UNDEFEATED KO ARTIST JON FERNANDEZ TO FACE FELLOW 130-POUND PROSPECT O’SHAQUIE FOSTER
NEW YORK (August 16, 2018) – Undefeated super featherweight prospect *Jon
Fernandez* will face *O’Shaquie Foster* in the main event of a *ShoBox: The
New Generation *tripleheader on Friday, September 21 live on SHOWTIME® at
9:45 p.m. ET/PTfrom Firelake Arena in Shawnee, Okla.
The telecast, headlined by two *ShoBox *veterans, is the first of
back-to-back *ShoBox: The New Generation* telecasts on Fridays in
September. The following week, September 28, will mark the sixth telecast
in 2018 of the popular developmental series that has produced 77 world
champions including the likes of Errol Spence Jr. and Deontay Wilder.
The event, promoted by DiBella Entertainment, is likely to see knockout
stoppages, with six prospects boasting a combined record of 68-2-1 and 47
KOs.
“I’m thrilled to promote what will be an exciting edition of *ShoBox: The
New Generation, *on Friday, September 21, at FireLake Arena in Shawnee,
Okla.,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella
Entertainment. “This tripleheader features WBC Silver champion Fernandez,
one of the hottest prospects in boxing, facing Foster, a tough Texan
trained by the renowned Bobby Benton. The co-feature will be explosive
while it lasts between Gonzalez, a New England knockout artist newly signed
to DiBella Entertainment and Ramos, an all-action pressure fighter from
Spain promoted by Sergio Martinez. One of Brooklyn’s finest prospects,
Ferrer will open the telecast against fellow unbeaten Ortiz, a stablemate
of world champion Tevin Farmer from Philadelphia. I’m grateful to
*ShoBox* Executive
Producer Gordon Hall and SHOWTIME for continuing to provide a platform to
showcase these top prospects.”
The powerful Fernandez (16-0, 14 KOs), a prospect from Bilbao, Spain
co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and MaravillaBox Promotions, will be
making his third *ShoBox*appearance when he faces Foster (13-2, 8 KOs) in
the 10-round main event contested at 130 pounds.
In a battle of two featherweights packing punching power, Worcester,
Massachusetts’ *Irvin Gonzalez Jr.* (10-0, 9 KOs) will take on *Carlos
Ramos* (9-0, 6 KOs) in a scheduled eight-rounder. Rounding out the
tripleheader, *Wesley Ferrer* (12-0-1, 7 KOs) of Brooklyn, N.Y., collides
with undefeated lightweight prospect *Steven Ortiz* (8-0, 3 KOs) in the
eight-round telecast opener.
Tickets for the event are priced at $60 for ringside, $40 for floor seats
and $30 for general admission. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 24 and can
be purchased online at www.firelakearena.com
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*JON FERNANDEZ vs. O’SHAQUIE FOSTER – 10-Round Super Featherweight Bout*
Fernandez, the protégé of former unified middleweight world champion Sergio
“Maravilla” Martinez, scored two sensational knockouts on *ShoBox* in 2017,
stopping Ernesto Garza in the third round and knocking out Juan Reyes with
a highlight-reel right hook. *VIDEO:**https://youtu.be/IC2HRJqxa-Q
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Making a name for himself as one of the best prospects in the sport,
“Jonfer” has knocked out 14 consecutive opponents. The 5’11” Spaniard, who
holds an 88 percent knockout ratio, is traveling to the U.S. for the fourth
time with an eye on a statement victory.
“O’Shaquie Foster is a very good fighter and although he was the underdog
he put on a great performance by beating Frankie Alba in his last fight,”
Fernandez said. “This is a big fight for both of us. I’m grateful to Lou
DiBella for this opportunity to again show why I’m one of the best
prospects in boxing.”
Fernandez, ranked WBC No. 10 at 130 pounds, won the vacant WBC Youth World
Super Featherweight Title in 2016 and the vacant WBC Silver Super
Featherweight Title in 2017. The former amateur standout, who landed on the
ESPN Top Prospects of 2017 list, is currently trained by Tinín Rodríguez in
Madrid.
