ROGELIO MEDINA SCORES SHOCKING THIRD-ROUND KNOCKOUT OVER PREVIOUSLY UNDEFEATED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT J’LEON LOVE ON SPECIAL SATURDAY EDITION OF SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION

Once-Beaten Badou Jack, Unbeaten Ronald Gavril Triumph

In Co-Featured Bouts at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas;

Floyd “Money” Mayweather Interviewed During SHOWTIME^® Telecast

Catch Replay Monday, Sept. 1, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHO EXTREME^®

LAS VEGAS (Aug. 31, 2014) – Hard-hitting super middleweight Rogelio “Porky” Medina (33-6, 27 KOs), of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, registered one of the upsets of the year, knocking out previously unbeaten, world-ranked J’Leon Love (18-1, 10 KOs), of Inkster, Mich., in the third round of a Special Saturday presentation of ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME.

After Love missed with a left land, the unheralded Medina countered with a vicious combination of punches to the chin and head that dropped Love face-first to the canvas. Love attempted to get up but referee Tony Weeks stepped in and stopped the fight at 39 seconds into the third round. It was the 123^rdtime since the series began 13 years ago that an unbeaten fighter suffered his first loss on ShoBox.

Both of Love’s Mayweather Promotions’ “Money Team” teammates were triumphant in their ShoBoxfights. Once-beaten Badou Jack (17-1-1, 11 KOs), of Stockholm, Sweden, bounced back from a first-round KO defeat to pitch a near 10-round shutout against Jason Escalera (15-3-1, 12 KOs) of Union City, N.J., and talented Romanian 168-pounder Ronald “Thrill” Gavril (10-0, 8 KOs) scored one knockdown en route to an impressive seventh-round TKO over hard-trying Thomas Falowo (12-3, 8 KOs) of Pawtucket, R.I.

“I knew in the beginning that he was going to box so I was focused on cutting off the ring and applying pressure at all time,’’ a jubilant Medina said afterward. “I was very surprised the fight ended like it did when it did. I expected to win but not in this kind of explosive fashion this early in the fight.

“I would love to fight next for the WBC title against champion Anthony Dirrell.’’

Offered ShoBox expert analyst Steve Farhood afterward: “This was a classic case of the fact that no tuneup is ever a fully safe tuneup. Love was on the verge of securing a shot at the world title and, on paper, Medina was the kind of opponent who figured to suit him well style-wise.

“But in a split second, Love hooked with the hooker and when he went down face-first you knew he wasn’t getting up. It was an incredible and unlikely win for Medina and an incredible and severely damaging loss for Love.”

Leon was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital for observation. He left on his own recognizance.

Boxing superstar and 11-Time World Champion Floyd Mayweather, who faces Marcos “El Chino” Maidana in the main event of “MAYHEM: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2” on Saturday, Sept. 13 live on SHOWTIME PPV^® from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, watched the nine-bout Mayweather Promotions fight card from ringside. He was interviewed by Farhood after the Gavril-Falowa fight.

“I was impressed with [Ronald] Gavril”, Mayweather said. “He should’ve gone to the body a bit more, but he’s still in the learning stages of his career.  I believe that he is a future world champion. Eddie [Mustafa] Muhammad is his trainer, who is one of the best trainers out there. Gavril is still working very hard in the gym so in the future there should be some very good results.

“I think I have gotten much stronger in this training camp [for Maidana rematch]. I’m making sure that my body is stretched the right way. Every camp is different, but I feel comfortable and I’m pretty sure my opponent is ready to fight because I am. All I try to do is to stay positive and get good work in.

“I am able to make adjustments and adapt very, very easily. I’ve made adjustments before, even with my last rematch almost 12 years ago against [Jose Luis] Castillo. I’m in tip top shape and am a lot stronger this fight than when I first fought Maidana. My conditioning is also exactly where it needs to be.

“If you look back at the fight, I think it was very exciting for the first three or four rounds and out of 12 rounds I would say he won three rounds, but I dominated for nine rounds. The fans, critics and people are so used to me winning 11, 12 rounds or knocking a guy out. To have an opponent actually put up a good fight for four rounds [is something that is unusual in a fight of mine]. All throughout the fight I was boxing and being sharp and Maidana was constantly being dirty.

