NEW YORK (July 29, 2008) –ShoBox: The New Generation returns to New York City for the first time in four years with New Jersey’s own Pawel “Raging Bull” Wolak (21-0, 14 KOs) as he puts his undefeated record on the line against ShoBox veteran Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith (19-3, 19 KOs) in a 10-round junior middleweight bout, Friday, Aug. 1, live on SHOWTIME at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast)..

The co-feature pits undefeated, Bronx native Jorge “The Truth” Teron (21-0-1, 14 KOs) against the hard-hitting Mexican, Michael Lozada (29-4-1, 22 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight battle.

The fights will be promoted by Gotham Boxing from the Aviator Arena in Brooklyn, New York.

Born in Poland, “Raging Bull” Wolak has an aggressive, in-your-face style. He is coming off a 10-round unanimous decision victory against then once-beaten Troy Browning on May 17, 2008.

Prior to his fight against Browning, Wolak thrilled boxing fans at Madison Square Garden when he registered a stunning and electrifying second-round knockout of Dupre “Total Package” Strickland on March 15, 2008.

Smith on the other hand is looking to keep his championship hopes alive. This fight is a must win as he’s lost two of his last three fights by unanimous decision – albeit to world-class opposition in Sechew Powell and Joel Julio – and a loss here could be detrimental to his career.

Fighting on ShoBox might be Smith’s good luck charm since he has won his previous three fights on the acclaimed SHOWTIME series.

Smith’s impressive victories on ShoBox provided nationwide notoriety. He notched a decisive unanimous decision win against Randall Bailey, handed David Estrada his first defeat, and outpointed veteran Sam Garr.

Smith gained additional mainstream success when he was tapped to be on the reality TV show The Contender in 2004. He would ultimately be matched against Sergio Mora, the tournament’s eventual winner, where he lost by split decision. Mora went on to become a world champion when he upset Vernon Forrest on June 7, 2008 to win the WBC super welterweight belt via majority decision on SHOWTIME.

The Teron-Lozada fight has the potential to be another explosive match-up. Teron is coming off six impressive knockout victories in his last ten fights while the aggressive Lozada is on an extraordinary run having won seven straight fights by way of knockout.

Teron grew up and still lives in the Bronx, only a subway ride away from the Aviator Arena. He will rely on home court advantage in his continuing quest for a lightweight title.

Nick Charles will call the action from ringside with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing. ShoBox recently celebrated seven outstanding years on the air.

For information on SHOWTIME Sports Programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://www.sho.com/sports

Kirilov-Darchinyan To Battle for IBF Crown Saturday on Showtime

International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior bantamweight champion Dimitri “The Baby” Kirilov (29-3-1, 9 KOs) will defend his title against former IBF flyweight champion and knockout artist Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan (29-1-1, 23 KOs), Saturday, Aug. 2, live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

In the co-feature, U.S. Olympian and undefeated prospect Andre “The Matrix” Dirrell (15-0, 10 KOs) puts his flawless record on the line against fellow unbeaten Mike “The Persecutor” Paschall (17-0-1, 4 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight brawl.

The telecast will originate from the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Wash., and is promoted by Gotham Boxing, Inc.

Kirilov, who is trained by Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, captured the IBF crown by winning a close unanimous decision against former U.S. Olympian Jose Navarro on Oct. 13, 2007. The scores were 116-112, 114-113 twice.

In his most recent outing in February, the Russian-born Kirilov wasn’t able to finish Cecilio Santos (22-8-3, 12 KOs) and had to settle for a draw. Although one judge scored the fight for Kirilov, 116-112; the other two scored it even at 114 each.

Darchinyan had an iron grip on the flyweight division, successfully defending his IBF title six times – five inside the distance. He eventually lost his 112-pound strap in a major upset to Filipino star Nonito Donaire. Darchinyan now aims to wreak havoc the 115-pound, super flyweight division.

Kirilov-Darchinyan is a match up of varying styles. Kirilov, known for his tremendous speed and ability to outbox his competition, relies heavily on his quick hands. He loves to pepper his opponents with a precise left jab.

Darchinyan, a southpaw, is quite the opposite from his counterpart. Not nearly as polished and refined as Kirilov, Darchinyan employs an in-your-face game plan that has produced 23 knockout victories for the Armenian-born boxer. Darchinyan is often described as possessing bone-crushing power.

Dirrell, who has fought on the prospect-based series ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME, will attempt to prove he is no longer a prospect but a championship contender when he faces the undefeated Paschall in the co-feature.

In his last fight in May, Dirrell looked extraordinary against Anthony Hanshaw (21-2-1, 14 KOs), registering a fifth round TKO on ShoBox.

Despite a slow start, Dirrell came on strongly and with a left hand to the head sent Hanshaw to the canvas at the end of the fourth round near his opponent’s corner. Following a flurry of unanswered punches to Hanshaw’s head early in the fifth, referee Pat Russell stopped the contest at 1:13.

Dirrell, who won the bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games for the United States, is a tall, agile southpaw with solid power in both mitts.

In his 18 fight career, Paschall has scored several impressive unanimous decision victories against veteran boxers. The prospect is taking a tough test on August 2 against Dirrell. With only four knockouts to his credit, Paschall will have to rely on his boxing skills if he hopes to stay undefeated.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING announcers Steve Albert and Al Bernstein will call the action from ringside with Jim Gray reporting from ringside. The executive producer of SHOWTIME Sports is David Dinkins Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing.

For information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please visit the SHOWTIME Sports website at http://www.sho.com/sports.