Luis on Jan. 17, 2014. He registered a fourth-round knockout over Dillet Frederick on Dec. 30, 2011 at Morongo. 

Amidu, who trains at the Wildcard Gym in Hollywood, Calif., will be making his 10th consecutive start in the United States. He turned pro in 2004, winning 13 of his first 14 contests by knockout. During those 14 bouts, Amidu, boxing primarily in Ghana, picked up the Ghanaian and West African Boxing Union super featherweight titles.

The 30-year-old Amidu, a tough and determined, doggedly aggressive brawler, has been in the ring with top competition, including Ricky Burns, who would go on to win the WBO 130-pound world title, and former world title challenger Ali Funeka. 

Amidu, who is managed by the actor Vince Vaughn, recently fought to a controversial draw to veteran world title challenger Juan Carlos Burgos in July of 2013.  A win over the undefeated Redkach would surely be the biggest victory of his career in a fight that suits his style perfectly.

"Redkach is one of the most explosive and exciting fighters in his weight class and, in Amidu, he's fighting a seasoned veteran who's never been in a bad fight and gives everyone hell,” said Lou DiBella, CEO of DiBella Entertainment.  “This is a real test."

The showdown between Day and Fox is a quintessential ShoBox matchup, pitting two undefeated-yet-untested prospects with a combined record of 22-0-2 in what should be the toughest tests of their careers. 

The promising Day, one of New York’s most decorated amateurs (he was 75-5) and a former No. 1 at 152 pounds in the U.S., will be making his scheduled eight-round debut. Since turning professional in January 2013, the 22-year-old has stayed busy, fighting four times in 2014 and six times in ’13. In his last outing, the poised, skilled counter-puncher won a one-sided six-round decision over Felipe Reyes on Oct. 15. Day, an honor student at Nassau Community College (nutrition), lives across street from his trainer, Joe Higgins, in Freeport (Long Island).

Fox, 22, stands 6-foot-5 and has a 79-inch reach, which is extremely tall and lengthy for a 154-pound fighter. The slick boxer, who literally stands head and shoulders above most of his contemporaries and often steps over the ropes when entering the ring, is still growing as a pro.

Fox had a successful 10-year amateur career (165-35) that began at the age of eight. A pro since July 2010, he’s won seven consecutive fights since boxing an eight-round split draw in a New York state junior middleweight title fight in September 2012 with streaking Frank Galarza, who has gone unbeaten (8-0-1) since. Fox won his most recent start on a unanimous six-round decision over Jonathan Garcia last Sept. 20.

"In Day and Fox, you have two terrific undefeated prospects putting their zeros on the line,” DiBella said.  “It doesn't get any better than that."

Prior to turning pro in December 2013, Khytrov, 26, was one of Ukraine’s most accomplished amateurs, accumulating a 480-20 record, which culminated with a trip to the 2012 London Olympics. Incredibly active as a pro, the Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine native notched six victories to his record in 2014, taking on and dominating quality opposition. In his last bout on Nov. 21, 2014, Khytrov put his power on display against top prospect Louis Rose, knocking him out in the first round.

Khytrov is already considered an elite prospect by many boxing pundits after just seven professional fights, but he’ll be facing his first undefeated opponent this Friday in Louishomme. 

Louishomme, 37, is an eight-year pro who is a former bronze medalist as an amateur at the 2005 U.S. National Championships. A veteran who has fought from 158 to 174 pounds, Louishomme has built an impressive professional record mostly within his home state of Colorado and has had several bouts of inactivity. He will be taking a significant step up in class against Khytrov, after beating Arturo Crespin by seventh-round technical decision in his last fight on November 15, 2014.

"Khytrov is an elite prospect and Louishomme was a great amateur who’s had a strange undefeated career,” DiBella said.  “Louishomme has won three fights in a row on his comeback and, even though his career has been sporadic, he's always been in the gym sparring with elite U.S. talent like Errol Spence and Marcus Browne. He is the only fighter who sought out this opportunity against Khytrov and I know he is coming to win."

