20.08.04 – Bernard “Ben” Dunne got it done against Adrian Valdez with a unanimous decision by the scores of 97-93, 96-94, and 96-95, Thursday on SHOWTIME. In the “ShoBox: The New Generation” co- feature, Armando Velardez stunned previously undefeated Matt Vanda by knocking him out in the eighth round. The doubleheader, which took place at Aldrich Arena, was co-promoted by Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing and Team Freedom and aired at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). It was the 49th fight show in the popular “ShoBox” series, which debuted on SHOWTIME in July 2001.
Dunne (14-0, eight KOs), of Dublin, Ireland, entered the ring along with his corner dressed all in Irish green, trainer Freddie Roach donning an oversized leprechaun hat. Dunne was the more aggressive fighter throughout the 10 rounds, stalking Valdez into the ropes in almost every round, forcing Valdez to clench. A member of Roach’s world famous Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, Calif., Dunne is a gifted featherweight from Ireland. In his professional debut on Dec. 19, 2001, a then-21-year-old Dunne scored a second- round TKO over Rodrigo Ortiz in Oroville, Calif.
Valdez (14-3-3, six KOs), of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, opened a cut on Dunne’s forehead in the first round. In the ninth round, Valdez got the best of vicious exchange, but was unable to ride the momentum to victory. Valdez made his professional debut Aug. 27, 1999 against Juan Mendez, and registered a four-round decision in Juarez, Mexico. On March 28, 2003 Valdez got a shot at the WBC Mexican super bantamweight title and tallied a first-round knockout over Sammy Ventura.
Velardez (18-3, nine KOs), of San Bernardino, Calif, had hardly a person rooting for him in his opponent’s hometown. Despite the boos and Vanda’s cheers, Velardez nearly floored Vanda in the seventh round before knocking him down twice in the eighth round, the second ending the fight. Velardez was able to land his left hook with regularity throughout the contest. Three years after turning pro, Velardez captured his first title, the FECARBOX 154- pound crown, by scoring a sixth-round TKO over Paulino Avitia on July 26, 2002, In Las Vegas.
Vanda (31-1, 21 KOs), of St. Paul, Minn., entered the ring to a standing ovation and had the hometown crowd chanting his name even after losing the fight. Vanda was outworked through most of the fight but was able to counter with combinations at times. Also known as the “Predator,” Vanda had a brief amateur career (14-2) before turning pro at age 17 on March 30, 1996, against Ed Fuller in Kearney, Neb. Vanda disposed of Fuller in the second round. The “Predator” would go on to knock out his next 10 opponents, only one reaching the third round.
“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 Thursday’s action from ringside, with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of the telecast was Gordon Hall, with Richard Gaughan producing.
The next “ShoBox” telecast is Thursday, September 2, on SHOWTIME. The Millennium Events in association with Titan Entertainment co-promoted doubleheader from Harrah’s Hotel & Casino in Kansas City, Mo. features the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) eighth-ranked middleweight Kuvanych Toygonbayev (23-2, 15 KOs) and Ian Gardner (16-1, seven KOs) in a 10-round battle. In the eight-round co-feature undefeated middleweight contender Guadalupe Martinez (13-0, nine KOs) will square off against NABC Americas Middleweight Champion Francisco Diaz (12-1, seven KOs).
For information on “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.