SLOANE, IOWA. (Feb. 1, 2018) – Undefeated super middleweight prospects Ronald Ellis and Junior Younan made weight on Thursday for their 10-round main event matchup tomorrow/Friday on ShoBox: The New live on SHOWTIME® (10p.m. ET/PT) from WinnaVegas Casino Resort in Sloane, Iowa.

Younan (13-0, 9 KOs), a former amateur standout, is a highly-touted prospect from Brooklyn taking a major step-up in class against Ellis (14-0-1, 10 KOs), the 2010 National Golden Gloves Champion with two ShoBox appearances under his belt. Both prospects will fight in their first scheduled 10-round bout in Friday’s main event.

Cleveland native Thomas Mattice (10-0, 8 KOs) and seasoned prospect Rolando Chinea (15-1-1, 6 KOs) meet in the eight-round lightweight co-feature. Mattice, a former sparring partner of Adrien Broner and Shawn Porter, faces his toughest opponent in Chinea, who enters Friday’s co-feature having beat three previously undefeated fighters in his last four bouts.

In the opening bout of the telecast, Philadelphia’s Sam Teah (12-1-1, 5 KOs) takes on Cleveland’s undefeated Montana Love (8-0, 4 KOs) in an eight-round super lightweight matchup. Love, the 2012 National Golden Gloves Bronze Medalist, makes his national television debut on just four days’ notice, while Teah returns to ShoBox looking to hand another opponent the first loss of their career.

The event is promoted by GH3 Promotions in association with Roc Nation Sports, Victory Promotions, and Ringside Ticket. Tickets are just $10 general admission prior to the event and $20 on Feb. 2. For more information call: 1.800.HOT.WINN ext. 7117.

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS:

Super Middleweights – 10 Rounds
Ronald Ellis: 166 ½ Pounds
Junior Younan: 166 ½ Pounds

Lightweights – Eight Rounds
Thomas Mattice: 133 ¾ Pounds
Rolando Chinea: 132 ¾ Pounds

Super Lightweights – Eight Rounds
Sam Teah: 139 ¼ Pounds
Montana Love: 141 ½ Pounds

FINAL QUOTES:

RONALD ELLIS:
“This fight means the most to me because it’s my first main event. I’ve got to win and win decisively, and look real good for the fans watching on TV. If I win, I’ll be right there with the guys like David Benavidez and Ronald Gavril. I’ll be ready to take that next step.

“I let him do all the talking. We’ll just get cracking when we get in there. I’m smarter than him, and I’ll let my hands do the talking.

“He says he might bring it to me but that’s going to be bad news for him. He likes to fight in flurries and then backs off. We’re not going to let him get away with it.

“We sparred years ago, but he was just warming me up though.

“It’s another fight, another day. I have been here before, and he hasn’t.

“We have to make it look good. The main goal is to win decisively. After this, I want to mix it up with all the top guys in the super middleweight division.

JUNIOR YOUNAN:
“I’m looking to make a statement. This is a step-up test for me. But I’m coming here to pass the test.

“I feel like this is the right time. I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life. If I’m not ready now I’m not ever going to be ready. It’s time to go.

“He comes in good shape and he comes to fight, but I don’t think he has anything special though.

“My best talent is I can adjust. I’m not a one-dimensional fighter. At the end of the day, I can do whatever he wants to do, and I can do it better than him.

“We sparred and I honestly don’t think he’s that good. I didn’t think much of him. We’re sparring with elite fighters. He isn’t bringing anything we haven’t seen.

“This is my time. I’m fully focused now. I’ve dedicated my entire being to this fight. Before I was young and I wanted to have fun. The past 12 weeks I didn’t miss a day in the gym.

“At the end of the day, I want a world title. And I’m not far from reaching my dream. I can’t make mistakes right now.”

THOMAS MATTICE:
“You have to have tunnel vision. I’m not worried about the lights and TV. When I get in there it’s a fight.

“Sparring with (Adrien) Broner, (Shawn) Porter, (Robert) Easter, it’s been a great learning experience. I probably learned the most from Easter and Broner. With Shawn, he was strong and I held my own.

“It’s a big step up for me, but I’m ready.

“I am going to box and follow my game plan. Chinea is a durable guy – he puts the pressure on you, and tries to break you down in the second half of the fight.

“If everything goes as I plan, the fight not go the distance. This will be a good win.”

ROLANDO CHINEA:
“People keep looking past me. I don’t know when they are going to learn, but if they keep looking past me I’m going to keep bringing it.

