Acclaimed Showtime boxing prospect developmental series ShoBox: The New Generation celebrates its 15th anniversary this Friday, July 22 with a quintessential four-fight telecast.
Since its inception in 2001, ShoBox: The New Generation has been dedicated to promoting competitive fights pitting promising boxers in the toughest fights of their career. ShoBox has carved out its identity by matching top talent against each other.
“This is certainly an accomplishment for the series, but we wouldn’t be here for 15 years without the fighters,” said Gordon Hall, Executive Producer of ShoBox: The New Generation. “The credit should go to the young men who are willing to step up and take risks early in their career.
“As we’ve seen over the last 15 years, matching fighters tough at a young age escalates their career development, and we’re thrilled to provide the platform to introduce viewers to these talented fighters. I’d also like to thank the promoters, managers and trainers who are willing to test their fighters at an early stage. Working together with a diverse roster of promotional companies is vital for the advancement of the sport as we aim to find tomorrow’s stars today.”
After 15 years and 67 future world champions, below are some remarkable ShoBox facts and figures:
- 67 fighters who fought on the series have gone on to become world champions (click HERE for full list)
- July 22 is the 219th ShoBox telecast. That means that, on average, fans have seen a future world champion on nearly one out of every three shows
- An additional 75 fighters who appeared on ShoBox have fought for a world title
- 150 fighters have suffered their first loss on the developmental series
- There have been 96 matchups of undefeated fighters
- There have been a total of 484 bouts aired on the series. The percentage of decisions and stoppages is about 50/50.
- The list of graduates who have won world titles includes: Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Tyson Fury, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Badou Jack, Gary Russell Jr., Jermall Charlo, Jermell Charlo, Andre Ward, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.
- Eight fighters won a world title in the fight immediately following an appearance on ShoBox: Joan Guzman, Robert Guerrero, Chad Dawson, Devon Alexander, Andre Ward, Rico Ramos, Jhonatan Romero and Demetrius Andrade.
- There have been 11 fighters who lost on ShoBox and went on to become world titlists: Luis Collazo, Robert Guerrero, Eric Aiken, David Diaz, Isaac Hlatshwayo, Cornelius Bundrage, Rodrigo Guerrero, Ishe Smith, Gamaliel Diaz, Mickey Bey, and Badou Jack.
- 22 U.S. Olympians have fought on ShoBox
- There have been ShoBox shows in 71 different cities, 26 different states, and eight different countries. The leading site for has been Santa Ynez, Calif., with 33 shows. Second is Las Vegas with 19.
- Gary Russell Jr. was the first fighter to turn pro on ShoBox
- The first ShoBox show came at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 21, 2001, at Bally’s in Atlantic City. The first fight was John Molnar (18-1-1) scoring an eight-round technical decision over Victor Rosado (17-2-1). In the main event, lightweight Leo Dorin (17-0) stopped Martin O’Malley (17-0) in the ninth round. Six months later, Dorin won the WBA lightweight crown, becoming the first ShoBox fighter to win a world title
- Steve Farhood’s Best Fighters (in no order): Timothy Bradley, Robert Guerrero, Lucian Bute, Joan Guzman, Diego Corrales, Ricky Hatton, Chad Dawson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Andre Ward, Carl Froch, Paul Williams
- Farhood has worked all 219 ShoBox telecasts
Undefeated top 10-ranked super bantamweight Adam “Mantequilla” Lopez (15-0, 7 KOs) faces Roman Ruben Reynoso (18-1-1, 7 KOs) in the 10-round main event. In an eight-round co-feature, Jerry Odom (13-2-1, 12 KOs) faces Julius Jackson (19-1, 15 KOs) in a matchup of super middleweights. Two eight-rounders will round out the four-fight telecast: O’Shaquie Foster (10-1, 7 KOs) meets Rolando Chinea (12-1-1, 6 KOs) in a lightweight scrap and undefeated Khiary Gray-Pitts (13-0, 10 KOs), of Worcester, Mass., will be opposed by once-beaten Ian Green (9-1, 7 KOs) in the super welterweight opener.
