ShoBox: The New Generation Results: Green & Odom win by upset KO, Chinea won by SD; Lopez v. Reynoso scored a Draw

ShoBox: The New Generation Results: Green & Odom win by upset KO, Chinea won by SD; Lopez v. Reynoso scored a Draw
By: Matthew N. Becher

Showtime sports presented a four fight card from the Foxwoods Resort and Casino. It was the 15 year anniversary of the “ShoBox” series. ShoBox has put on 484 fights in the past fifteen years, being a series that has showcased many fighters who have gone on to become World Champions. Out of all the young men who made an appearance on the program, 67 have become champs. Deontay Wilder, Ricky Hatton, Erislandy Lara, Tyson Fury and others all made an appearance on ShoBox on their way to becoming the best in the sport. Tonight was another chapter.

Khiary Gray (13-0 10KO) v. Ian Green (9-1 7KO): Jr. Middleweight

Green took this fight on one week notice, thinking it was a great opportunity for national exposure. The fight started out pretty rough for Green, as Gray used a thundering counter right which wobbled Green. The first round and a half were all Khiary Gray, until Green landed a one two combination that turned the fight around, knocking Gray down to the canvas. Gray got up, but never had his legs back and could no longer continue as round two was coming to an end.

Green TKO2 2:50

O’Shaque Foster (10-1 7KO) v. Rolando Chinea (12-1-1 6KO): Lightweight

When they say “styles make fights”, this is kind of what they are talking about. Foster is a boxer, while Chinea is a come forward brawler. The fight was awkward, in a sense of scoring and deciding who was controlling the fight. From the get go Chinea, was coming forward with gloves up, trapping foster against the ropes, snuffing punches and even using his elbow and forearms to hit Foster.

Foster was able to use his speed and quick footwork to get away from Chinea. Foster got to the body often, but definitely needed to plan his attack and escape at the same time.

Chinea is a hard nose brawler that is looking for a fight. Foster is a slick boxer with a very large amateur career who doesn’t seem used to fighting for a distance or under such stress.

Towards the end of the fight Foster came out fast, trying to use his speed and boxing ability to control the rounds, but the last half of the rounds Chinea would trap Foster on the ropes and use his power to keep him stuck.

The last round had both guys leaving it all on the line, knowing that they needed the round to possibly win. Exciting fight, with both men showing great heart.

Chinea SD9 79-73 Chinea, 77-75 Foster, 78-74 Chinea

Jerry Odom (13-2-1 12KO) v. Julius Jackson (19-1 15KO): Super Middleweight

The fight started off with Jackson controlling the rounds with his lengthy jab. Odom was trying to land some punches, but was coming up short for the first couple of rounds. Between the 2nd and 3rd round Odom’s trainer told his fighter that he had to stop letting his opponent land so many punches and get too confident. Odom waived his trainer in and whispered “I’m letting him get confident so he will open up”. Odom wasn’t lying. The very next round, Odom saw Jackson get sloppy and landed an overhand right that put Jackson down for the count.

Odom TKO3 1:57

Adam Lopez (15-0 7KO) v. Roman Reynoso (18-1-1 7KO): Super Bantamweight

Lopez came into this fight with a possible title fight on the line with Jonathan Guzman. Lopez used his height advantage to keep the wild Reynoso away, but was also able to land the more compact punches that seemed to throw Reynoso off his game. Reynoso was a strictly wild fighter, throwing crazy overhands rights that just couldn’t land effectively.

Lopez was very lackluster in the first half of the fight, sitting back and throwing less punches then Reynoso. Lopez never followed up with his landed punches, while Reynoso seemed to always come forward and begin to land some more of the wild overhand rights in the second half.

The fight was much closer than most thought it would be. Lopez never looked completely comfortable against the wild, smaller Reynoso. The end of the fight had Lopez land a huge shot on Reynoso that nearly ended the fight. Reynoso spit his mouth piece out to stall a bit and make it to the end. The title shot with Guzman may have just gotten much closer or extremely farther away.

96-94 Lopez, 97-93 Reynoso, 95-95 Draw