25.02.04 – “ShoBox: The New Generation,” which debuted on SHOWTIME in July 2001, continues its third season on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2004, when undefeated Stephen Foster Jr. takes on Central Area Super Bantamweight Champion Sean Hughes in a 10-round bout for the vacant British featherweight title. In the 12-round co-feature, Thomas “Storm Boy’’ McDonagh defends his World Boxing Union (WBU) International light middleweight belt against Bobby “Ratesh” Banghar. SHOWTIME will televise the Frank Warren-promoted doubleheader, entitled “Fight Skool,” at 11 p.m. ET/PT* from Kingsway Sports Centre in Widnes, England. The telecast represents the 38th in the popular “ShoBox” series.
Foster (14-0, 9 KOs), of Salford, England, is coming off of a third-round TKO over Steve Gethin on Dec. 13, 2003. Foster, who turned pro one day before his 21st birthday as a super bantamweight on Sept. 15, 2001, scored his initial knockout in his third start when he dropped Andrew Greenway three times en route to a first-round TKO on March 2, 2002. The hard-hitting, five-foot-six-inch Foster has recorded nine of his past 12 victories inside of the distance, including the last four. In his toughest fight, Foster got up from a second-round knockdown to score a fourth-round TKO over previously undefeated Alexander Abramenko (5-0 going in) on Sept. 18, 2003. Foster was the 2000 and ‘01 Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) champion in England.
Hughes (8-0, 1 KO), of Pontefract, England, registered a six-round unanimous decision over Marty Kayes in his last start on Dec. 7, 2003. A natural bantamweight, the southpaw registered the only knockout of his young career when he captured the Central Area 122-pound crown with a fourth-round TKO over Paddy Folan on Oct. 5, 2003. In two previous outings against Folan, Hughes defeated his opponent across four rounds on Oct. 5, 2002, and also in his pro debut (six rounds) on March 2, 2002.
McDonagh (21-0-2, 4 KOs), of Manchester, England, earned the vacant WBU International 154-pound crown in his last outing with a 12-round decision over Eugenio Monteiro on Sept. 27, 2003. McDonagh, who turned pro at age 18 on Oct. 9, 1999, won his initial 15 starts before boxing to a four-round draw against Mark Richards on Oct. 27, 2001. In his next start, Hughes boxed to another four-round draw, this one against Tomaz Da Silva on Feb. 9, 2002. The six-footer has been victorious in his six starts since, however, including the points victory over Monteiro in his 12-round debut.
Banghar (11-3-1, 2 KOs), of Bedford, England, is coming off of a four-round decision over Joel Ani on Oct. 29, 2003. The hard-trying Banghar has won five consecutive bouts via decision since losing three in a row within a six-month span (November 1998-May 1999). Banghar, then 20 years old, won his pro debut on Dec. 2, 1997, but boxed to a four-round draw against Neville Smith in his second start on Jan. 27, 1998. In his third effort, Bangher scored a third-round TKO over Carl Nicholson on Feb. 6, 1998. The well-schooled boxer has not triumphed inside of the distance since Sept. 23, 1998, when he registered a second-round TKO over Darren Ashton.
“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 producer of the telecast is Gordon Hall, with Richard Gaughan producing.
For information on upcoming “ShoBox: The New Generation” and SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecasts, including complete fighter bios, records, related stories and more, please go the SHOWTIME website at http:www.sho.com/boxing