“All I can do is go out there and win and be the best that I can be. I can’t look for any help from the referee. I strictly believe that there will be an even playing field. I want the referee to do his jobs on both ends.

“I feel good, every time I go to training camp I feel good. I think this time I am going to display something totally different from the first fight. I don’t think that age plays a factor. All I have to do is keep my composure, be smart and be the same Floyd Mayweather.

Saturday’s Special ShoBox aired on SHOWTIME immediately following the premiere of “ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2” Episode 1 and was screened for Floyd and the fans in attendance inside The Pearl to watch before the televised fights began.

Jack won by the scores 100-90 twice and 99-91. “I didn’t have any nerves going into this fight based off of what happened in my last fight,” he said. “I had a long training camp and we worked on all my mistakes from my last fight. I told everyone that it was just a lucky punch after my lazy jab and I was just caught, stuff happens it’s boxing.

“My defense was the best it has ever been in a fight and that’s a credit to my assistant trainer [former WBA Light Heavyweight Lou De Valle]. He’s like my brother and after the last fight I called him and told him that I needed his help and I know that Leonard [Ellerbe] and Floyd [Mayweather] really like him.

“I love SHOWTIME and I am very blessed and thankful to them for giving me this opportunity. It’s great to fight in my new hometown of Las Vegas.’’

Gavril was pleased after a fine performance in which he turned back a determined bid from Falowo to remain perfect. The fight was stopped by the referee as Gavril was landing one flurry after another of unanswered punches.

“I was very happy with my performance,’’ Gavril said. “I worked very hard for this, and I’m glad it showed. I am especially pleased because I knew I had some Romanian fans in the house. He was very tough and came to win. After I knocked him down in the third, he came back and won the fourth.

“I expected a tough fight and I got it. As always the key for me was patience. I felt I was getting stronger as we went on. I’m absolutely ready for 10 rounds, if the time is right.’’

Falowo was visibly disappointed afterward. “I can’t argue with the stoppage,’’ he said. “I knew I was a little behind but I thought I was doing OK. He caught me with a good shot in the third and buzzed me again in the seventh. I tried to hold on but couldn’t. I’m very disappointed in myself because I definitely felt I was going to win this fight.’’

The ShoBox tripleheader will re-air this week as follows:

            DAY                                                                CHANNEL

Monday, Sept. 1, at 10 p.m. ET/PT                SHO EXTREME

Saturday’s three-fight telecast will be available at SHOWTIME ON DEMAND^® beginning Monday, Sept. 1 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

Barry Tompkins called 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.

For more information, visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com and follow on Twitter with @mayweatherpromo, @coronaboxing, @PearlatPalms, @ShoSports, @Swanson_Comm. And become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromo and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing and follow the conversation using #desertshowdown.

MAYWEATHER PROMOTIONS FINAL WEIGHTS, QUOTES & PHOTOS FOR SATURDAY’S SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION TRIPLEHEADER LIVE ON SHOWTIME® FROM PALMS CASINO RESORT, LAS VEGAS

Undefeated J’Leon Love Meets Rogelio Medina in Main Event; Badou Jack
Faces Jason Escalera & Unbeaten Ronald Gavril Takes On Thomas Falowo

Tripleheader Live on SHOWTIME^® Immediately Following the Premiere
Of “ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2” Episode 1 at 9:30 p.m. PT/ET

LAS VEGAS (Aug. 29, 2014) – The six fighters who will compete in tomorrow’s Special Saturday presentation of ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME^® (immediately following the Premiere of “ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2” Episode 1 at 9:30 p.m. PT/ET) made weight Friday at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

In the main event of a ShoBox tripleheader from The Pearl at Palms Casino Resort tomorrow, undefeated super middleweight contender J’Leon Love (18-0, 10 KOs), of Inkster, Mich., will take on Rogelio “Porky”  Medina (32-6, 26 KOs), of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, in a 10-round bout. In other bouts, also featuring Mayweather Promotions’ super middleweights, once-beaten, hard-hitting Badou Jack 16-1-1, 11 KOs), of Stockholm, Sweden, will be opposed by Jason Escalera (15-2-1, 12 KOs) of Union City, N.J., in a 10-round match and Romanian Ronald “Thrill” Gavril(9-0, 7 KOs), who is making his ShoBox debut, will risk his unblemished record against Thomas Falowo (12-2, 8 KOs) of Pawtucket, R.I., in the eight-rounder that will open the telecast.

