30.06.06 – SHOWTIME will make television history when three sons of former world champions and a cousin of another are featured in a special edition of “ShoBox: The New Generation” Saturday, July 1, 2006 (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) from the Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. The outstanding lineup on a DiBella Entertainment-promoted fight card will feature: Chazz Witherspoon (12-0, seven KOs) against Mike Alexander (11-0, eight KOs) in a 10-round battle of unbeaten heavyweights; James McGirt Jr. (11-0, 1 NC, seven KOs) against Stephan Pryor (10-1, seven KOs) in an eight-round middleweight showdown and Ronald Hearns (8-0, six KOs) against Hector Hernandez (8-1-2, three KOs).
Chazz Witherspoon 232 pounds
“I think Alexander is the highest quality opponent.
“I gauged my decision to turn pro by how I did in the amateurs. I lack experience and I’m working to get it.
“The Witherspoon name is both a gift and a curse. You’re held to higher scrutiny. I have some big shoes to fill. I hold myself to a higher standard. I’m going to train to be great. I’m aiming for the mountain top.”
Tim Witherspoon
“Chazz and his father came to me and said he wanted to fight. I felt his mind was made up. I told him where to go, what to do, how to get there and how to get started.
“I was fascinated by his energy. He would say ‘Tim, show me this right now.’ This man wants to learn.’’
Mike Alexander 205 pounds
“Chazz looks like he has decent defense but his power doesn’t look explosive. I’m trying to fight to the best of my ability.”
John Johnson (Manager)
“Mike is a highly intelligent fighter. He’s got good hand speed. We’ve got plans for him. We want him to be the next cruiserweight champion of the world.”
JULY 1 “SHOBOX” WEIGHTS AND QUOTES
James McGirt JR. 163 pounds
“When I was in the amateurs, my dad didn’t know that I was boxing because others were training me. I kept it from him until I was 18.
“My father is the terminator in the gym. He’s way tougher on me then other fighters.
“We’ve stepped up our work in the gym, working harder, we’ve been paying attention. We’ve been working with big names at the gym.
“This is probably my stiffest competition to date.”
Stephan Pryor 160 pounds
“I know nothing about McGirt. He’s shown me nothing. I’ve got a plan for him.
“I’m strong, real strong, like the bionic man. I don’t feel like I’m catching up. I feel like one of the youngest guys at the gym.”
RONALD HEARNS 158 pounds
“I never saw Hernandez fight, but I anticipate that he’s aggressive because he’s Mexican.
“It’s hard for me to come out of his (father, Thomas Hearns) shadow. Most people say our styles are similar.
“I train at Kronk, one of the hardest gyms to spar in. When they see you, they’re thinking ‘fresh meat!’
“I take a good shot. I spar with guys that are heavier than me.”
Tommy “The Hitman’’ Hearns
“I told him (Ronald) once you take care of business then you can box.
“Sometimes it’s frightening to see him. When he let’s go of those punches, he really lets go of punches!”
Hector Hernandez 160 pounds
“This fight means a lot. When I started fighting I never thought I would turn pro. If I win, it will open doors for me because of his name.
“I came here to fight and I’m going to take the win home.”