Don King Boxing Prospects Headline Tonight’s ShoBox Card

ByBoxing Press

Two of the hottest young prospects in Don King’s stable of fighters will make their television debut on Showtime’s “ShoBox: The New Generation” boxing series tonight, Friday, March 2 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) from the Belterra Casino Resort & Spa in Belterra, Indiana.

Undefeated featherweight Elio “The Kid” Rojas, born in the Dominican Republic and now fighting out of Brooklyn, N.Y., and undefeated World Boxing Council Youth Welterweight champion (23 and under) Devon Alexander “The Great,” from St. Louis, will make appearances in separate bouts.

Tickets can be purchased at Belterra Casino Resort & Spa, 777 Belterra Drive, Belterra, Indiana, 1-888-BELTERRA, and on line at www.belterracasino.com. Tickets are $25.00, $35.00 and $75.00.

Not only will this be the television debut for both of these emerging young lions, but this will mark the first time Don King Productions has showcased its top young talent on ShoBox, which is dedicated to introducing Showtime subscribers to the top young prospects in boxing.

Many experts believe Rojas (18-0, 13 KOs), 24, is Don King’s finest young fighter. He has disposed of most of his opponents quickly and has shown tremendous hand speed, causing much anticipation while edging closer to his first world title match.

His most notable win came in his last appearance where he scored a unanimous eight-round decision over Luis Bolano at Chase Field in Phoenix on Nov. 4. Bolano had twice challenged for world titles, once against World Boxing Organization 115-pound champion Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson in 2004 and in 2005 against International Boxing Federation junior bantamweight champion Luis “El Demoledor” Perez.

Rojas will be matched against fellow unbeaten Johnnie Edwards, who won the North American Boxing Association featherweight championship after scoring a first-round knockout over Elvis Martinez on Aug. 26 in Greensboro, N.C.

In his last appearance Edwards (11-0, 7 KOs), from Jacksonville, N.C., successfully defended his title by winning a unanimous 12-round decision over Angel Chacon on Jan. 25 in Charlotte, N.C.

Edwards scored his most impressive win against future world champion Eric “Mighty Mouse” Aiken in Columbus, Ohio, on March 18, 2006. Two weeks after losing to Edwards, Aiken upset former longtime world champion “Cincinnati Kid” Tim Austin before winning the International Boxing Federation featherweight title against Valdemir Pereira on May 13.

Alexander (10-0, 5 KOs), 20, boxes out of the Cory Spinks camp under the guidance of notable manager and trainer Kevin Cunningham. Alexander was one of the most celebrated amateurs in America before turning professional while still just a junior at Vashon High School in St. Louis.

He has recently developed stronger power after moving to welterweight and won the World Boxing Council Youth welterweight championship by vanquishing Tyler Ziolkowski by scoring a technical knockout at 2:40 of the opening stanza on July 8 at Savvis Center in St. Louis.

In his most recent appearance, he defeated Maximino Cuevas by fourth-round technical knockout on Jan. 6 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.

Alexander will be challenged by Scott Ball from Rochester, Minn. He has compiled a respectable 8-2 record, with six knockouts, and will look to spoil Alexander’s perfect record. His losses have come against once-beaten Jesse Lara and undefeated Marvin Cordova Jr.

Fans attending the fight live will also be treated to two non-televised heavyweight attractions featuring “Magnificent” Mike Mollo (17-1, 11 KOs), from Oak Lawn, Ill., who scored a second-round knockout over Mike Tyson-conqueror Kevin McBride at Allstate Arena in Chicago on Aug. 25 and undefeated up-and-coming powerhouse Bermane “B-Ware” Stiverne (10-0, 10 KOs), from Las Vegas, who has gained attention for eight first-round knockouts.