RUBEN VILLA CONTINUES TO IMPRESS WITH UNANIMOUS DECISION VICTORY ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FRIDAY ON SHOWTIME®

SHREVEPORT, La. – January 31, 2020 – After his fourth consecutive victory in a little more than 12 months on ShoBox: The New Generation, Ruben Villa is ready to graduate from the 19-year prospect series.

The undefeated featherweight Villa put on a boxing clinic in a dominating unanimous decision win over Alexei Collado. The judges scored the fight 99-91 and 98-92 twice in the main event Friday night from George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport, La.

Photo By Emily Harney/Banner Promotions

The 22-year-old Salinas, Calif., native Villa (18-0, 5 KOs), who entered the ring paying tribute to the late Kobe Bryant by wearing his No. 8 Lakers jersey into the ring, called his performance “solid” against a “tough and aggressive fighter.”

“He was challenging throughout the fight,” said Villa. “I feel like I put on a good show. He was a big knockout puncher and he’s no pushover. He brought out the best in me.”

Villa, who was the was also the 2014 and 2016 National Golden Gloves Champion, is currently ranked No. 5 at 126 pounds by the WBO and No. 13 by the WBC. He said after the fight he’s ready for the best his division has to offer.

The 31-year-old Cuban Collado (26-3, 23 KOs) who lives in Miami, lost for the first time in seven bouts. “It was a good fight,” said Collado, who won the 2006 Junior World Title in the flyweight division. “We both brought everything. We put on a good show for the fans. He moves a lot and he’s a smart fighter. I feel like when I threw a lot I hit him but I wasn’t active enough.”

Villa said he stayed disciplined training during the holidays. “Now I’m going to take a few weeks off and then get right back in the gym,” he said.

In the co-featured bout, undefeated Ukrainian and 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist Taras Shelestyuk (18-0, 10 KOs) recorded a dominating unanimous decision victory against Argentina’s Luis Alberto Veron (18-2-2, 9 KOs). The judges scored the 10-round welterweight fight 97-93 and 98-92 twice.

Shelestyuk, who overcame a bad fifth-round cut on his forehead, had boxed just 10 rounds in the last three years.

Photo By Emily Harney_Banner Promotions

“It was a good fight,” Shelestyuk said. “I hit him with some good shots, and controlled the fight. I have been out since March, and I feel that I performed well. I am happy to be back on television.

“The cut didn’t bother me. This is professional boxing, and these things happen. I want to be back in May or June. If I come back in the next several months, I want to fight a big name – guys like Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia.”

In the telecast opener, late replacement Sulaiman Segawa (12-2-1, 3 KOs) looked impressive in his ShoBox debut seemingly out-boxing Zhora Hamazaryan (9-1-2, 6 KOs) and recording the better stat sheet, but the close lightweight fight was called a split-decision draw. One judge had Segawa winning 78-74, another 77-75 for Hamazaryan and the third judge called it even, 76-76.

ShoBox analyst Steve Farhood had the fight scored 77-75 Segawa, while Barry Tompkins and Raul Marquez both saw it 78-74 in favor of Segawa.

“I won the fight,” said Segawa, who took the fight on just four days’ notice. “I maintained him and his aggressiveness. I came up to his weight and dictated the action. I staggered him a couple of times and he was not touching me.”

Segawa earned the better stats in nearly every category. Hamazaryan was more active (57.5 punches per round to Segawa’s 53.6) but Segawa outlanded him 130-100 overall, 42-14 jabs and 88-86 power and was more accurate in all phases (30%-22% overall, 28%-8% jabs, 31.3%-31.1% power). Segawa even led 25-22 in body connects

Segawa, 28, moved to Silver Spring, Md., two years ago and is originally from Kampala, Uganda. He has won six times against previously undefeated opponents with his two losses also to undefeated fighters.

Hamazaryan, who was making his third ShoBox appearance, returned to the ring after 16 months as he returned to his native Armenia to get his physical education degree.

“It was a good fight,” the 23-year-old Hamazaryan said. “I started slow because of the switch in opposition and felt rusty. I’m going to go right back to the gym and keep on learning. And I will be better.”

It was the second consecutive split draw for Hamazaryan, who also recorded a split draw against Thomas Mattice in his last ShoBox appearance in September of 2018.