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox 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.

Yudel Jhonson decisions Norberto Gonzalez for two regional title belts Vasquez rolls to dominant TKO win, Khytrov scores sensational KO

ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS June 6, 2014   *   Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, NY

RESULTS FROM TURNING STONE    Yudel Jhonson (R) nails Norberto Gonzalez  all pictures by Andy Newman VERONA, N.Y. (June 6, 2014) - In an ESPN Friday Night Fights main event on International Boxing Hall of Fame induction weekend, featuring a pair of fighters celebrating their 33rdbirthdays tonight, 2004 Olympic silver medalist Yudel Jhonson (16-1, 9 KOs) captured the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) and North American Boxing Association (NABA) by winning a unanimous 10-round unanimous decision (97-91 X3) over  former Mexican champion Norberto "Demonio" Gonzalez (20-4, 13 KOs).      The entertaining top-to-bottom show was presented by Iron Mike Productions (IMP) at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.  Supporting promoter Mike Tyson at tonight's fights were world champions Oscar de la Hoya, Andre Ward, Zab Judah, Felix "Tito" Trinidad, Leona Brown and actress/boxing fan Rosie Perez. "It was a great night, I'm very proud," Tyson remarked. "This was better than our first show here and the next time will be even better.  It's all about consistency.  We saw some great fighters tonight and the fans were great, too.  These guys make me look good, I'm honored.  "Oscar and Andre saw some good fights. There's nothing better than hearing that from my peers.  I'm really proud of Sammy.  He's an entertainer. I'd like to bring him back to Pittsburgh to fight Paul Spadafora, who is a great fighter.  That will be a big fight." Jhonson, a stylist Cuban southpaw living in Miami, boxed his way to victory, decking Gonzalez with a short left in the fifth, buckling him in the sixth, and dropping him with a left in the ninth round.  "At the moment with my team, my managers and promoters," Jhonson said after the fight, "I'm here to fight the top junior middleweights in the world and I proved that tonight.  I'm looking for my world title shot.  I'd like a rematch with Willie Nelson, to fight Ishe Smith, or any of the world champions.  I'm open to fighting quality fighters to get my world title." Red-hot welterweight Sammy "The Who Can Mexican" Vasquez, Jr. (15-0, 11 KOs) proved once again why he's one of the most fan friendly fighters in boxing.  In the ESPN co-feature, the aggressive southpaw from Monessen, PA attacked like the Iraq War veteran he is, dropping "Smokin'" Jay Krupp (17-7, 8 KOs) in each of the first three rounds, after which referee Benji Estevez halted the action at the 1:19 mark.   "For my fans out there, the soldiers and family, it was an honor fighting on ESPN," Vasquez commented.  "I want to thank IMP and my father for getting me here.  I thought it was a B performance.  I made a couple of errors but did what I needed to do." A star was born in the ESPN FNF opener as heavy-handed middleweight sensation Ievgin "The Ukrainian Lion" Khytrov (5-0, 5 KOs) stepped up in class against dangerous Chris Chatman (12-4-1, 5 KOs) and passed the test with flying colors.  After a "feeling out" opening round, the 2012 Ukraine Olympian went to work, battering a game Chatman until a powerful, short left hook ended the fight in the third round. Khytrov destoyed Chatman   Khytrov, now living in Brooklyn, recently signed a contract with IMP and is co-promoted by Fight Promotions, Inc.  "The advice of my corner for the first round was to feel-out my opponent without showing much offense to see how things would go and let my opponent work." Khytrov said after the fight.  "I was the left hook was there from the first round but I waited a little until the left hook would be more effective.  I had the straight right, left hook set-up from the first round." Detroit light heavyweight Isiah Thomas (13-0, 6 KOs) remained unbeaten, blanking (80-72 X 3) Pittsburgh veteran Rayco "War" Saunders (23-24-2, 10 KOs) for an eight-round decision.      Charlotte junior welterweight John Williams (12-3-1, 5 KOs) upset Johnny Garcia (19-2, 11 KOs) by way of an eighth-round split decision (77-75, 77-75, 76-76) for the vacant WBC Latino title. IMP's promising prospect Dennis Galarza (4-0-2 KOs), of Miami, kept his unbeaten record intact, consistently connecting with effective combinations for a six-round unanimous decision (60-54 X 3) over Chicago junior lightweight Gadiel Andaluz (4-7, 2 KOs) Former standout amateur Ryan "Blue Chip" Martin (6-0, 3 KOs), who is promoted byCurtis "50 Cent" Jackson, outclassed Brooklyn lightweight Ian James (2-8-1, 1 KO) en route to a unanimous four-round decision (60-54 X 3). Popular junior welterweight Sam Quinones, Jr. (7-2, 2 KOs), fighting out of York, PA, also pitched a complete shutout over Greg Coverson, Jr. (3-9-3, 2 KOs), winning six rounds by identical scores of 60-54 on all three Detroit light heavyweight Leo Hall (2-0, 2 KOs) needed only 49-seconds to knockout Bob Wilder (2-4, 1 KO), dropping him with a vicious left kook. Complete Results (winners listed first for each fight) LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS Isiah Thomas (13-0, 6 KOs) Detroit, Michigan WDEC8 (80-72, 80-72, 80-72) Rayco Saunders (23-24-2, 10 KOs), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Leo Hall (2-0, 2 KOs), Detroit, Michigan WKO1 (0:49) Bob Wilder (2-43, 1 KO), Akron, Ohio MIDDLEWEIGHTS Ievgin Khytrov (5-0, 5 KOs), Brooklyn, New York WTKO3 (2:18) Chris Chatman (12-4-1, 5 KOs), San Diego, California JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS Yudel Johnson (16-1, 9 KOs), Miami, FL WDEC10 (97-91, 97-91, 97-91) NORBERTO GONZALEZ (20-4, 13 KOs), Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico 154 LBS. (Jhonson won vacant WBC FECARBOX and NABA titles) WELTERWEIGHTS Sammy Vasquez, Jr. (15-0, 11 KOs), Monessen, Pennsylvania WTKO3 (1:19) Jay Krupp (17-7, 8 KOs), Catskill, New York JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS John Williams (12-3-1, 5 KOs), Charlotte, North Carolina WDEC8 (77-75, 77-75. 76-76) Johnny Garcia (19-2, 11 KOs), Holland, Michigan (Williams won vacant WBC Latino title) Sam Quinones, Jr. (7-2, 2 KOs), York, Pennsylvania WDEC6 (60-54, 60-54, 60-54) Greg Coverson, Jr. (3-9-3, 2 KOs), Detroit, Michigan LIGHTWEIGHTS Ryan Martin (6-0, 3 KOs), Cleveland, Ohio WDEC4 (60-54, 60-54, 69-54) Ian James (2-8-1, 1 KO), Brooklyn, New York JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS Dennis Galarza (4-0, 2 KOs), Miami, FL WDEC6 (60-54, 60-54, 60-54) Gadiel Andaluz (4-7, 2 KOs), Chicago, Illinois -30- ABOUT IRON MIKE PRODUCTIONS (IMP): Founded in 2013 by CEO Garry Jonas and Hall of Famer Mike Tyson, Iron Mike Productions is a full-service boxing promotional company with offices located in Deerfield Beach, Florida and Las Vegas, Nevada. IMP is committed to changing traditional boxing promotion by advocating for its fighters' successes, inside the ring and out, throughout their professional careers and into retirement. For additional information go online at www.IronMikeProductions.com, friend on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/IronMikeProductions.Official, or follow on Twitter @IronMikeProd.