UNDEFEATED POPOV DEALS MCDERMOTT HIS FIRST LOSS ON KO 2

Bouts Will Be Replayed Today On SHOWTIME TOO At 11:30 PM ET/PT
And Monday, SEPT. 22, On SHOWTIME EXTREME At 8 PM ET/PT

19.09 – In a battle of unbeaten heavyweights, Nicolay Popov rallied to record an upset, come-from-behind second-round knockout over John McDermott Thursday on “ShoBox: The New Generation” on SHOWTIME. In the co-feature, undefeated 122-pound contender Stephen Foster survived the first knockdown of his career to register an impressive fourth-round TKO over Alexander Abramenko. The doubleheader at Goresbrook Leisure Center was promoted by Frank Warren’s Sports Network. The telecast, which aired at 11:05 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on East and West Coasts), was the 35th in a series of “ShoBox” telecasts that began on July 21, 2001.

Popov (10-0, 5 KOs), of Ekaterinburg, Russia, landed one significant punch, a left-hook, but it was enough to earn the stunning victory. Popov, making his first pro start outside of his homeland, lost a fairly busy first round. In the second, he was hurt and cut, and absorbing punishment against the ropes, before connecting with the left hook.

McDermott (16-1, 10 KOs), of Basildon, England, appeared to severely injure his right ankle on the way down. The talented up-and-comer, who had controlled the opening stanza with his jab, tried to get up, but the referee quickly stepped in and stopped the match.

Foster (12-0, 7 KOs), of Salford, England, got decked from a left hook. After losing the initial two sessions, he began to take control in the third, cutting Abramenko over the right eyelid. Foster also dominated the fourth. Between rounds, Abramenko’s cut man, Phillip Fondu, told the referee to halt the bout. Since turning pro, Foster has only gone more than four rounds once. On May 24, 2003, he registered a six-round decision over Henry James.

Abramenko (3-1, 1 KO), of Russia, started very quickly, but he could not sustain the pace once Foster began to open up.

“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 the action from ringside, with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producers of the telecast were Jay Larkin and Gordon Hall, with Richard Gaughan producing.

The next “ShoBox” telecast will feature a special prime time edition on Friday, Oct. 3, from the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, and kicks off a weekend of heavyweights in Las Vegas. In the 10-round main event, undefeated heavyweight Cedric Boswell will take on World Boxing Organization (WBO) No. 6 contender Jameel McCline. SHOWTIME will televise both bouts, presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

The following evening on Saturday, Oct. 4, legendary champion Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield will step into the ring against current International Boxing Federation (IBF) Cruiserweight Champion James “Lights Out” Toney in a 12-round heavyweight showdown live on pay per view, at Mandalay Bay. The HOLYFIELD-TONEY pay-per-view telecast begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Goossen Tutor Promotions will present the event, which will be distributed by SHOWTIME Pay Per View and carries a suggested retail price of $44.95.

For information on “ShoBox: The New Generation,” SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and SHOWTIME Pay Per View telecasts, including complete fighter bios, records, related stories and more, please go the SHOWTIME website at http://www.sho.com/boxing.