O’Shaquie Foster, of Orange, Texas, is making his fourth appearance on
*ShoBox*, last appearing on the series in July 2016. Since falling to
Rolando Chinea in a close split-decision in that *ShoBox* appearance,
Foster has bounced back with three consecutive victories, including a
majority-decision victory over veteran Frank De Alba last time out in April.
“This is a great opportunity for me,” said Foster. “I know how good
Fernandez is and how well thought of he is, but once we get in the ring,
I’ll show the world that I’m a future world champion. I’ve been in training
and will be ready for victory on September 21.”
A highly decorated amateur standout who compiled a record of 162-18, the
24-year-old Foster advanced to the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials where he lost
to once-beaten professional prospect, Joseph “Jo-Jo” Diaz. Before that,
Foster was a 2010 PAL National Champion, a five-time Ringside National
Champion and two-time National Junior Golden Gloves Champion.
*IRVIN GONZALEZ JR. vs. CARLOS RAMOS – Eight-Round Featherweight Bout*
A 22-year-old from Worcester, Mass., Gonzalez turned pro in 2016 after a
standout amateur career where he compiled a 90-15 record. He was a 2015 New
England Golden Gloves champion and qualified for the 2016 Olympic trials.
Gonzalez, who will be making his *ShoBox* debut, has knocked out all but
one of his professional opponents. He scored an impressive unanimous
decision victory over Raul Lopez and a body shot knockout of previously
undefeated Marlon Olea in back-to-back bouts in 2017.
“This is an opportunity to show the world what I’ve been working my whole
life for,” Gonzalez said. “With hard work anything is possible and I will
show on September 21 that I have what it takes to become a world champion.
This is just the next step for me. I’m entering and leaving the ring with
an undefeated record.”
Undefeated featherweight prospect Carlos Ramos, born in Ecuador but
fighting out of Madrid, Spain, has compiled a perfect record of 9-0 with
six knockouts. The 22-year-old southpaw will be making his U.S. debut
against a serious step-up in competition in the undefeated Gonzalez.
Ramos, also under the tutelage of Sergio Martinez, fought on the undercard
of Jon Fernandez’s WBC Silver title bout in September 2017, outpointing
Lesther Cantillano. Relatively unknown stateside, the young Spanish
prospect will be looking to make a splash in his U.S. debut.
“I’m excited to fight in America for the first time and face Irvin
Gonzalez,” said Ramos. “I know he’s a big puncher and has a lot of
knockouts but all the great sparring I’ve had has built my confidence for a
fight like this. I’m sharper than ever and ready to hand him his first
loss.”
*WESLEY FERRER vs. STEVEN ORTIZ – Eight-Round LIGHTWEIGHT Bout*
Ferrer, a Brooklyn, N.Y. native, will be making his *ShoBox* television
debut in his first fight of 2018. The skilled lightweight has started his
professional career unbeaten through his first 13 fights, and will be
facing his second consecutive undefeated opponent. In December 2017,
Ferrer, who is trained by his father Mateo De La Cruz, fought to a hotly
contested draw with Will Madera in Times Square.
“This is exactly the fight I need against another undefeated prospect so
that I can show how good I am,” said Ferrer. “This is my first fight of
2018, my first on *ShoBox* and hopefully the first of many big wins.”
An accomplished amateur boxer in New York City, Ferrer was a two-time New
York Golden
Gloves champion, 2012 New York Amateur Boxing champion and New York City
Metro Tournament champion, as well as a participant at the 2013 National
Golden Gloves.
Steven Ortiz, signed to Evander Holyfield’s The Real Deal Boxing, has made
a name for himself in Philadelphia, winning five straight bouts in his
hometown. Last time out, Ortiz registered an impressive second round
knockout of Joshua Davis, sending his opponent to the canvas three times.
Compiling a record of 45-5 as an amateur, Ortiz is a five-time Pennsylvania
Golden Gloves Champion and National Silver Gloves Winner.
“I am excited to show my talents on *ShoBox* and promise to bring an
exciting fight against Wesley Ferrer,” Ortiz said. “The world is going to
see the new face of the lightweight division on Sept. 21. I can’t wait to
show everyone who Steven Ortiz is.”
