16.02.07 – Looking for a real fight? “ShoBox: The New Generation” will present yet another terrific showdown when Mike “Machine Gun’’ Oliver (17-0, seven KOs) defends his United States Boxing Association (USBA) junior featherweight title against Gary “Kid” Stark Jr. (18-0, eight KOs) in the main event Friday, Feb. 16, on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast)..
The co-feature will pit unbeaten Derek “Pooh’’ Ennis (10-0-1, seven KOs) against Allen “The Dream Shatterer’’ Conyers (10-2, eight KOs) in an eight-round junior middleweight scrap. The excellent DiBella Entertainment doubleheader will originate from the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla.
NOTE: (Due to the less-than-ideal weather conditions, Stark did not arrive into Miami until late Thursday night. The weigh-in has not concluded so OFFICIAL WEIGHTS will be distributed Friday morning.
MIKE OLIVER“I have fought on television before but my dream has always been to fight on SHOWTIME, so this is like a dream come true for me.
“I am excited and looking forward to fighting and putting on a show. I feel great and am in top shape. They say this is supposed to be the toughest fight for both of us, but I have been in the game longer, so I believe it will be the toughest fight for Stark, not me. I will fight anyone.
“I am coming in as an underdog and as the champion, which gives me a lot more motivation. But I don’t know what Stark has done; he sure hasn’t fought anybody. He should feel blessed that he is getting to fight for a title. Really, I don’t know how or why I am an underdog. To me, a fight is a fight.
“Style-wise, this could turn out to be any kind of a fight. It depends on what he wants to do. I can box or brawl and I do better than he does in each. I am definitely confident I will win.’’
DEREK ENNIS
“I am ready to fight so I do not have much to say except that fighting on “ShoBox” on SHOWTIME in an opportunity of a lifetime for me. I have trained really hard. It is great to have a fight happen and not fall out. I haven’t fought since April but that is because so many of my fights have fallen out.
“It gets really frustrating; your fight is on one day, the next day it is off. So I always was in the gym. I am very happy that this fight is happening. I have fought and sparred with a bunch of taller guys, so I do not see a problem. “This is going to be a great fight. He (Conyers) had better be ready. I know I will win.’’
ALLEN CONYERS
“I have never seen Ennis; all I know is that he is 5-foot-6 and an up-and-comer, but I have never lost to a guy 5-foot-6 in anything. They say he is a strong guy, but I am a strong guy, too. In fact, I feel I will be stronger than he is.
“I am moving up some in weight but that should not be a problem. I feel really strong and comfortable and I am totally injury-free. I am ready to go eight rounds, but I am not sure it will last that long.
“The plan is too keep him on the outside with the jab. He is 5-foot-6 and I am 5-foot-11, so I know he is going to want to try to get inside. But, if he can’t and tries to run, I am prepared to cut the ring off on him. I am a pressure fighter anyway.
“I am 30, but I am a young 30. I am really focused. You will see Friday night. I am fresh and ready to go. This is going to be my year.’’