KeAndrae “Lightning” Leatherwood (12-1-1, 8 KO’s), will headline the March 8 edition of ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California against undefeated prospect Hugo Centeno Jr. (17-0, 8 KO’s), of Oxnard, Calif., in a 10-round junior middleweight bout promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Boxing 360.
Leatherwood possesses some of the fastest hands in the division, hence his nickname, “Lightning.” This bout will be a step-up in competition for Leatherwood, but his team knows his work ethic and world-class endurance will allow him to succeed. Leatherwood has been preparing for this next level of competition, readying his body and skills for the task at hand.
Fighting in the main event on the well-respected ShoBox series, Leatherwood knows this is the perfect opportunity to showcase his skills and propel himself to the next stage of his career. “I’m so excited to be on SHOWTIME,” he said. “The exposure will be great for my career. My promoter Mario Yagobi has really come through and given me a golden opportunity. Now it’s up to me to make a believer out of all the new eyes that will get the chance to see me perform.”
Leatherwood is also excited about putting a win over a prospect like Centeno on his resume; a win that could vault Leatherwood up the ratings and further his chances at a title shot down the road.
“There are going to be some pretty upset people after I win, but my team and I will continue with the strategy we have laid out,” he said. “This is an important fight for my career, but it’s just the first step and I know I have to fulfill my end of things, which I will do on March 8.”
Boxing 360’s Yagobi believes this will be a coming out party for KeAndrae and he feels that a win under the bright lights of ShoBox will earn him the luxuries afforded to the cream of crop.
“KeAndrae is going to put on a show, but it isn’t just about getting the win for him,” Yagobi said. “He wants to gain some new fans and put SHOWTIME in a position where they have to bring him back. The kid is exciting to watch. I have no doubt he will take care of business on March 8 and then we can continue with the business of building him properly.”
Leatherwood, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., was a standout amateur who fought in more than 120 bouts, including competing in the National Junior Olympics and International Junior Olympics.
Centeno Jr. vs. Leatherwood, a 10-round junior middleweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT on fight night with the first bell sounding at 5:15 p.m. PT. The ShoBox: The New Generation telecast will air live on SHOWTIME beginning at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). Tickets, priced at $25, $35 and $45, are on sale at Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
