The remarkable journey of Demond “Body Shot” Brock, from prison into the boxing ring, has led him to a 10-round main event showdown Friday night, November 18 with Reynaldo Blanco (13-2, 7 KOs) in the latest installment of the “Knockout Night at the D” series, airing on CBS Sports Network live from inside the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center tent.
The “Knockout Night at the D” series, presented by the D Las Vegasand Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, is promoted by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions.
Hall of Fame announcers Jim “J.R.” Ross and Al Bernstein will call the action from ringside, along with roving reporter Sean Wheelock, on CBS Sports Network. Known for introducing the top stars of professional wrestling to the ring for 20 years, Justin Roberts will join the legendary CBS Sports Network broadcast team in Las Vegas for the Nov. 18 show to enhance the entrances of the “Knockout Night at the D” boxing stars of tomorrow.
Brock (12-3-1, 4 KOs), fighting out of New Orleans, learned how to box in the Louisiana State Penitentiary, where he was sentenced at the age of 15 for armed robbery. He served a 14 ½-year sentenced and he ended up with a 39-1 record with 17 knockouts. Upon his release, Brock won the Ringside Tournament and he was the No. 1 ranked welterweight in the United States. Brock reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Olympic Boxing Trials and finished his amateur career with an outstanding 54-3 record. He left prison a completely different person; much calmer and cerebral, which he totally attributes to becoming a boxer.
In his last fight (June 10), Brock defeated previously unbeaten Chuy Gutierrez (14-0-1), headlining a “Knockout Night at the D” show at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, retaining his World Boxing Council (WBC) United States lightweight title in his first title defense. Brock, 35, originally captured his title belt in 2015, by way of an 8-round unanimous decision over
Oscar Valenzuela (9-1-1).
Living legend and 10-time world champion Roy Jones, Jr. has been training Brock in Pensacola, Florida, for his Nov. 18th fight with Blanco. “I love Demond’s energy and his will to learn,” Jones noted. “He has been very enthusiastic, doing everything asked of him and more, each day in the gym. Everybody will see what a talent Demond is November 18th. He has a lot of upside in this sport and the heart of a champion.”
“Having an opportunity to train with somebody like Roy Jones, Jr. is a great opportunity for me,” Brock said from training camp. “I’m learning new things every day from one of the greatest boxers of all-time. This is truly a blessing and I’m grateful to have everybody on my team working so hard to make me the best I can be.”
