24.08.04 – The WBC eighth-ranked middleweight contender, Kuvanych Toygonbayev will square off in a 10-round showdown against Ian Gardner Thursday, Sept. 2, on the SHOWTIME boxing series, “ShoBox: The New Generation.” In the eight-round co-feature, undefeated middleweight contender Guadalupe Martinez will square off against NABC Americas Middleweight Champion Francisco Diaz. SHOWTIME will televise the Millennium Events in association with Titan Entertainment co-promoted doubleheader from Harrah’s Hotel & Casino in Kansas City, Mo., at 11 p.m. ET/PT*. The telecast represents the 50th in the popular “ShoBox” series, which debuted on SHOWTIME in July 2001.
Whenever Toygonbayev enters the ring, all fans in attendance are likely to witness the “fight of the year.” His contest on May 22, 2003, in Yonkers, N.Y., is typical of what the Uzbekistani ring warrior finds himself in.
When officials were done sponging up the blood, Toygonbayev was bleeding from the nose and mouth with welts under both of his eyes, yet won via 10-round unanimous decision. The loser, Andrey Tsurkan, was nearly out on his feet with heavy swelling under both of his eyes and a series of cuts, nicks, and abrasions covering his face. The judges scored the bout 99-92, 97-93 and 96-94, all for Toygonbayev.
Toygonbayev has never shied away from facing the toughest opposition inside of the ring. On May 18, 2002, he defeated former North American Boxing Federation (NABF) welterweight champion Oba Carr across 10 rounds in Las Vegas.
Earlier in his career, Toygonbayev registered a six-round decision over then-International Boxing Federation (IBF) No. 1/WBC No. 2 and World Boxing Association (WBA) No. 3 super welterweight contender, Kassim Ouma, on Oct. 13, 2000, in Ledyard, Conn.
Most recently, Toygonbayev dropped a controversial decision to former two-time WBC middleweight champion Keith Holmes on March 14, 2004, in Temecula, Calif. The judges scored the bout 95-93 (twice) for Holmes and 94-apiece. Toygonbayev was deducted two points for low blows.
It takes two exciting pugilists for any fight to be considered for fight of the year. Gardner moves well and throws nice combinations with good punching power. Since suffering his lone loss on Nov. 2, 2001, “The Truth” has reeled off 14 consecutive victories.
In his last outing, Gardner captured the vacant WBC International middleweight crown by tallying a 10-round unanimous decision over Patrick Perez on June 25, 2004, in Boston. Relying on superior quickness and an elusive defense, Gardner used his opponent for target practice during most of the fight. The judges scored it 100-90 and 97-93 (twice).
Gardner made his professional debut less than 10 days shy of his 20th birthday on April 27, 2001, and earned a four-round victory over Tom Huff in Niagara Falls, N.Y.
The telecast’s opening fight features Martinez, who is quickly ascending the boxing ranks. Since turning pro on Nov. 20, 2001, with a second-round TKO over Paul Brown in Humble, Texas, Martinez, of Sugarland, Texas, has defeated each of his opponents in convincing fashion. Nine of his 13 victories have come by way of knockout.
Martinez’ last two fights were mirror images of each other, as he defeated separate fighters named Maurice via seventh-round TKO in Houston. On March 19, 2004, he destroyed Maurice Chalmers. Less than two months later on May 7, 2004, Martinez stopped Maurice Brantley.
The pride of Sugarland’s opponent on Sept. 2, Diaz, was born to box.
The once-beaten Diaz has won his past seven fights, including an opening-round TKO over Mike Stone on June 30, 2004, in Kansas City. Diaz used his jab to set up a powerful left-right combination, resulting in the TKO.
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 “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.