“At the end of the day, you can come in with a name but that doesn’t make you a name. I’m living off nobody’s legacy. I bring my A-game every time. Some things in this sport you can’t teach and I think I have those qualities.

“I always liked watching guys that like to keep the action going. In this sport if you’re going to win you have to dictate a fight and throw punches. You have to keep throwing if you’re going to win.

“My experience is an advantage. I been here and done that and he is just getting his feet wet.

“My mindset is that I have this chip on my shoulder. Nobody believes in me and I just keep proving everyone wrong. This won’t be an upset when I win.”

SAM TEAH:
“I’ve progressed so much mentally and physically since my last fight on ShoBox. My team has really developed and they help me get better every day.

“He’s a slick southpaw, but we’ve been in the gym preparing for southpaws. I’ve been working with Tevin Farmer, Ray Robinson, (Sergey) Lipinets. We’ve been getting good work in the gym.

“At the end of the day, I was getting ready for a southpaw. We’ll make whatever adjustments we need to make when we get in the ring. We’ll do whatever it takes to win.

“Every name they’ve thrown at me I’ve accepted. After this fight, I’m ready for whatever.

“We’re going to start it off for Philly this weekend. After I win on Friday we’ll enjoy the Eagles’ win on Sunday.

“I am in the same boat as the last ShoBox fight. I’m facing another undefeated fighter and I’m ready to take another ‘0’.”

MONTANA LOVE:
“When I heard I was on TV I said ‘let’s go, sign the contract.’

“Teah is a boxer-mover. We’re going to outshoot him with sharp shots.

“I’m versatile. If an opponent comes and wants to crack, we can crack. But if you want to box I can pick you apart.

“I think the time is right for me. I’ve been getting great sparring, I just left camp with Robert Easter. I’ve been in with Broner, Devin Alexander. The time is right. I’ve been doing this since I was five years old.

“We train to go eight, 10 rounds. It’s not a problem for me.”

# # #

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.

About ShoBox: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 73 fighters who have appeared onShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams, and more.

NEW YORK (Jan. 26, 2018) – Undefeated super middleweight Ronald Ellis is preparing in Los Angeles for his main event matchup against fellow undefeated Junior Younan that headlines a ShoBox: The New Generation quadrupleheader on Friday, Feb. 2, live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT from WinnaVegas Casino in Sloan, Iowa.

Ellis (14-0-1, 10 KOs), of Lynn, Mass., and Brooklyn’s Younan (13-0, 9 KOs) will clash in the 10-round main event of a four-fight telecast that features eight fighters with a combined record of 113-3-3.

Ellis, who now calls Los Angeles home, has been working hard at the Iron Gym under the watchful eye of Jerry Rosenberg and his father Ronald Ellis Sr.

“My camp has been solid. I have been getting good sparring. We have been training for Younan like he is any other opponent,” Ellis said.

In Younan, Ellis has an idea on what his foe will bring to the ring on Feb. 2.

“I know he is a young and undefeated fighter,” he said. “I have been reading some things where he says he is going to bring the fight to me. He seems like he likes to talk a lot, but that doesn’t do anything come fight night.”

This will be the third ShoBox appearance for Ellis, as he is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision over Christopher Brooker last January. Ellis feels that his big fight resume will be the key against Younan.

“My experience will definitely be an advantage,” Ellis said. “I have been here on ShoBox two times before. I will be relaxed and comfortable as we approach the fight. This is his first time. I expect him to be real hyper.”

“This is a natural progression for me. I went from fighting on the undercard of ShoBox, and now I am the main event. A win will get me world ranked and hopefully catapult me into the Saturday night fights on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. I know I can’t look ahead. I need to win first.”

The event is promoted by GH3 Promotions and Roc Nation Sports in association with Victory Promotions and Ringside Ticket. Tickets are just $10 general admission prior to the event and $20 on Feb. 2. For more information call: 1.800.HOT.WINN ext. 7117.

# # #

For more information visit www.sho.com/sportsfollow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.

About ShoBox: The New GenerationSince its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 74 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

NEW YORK (Jan. 3, 2018) – A battle of unbeaten super middleweight prospects will headline a ShoBox: The New Generation quadrupleheader on Friday, Feb. 2, live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT from WinnaVegas Casino in Sloan, Iowa, as two-time ShoBox veteran Ronald Ellis takes on New Yorker Junior Younan.

