The boxers who will compete on a terrific doubleheader on ShoBox: The New Generation tomorrow, Friday, July 19, from The Joint At Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas participated in a media workout Wednesday at the Mayweather Boxing Club.
In Friday’s ShoBox 10-round main event, undefeated lightweight Mickey “The Spirit” Bey (18-0-1, 9 KO’s), of Las Vegas by way of Cleveland, takes on former world title challenger John “The Gladiator” Molina (25-3, 20 KO’s), of Covina, Calif. The co-feature, also scheduled for 10 rounds, will match unbeaten, world-rated Badou Jack (14-0, 10 KO’s), of Las Vegas by way of Stockholm, Sweden, against Farah “Quiet Storm’’ Ennis (21-2, 12 KO’s), of Philadelphia, in a super middleweight bout.
Tickets for the stacked event, which is presented by Mayweather Promotions and sponsored by Corona, are priced at $125, $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges, and are on sale at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000. Doors open at 5:25 p.m. PT on fight night and the first fight begins at 5:30 p.m.
The slate of non-televised undercard bout includes Luis Arias (5-0, 3 KO’s), of Las Vegas by way of Milwaukee, vs. Lateef Mundy (10-6, 4 KO’s), Philadelphia, six rounds, super middleweights; Lanell Bellows (4-0-1, 4 KO’s), Las Vegas, vs. TBA, 4 rounds, light heavyweights; Justin DeLoach (3-0, 2 KO’s), Augusta, Ga., vs. Kelvin Medley (1-0), Chicago, junior middleweights, 4 rounds; Ronald Gavril (4-0, 3 KO’s), Las Vegas by way of Bacau, Romania, vs. Jas Phipps (4-0, 1 KO), New Orleans, six rounds, super middleweights; Willie Jones (1-0, 1 KO), Chapel Hill, N.C., vs. Douglas Rosales (pro debut), four rounds, welterweights; Chris Pearson (10-0, 7 KO’s), Trotwood, Ohio, vs. Arturo Crespin (10-2-1, 4 KO’s), Las Vegas, N.M., six rounds, middleweights and Andrew Tabiti (pro debut), of Las Vegas by way of Chicago, vs. Andrew Howk (0-1), Scatal, Wash., cruiserweights, 4 rounds.
All four ShoBox boxers as well as members of the Mayweather Promotions roster who also worked out Wednesday in preparation for their non-televised scraps on Friday proclaimed themselves fit, confident and excited about their upcoming fights.
MICKEY BEY
“Any way you look at it, this is a great fight for TV, a great fight for the fans, a great fight for everybody and I’m excited to be part of it.
“I’m definitely in with a good opponent. A top, solid fighter who has a lot of good wins. We know he’s going to bring it, which will only bring out the best in me.
“I’m totally focused on Friday. This is a major fight because there are huge plans ahead for me after this. There is no way I am taking Molina, or anybody, lightly.
“When things weren’t going great for me, I stayed focused and just kept getting better. It’s been a long time coming and all the hard work is going to pay off, but first I have to win on Friday.
“Being with Floyd and Mayweather Promotions has really gotten me back on track. Knowing you are in good hands with people who care really makes a big difference. It’s still a lot of hard work, but now my profession is fun for me.
“Training went great. I feel sharp. Friday is going to be a good night.”
JOHN MOLINA
“Perception-wise, this is a very important fight for me and it’s certainly in my best interests to get a victory. I know what’s ahead of me with a win. A win puts me right back in the thick of things. Mickey Bey is a hell of a fighter and a hell of a boxer. Our styles will make for an explosive fight.
“I was really looking for this kind of opportunity. Actually, I was chomping at the bit for this kind of fight to come along and I really want to thank all the promoters and everyone involved for making this fight happen.
“I think for them to put in a guy against me who’s had just one fight in a year and a half shows a lot of guts on their part. I applaud them for that, but I’m not sure they are getting who they think they’re getting. They see a guy who’s lost a couple of times, but there is more to me than that.
“I feel great, I feel confident and I’m probably as excited and calm before a fight as I’ve ever been. I’m going to go right after Bey on Friday and will pressure him like he’s never been pressured before.”