Friday’s fights were promoted by Banner Promotions, Thompson Boxing and Bishop Promotions LLC. The full telecast will replay on Monday, February 3 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME ANYTIME® and SHOWTIME on DEMAND®.

Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins called the action from ringside with fellow Hall of Famer Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

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About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 81 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, 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.




Malik Hawkins takes on Fabian Lyimo In Main Event of Met Philadelphia Boxing Series on Friday, April 26th


PHILADELPHIA (April 5, 2019)–Undefeated welterweight Malik Hawkins will headline the 2nd Met Philadelphia Boxing Series, when he takes on battle-tested Fabian Lyimo the eight-round main event on Friday, April 26th at The Met Philadelphia.

The massive show is promoted by Hard Hitting Promotions and Live Nation.

Hawkins of Baltimore, Maryland has a record of 14-0 with nine knockouts.

The 23 year-old has been a professional for five years, and has amassed wins over Cody Peterson (1-0), Errol Sidney (6-1-2), Carlos Soto (13-0-2), Raymond Serrano (24-4) and his last bout when he won a eight-round unanimous decision over Gledwin Ortiz on February 23rd at The Met Philadelphia.

Lyimo of Tanzania has a record of 23-9-2 with 15 knockouts. The 36 year-old is a 12 year-professional, has wins over three undefeated opponents. In his last bout, Lyimo went eight-rounds before dropping a unanimous decision to Ismael Garcia on March 30th in Hockessin, Delaware.

In the previously announced eight-round co-feature, -An intriguing eight-round junior welterweight contest between Branden Pizarro and Tre’Sean Wiggins.

Two titles will be on the line as Pizarro will defend his NBA Intercontinental title, while Wiggins will defend his newly-won Pennsylvania State Title.

Pizarro of Philadelphia has a record of 14-1 with seven knockouts. The 19 year-old, is a three-year professional, and is riding a six fight winning streak. Pizarro win the NBA Intercontinental title on November 16, 2018 with a unanimous decision over Jerome Rodriguez. Pizarro is coming off a 1st round stoppage over Zack Ramsey on February 23rd at The Met.

Wiggins of Newbergh, New York has a record of 11-4-1 with six knockouts. The 28 year-old Wiggins is a nine-year professional, and is not afraid to take on top competition.

Wiggins has a 1st round knockout of former world champion Jason Sosa. Wiggins has a win over Naim Nelson. In his last bout, Wiggins won the Pennsylvania State title with an eight-round unanimous decision over Samuel Teah (15-2) on February 23rd at The MET.

Also in an eight-round bout, Gadwin Rosa (10-0, 8 KOs) will fight Sulaiman Segawa in a super featherweight bout.(11-2, 4 KOs).

Rosa of Ocala, Florida is 25 years-old and has a win over Jonathan Irizarry (3-0). In his last outing, Rosa took care of Jorge Luis Santos Guzman in two rounds on February 23rd at The Met.

Segwa of Silver Spring, Maryland has a record of 11-2 with four knockouts. The 27 year-old has a knack of defeating undefeated foes as he has already defeated Ali Kasango (3-0), Djiby Diagne (3-0), Brian Gallegos (6-0), and Hector Lopez Jr. (10-0-1). Segwa also defeated Alejandro Salinas (9-1).

Two other eight-round bouts are on the bill.

Undefeated heavyweight Darmani Rock (14-0, 9 KOs) of Philadelphia fights Mike Bissett (15-11-1, 9 KOs) of Tampa, Florida.

In six-round bouts:

Christian Tapia (8-0, 7 KOs) of Coamo, PR fights Raul Chirino (13-10-1, 8 KOs) of Miami, Florida in a lightweight contest.

Miguel Cartagena (15-5-1, 6 KOs) of Philadelphia will take on an opponent to be named in a flyweight bout.

In four-round bouts:

Benny Sinakin (3-0, 2 KOs) of Philadelphia battles Patrick Pierre (3-6, 1 KO) of New Orleans in a light heavyweight clash.

Josue Rosa (1-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia fights Lucky Holt (0-3) of Hannibal, Missouri in a bantamweight bout.

Thyler Williams of Philadelphia (1-0, 1 KO) will take on an opponent to be named in a welterweight contest.

Malik Warren of Philadelphia will make his pro debut against an opponent to be named in a lightweight fight.

TICKETS are $100, $75, $50 & $25 and can be purchased at TheMetPhilly.com or Please call 1-800-745-3000 to order your tickets by phone.