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DURAN RETAINS TITLE WITH 12-ROUND UNANIMOUS DECISION OVER MCNEIL, MORRIS STOPS COVENEY IN FOURTH ON A “SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION” DOUBLEHEADER FROM LONDON HILTON ON PARK LANE, LONDON, ENGLAND
Both Bouts to Be Replayed on SHO EXTREME Monday, Sept. 26, at 8 PM ET/PT
LONDON, England (Sept. 23, 2005) – Ossie Duran retained his British Commonwealth junior middleweight title with an easy 12-round decision over Colin McNeil Friday on “ShoBox: The New Generation.” In the co-feature from the London Hilton on Park Lane in London, England, Andy Morris registered a fourth-round TKO over Mickey Coveney in a featherweight fight.
SHOWTIME televised the Frank Warren’s Sports Network doubleheader on same day tape delay at 11 p.m. ET/PT. The telecast represented the 65th in the popular “ShoBox” series, which debuted on SHOWTIME in July 2001.
Duran (20-4-1, 9 KOs), of Accra, Ghana, Duran took the unanimous decision by the scores of 119-109, 119-110 and 118-110. Duran stood his ground through every round, giving McNeil nothing to work with. He won the fight utilizing his straight right hand while remaining calm and composed throughout the contest.
He captured the British Commonwealth light middleweight title on June 26, 2004, in Belfast, Ireland, when he uncorked a sweeping right hand that had Jamie Moore out on his feet. The referee immediately stepped in at the 1:06 mark of the third round as Duran drove forward, attempting to tag Moore with another right hand.
McNeil (8-1, 1 KO), of Lanark, England, displayed tenacity through the fight, although he was on the defensive most of the evening. He snagged the Celtic light middleweight title on July 23, 2005, in Edinburgh, Scotland, with a convincing 10-round decision (97-94) over Taz Jones.
The 32-year-old southpaw made his professional debut on March 6, 2004, in Renfrew, Scotland, with a four-round decision over Arvil Mittoo.
Morris (11-0, 3 KOs), of Manchester, England, moved nicely, throwing in combination. He was faster and stronger than his opponent. In the fourth round, he knocked Coveney to the canvas. Coveney regained his footing, but after another barrage, the referee stopped the fight at the 2:42 mark.
It was an impressive win for a boxer who has impressed since pulling on a pair of boxing gloves at age 10. The young fighter looked sensational in his pro debut at 19 years of age by winning every round against the experienced Jason Nesbitt on Jan. 18, 2003, in Preston, England.
Coveney (8-2, 1 KO), of West Ham, England, was overmatched, shorter and slower than his opponent. He tried to fight in close, but just could not keep up with Morris.
On April 30, 2005, Coveney manufactured the first knockout of his career by scoring a fourth-round stoppage over Jim Betts (18-4 going in), in Dagenham, England. The referee stopped the bout at 1:06 of the round.
“ShoBox: The New Generation” features up-and-coming prospects determined to make a mark and eventually fight for a chance at a world title. The best of the new generation of hungry, young boxers will have an opportunity to showcase their talent and heart as they battle each other in competitive fights in front of a national television audience. “ShoBox: The New Generation” is pure, basic boxing, reminiscent of the golden days of the sport.
Nick Charles called Friday’s action from ringside, with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of the telecast was Gordon Hall, with Richard Gaughan producing.
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