WEIGHTS: Love weighed 167.5 pounds, Medina tipped scale at 168.6 pounds; Jack weighed 169.4 pounds, Escalera 169.2 pounds; Gavril and Falowo both tipped the scale at 166 pounds.

Tickets for the event, sponsored by Corona, are priced at $25, $50, $75 and $100, plus applicable taxes, fees and service are on sale now and available for purchase by clicking HERE. The first live, non-televised preliminary fight starts at 3 p.m. PT.

Below is what the fighters had to say prior to Friday’s weigh-in:

J’LEON LOVE:

“I’ve been caught with punches in the past and have been able to bounce back and get the victory. It shows that I can make improvements on the fly and overcome adversity.

“I believe that I am two fights away from a title shot. I will take care of business in this fight and go from there. I just need to be myself and execute. I believe in my punches, and when I am in that ring there is never any fear that comes into my body.

“Badou [Jack] let me know about [Rogelio] Medina. He’s a tough guy who will come prepared to fight. I respect that, but I would do the same,

“Each and every day that I train, I learn something new. I have a great team and trainer that constantly tell me that I am only as good as my last fight.

“I must keep my hands up, stay consistent with my punches and not throw any lazy jabs, because that’s what caught me in my last fight. I want to keep excelling as a fighter, silence my critics and stay humble.

“There is a certain level of expectation when you’re a part of TMT [The Money Team]. I know that everyone associated with this team doesn’t accept anything less than the best.”

ROGELIO MEDINA:

“I feel very strong going into this fight. I am very well prepared.

“In the past when I moved up a weight class I fought well, but didn’t win. The reason for that was I wasn’t properly prepared going into those fights to take the punches, but for this fight I have constantly been training for the past three months.

“I feel that I can beat anyone in the 168-pound weight class.

“My opponent likes to trade punches, has no fear and is in great shape. But, he isn’t always consistent with his punches and has a suspect chin. I am ready to pressure him every round and I am prepared for a 10-round fight.

“All the fighters on TMT want to fight like Floyd [Mayweather]. The problem with that is there is only one Floyd and you must be yourself and not try to fight like someone else.

“I will give it everything I have in the ring tomorrow and a victory would be huge for me and open up many doors.”

BADOU JACK

“In my last fight [loss to Derek Edwards], he caught me cold when I ran into his punch. I have learned a great deal from that fight that I will use to my advantage in fighting my opponent tomorrow. I must keep my distance and use my height and range.

“A title fight is definitely a possibility in the future, but I never look past my next opponent. I am focused solely on him and there is nothing else going through my mind.

“My opponent puts constant pressure on and doesn’t move his head. I feel like his style fits well into my style. I plan to wear him down with body shots, use my range and height to my advantage. I have no fear.

“I am very focused on my career and I don’t worry about anything else. You will see a very different Badou in this fight in relation to my last bout.”

JASON ESCALERA

“This is the biggest fight of my career and I am very excited and ready for this opportunity.

“I must keep pressure on him with constant punches and refresh him about his last fight.

“I am honestly surprised that I got this fight. Since [Badou] Jack is coming off of a loss, I figured he would want to fight someone who wasn’t a puncher, but I will not back down.”

RONALD GAVRIL:

“I had a great amateur career for 10 years in Romania, but the United States is the best place to fight. I couldn’t be happier with the decision I made to come over here to advance my professional career.

“I am a workhorse that is all business and no flash. I am very focused on my goals and won’t let anything get in my way. I have a great attitude and work ethic with technique and skill.

“With my trainer [Eddie Mustafa Muhammad], I am learning how to shorten up my punches, but I have always been a big puncher. My defense is also improving every day.

“My opponent is a solid fighter and I believe that he is going to be the toughest test of my professional career to date. I want to make him tired and uncomfortable in the ring.

“My team says I may have a shorter road to the title than other fighters. I believe I have what it takes to one day be world champion.”

THOMAS FALOWO:

“I’m very excited about fighting on ShoBox and grateful for the opportunity. I’m ready to prove that I belong to fight on the big stage.

“I’ve had tougher fights, but this is definitely my biggest fight. I feel that I’m more ready than ever and that this fight came along at a perfect time.

“This would be a huge step in the right direction if I come out with the victory. I know that everything will fall into place for me if I stay focused in the ring.