Ellis (14-0-1, 10 KOs), of Lynn, Mass., and Brooklyn’s Younan (13-0, 9 KOs) will clash in the 10-round main event of a four-fight telecast that features eight fighters with a combined record of 113-3-3.

An undefeated boxer losing for the first time was a common theme on ShoBox in 2017 as 15 prospects lost their perfect record on the popular developmental series last year. Now in its 17th year, a total of 171 fighters have suffered their first loss on ShoBox. All three fights leading up to the main event on Feb. 2 are eight-round matchups that include an undefeated “A-side” fighter facing his toughest test to date.

In the co-feature, former Dominican Olympian Wellington Romero (12-0-1, 6 KOs) will take on Philadelphia’s Sam Teah (12-1-1, 5 KOs) in a super lightweight scrap contracted at 141 pounds. Cleveland’s Thomas Mattice (10-0, 8 KOs) will face two-time ShoBox winner and Lancaster, Pa. resident Rolando Chinea (15-1-1, 6 KOs) in a lightweight matchup.

In the telecast opener, highly regarded undefeated Devin Haney (18-0, 12 KOs), of Las Vegas, will take on Harmonito Dela Torre (19-1, 12 KOs) in another bout pitting two 135-pound prospects.

The event is promoted by GH3 Promotions and Roc Nation Sports in association with Victory Promotions and Ringside Ticket. Tickets are just $10 general admission prior to the event and $20 on Feb. 2. For more information call: 1.800.HOT.WINN ext. 7117.

RONALD ELLIS vs. JUNIOR YOUNAN – 10-Round Super Middleweight
Ellis returns to ShoBox in his first bout since defeating Christopher Brooker via a unanimous decision in Atlantic City last January. In his ShoBox debut, Ellis fought Jerry Odom to a majority draw in Atlantic City in February 2016.

Originally from Lynn, Mass., the 28-year-old Ellis currently lives and trains in Los Angeles at the Iron Gym under trainer Jerry Rosenberg and his father Ronald Ellis Sr.

“It’s going to be fireworks from the jump,” said Ellis, who was scheduled to fight Taneal Goyco in November, but the fight was scrapped when Goyco weighed three pounds over the super middleweight limit. “Younan is a good little fighter, but we are trying to get him out of there. This is my first main event, and I want to impress. It will be a good way to start 2018, which will be my year.”

Ellis upset highly regarded Terrell Gausha to win the 2010 National Golden Gloves. Gausha would go on to represent the U.S. at the 2012 Olympic Games.

Younan, who is promoted by Roc Nation Sports, was a highly touted amateur boxer who compiled a 90-5 record before turning professional in 2013 at the age of 18. Once dubbed by The New York Times as “a boxing prodigy” as a 10-year-old, Younan was a two-time National Junior Golden Gloves champion, the 2011 National Junior Olympic championship, and at one point was the No. 1-rated junior boxer in his weight class by USA Boxing.

Because of injuries, Younan fought just one time in 2015. After a nine-month layoff, he returned in March of 2016 to beat Cristian Solorzano and has remained active since. Eight of Younan’s 13 pro wins have ended in the first round, including three of his last five fights. The 22-year-old is trained by his father, Sherif Younan

“It’s a pleasure to fight on SHOWTIME and I’m excited to put on a show for all the viewers,” Younan said. “I’ve been working as hard as possible and I’m confident my efforts will pay off. I’m going to break my opponent’s spirit and pick him apart. This is my time – in 2018, I’m looking to make a title run and this fight is just the first step.”

WELLINGTON ROMERO vs. SAM TEAH – Eight-Round Super Lightweight
Romero is originally from the Dominican Republic now fighting out of Newburgh, N.Y.
A southpaw, he fights under the Roc Nation Sports promotion and represented the Dominican Republic in the 2012 London Olympics, where he lost to eventual Gold Medalist Vasyl Lomachenko.

An accomplished amateur with 268 fights, Romero earned a bronze medal at the 2010 Central American Games and made back-to-back appearances at the 2011 World Amateur Boxing Championships and the 2011 Pan American Games as a teenager.

The 26-year-old Romero fought twice in 2017, recording TKOs in both wins over Kevin Womack Jr. and Mike Fowler.

“This fight on SHOWTIME is a great opportunity for me to showcase my talent and I want to thank God, my team and everyone involved for this opportunity,” Romero said. “I’m going to deliver a world class performance for all the boxing fans out there to enjoy. After defeating my opponent, I know I will make a lasting impression on the viewers and start paving my way to a world title belt.”

