Stellar Shobox doubleheader on November 4!

24/10/2005

Stellar Shobox doubleheader on November 4!

PRESS RELEASE: On Friday, Nov. 4, 2005, “ShoBox: The New Generation” presents what many consider its greatest fight card since the popular series debuted in July 2001. The first explosive pairing features “ShoBox” veteran, undefeated Sechew “Iron Horse” Powell, in a 10-round junior middleweight scrap against once-beaten International Boxing Federation (IBF) No. 12 contender Archak “Shark Attack” Ter-Meliksetian.  The dynamite co-main event will match unbeaten super middleweights Jaidon Codrington and Allan “Sweetness” Green in an eight-round slugfest.

        Powell (17-0, 11 KOs) is facing the sternest challenge of his career when he makes his fourth SHOWTIME and “ShoBox” appearances against the dangerous, hard-hitting Ter-Meliksetian (15-1, 12 KOs).

        “Rather than hide, Powell is fighting a stylish and accomplished guy in Ter-Meliksetian - an opponent who could not only make him look bad but could win outright,” said “ShoBox” blow-by-blow announcer Nick Charles.

“After a shaky start, Powell has grown on ‘ShoBox’ and now he is considered one of the best young junior middleweights in the game,” “ShoBox” expert analyst Steve Farhood said.  “In assessing a ‘ShoBox’ fight, I always ask the same question: Is a prospect being matched tougher than he has been matched to date?  In this case, I have to answer ‘Yes.’ Ter-Meliksetian is a big 154-pounder with serious punching power, especially with the left hook.  Powell is a well-schooled, slick-boxing southpaw. It is an excellent style match up.”

Powell needed just 22 seconds to dispatch of Cornelius Bundrage in his last “ShoBox” outing on May 6, 2005. It was the quickest fight in the history of the series.

“Ter-Meliksetian looks strong to me, but at the same time, very green,” Powell said.  “He has never really been in with anybody on the same level as me.  This is going to be the major factor in the fight.  He just has not tested himself enough to step up to my challenge, and I think that is going to hurt him.”

Ter-Meliksetian, naturally, disagrees with Powell’s assessment.

“I really do not need to know much about Powell,” Ter-Meliksetian, who is 7-0 this year with five knockouts, said. “He should be worried to know about me.  As long as I am 100 percent, it does not matter.  I love to be aggressive.  I like to see blood in boxing.  But I know in fights like this, I have to be intelligent at the same time.”

Codrington (9-0, 9 KOs) and Green (17-0, 11 KOs) have already displayed the promise, ability and skills that could make them a future champion.

A decorated amateur, Codrington is supremely confident he will make it 10 consecutive victories.

“Allen Green?” said Codrington, who won the 2002 National Golden Gloves at 165 pounds and the 2004 New York Golden Gloves at 178.  “Green is just another victim.  I remember seeing him fight at the Golden Gloves and getting dropped two or three times.  I do not know how he won the fight, but he managed to pull it off.  As a matter of fact, he fought Curtis Stevens in the finals and made it out alive by the skin of his teeth.  I am going to finish what Stevens started.”

Green, the 2002 National Golden Gloves champion at 178 pounds, is also positive his unbeaten record will remain intact.

“I know all about Codrington,” Green said.  “He is not ready for me, and he knows he is not ready. He is too slow.  He is not seasoned enough.  He is easy to hit, and that is not a good sign.  He is not mentally ready.  He is not physically capable of winning this fight.  He does not punch hard enough, despite what his record shows.  I see the fight going maybe four rounds, five will be stretching it.”

Both boxers triumphed easily against their one common opponent, Etianne Whitaker.  Codrington scored a first-round knockout April 28, 2005 in New York, N.Y. and Green flattened Whitaker in the second-round Nov. 27, 2004, in Miami, Okla.

“The fact they are fighting each other at this stage of their respective careers is refreshing and a true treat for fight fans,” Farhood said.  “Codrington has the look of a star, and he is making a huge move for a fighter with only nine bouts worth of pro experience.  Green has already been on ‘ShoBox’ and he is a slick boxer who is ready for his breakout fight.  The winner of this match up just might be considered the best young 168-pounder in the world.”

“Two perfect records and such different styles,” Charles said.  “Somebody moves up and somebody either gets grounded or just maybe, somebody gets exposed.  It is classic ‘ShoBox.’ ”

For information on “ShoBox: The New Generation” and SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecasts, including complete fighter bios, records, related stories and more, please go the SHOWTIME website at <http://www.sho.com/boxing>.