ShoBox Returns on April 24

13.04 – SHOWTIME kicks off the second season of its well received “ShoBox: The New Generation” boxing series on Thursday, April 24, 2003, from the Grand Casino Gulfport in Gulfport, Miss. In the main event, former International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior lightweight champion Diego “Chico” Corrales will square off against former two-time world champion and current World Boxing Association (WBA) No. 5 featherweight contender, Antonio Cermeno, in a 10-round lightweight bout. Rounding out the card will be WBC Continental Americas (WBC/CA) Super Welterweight Champion Sam Garr taking on unbeaten Ishe Smith in a 10-round welterweight contest. SHOWTIME will televise the fight card, promoted by Gary Shaw Promotions, LLC, and representing the 28th in a series of “ShoBox” telecasts, live at 11 PM ET/PT. The popular series debuted July 21, 2001.

Corrales (35-1, 29 KOs), of Sacramento, Calif., captured the IBF junior lightweight title on Oct. 23, 1999, with a seventh-round TKO over Roberto Garcia. After successfully defending his crown three times, Corrales lost a battle of unbeatens when Floyd Mayweather defeated him in Las Vegas, Nev., on Jan. 20, 2001. In the old-fashioned grudge match pitting two of the world's most talented 130-pounders, Mayweather had his way throughout to successfully defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight title with a 10th-round TKO.

Since returning to the ring after a well-documented two-year hiatus due to personal, managerial and promotional problems, Corrales has gone 2-0 with two knockouts. In his first comeback fight, Corrales registered a fifth-round TKO over Michael Davis on SHOWTIME Jan. 25, 2003, in Atlantic City. Less than one month later on Feb. 22, 2003, Corrales stopped Roque Cassiani in the opening round from Memphis.

Cermeno (41-4, 27 KOs), of Miranda, Venezuela, is a former two-time WBA champion at 122 and 126 pounds. The native Venezuelan captured the WBA 122-pound title on May 13, 1995, with a 12-round decision over Wilfredo Vazquez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. After defending his crown seven times, Cermeno moved up to 126 pounds and won the WBA belt in his second attempt at that weight by scoring a fourth-round KO over Genaro Rios on Oct. 3, 1998, in Caracas, Venezuela. Cermeno, who made one successful title defense, has won five out of his past six contests. In his 2002 debut, the former champion captured the WBA Latin Americas super featherweight crown with a 10th-round knockout over Shamir Reyes.

Smith (10-0, 6 KOs), of Las Vegas, Nev., has fought eight out of his 10 pro bouts in his native city since turning pro at age 22 in July 2000. After defeating his first two opponents outside of Nevada, Smith made his Las Vegas debut and registered a first-round TKO over Anthony Sanva on May 18, 2001. In his last contest and main event debut, Smith stopped late substitute Edson Madrid in the first round on Dec. 27, 2002. The three-year veteran floored his opponent with a left hook, and forced the referee to count Madrid out at 1:25 of the opening round.

Garr (32-6, 28 KOs), of Quincy, Ill., captured the WBC/CA super welterweight crown by registering a 12-round unanimous decision over Luis Dos Santos on June 14, 2002. Garr, who began his professional career with 17 consecutive knockouts, successfully defended his crown two months later on Aug. 23, 2002, by scoring a 10th-round KO over Norberto Sandoval. In his lone world title appearance, Garr fought gamely against then-WBA welterweight champion James Page before dropping a 12-round decision. Garr saw his three-bout winning streak come to an end in his last contest when Christopher Smith earned a 10th-round TKO on Feb. 14, 2003, in Louisville, Ky.

“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.

SHOWTIME televises “ShoBox: The New Generation” at 11 p.m. ET/PT on Thursdays every other week.

Nick Charles will call the action from ringside, with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producers of the telecast are Jay Larkin and Gordon Hall, with Richard Gaughan producing.