This won’t be the first time Philadelphia’s Teah is facing an undefeated fighter on ShoBox. In Las Vegas in 2015, Teah scored a unanimous decision over previously undefeated O’Shaquie Foster. The 30-year-old’s only loss came against then-undefeated Lavisas Williams in 2014.

Born in Liberia, Teah did not start boxing until the age of 19. His last four fights have been close to home with three in his hometown of Philadelphia and the other two in Bristol, Pa., and Atlantic City, N.J.

“I know my opponent was an Olympian, and he has been in front of a lot of great fighters,” Teah said. “I am excited to face him and take the big challenge. I know I will be his toughest opponent. I am ready to see what he is made of.”

THOMAS MATTICE vs. ROLANDO CHINEA – Eight-Round Lightweight
A 27-year-old from Cleveland, Mattice turned pro in 2014 and had an amateur record of 72-18. He was a three-time Ohio State Golden Gloves champion, and bronze medal winner in the USA National Tournament in 2014.

In his last fight on Nov. 11, Mattice beat Orlando Rizo via seventh-round stoppage in Georgia. Mattice, who has recorded four straight KOs and eight overall in 10 professional fights, is a boxer-puncher who likes to attack the body.

“It’s a tough fight for sure,” Mattice said. “I checked him out. It’s going to be a rough fight, but I am prepared for a war. I am prepared for whatever he will bring. I am excited to fight on ShoBox. Ever since I started boxing, I said one day that will be me fighting on TV, and now that dream comes true.”

The 26-year-old Chinea returns to ShoBox after handing previously unbeaten Kenneth Sims Jr., the first loss of his professional career via majority decision on July 14. The win moved Chinea’s ShoBox record to 2-0. He had previously won an eight-round split decision victory over O’Shaquie Foster in 2016.

A Puerto Rican native now living in Lancaster, Pa., Chinea suffered his only defeat against the hands of Ismail Muwendo in 2015. He has won five straight since, including two unanimous decisions over previously undefeated Ladarius Miller and Mel Crossty, as well as the unbeaten Sims. His last four opponents had a combined record of 38-1-1.

“I know Thomas Mattice is another undefeated fighter with a terrific amateur career,” Chinea said. “I am being brought in as his opponent, to make him look good in his national TV debut. I respect Thomas for agreeing to fight me. I am sure that he will bring his best, and it will be another entertaining fight, Chinea style. I am going to be in the best shape of my career. I am going to be stronger, and I am going to hunt him down, rough him up, and beat him. I can’t wait to fight and win again on ShoBox.”

DEVIN HANEY vs. HARMONITO DELA TORRE – Eight-Round Lightweights
Haney just turned 19 years old last November and already sports a professional record of 18-0 with 12 knockouts. Trained and managed by his father, William Haney, he has been active with nine fights in 2016 and seven in 2017. In his last fight onNov. 4, he scored a fifth-round TKO against Hamza Sempewo in Atlanta.

Raised in Oakland, Calif., Haney was a seven-time national amateur champion and compiled an impressive record of 130-8. Haney is currently living and training in Las Vegas, where he sparred with Floyd Mayweather as the pound-for-pound champ prepared to face Conor McGregor, and Shawn Porter. Haney turned professional when he was 16 years old in Mexico.

“Fighting on SHOWTIME, specifically ShoBox, where many champions have been made, is something I’ve envisioned since I turned professional in 2015,” Haney said. “I’m in tough against Harmonito Dela Torre, a hungry fighter who is coming off his first pro loss. I know his back is up against the wall, so I’m expecting him to bring everything he’s got. But this is my time to shine on the big stage and I’m not going to let this opportunity pass me by. I’m the future of boxing and everyone will see my talent on February 2, especially Dela Torre.”

Dela Torre is a 23-year-old Philippines native who has been training with Osmiri Fernandez in Miami the past few months at the Sanman Boxing Gym.

Dela was scheduled to fight last on Aug. 22 in Las Vegas in a super featherweight bout against undefeated Saul Rodriguez, who inexplicably pulled out of the matchup a few days before the fight.

Instead, Dela Torre entered the ring in Las Vegas on Nov. 18 and suffered his first loss against 2012 Olympic silver medalist Tugstsogt Nyambayar in an eight-round unanimous decision, despite scoring a second-round knockdown. It was the first time in his first nine fights that Nyambayar was taken the distance.

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

# # #

For more information visit www.sho.com/sportsfollow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.

About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 74 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.