Top prospect, unbeaten Antoine “Action” Douglas of Burke, VA weighed-in at 159.8 pounds and Switzerland’s Istvan “The Prince” Szili measured 159.4 pounds during Thursday’s official weigh-in for the main event of this Friday, July 17 ShoBox: The New Generation 14th anniversary edition, live on Showtime.
Douglas (17-0-1, 11 KOs), also known as “Action” and Szili (18-0-2, 8 KOs) will square off in the 10-round middleweight headliner of the televised quadrupleheader from the Sands Casino Hotel in Bethlehem, Pa.
Undefeated power-punching middleweight Derrick “Take it to the Bank” Webster (19-0, 10 KOs) tipped the scales at 158.3 pounds and fellow unbeaten Arif Magomedov (15-0, 9 KOs), of Glendale, Calif., measured at 160 pounds for their 10-round middleweight clash.
Adam “Mantequilla” Lopez (12-0, 6 KOs) weighed-in at 118.6 pounds while Dominican Republic’s Eliezer “Campeoncito” Aquino (17-0-1, 11 KOs) tipped the scale at 118.5 pounds. The two will face off in a 10-round bantamweight bout.
In the opening fight of the telecast, super middleweight prospect Jerry “The King’s Son” Odom (13-1, 1 NC, 12 KOs) will take on Samuel “The Main Event” Clarkson (14-3, 8 KOs) in an eight-round super middleweight match. Odom, of Washington D.C measured 168.3 pounds while Clarkson weighed-in four pounds overweight at 172.2 pounds. After stepping off the scale, tension grew after Clarkson nudged Odom in a dismissive manor during a photo opportunity, which almost led to a scuffle between the two.
ANTOINE DOUGLAS:
“Every fight is about improving. My ring intelligence has gotten way better. Not to say I wasn’t intelligent in the past, but I have a better understanding of what I need to do in the ring. I’m now more capable of picking my opponent apart from the outside and working my way in.
“In comparison to my first fight on SHOWTIME, I can tell I fight more like a pro now. At first, I was all about getting in the ring and focusing on taking my opponents head off, but I now have a more strategic approach.
“I’m constantly setting goals and working reaching them so I’m open to opportunities that are going to bring me closer to my goal. That’s what’s important to me.
“I’ve always had the mindset to think towards the future for a lot of reasons. I already have in mind what I see for myself in the future for me and my loved ones, that’s what motivates me. I know the only way I’m going to get there is through hard work.”
ISTVAN SZILI:
“I’ve fought all around Europe but never in the United States. There were offers before but it was too short of notice. This time, there was more time to prepare and I was ready to make my debut in the U.S. I’m hoping this opportunity will open the door for more fights here.
“The Unites States is a good place to fight because of its appreciation for boxing. They love and cherish their boxers more than any other country. If I can make it here, I know I can make Hungary proud.
“I watched [Antoine] Douglas fight and I won’t deny that he has power and talent. I will go into the ring with a few plans, but it always depends on the type of opponent I’m up against. From there, I adjust accordingly.
“I’ve been training in Germany so I didn’t come all the way here not to win. It’s not about the money. I’m a warrior and I’m here to give 100 percent.”
DERRICK WEBSTER:
“The lowest I fought at was 159. It wasn’t hard for me to take the weight off so I’m probably going to stay at this weight.
“I was all-American in high school and college, received a Bachelor’s degree in Juvenile Criminal Justice, own five different businesses, while acting and modeling on the side. This is a lifestyle. I love boxing, I’m good and it and I enjoy it.
“I’m comfortable inside and out. Because of that, I’m able to break down a fighter’s mentality first so they have to worry about how to get to me. I haven’t been up against anyone as fast as me so I’m not worried about what they do. I’m ready for anything that comes my way.
“I’ve been on television before so I’m not worried about the cameras. It’s more important for me to get in the ring and do what I need to do.
“My sparring partners have been great. I’ve worked with [Julio Cesar] Chavez Jr. and a ton of other people. That’s what’s really helped me build my strength. I even asked Chavez Jr. if he would go up against me if I was at his weight, he said no.”
