Holt Upsets Diaz.

Kendall Holt snapped David Diaz’s head back a number of times before the referee stopped the fight at 2:26 in the eighth round in a junior welterweight tussle Friday on “ShoBox: The New Generation.” In the junior welterweight co-feature from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn., Oscar “El Matador” Diaz out-brawled Al “Speedy” Gonzales over 10 action-packed rounds to take a unanimous decision 97-93 and 96-94 twice. SHOWTIME televised the Duva Boxing doubleheader at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The telecast represented the 56th in the popular “ShoBox” series, which debuted on SHOWTIME in July 2001.

Holt (18-1, 12 KOs), of Paterson, N.J., dropped Diaz in the first round with a right hand. Setting the pace throughout the fight, Holt used his reach advantage to keep Diaz at bay. In the eighth, Holt connected with a series of shots to Diaz’s face prompting the stoppage. Holt won 15 consecutive fights at the outset of his career before suffering his lone setback against Thomas Davis on June 18, 2004, in Chicago. Before turning pro at age 19 on March 30, 2001, Holt won the New Jersey Golden Gloves three times (1998-2000) and was the Ohio State and Diamond Belt champion in 1997 and 2000, respectively.

David Diaz (26-1, 14 KOs), of Chicago, counterpunched well and knocked Holt down in the seventh with a double right to the chin. Diaz suffered a cut over his right eye in the first round, but remained undeterred, stalking his opponent. Despite taking a beating in the eighth round, Diaz was still throwing punches, causing many ringside observers to question the stoppage. Diaz was a member of the 1996 United States Olympic team. After winning the 1996 Golden Gloves National Championship, Diaz earned a berth on the U.S. squad after defeating Zab Judah in the U.S. Box-Offs. As a pro, Diaz scored one of his most impressive victories when he dominated former WBO 140-pound champion Ener Julio en route to a spectacular 10th-round TKO on May 15, 2004, in Chicago.

Oscar Diaz (19-1, 11 KOs), of San Antonio, was the more effective puncher over 10 rounds, throwing shorter, crisper punches than his counterpart. Diaz came out throwing punch after punch from the opening bell, bloodying Gonzales’ left eye in the fourth round. Diaz won his initial 17 fights after turning pro at age 18 on March 16, 2001. He suffered his only loss on March 26, 2004, when the more experienced Ebo Elder outpointed him across 10 action-packed rounds.

Gonzales (16-2-1, 7 KOs), of Chicago, kept the fight close, absorbing Diaz’s power punches and retaliating with “speedy” combinations. The 24-year-old warrior won his initial 13 outings and went 14-0-1 before being dealt his lone loss on a controversial seventh-round technical decision to Demetrius Hopkins on June 18, 2004, in Chicago. Gonzales has rebounded to defeat his past two opponents, including a 10-round nod over Roberto Ortega in his most recent effort on Dec. 10, 2004, in Chicago.

“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.

The next “ShoBox” telecast on Feb. 18 features the charisma, style and speed of “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis. The World Boxing Association (WBO) No. 8/ International Boxing Federation (IBF) No. 13 140-pound contender, Arnaoutis makes his fourth SHOWTIME and “ShoBox” appearanceswhenhe takes on an opponent to be determined in a 12-round war. In the eight-round co-feature from Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif., undefeated Shamone Alvarez and Jose “El Macho” Medina will mix it up in a battle of welterweights. SHOWTIME will televise the doubleheader at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on West Coast).

Saturday night, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING features a grudge rematch between World Boxing Association/World Boxing Council/International Boxing Federation (WBA/WBC/IBF) Welterweight Champion Cory Spinks (34-2, 11 KOs) and former two-time world champion Zab “Super” Judah (32-2, 1 NC, 23 KOs). SHOWTIME will televise the undisputed welterweight world championship at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on West Coast).