All eight fighters hit their marks and are set to go for their fights tonight 19 on ShoBox: The New Generation. A quadrupleheader, presented by GH3 Promotions, will emanate from the Adrian Phillips Ballroom in the Historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic, City, N.J.
In the main event two undefeated prospects with exceedingly high expectations face their most dangerous opponent to date when Adam “Mantequilla” Lopez (14-0, 7 KOs), of San Antonio, Texas, by way Phoenix, Ariz., meets Mario “Yayo” Muñoz (16-0-1, 10 KOs), of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico in a 10-round super bantamweight matchup.
In other televised bouts, all scheduled for eight rounds, Ronald “Flatline” Ellis (12-0, 10 KOs), of Dorchester, Mass., takes on Washington D.C.’s Jerry “The King’s Son” Odom (13-2, 12 KOs) in a clash of hard-hitting super middleweights, southpaw Lavisas “Red” Williams (8-0-1, 3 KOs), of Rochester, N.Y. risks his undefeated record against O’Shaquie “Ice Water” Foster (9-1, 6 KOs), of Orange, Texas, in a lightweight match and, opening the telecast, John “Madman” Magda (11-0, 7 KOs), of Rutherford, N.J., faces Philadelphia’s Christopher “Ice Cold” Brooker (7-1, 5 KOs) in a super middleweight matchup.
The Weights: Lopez and Muñoz each weighed 121½ pounds; Ellis tipped scale at 166½ pounds, Odom 167½, Williams weighed 132 pounds, Foster 134; and Magda weighed 167½ pounds and Brooker 168½.
ADAM LOPEZ
“This is my third time on ShoBox and my third fight against an undefeated fighter. They like to match me tough but I must confess, I’m really looking forward to it.
“I know I only had 14 fights, but I truly feel I feel I’m ready for a major fight or a title shot at the end of year. I have a strong amateur background, so I have experience. There are a lot of good fights right now at 122 pounds. The division is hot.
“I fought at 118 last time so I can make that weight if the right opportunity comes, but I am strong at 122. I thought I clearly won my last fight. I don’t think it was as close as the judges said it was.
“I’m fighting a guy, Munoz, who is sort of a mystery to me. I’ve seen one tape of him, but it was from 2012. So I don’t really know how he’s fought recently.
“He seems to want to box and slug. He’s had some good performances in the past and fought some good ones so I won’t take nothing away from him and I do respect him.
“But I’m prepared to make the fight and be aggressor if necessary, and to win it any way that I have to. My trainer [former two-time world champion Carlos “Famous” Hernandez] continues to work on all the little things, and trains me for anything that might come my way.
“I feel that I’ve moved from prospect to contender, but a victory tomorrow night should prove that to everybody.”
MARIO MUÑOZ
“This is my first fight in nine months and first in America, which is very exciting. You have to fight in the United States eventually; this is where you become known.
“I know that I’m in top shape. I’ve fought some good guys in my division, and I’m at the level I need to be. I had a really hard training camp; I know what I’m supposed to do.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity. I know a lot of people haven’t heard of me, but I promise you a good fight.
“I’m more of a boxer than a puncher, but I love to exchange and switch stance to southpaw, although my trainer doesn’t like it.
“Lopez is very fast, smart and has a great left hand. But I’m ready for all that. I’ll look at what he has to offer and counter with my best.
“I’m a little nervous. Things are moving fast now. But I couldn’t be more ready.’’
RONALD ELLIS
“I’ve been working for this sort of opportunity since I was 13, so, yes, I am very excited. I want to win and look good doing it so promoters and television will want to see me again.
“I’ve had problems in the past getting opponents, so I’ve taken a few ‘stay busy’ fights. But this fight is a totally different story.
“Everyone says I’m a boxer-puncher, and I do feel I am versatile. I’ll decide how I want to go the night of the fight. We know how Jerry’s gonna fight so I need to fight him smart. We’ll see how Odom’s chin is because it’s going get tested tomorrow night.
“I only had 24 amateur fights, but I am dedicated and continuing to improve with each fight. It will be a great night for me. I’m looking forward to putting on a good show.’’
JERRY ODOM
“Everybody has to make changes so I have a new trainer, Kennie Johnson, for this fight. He has been trying to stress finesse, movement and utilizing my overall skills more, with less emphasis on just trying to load up and knock the guy out.
“We’re working on me picking shots, breaking down opponents and setting up the power shots rather than just show it. Defensively, he’s had me working on my overall movement, head movement in particular.
