22.12.03 – ShoBox: The New Generation, which debuted on SHOWTIME in July 2001, will open its third season on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2004, when undefeated ‘Sugar Shay’ Ishe Smith takes on former two-time world champion Randall Bailey for the vacant USBA and WBC Continental Americas welterweight titles. The second half of the ShoBox doubleheader will be announced in the near future. SHOWTIME will televise the Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, promoted bout live at 11 p.m. ET/PT* from Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif.
The telecast represents the 37th in the popular ShoBox series. Smith (13-0, 7 KOs), of Las Vegas, will make his third ShoBox appearance in less than one year. In his SHOWTIME debut on April 24, 2003, Smith earned a 10-round unanimous decision over Sam Garr in Gulfport, Miss. The following June 20, the unbeaten youngster scored a second-round KO over Sal Lopez in the inaugural boxing event at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The following month, Smith returned to ShoBox and registered a 10-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten David Estrada on July 31 in Sault St. Marie, Mich. In his main event debut, Smith, who has been the lead sparring partner for both Fernando Vargas and Sugar Shane Mosley, stopped late substitute Edson Madrid in the first round on Dec. 27, 2002.
Bailey (27-3, 26 KOs), of Miami, won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) 140-pound title by knocking out Carlos Gonzalez in the first round on May 15, 1999, in Miami. The slugger made two successful defenses before his 21-fight winning streak ended with a 12-round split decision loss to Ener Julio on July 22, 2000. After rebounding to score early-round knockouts in his next three bouts, Bailey captured the World Boxing Association (WBA) version of the 140-pound title with a third-round KO over Demetrio Ceballos on Feb. 2, 2002. In Bailey’s initial defense on May 11, 2002, Diosbelys Hurtado stopped the champion in the seventh round in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Following a first-round TKO over Alfonzo Fowler, Bailey extended then-WBO junior welterweight champion DeMarcus Corley the distance before dropping a 12-round unanimous decision on Jan. 4, 2003, on SHOWTIME. In his last outing, Bailey recorded an eight-round decision over Reginald Strickland on May 17, 2003. 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 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.
For information on upcoming “ShoBox: The New Generation and SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecasts, including complete fighter bios, records and related stories, please go the SHOWTIME website at http:www.sho.com/boxing.