ARIF MAGOMEDOV:
“I know this isn’t going to be an easy fight, but that’s what makes you a good fighter. If you want to be a good fighter, you have to challenge yourself and fight some tough people.
“He [Derrick Webster] may have some height on me, but I’m not worried about that. I have my own technique.
“Fighting on SHOWTIME is always great exposure because it will help take me to the next level. I’m focused on right now but ready for what’s ahead.
“I’m very ready for this fight. I’m confident in the way I prepared.”
ADAM LOPEZ:
“I don’t know much about my opponent [Eliezer Aquino], except for the fact that’s knocked 11 people out. No matter what, I’m confident that my training has me prepared to get in the ring and do what I need to do. I’m not underestimating him, I’m just confident in my ability.
“I feel strong at 119. I’m pretty sure going forward I could even move up.
“There was such a good reaction from everyone after the Pablo Cruz fight. It was a huge boost for me. It was my first fight of 2015, I was already on a roll so it gave me a lot of buzz. The knockout was definitely a confidence booster. I stepped in the ring and took care of business.
“I have the power to take him out. I don’t think it’s going to go all 10 rounds.
“I’ve had tremendous sparring getting ready for this fight. I traveled all over Texas just to make sure I was ready. Now, I have the power to take [Eliezer] Aquino out. I don’t see us going all 10-rounds. I’m feeling sharp.
“Power is something can be taught, but to me, it was always there. You just have to learn how to bring out your inner power and strength. I have the type of power where I don’t have to put much out but it still causes the right impact.
ELIEZER AQUINO:
“This is my first time fighting in the United States and on SHOWTIME. I want to make boxing fans worth their while. I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this for a while. I want the world to see me. I want the world to see my talent.
“Some question my 10-month layoff, but I see no problem with it. I was simply trying to find a worthy opponent. It’s tough to find strong opponents in Dominican Republic. That was the main reason of my layoff, but I was also out of luck. A few fights I had lined up fell off.
“I’m going up in weight, but don’t see it as a disadvantage, I see it as an opportunity. I’m good at 115 and I’ll be great at 118. Just wait and see.
“I’ve watched some video on my opponent. I think we have similar styles, but I’m more aggressive than he is. It’s going to be a war.
“On Friday, I’m going to stand and fight. And every inch [Adam] Lopez gives me, I’ll take. I’ll move forward and I’ll pressure him. He better watch out, he’s going to find himself cornered up.”
JERRY ODOM:
“I’ve seen the way [Clarkson] fights but he’s not my biggest test to date, I am. Mentally and physically, I’m my own competition. I don’t get in the ring and judge anyone’s ability but my own.
“I haven’t worried about what Clarkson does well. He’s going to have to worry about what I do well.
“When I’m in the gym, I work on everything all around the board. I don’t just focus on improving one move. It’s about discipline and practice, that’s what will make me an overall better fighter.
“Football, golf, tennis, I’ve played it all but boxing has always come natural to me. That’s what I chose over everything because I know I’m good at it.
“A lot of guys may not take this sport seriously but I do. I may appear to be quiet but I’m focused. I fight for a better cause, it’s not about money. That’s why I take it so seriously I have a family to support.”
SAMUEL CLARKSON:
“I faced tougher competition than my opponent. He’s not as good as everybody think he is and I’m ready to take his spot in the boxing world. I’m a step up for him.
“Training camp was good, making weight was the hard part. I walk around very heavy, but I had six weeks’ notice for this fight. So, I thought I was going to be fine, but I wasn’t. It is what it is. I won’t let this take my concentration away from tomorrow.
“I think [Jerry] Odom is going to be a fun fight. I like his style. It’s made for me. He doesn’t move his head and he likes to bully people, but so do I. I’m not afraid of him. You saw him at the weigh-in, he pushed me.
“Tomorrow, I’m just going to be me. I’m going to fight smart and I’ll beat him. Odom can’t handle my power and my speed.”