“My opponent has a similar style; we both like to throw big punches. He had a good amateur career and has been doing OK as a pro. But he’s definitely never a fighter of my caliber.

“I know that the fans will really enjoy watching our fight. I have always been a fan favorite and Saturday night I will not disappoint.”

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.

For more information, visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com and follow on Twitter with @mayweatherpromo, @coronaboxing, @PearlatPalms, @ShoSports, @Swanson_Comm. And become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/MayweatherPromo and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing and follow the conversation using #desertshowdown.

TRAINING CAMP QUOTES FOR THIS SATURDAY'S MAYWEATHER PROMOTIONS SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION TRIPLEHEADER

Undefeated J'Leon Love To Headline Against Rogelio Medina; Badou Jack Fights Jason Escalera & Unbeaten Ronald Gavril Takes On Thomas Falowo Live on SHOWTIME® Immediately Following the Premiere Of ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2 Episode 1 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT LAS VEGAS (Aug. 27, 2014) - Undefeated super middleweight contender J'Leon Love is just a few months removed from the toughest fight of his career, but the Floyd Mayweather protégé doesn't expect things to get any easier this Saturday when he steps into the ring with hard-hitting veteran Rogelio Medina. Love (18-0, 10 KOs) and Medina (32-6, 26 KOs) will square off in the 10-round main event of a special Saturdaypresentation of ShoBox: The New Generation, LIVE on SHOWTIME® immediately following the premiere of ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2 Episode 1 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT. Tickets for the Mayweather Promotions "Desert Showdown" from The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas are priced at $25, $50, $75 and $100, plus applicable taxes, fees and service are on sale and available for purchase by clicking HERE. Love picked himself off the canvas this past May 3 to register a hard-fought victory over former world title challenger Marco Antonio Periban. But while Love is looking to make another step toward becoming the 56thShoBox alum to graduate to a world title, Medina is aiming for redemption in his return to the series after getting knocked out by Love's stablemate and sparring partner, Badou Jack, last December. In the co-feature, once-beaten super middleweight contender Badou "The Ripper" Jack (16-1-1, 11 KOs) will look to bounce back from the first loss of his career when he takes on Jason Escalera (15-2-1, 12 KOs), who has never been knocked down and has not lost a fight contested at 168 pounds. Jack vs. Escalera will be a 10-round super middleweight bout. In the opening bout of the telecast, undefeated yet untested super middleweight prospect Ronald "Thrill" Gavril (9-0, 7 KOs) will square off Thomas Falowo (12-2, 8 KOs), who spent the past month as a sparring partner for Sakio Bika, in an eight-round super middleweight contest. Here's what the fighters had to say as they prepare for Saturday's showdowns: J'LEON LOVE: "My last fight was definitely a learning experience. Periban was a title contender and a very experienced fighter. I faced some adversity and I was able to bounce back and come through with a win. "Every fight is a learning experience, but this one was under the big lights. It shows I have the heart and determination to win. I know where I want to go with this and I know a world championship is on the horizon.   I think I have maybe two more fights before I fight for a belt. "I'm still growing as a fighter, but I've graduated from prospect to contender and I'm just a few wins away from graduating to world champion. Saturday night is just another step. I think I'm almost there. "Being in shape is the No. 1 key, following the game plan is next. Just staying focused is what gets you the victory. I have a great team around me that won't let me slack off or fall victim to cutting it short in the gym. "Badou isn't just a training partner; he's like a brother to me. He told me I can't take Medina lightly, he told me to be careful because this guy can put you down. He's tough, he's going to bring it and I have to stay sharp. "We always want to work on our defense. The guy has a lot of power but your hands can't hit what your eyes can't see. I have great movement and defense and we need to apply that to the game plan. I can't let him get off. I need to take control and do what I have to do to get the victory. "I step in the ring to make a statement every time I fight. This is just continuing the pace of what we've been doing. Just get that W and move to the next opponent. "I grew up watching the world champions today fight on SHOWTIME and here I am headlining a card in Vegas. It's an honor and a blessing. This is to show we are the next generation of fighters that the world is going to see. We're here to make a statement." ROGELIO MEDINA: "I've been traveling to my opponents' turf for my last few fights, but I don't really care about that too much. It's just the two fighters in the ring. There aren't that many fighters in my weight division in Mexico so that's why I have to fight on the road for the good opportunities. "I actually didn't know that Jack and Love were sparring partners until recently, but every fight is different so I'm looking at this as another big opportunity for me.  