Oneida Nation Homelands (May 8, 2017) – Turning Stone Resort Casino is again hosting another exciting night of nationally-televised boxing as Showtime’s series “ShoBox: The New Generation” returns to the Turning Stone Event Center on Friday, June 9. Undefeated junior welterweights Regis Prograis (19-0, 16 KOs) and Joel Diaz Jr. (23-0, 19 KOs) will battle for Prograis’ NABF title in the 10-round main event where only one fighter will walk away with the title and his undefeated record intact. The clash of these undefeated titans takes place on the Friday night of International Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Weekend in Canastota, NY, only a few miles away from Turning Stone Resort Casino.
Trained by Bobby Benton out of Houston’s Main Street Gym, Regis Prograis (19-0, 16 KOs) is among ESPN’s “Prospects to Watch.” Three consecutive appearances on “ShoBox: The New Generation” included decisive victories over 11-0-1 Amos Cowart and 14-0-2 Abel Ramos, as well as a crushing first-round stoppage of the experienced Aaron Herrera. Prograis made his New York debut at the Barclays Center on June 26, 2016, stopping Luiz Florez in four rounds to capture the NABF belt. Ranked no. 4 by the WBC, Prograis was sidelined for several months due to an injury suffered at the gym, but returned on February 11 of this year to score a first-round knockout versus Wilfrido Buelvas in defense of his NABF belt.
Joel Diaz Jr. (23-0, 19 KOs) turned pro in 2010 following an outstanding 85-10 amateur career. Diaz headlined ShoBox in May 2014, earning a 10-round unanimous decision over 14-1 Canadian prospect Tyler Asselstine. His successful 2014 campaign continued with a 3rd round knockout against 8-1 Kevin Aguilar and a 4th round knockout with one body shot over veteran Pedro Navarette that December. In 2016, Diaz scored three wins by stoppage versus former WBC Youth titlist Abraham Gomez, Brazilian champion Joaquim Carneiro and 15-1 Mario Beltre.
The June 9th ShoBox card at Turning Stone also includes a middleweight bout between Steve Rolls (15-0, 9 KOs) and Demond “D’Bestatit” Nicholson (17-1-1, 16 KOs). A pro since 2011, Rolls, from Toronto, earned the biggest victory of his career in his ShoBox debut on December 11, 2015, stopping 9-0-1 prospect and amateur standout Steed Woodall in four rounds. He has since earned two knockout victories in 2016. Rolls had a very successful amateur career, competing on both the 2009 and 2010 Canadian National boxing team, finishing with an 83-14 record overall.
Nicholson is a 24-year-old middleweight from Laurel, MD, with devastating power, scoring all but one of his wins by knockout, including 10 knockout wins during the first round. He has won seven fights with one draw since his only defeat in 2014. Nicholson has impressive wins over former world title challenger Milton Nunez and former IBF Inter-Continental champion Joshua Okine. He is coming off of a draw against 16-0 Immanuwel Aleem, who recently stopped Ievgen Khytrov in a wild back-and-forth brawl that aired on Showtime, though Nicholson appeared to control the action with his size and consistent jab. As an amateur, Nicholson accumulated a record of 110-15 before turning pro in July 2013.
Spain’s Jon Fernandez (12-0, 10 KOs) will open up the televised tripleheader in his second appearance on the ShoBox series, competing in an eight-round junior lightweight bout.
Host of the June 9th event, the Oneida Nation’s Turning Stone Resort Casino, an award-winning destination resort, continues to distinguish itself as a premier venue for fight-of-the-year level boxing. The June fight will mark Turning Stone’s 22nd nationally-televised boxing event, cementing the resort as a leading destination for televised combat sports. Turning Stone is celebrated for its noteworthy boxing events such as boxing legend Mike Tyson selecting the resort as the venue for his world debut as a promoter, Muhammad Ali’s daughter Laila Ali making her boxing debut at Turning Stone and in April 2015, Turning Stone was selected to host “Fight of the Year” contender – Matthysse vs. Provodnikov – over arenas in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Miami. Turning Stone features award-winning, world-class amenities including four hotels, more than 20 signature restaurants and dining options, two spas, five golf courses, an all-new 125,000 square foot Las Vegas-style gaming floor, a cabaret-style Showroom, an expansive Event Center, several bars, cocktail lounges and nightlife venues.
The two voices calling the action for Showtime’s “ShoBox: The New Generation” are blow-by-blow announcer Barry Tompkins and analyst Steve Farhood, who will both be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame the same weekend of the ShoBox event at Turning Stone.
Prograis vs. Diaz Jr. is a 10-round NABF title bout, presented by DiBella Entertainment. The “ShoBox: The New Generation” telecast on Showtime will begin at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with the first bout at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets for Prograis vs. Diaz Jr. on June 9 at Turning Stone, co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and AASHA Record Breakers, are on sale now and can be purchased for $65 for ringside, $50, $40 and $30 (may be subject to additional fees) in person at the Turning Stone Box Office, by calling 877.833.SHOW, or online at Ticketmaster.
