22.04.05 – Undefeated Paul Williams kept his perfect record intact by registering a 10-round unanimous decision over former Olympic bronze medalist Terrance Cauthen Friday on “ShoBox: The New Generation.” In the action-packed co-feature from the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif., Rolando Reyes won the California State junior welterweight title with a ninth-round TKO over Jose Antonio Ojeda..
SHOWTIME televised the Gary Shaw Productions doubleheader at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast). The telecast represented the 60th in the popular “ShoBox” series, which debuted on SHOWTIME in July 2001.
Williams (26-0, 19 KOs), of Augusta, Ga., utilized his four-inch height advantage to pitch a near shutout in the lackluster affair. The tone was set in the opening round when referee Dr. Lou Moret deducted a point from Cauthen for clutching. Intent on scoring with the right jab, Williams looked rusty during his first ring appearance in more than five months. The judges scored the contest 100-89 twice and 98-91.
Cauthen (26-3, seven KOs), of Trenton, N.J., did more holding than punching and was fortunate to win two rounds on judge David Mendoza’s scorecard in losing his second consecutive bout. Prior to turning pro in 1996, Cauthen captured the bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, the ’92 National Junior Olympics championship and the ’95 U.S. National championship. In the pro ranks, he has won both the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) and North American Boxing Association (NABA) light welterweight titles.
Reyes (24-3-2, 15 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., won his fourth consecutive bout and 18th out of the past 19 in capturing his first pro title. Undeterred by fighting in front of a pro-Ojeda crowd, Reyes floored his opponent with less than one minute remaining in the second round by landing a crippling left- right combination to the head. The referee, Dr. James Jen Kin, stopped the bout after the conclusion of the ninth on the advice of Ojeda’s corner.
Ojeda (13-4-1, eight KOs), of Michoacan, Mexico, put up a spirited fight, but was unable to overcome the second-round knockdown. The pride of nearby Santa Maria, Calif., ran his ShoBox record to 1-1-1 and saw his eight-fight unbeaten streak come to an end in losing for the first time since Sept. 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 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.
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
photos: Tom Casino/Showtime