A ShoBox: The New Generation tripleheader, highlighted by a super welterweight matchup between undefeated prospects Frank Galarza and Jarret Hurd, blue chip prospect Sergiy Derevyanchenko and undefeated light heavyweight David Benavidez is set from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas.
Featured in the main event, Frank “Notorious” Galarza (17-0-2, 11 KOs), of Brooklyn, N.Y., will make his fourth ShoBox appearance as he faces fellow undefeated Jarrett Hurd (16-0, 10 KOs), of Accokeek, Md., in a 10-round super welterweight bout.
Former Ukrainian Olympian and undefeated prospect Sergiy Derevyanchenko (6-0, 4 KOs, WSOB: 23-1, 7 KOs) faces veteran Jessie Nicklow (25-7-3, 8 KOs) in the eight-round super middleweight co-feature. In the opening bout of the tripleheader, David Benavidez (10-0, 9 KOs), of Phoenix, Ariz., makes his ShoBox debut against veteran Felipe Romero (15-9-1, 9 KOs), of La Paz, Mexico, in an eight-round light heavyweight matchup.
Galarza and Hurd, both tipped the scales at 154 ½ pounds each. Derevyanchenko measured at 164 ¾ pounds, while his opponent, Nicklow, weighed 165 ½. Benavidez measured at 171 ¼ pounds while his counterpart, Romero, weighed-in at 173 ½ pounds.
In non-televised action, Bermane Stiverne weighed-in at 254 ½ pounds, while Derric Rossy measured at 230 ¾ pounds. Charvis Holifield weighed 142 ¾ pounds, and Dwain Victorian weighed-in at 140 ¼ pounds. Sanjarbek Rahkmannov measured at 143 ½ pounds, while his opponent Somner Martin weighed-in at 143 ¼ pounds and Trakwon Pettis tipped the scale at 138 ¾ pounds, while his opponent, Marquis Hawthorne weighed at 140 pounds even.
Here’s what the fighters had to say prior to Friday’s weigh-in:
Fank Galarza
“I don’t mind challenging fights. You put me in with a tough opponent and you’re going to see a tough Frank Galarza.
“We’ve been here already. We know what it takes to put my undefeated record on the line. I’ve faced the tougher fighters. I know I can swing, but is he ready to swing? I’ve been the [under] dog and been in with the sharks before. And I swam with them.
“I don’t think he’s ready for what I bring to the table. He hasn’t been in with someone like me.
“He’s going to try to come forward and bully me, but that’s not going to happen.
“It takes a tough guy to go in that ring. Anything can happen. At the end of the day, it comes down to who wants it more.
“I’m ready for a 10 rounder. I’ve been looking for one for a while.
“No matter how much video we watch, no one knows what it’s going to happen in the ring. We have to capitalize on his mistakes. Boxing is about adapting and I adapt very well.”
Jarrett Hurd
“It’s a great opportunity for us. We’ve been thinking about fighting [Frank] Galarza since last December.
“Frank might be confident, but he doesn’t intimidate me. My confidence is skyrocketing. My style matches up perfect for him.
“I know what I can do. I sparred with guys that are elite fighters -Lamont Peterson, Antoine Douglas, Dominic Wade, Austin Trout, Jerry Odom. We’ve been sparring with some of the best in [Washington] D.C. and Maryland.
“This is a huge fight for me. It could open the doors that I’ve been waiting for.”
Sergiy Derevyanchenko
“He [Jessie Nicklow] doesn’t have anything I haven’t seen before. He has experience, but I’m ready to show off what I’ve been working on at the gym.
“I can always get better. I’m learning in every fight. There’s a big difference between the amateurs and the pros. I’m leaning new combinations, new techniques. I learn from my sparring partners every day.
“I was preparing for a fight in December, so that’s why the weight is contacted at 166. But I’m a middleweight -the future is 160.
“I’m ready to take the next step. [Gennady] Golovkin is the champion of the world, of course I’d like to fight him.
“Fighters from the Ukraine, we work hard because we know where we come from. Life wasn’t easy for us growing up.”
Jessie Nicklow
“I can back this guy up. The guy [Sergiy Derevyanchenko] is 30 years old and he has six pro fights. They think this is an easy fight, but I’m going to beat the crap out of him. I’m really excited.
“I think these people are stupid -I can’t believe they’re flying me in to fight this guy who’s got six fights. He’s got a big amateur background, but he’s only got six pro fights. I cannot wait to get in the ring Saturday night.
“I’ve fought an [Ryota Murata]Olympic Gold Medalist before. This guy doesn’t have anything I haven’t seen before. I’m not coming to lose. He’s on my soil and I’m coming to beat him.
“I’m 100 percent. This guy is smaller than me. I’m used to fighting big guys.”
David Benavidez
“[Fernando] Romero is better than most of the opponents I’ve faced, so this is definitely a step-up for me.
“I’ve knocked down every fighter I’ve faced. I’m looking forward to putting this guy down.
“We sparred with southpaws in camp, so we’re ready if he switches on us.
“He likes to throw a lot of wild punches. We know there will be a lot of open opportunities for me.
“I sparred with Kelly Pavlik, Gennady Golovkin, Peter Quillin, Julius Jackson. I’m 18 and I’ve been sparring with some of the best fighters in the world.
“I’m focusing on fighting at 168. I don’t have any problem making the weight. I contracted higher for this fight [173], but 168 is the future for us. I’m very excited to fight on national TV for the first time.
“I used to be a lot bigger than I am now. I was 5-foot-4, 250 pounds when I was 13-years-old. I lost the weight and I started to grow.
“I don’t regret not fighting much in the amateurs. I’m happy I turned pro at 16. I had to move to Mexico to do it, but it was the right move for my career.”
Felipe Romero
“This is the best weight for me. I’m a natural light heavyweight.
“I’m working with a new trainer and we’ve been working on some new things. I’m focused full time on fighting.
“I know he’s good, he’s strong, he’s young, but he’s been fighting guys who aren’t very good. He hasn’t faced anyone with my experience. I’ve faced tougher guys and I’m coming to beat him.
“I need to be smart and use my experience. He hasn’t fought many rounds so we’re going to push him. He’s not going to knock me out.
“I’ve fought all over the world. Fighting as an underdog is nothing new to me.”
Bermane Stiverne
“Training has been excellent and I’m ready to fight tomorrow night.
“I’m excited to be fighting again. I’ve been off too long.
“I’ve climbed the mountain to become a world champion and I’m prepared to do it again. I want to get my title back.”
