 |
|
SHOBOX on Showtime Harrison vs. Brodie Jennings vs. Down
June 3, 2005 M.E.N. Arena Manchester, England 11:00 PM ET/PT*
Line-up: WBO Featherweight Title Bout (12 Rds) Champ Scott "The Real McCoy" Harrison (23-2-2, 13 KOs) vs. Michael Brodie (35-2-1, 23 KOs)
Michael
Jennings (25-0, 11 KOs) vs.
Gavin
Down (29-5, 14 KOs) __________________________________
"ShoBox: The New Generation" To Feature WBO Featherweight Championship And Welterweight Melee
Harrison will put his World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight title on the line against three-time world title challenger Michael Brodie Friday, June 3, 2005, on "ShoBox: The New Generation." In the 10- round welterweight co-feature from M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, England, WBO No. 1 contender Michael Jennings will battle Gavin Down.
SHOWTIME will televise the Frank Warren's Sports Network doubleheader at 11 p.m. ET/PT (tape delayed on the west coast). The telecast represents the 63rd in the popular "ShoBox" series, which debuted on SHOWTIME in July 2001.
The thrilling weekend of boxing continues the following day when International Boxing Federation (IBF) Junior Welterweight Champion Kostya Tszyu battles IBF No. 1 contender Ricky Hatton on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
Harrison (23-2-2, 13 KOs), of Glasgow, Scotland, became Scotland's first featherweight champion, eighth world titleholder overall, and its first since Paul Weir in 1995 when he dethroned Argentina's Juan Pablo Chacon to capture the WBO 126-pound title on Oct. 19, 2002. Harrison systematically dismantled Chacon (44-2 going in) by the scores 117-111 twice and 117-112.
"I know the history of boxing, and it is good to be a part of it," Harrison said. "I felt so fresh. I would have gone another 12 rounds to become champion. This is what I have always wanted. I have brought the world title back to Scotland where it belongs."
Harrison successfully defended his belt for the initial time on March 22, 2003, with a nearly flawless performance against Wayne McCullough in Glasgow, Scotland. The judges scored the one-sided contest 120-108, 119-108 and 119-109.
Less than four months later on July 12, 2003, Harrison lost his crown when he dropped a questionable 12- round split decision to Manuel Medina in Renfrew, Scotland. Two of the judges scored it 118-113 and 116- 112 for Medina, while the third ruled in favor of the champion, 115-113.
In the rematch on Nov. 29, 2003, Harrison took the power out of the judges' hands and regained his title with an 11th-round TKO over Medina in Glasgow.
During his second stint as WBO champion, Harrison has made four successful defenses, including a 12- round draw (115-113, 113-116 and 114-114) against Victor Polo on Jan. 28, 2005.
Brodie (35-2-1, 23 KOs), of Manchester, came closest to winning a world title on Oct. 18, 2003, in his hometown when he fought to a 12-round draw for the World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight championship against Injin Chi. The judges scored the fight 113-113 twice and 112-114.
In the rematch on April 10, 2004, in Manchester, Chi registered a seventh-round TKO.
Brodie has prepared for his title shot against Harrison for the past year.
"I think (Harrison) is a good fighter," Brodie said. "He has to be if he has defended his world title that many times. But I do not think he is a proper, proper, world champion. I say that because I do not think he has boxed the best. I do not think he has met anybody in my class yet. I am glad they think I am finished because I do believe that Michael Brodie will be crowned a world champion in Manchester."
Jennings (25-0, 11 KOs), of Preston, England, made his "ShoBox" debut on April 1, 2004, in Bethnal Green, England, and easily retained his World Boxing Union (WBU) title for the second time by scoring a fifth-round TKO over British Central Area Welterweight Champion Brett James. Jennings dominated from the outset to gain his sixth knockout in seven bouts when James' corner halted the one-sided bout following the fifth round.
A stablemate of promising Thomas McDonagh, Jennings turned pro at age 21 on May 15, 1999, and scored an opening-round knockout over Tony Smith in Blackpool, England. During his amateur career, Jennings went 52-5, was a former junior Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) and National Schoolboy champion, and represented England in several international tournaments.
Down (29-5, 14 KOs), of Chesterfield, England, captured the vacant British (Midland Area) welterweight crown in his last outing on Nov. 25, 2004, by registering a 10-round decision (98-93) over Steve Brumant.
In his pro debut, Down recorded an opening-round KO over Peter Lennon on Sept. 21, 1998, in Cleethorpes, England.
Nick Charles will call the action from ringside, with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of the telecast is 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.
*Tape Delayed on the West Coast
- Press Release issued by Showtime's Shobox (with a little editing from us - color, highlights).
(5/27/05)
|
 |
