Press release: The talented Troy Rowland will take his next step toward a world title shot when he takes on World Boxing Organization (WBO) No. 13 middleweight contender Epifanio Mendoza in a 10-round rumble, Friday, Nov. 19, on the SHOWTIME boxing series, “ShoBox: The New Generation.” In the eight-round co-feature from the Michigan State Fairgrounds in Detroit, Boulder State brawler, Anthony Mora, will take on fellow unbeaten welterweight contender Shamone Alvarez.
SHOWTIME will televise the Millenium Events Inc doubleheader at 11 p.m. ET/PT*. The telecast represents the 53rd in the popular “ShoBox” series, which debuted on SHOWTIME in July 2001.
Rowland (20-1, five KOs), of Grand Rapids, Mich., won over boxing fans in his home state by winning three consecutive Golden Gloves Open Division Titles from 1998 - 2000. A heavily decorated amateur, Rowland twice won the Sportsmanship Award (‘98 and ‘99) and the Most Outstanding Open Boxer Award (‘99 and ‘00) at the Michigan Golden Gloves.
Prior to storming his way through the Michigan boxing scene, Rowland quit the fight game at age 17 to work as a tool-and-die maker. Following a three-year absence, Rowland returned more dedicated than ever inside of the ring.
After his amateur career launched him to legendary status in Michigan boxing circles, Rowland turned pro at age 24 on July 21, 2000, with a four-round decision over Kevin Butts in Mount Pleasant, Mich.
Rowland, who has fought 19 of his 21 professional bouts in his home state, has an intensely loyal legion of fans that travel to watch their hero while donning their “Team Rowland” shirts.
After suffering a setback in his fifth pro outing, Rowland has won 16 consecutive fights, including a fifth-round TKO over Earl Jackson on Sept. 28, 2002, in Grand Rapids, Mich. for the Midwest Boxing Federation middleweight crown. Despite being knocked to the canvas for the first time in his professional career, Rowland recovered to punish his opponent so greatly that his corner threw in the towel in the fifth round.
Mendoza (20-2-1, 19 KOs) of Valledupar, Columbia, is a knockout artist who leaves his opponents in pain. The crowd-pleaser made his professional debut six days after his 24th birthday with a third-round knockout over Waldo Torres on Nov. 28, 1999 in Valledupar.
“To me, boxing is knocking someone out,” Mendoza said. “When you get in the ring with me, you better have a plan to get back up.”
Mendoza won his first 16 fights by knockout, each within three rounds. Following a 0-2-1 stretch, the hard-hitting Columbian has tallied four straight victories, including a 12-round decision over Dumont Welliver on Sept. 25, 2004 in Detroit. With the win, Mendoza claimed the World Boxing Council (WBC) Latin American middleweight title.
Earlier in 2004, Mendoza captured the WBO Latin American middleweight crown with an eighth-round TKO over Rito Ruvalcaba on Feb. 6, 2004, in Miccosukee, Fla.
Mora (12-0, nine KOs), of Thornton, Colo., was ringside when his brother, Adrian, made his SHOWTIME and “ShoBox” debuts on July 1, 2004. After watching Adrian pound out a 10-round decision over Steve Quinonez, Mora will attempt to make it two in a row for the fighting family.
The Colorado native entered the pro ranks at age 23 on June 30, 2000, with a first-round TKO over Jamal Hodges in Denver. The young knockout artist has tallied three opening-round, three second-round and two third-round KOs in just 12 bouts. In his last start on March 5, 2004, Mora pummeled Julian Romero and ended matter before three minutes had elapsed.
Alvarez (8-0, six KOs), of Atlantic City, N.J., is fast becoming known as a dangerous fighter in the welterweight division. The sparring partner of “ShoBox” favorite, Mike Arnaoutis, made his pro debut a successful one by recording a first-round knockout over Steve Evans in Reading, Pa. Alvarez has notched five opening-round KOs in just eight contests.
