| |
|
|
Jose Pedraza vs. Allan
Benitez
Headlines Oct. 12 ShoBox
On Friday, October 12, DiBella Entertainment will return to
the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles MO, with an exciting
edition of ShoBox: The New Generation. Headlining the card
will be Puerto Rican amateur star, and blue-chip prospect,
Jose "Sniper" Pedraza (10-0, 6KO's) taking on Robert Garcia
trained Allan Benitez (7-1, 1KO) in an eight-round
lightweight matchup.
In the televised co-feature, undefeated up-and-coming
prospects Jonathan Cepeda (12-0, 11KO's) and Lamar Russ
(10-0, 6KO's) square off in an eight-round middleweight
bout. The card is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in
association with Gary Shaw Productions, Universal Promotions
and Rumble Time Promotions. SHOWTIME® will begin live
coverage at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
Also featured on the ShoBox telecast will be highlights of
former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain "Bad
Intentions" Taylor (30-4-1, 18KO's) in his bout versus Raul
Munoz (21-15-1, 16KO's), a ten-round middleweight matchup
which will take place earlier in the evening.
At just 23 years old, Pedraza is one of the highest regarded
prospects in all of boxing. Pedraza's stellar amateur career
saw him represent his native Puerto Rico in the 2008
Olympics and win a silver medal at the 2009 Amateur World
Championships, before turning pro in February 2011 with a
first-round TKO over Felix Rivera. His bout against Benitez
will be his second on SHOWTIME, but the first as the
featured bout of the evening.
"After my last fight against Valderrama (August 31), I only
rested for a week and then got straight back in the gym,"
said Pedraza. "For this fight the training has been very
intense. I have sparred with former world title contender
Mario Santiago, world champion 'Rocky' Martinez and Luis
Rosario, who is a very good amateur boxer. I am looking
forward to putting on a great performance on the 12th and
taking another step towards fulfilling my ultimate goal of
winning a world championship."
A native of Mexico, now living and training with Garcia in
the boxing hotbed of Oxnard, Calif., Benitez has rattled off
seven wins in a row after dropping his pro-debut in a close
four-round decision. Benitez last saw action in August of
this year, winning an exciting six-round unanimous decision
over Osnel Charles at the Roseland Ballroom in New York
City.
Cepeda had a limited but successful amateur career, sporting
a 22-3 record with all three losses coming against former
blue-chip prospect Danny Jacobs. Cepeda competed in the
National Golden Gloves and twice won the Florida Golden
Gloves tournament. Since turning pro, Cepeda has impressed
in each and every outing. With devastating power in both
hands and an aggressive seek-and-destroy mentality, Cepeda
has the ability to end a fight with one punch.
Russ was an accomplished amateur, winning the North Carolina
State title six times, before turning pro in 2009. At just
25 years old, Russ is just coming into his own as a
professional. Like Cepeda, Russ is a come-forward fighter
who likes to press the action and mix it up with his
opponent. Russ is coming off his most impressive victory to
date; a fourth-round TKO over previously unbeaten (13-0)
Jose Alonzo. Prior to his bout with Alonzo, Russ won a
six-round unanimous decision over Marcus Upshaw.
Taylor returned to the ring in December of last year. In his
most recent outing, he won a 10-round unanimous decision
over previously undefeated Caleb Truax. Taylor, who is
currently rated number six in the WBC, eight in the WBO and
14 in the IBF, is working his way back into title contention
and hopes to get another shot at the coveted middleweight
championship sometime in 2013.
The event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, in
association with Gary Shaw Productions, Universal Promotions
and Rumble Time Promotions. Tickets are priced at $100, $75
and $40 and can be purchased through the Ameristar Casino or
by calling (314) 267-2204. Doors open at 5:30PM with the
first bout scheduled for 6PM.
|
|
|