BADOU JACK
“I’m ready and really looking forward to fighting on Friday and fighting again on ShoBox. This is a great opportunity for me.
“The first time I fought on ShoBox (against Alexander Brand in May 2012), I was dealing with a lot of problems outside the ring and I didn’t come in focused, but now that I’m with Floyd, I’m able to focus totally on boxing. He takes care of everything. Anyone can have a bad night, but Brand was a tough guy.
“I feel like I’m improving all the time. I know working with (trainer and former world champion) Eddie Mustapha Muhammad has been great. I feel good and I’m set to go. There’s no way I’ll look past this guy.
“I know on paper he is going to be tough, but just because a fighter looks tough on paper doesn’t mean you’re going to have a tough fight. I fought a guy, Don Mouton who did not look good on paper, yet it was a tough fight. I fought Brand who had no skills on paper and he gave me a tough fight.
“So we’ll see on Friday. I just know I’m prepared and anxious to go.”
FARAH ENNIS
“This is my first time in Las Vegas. I got here on Tuesday, but I’m here to work. This isn’t a vacation, it’s a creation.
“I’m really looking forward to the fight. This is my opportunity to show the world who I am, to grab some people and to get the attention of the fans.
“I know Badou Jack is coming to fight. I feel he’s the toughest fighter I’ve fought, but I plan to expose his weaknesses. I’ve fought undefeated fighters before. I just fought five weeks ago, so I’m in the best shape of my life.
“This is my chance on a big stage in Las Vegas to display all my skills. Win this and I’m in the mix with all the top guys in the division.”
LUIS ARIAS
“I’m really looking forward to fighting on Friday. The guy I’m fighting is more of an experienced guy, but I’m totally ready to fight.
“I’ve been with Mayweather Promotions since November 2012. I came here from Milwaukee to spar with Floyd before the Cotto fight. It was like an audition for me after a friend of mine who knew Floyd told him about me.
“Floyd told me during his camp that as soon as his fight with Cotto was over, he wanted me. I told him it would be an honor to sign with him.
“Between Floyd and Leonard Ellerbe, my career has gone perfectly so far. They have moved me expertly. They are truly hands-on promoters who have my best interests in mind all the time, but what makes it even better for me is that I have a say on what goes on. They ask my opinion.
“I’m the one who asked for this kind of fight. I’m the one who asked to be brought along quickly. I’ve already fought on one pay-per-view card and hopefully I’ll be fighting others, but first things first. I can’t wait for Friday.”
LANEL BELLOWS
“This is my sixth pro fight. I’ve been with Floyd since after my third. He signed me after watching me work out one day. He said he liked my work ethic and that one day I would become a champion. That was quite an accolade and it only made me work that much harder. I helped him get ready for the Cotto fight.
“Signing with Floyd has been a total blessing. It’s an incredible honor to be part of his team. This is beyond a dream come true for a guy like me who grew up in Compton, Calif. and didn’t even start to fight until he was in his 20’s.
“As for Friday, I’ve put in the hard work. I just wish Friday was already here. I’m ready to fight and I’m ready to be victorious.”
RONALD GAVRIL
“This is a huge opportunity for me to be fighting on the same card as so many fighters on The Money Team. I don’t want to miss out on any of the steps and this fight is a big step for me. With Floyd as your promoter, if you continue to win, lots of good things can happen.
“I’m honored to be part of The Money Team. It’s a big responsibility every time you step inside the ring, but I work hard and I’m ready. I’ve been working with Eddie Mustafa Muhammad since May 2012. It was Eddie who brought me to the Mayweather gym to spar.
“Floyd saw me spar and he signed me. This is my second fight since I signed with Mayweather Promotions. I expect a good fight on Friday and look forward to showing my skills and what I have learned.”
ANDREW TABITI
“I’m a little nervous because this is my pro debut, but winning is the only thing on my mind.
“I’ve officially been with Mayweather Promotions for about two months. I was discovered by Floyd who saw me shadow boxing and liked what he saw. I sparred with him before his fight with Miguel Cotto.
“I had a good amateur career, but I think the pro style fits me fine. I’ve been training in a pro style since the 2011 Olympic Trials.
“Friday is a big night. It’s my pro debut. I’m anxious and excited and I’ll be ready.”
