05.03.04 – In a fight filled with offensive fireworks, unbeaten Almazbek “Kid Diamond” Raiymkulov sent Koba “The Cobra” Gogoladze to the canvas three times en route to a sixth-round TKO, Friday on SHOWTIME. In the “ShoBox: The New Generation” co-feature, undefeated Kelly Pavlik scored an impressive second-round TKO over Dorian Beaupierre.. The doubleheader, which took place at the Silver Star Hotel & Casino, was promoted by Top Rank Inc. and aired at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). It was the 58th fight show in the popular “ShoBox” series and aired as part of SHOWTIME’s Free Preview Weekend.
Raiymkulov (20-0, 12 KOs), of Kyrgyzstan, knocked Gogoladze down three times, keeping his opponent off balance throughout the fight. “Kid Diamond” landed two straight rights in the fourth round for the first knockdown. In the fifth, Raiymkulov caught an off-balance Gogoladze with a left hook to send him to the canvas. A sixth-round uppercut landed Gogoladze on the mat, bringing the halt to the fight at 2:46. The strong performance establishes Raiymkulov as a top lightweight prospect.
Gogoladze (17-0, 7 KOs), of Tblisi, Republic of Georgia, was the fight’s quicker puncher, although he rarely inflicted damage on Raiymkulov. After the third knockdown, Gogoladze indicated he did not want to continue the fight, gesturing to an injured left hand and shaking his head “no more.” Gogoladze has captured the World Boxing Federation (WBF) International, North American Boxing Organization (NABO) and International Boxing Association (IBA) Continental lightweight titles during his career.
Pavlik (24-0, 21 KOs), of Youngstown, Ohio, dominated the fight from the opening bell, possibly setting up a future chance at a title. An overhand right to the chin leveled Beaupierre in the first round. In the second stanza, Pavlik caught his opponent with another right to send him staggering into the ropes for a second knockdown. At 2:35 of the second, Pavlik staggered Beaupierre with an uppercut to the chin, prompting the stoppage. Pavlik defeated Beaupierre as an amateur as well.
Beaupierre (12-3-2, 6 KOs) of Roseau, Dominica, was overmatched from the start. Exactly one month shy of his 25th birthday, the promising prospect won his pro debut by scoring a second-round TKO over local favorite Rodney Weston on Jan. 5, 2001, in Biloxi, Miss.
Nick Charles called Friday’s action from ringside, with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of the telecast is Gordon Hall, with Richard Gaughan producing.
SHOWTIME’s Free Preview Weekend continues Saturday, March 5, when two-time time World Boxing Council (WBC) Champion Jose Luis Castillo takes on former International Boxing Federation (IBF) titleholder Julio “The Kidd” Diaz and undefeated Jeff Lacy risks his IBF super middleweight crown against once- beaten Rubin “Mr. Hollywood” Williams on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. The world championship doubleheader, which will be co-promoted by Top-Rank, Inc., and Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, will take place at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and start at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
The next “ShoBox” telecast is Friday, April 1, on SHOWTIME featuring a clash for the North American Boxing Federation featherweight championship between International Boxing Federation (IBF) No. 10/World Boxing Organization (WBO) No. 11 featherweight contender Robert “the Ghost” Guerrero and Adrian “Gallero” Valdez in a scheduled 12-rounder from The Palace Indian Gaming Center in Lemoore, Calif. SHOWTIME will televise the Goosen-Tutor Promotions doubleheader at 11 p.m. ET/PT (tape delayed on west coast). An undercard will be announced shortly.
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.