“I’m looking to shine on Friday, especially after my last ShoBox fight that I lost. I should have never taken the fight once he came in so overweight. It was a bad business decision on my part, but I learned – no more thinking with my heart.
“I got over my last fight right away and I’m anxious to do my job and show how much I gained and learned from it. I certainly feel ready. My only focus is to win.
“Ellis should be a good opponent for me. Obviously he has power, a good jab and punches. There are some good things about him, but I’m better. I’ll go out and execute, he won’t be able to stop me.’’
LAVISAS WILLIAMS
“I’m naturally lefty … I’ve sparred against ambidextrous boxers, so I like to say I’m ready for anything that comes my way.
“I’m excited to be debuting on national television. That’s a pretty big deal for me so I need to put a great show. Especially for my fan base back home, they are all going to be watching.
“I take boxing seriously. I like to say I’m very dedicated. I take advantage of any opportunity I see. I trained at Mayweather Boxing Gym in Las Vegas for a bit last year. It was a good experience.
“My job is to frustrate him and trust me, I will. He will fight my fight. If he freezes again, I’m sure taking advantage of that, but I’m not counting on it.
“I’m going in knowing I’m the better boxer, but not overconfident. You can’t overlook anybody, but I know I’m the one that’s coming out victorious.”
O’SHAQUIE FORSTER
“I don’t know what happened in my last fight. I thought everything was OK but I just couldn’t find my fight rhythm. I couldn’t get off for some reason. But I am done thinking about that night.
“I’m definitely more focused this time around and in better shape. I need a win – and I’m fighting a guy who beat the guy that beat me, Samuel Teah. So, I have to be smart. He’s a southpaw but I can deal with that.
“I’ve never worked so hard in camp. I left Texas to go to Washington D.C. to train for this. I’m 100 percent set to go.
“I need a challenge and this is it. I’m ready to step up and I’m ready for him.”
JOHN MAGDA
“I’m excited and ready to go. Right now I’m looking at this as just another fight, but it’s definitely a big, big deal. I’m hoping to win and put on an exciting show.
“I’ve been in the gym training since November but a series of unfortunate events took place and I didn’t fight that month, or in December, or in January. So, I’ve been training for a while. I’m ready to fight.
‘I’m in with a rough, tough guy. I can’t let him bully or push me around; I just can’t let him stand and throw.
“I need to box, move, do a lot of things I know I can do. I have to see how it plays. It’s all just a matter of me doing what I am supposed to do, whether it is to box or slug. I’m ready for it.’’
CHRISTOPHER BROOKER
“I love being the underdog; I’m accustomed to it. That’s why I work so hard, remain dedicated and will not ever quit.
“Magda throws a lot of punches, so you can’t expect him to stay on the outside. But I run 15 miles a day, three days a week after sparring, to get into the kind of shape I need to be in and am for this fight.
“This is my first fight against a southpaw, but I’ve had southpaw sparring, including some recently with [former world champion] Andre Dirrell. I learned so much from him.
“I’m a Philly fighter through and through: I may not be a favorite to win, but I come to war and will never give up. That’s a lot like the way I grew up when living in foster homes — and later, homeless, for some time. I just not give up, I keep on fighting.
“There’s a lot on the line for me this Friday and I am ready to show what I can do.’’
LA Fight Club Weights
TV MAIN EVENT – FEATHERWEIGHTS – 8 ROUNDS
Diego DE LA HOYA vs. Arturo BADILLO
Mexicali, MEX Tijuana, MEX
13-0 (7 KOs) 20-9 (18 KOs)
Weight: 126 lbs. Weight: 124.6 lbs.
TV CO-MAIN EVENT – SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS – 10 ROUNDS
Carlos MORALES vs. Omar TIENDA
Los Angeles, CA Nuevo Leon, MEX
12-1-3 (6 KOs) 14-2 (8 KOs)
Weight: 129.6 lbs. Weight: 129.4 lbs.
TV OPENER – SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS – 6 ROUNDS
Nick ARCE vs. Luis LIZARRAGA JR.
Los Angeles, CA Merida, MEX
6-0 (6 KOs) 5-7-1 (2 KOs)
Weight: 127 lbs. Weight: 126.6 lbs.
SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS – 4 ROUNDS
Oscar DUARTE vs. Archie WEAH
Parral, MEX Norcross, GA
3-0-1 (2 KOs) 1-4
Weight: 139.4 lbs. Weight: 139.6 lbs.
SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS – 4 ROUNDS
Francisco ESPARZA vs. Antonio MARTINEZ
Las Vegas, NV Durango, MEX
2-0 3-5 (3 KOs)
Weight: 129 lbs. Weight: 128.2 lbs.