If my opponent feels that just because I lost to Jack then he will have an easy night, then he's in for a surprise. "My trainer and I have been watching a few of Love's fights and have been working on some things in the gym that we can take advantage of.  I think Love was actually given too much time to recover from the knockdown against Periban. I know that he can be hurt and when I hurt him I plan to be more aggressive than Periban was. I need to take advantage of that. "I definitely need a win to get back on track.  I don't think about getting a knockout or a decision, I just think I need a win and will be ready for it however it comes. "In my last fight I went up against the local favorite, Jonathan Gonzalez. My team, the TV commentators, the fans in the stadium, they all thought I should have won the fight but they gave it to him by split decision. At first I was upset, but I know I gave it my all and put on a good fight. I think I won and now I'm just focused on my next fight." BADOU JACK "My last fight was the most disappointing minute of my life. It wasn't really a lucky punch, so I'm not making excuses, but he's not on my level and I wasn't supposed to lose. I threw a lazy jab and got caught, so it was my fault. He was lucky he landed it because I was just stupid. "I've been in the gym for five months, focusing on not throwing lazy jabs and working on my range. I've been sparring with both J'Leon and Ronald, but mostly Ronald. They all look good, everyone is in top shape and we're ready. "This guy (Escalera) is tough and coming to fight so I'm going to be 100 percent ready for him. "I thought I would get an immediate rematch against (Derek) Edwards, but I guess he pulled out. "I just need to keep winning. Things happen and life goes on. Right now, I need to beat this guy and we'll be right back in contention for an eliminator or a world title shot after maybe one or two more fights. "I want a rematch, I want to avenge my loss. I'll do anything to get that fight made just for my pride. Other than my pride, that guy was nothing special. I want to be a world champion one day so I know I have to fight the best out there. "I told J, don't sleep on Medina. He can punch and he's very tough. He's not the most skillful fighter, but he has 26 knockouts. He can punch hard and he definitely throws a lot of them. I told him to just be smart in there." JASON ESCALERA "Badou Jack was dropped in his last fight and I think that can be repeated if he makes the same mistake. The KO can be repeated again. "I'm undefeated at 168 pounds. This is the weight for me, for my future. I'm like a whole different person fighting at super middleweight. I feel good and strong there. "Training camp is going well. I'm getting great work with amateurs and pros, quick people, people who move around and don't stay right in front of me. I like to spar with people who stay toe-to-toe with me. We know Badou likes to throw straight punches, so I'm working on perfecting my bob and weave "It's a great style matchup. I fight better when my opponents are brawlers. I like guys that come forward, confront me and fight. I'm not the type to run after fighters. We're here to fight and that's what we'll do on Saturday. "I think I can win a brawl. People like to see a brawl; people like to see actual fighting and not two guys running away from each other. "If he makes a mistake again he will get dropped with the same punch. I feel sharp, I feel good, I'm ready to rumble." RONALD GAVRIL "We've been sparring with all the Mayweather guys here at the gym for about eight weeks. It's been a good camp, solid work. I've been sparring with J'Leon and Badou. "We've been working on a few things, trying to work on my jab. "This should be a good matchup for me. They tell me this guy likes to stand there and trade and that's what we'll give him." THOMAS FALOWO: "Sparring with Sakio Bika was a great experience. He can definitely crack. That was definitely some grade-A work right there. "This is a good matchup for me. I like the fact that he seems to come forward. I definitely think it's going to make for a fan-friendly fight. "I'm just very grateful for this opportunity. The timing couldn't be better - I've been feeling like I'm at my peak right now. Between the training camp and how much I've improved over the past couple of months and the past couple of fights, I'm ready. "I understand that I'm going into this fight as the underdog, but by no means am I an opponent. I'm going in there and I'm coming out with that win. I'm ready to go." # # # Tickets for the event, sponsored by Corona, are priced at $25, $50, $75 and $100, plus applicable taxes, fees and service are on sale now and available for purchase by clicking HERE. For more information, visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com and follow on Twitter with @mayweatherpromo, @coronaboxing, @PearlatPalms, @ShoSports, @Swanson_Comm. And become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/MayweatherPromo and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing and follow the conversation using #desertshowdown.