Listed below are weights of all the participants in tonight’s event at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I., promoted by CES Boxing. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the first fight begins at 7.
KHIARY GRAY
11-0, 9 KOs
Worcester, Mass.
154
EDUARDO FLORES
23-19-3, 14 KOs
Quito, Ecuador
154
VICTORIA CISNEROS
11-18-2, 4 KOs
Albuquerque, N.M.
147 ½
KALI REIS
7-5-1, 3 KOs
Providence, R.I.
150
JOSH PARKER
0-1-1
Skowhegan, Maine
139 ½
JULIO PEREZ
3-0
Marlborough, Mass.
138 ½
TIMMY RAMOS
2-0-1, 2 KOs
Framingham, Mass.
127
TANNER DODD
Pro debut
Robinson, Tex.
128 ½
GREG MCCOY
3-5-1, 1 KO
New Haven, Conn.
163
FATLUM ZHUTA
Anchorage, Alaska
2-0-1, 2 KOs
165
FREDDY SANCHEZ
Worcester, Mass.
7-0, 5 KOs
145 ½
ANTONIO FERNANDEZ
Brockton, Mass.
7-25-2, 2 KOs
146 ½
LIONEL YOUNG
Brockton, Mass.
1-2, 1 KO
151
MOHAMAD ALLAM
Holyoke, Mass.
1-1
147 ½
Eduardo Flores
Quito, Ecuador
“I didn’t come here to lose. Tomorrow night, I‘m going to make it happen. This is a great opportunity and I didn’t come here to waste it.”
Khiary Gray
UBF Northeast Junior Middleweight Champion
“You don’t want to miss this fight. I’ve had eight straight knockouts and I’m coming here tomorrow to do the same. If you make a mistake, I’ll make you pay.”
Victoria Cisneros
Albuquerque, N.M.
Former world champion and four-time world-title challenger
“Looks are deceiving. I’m pretty, I cook and I clean and do what I have to do, but when I get in that ring I put on a show. I want to thank my opponent, because without her I wouldn’t have this opportunity. I just come to fight and put on a show. That’s what I do. I came here to win that belt and bring it back to my kids. They are my life.”
Robert Padilla
Trainer, Victoria Cisneros
“Anyone who knows who Holly Holm is, she beat Rhonda Rousey. Victoria has done 20 rounds with Holly. If that doesn’t sell tickets, nothing will.”
Kali Reis
IBA Female Middleweight World Champion
“I just want to thank everyone for coming out. I haven’t fought at home in a while. I’m a road warrior. I made myself a world champion. I didn’t have a promoter or a manager. I did it all myself. I’d get the call and I’d go fight. I know I belong here. I want to thank my opponent. Victoria, you’re truly a warrior. To your coach, I’m not Holly Holm. You’ve got my respect for being in that ring, but I didn’t come to lose. We’re going to war tomorrow. I’m going to have some fun.”
Greg McCoy
New Haven, Conn.
“I’m coming here to fight. I always bring my best. I worked real hard for this fight. I don’t know much about my opponent. I’m just coming here hoping to put on a good show.”
Timmy Ramos
Framingham, Mass.
“I don’t have much to say. I’m ready to go to war. I’m ready to step in that ring and put on a great show.”
Josh Parker
Skowhegan, Maine
“I want to thank Julio for taking this fight. Much respect, but I’m looking for the knockout.”
Julio Perez
Marlborough, Mass.
“I’m coming to the ring and I’m coming to trade punches. That’s it.”
Lionel Young
Brockton, Mass.
“No one comes to lose, so bring your mouthpiece, bite down on it and prepare to swing.”
Mohamad Allam
Holyoke, Mass.
“First thing’s first, I like my opponent, because if he’s going to stand in there and he thinks it’s going to be an easy fight, he’s got things twisted. He’s going to catch an ass whooping. That’s a promise.”
Weights from WinnaVegas Casino & Resort in Sloan, Iowa
John Vera 153.5 lbs. vs. Ayi Bruce 150.5 lbs.
Tony Luis 135.25 lbs. vs. Samuel Amoako 135.25 lbs.
Kevin Lavallee 129.75 lbs. vs. Jose Silveria 128 lbs.
Malik Hawkins 146.7 lbs. vs. Cody Peterson 146 lbs.
Travis Fulton NA vs. Richard Carmack NA
Junior Wright 197.75 lbs. vs. Jimmie Franklin 198.75 lbs.
Promoters: Greg Cohen Promotions, Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotion
Television: CBS Sports Network
