NEW YORK (Nov. 3, 2008) – World Boxing Association (WBA) super bantamweight champion Celestino Caballero and undefeated International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Steve “The Canadian Kid” Molitor will battle to unify the title on Friday, Nov. 21, from Casino Rama, in Ontario, Canada, live on ShoBox: The New Generation (SHOWTIME 11 p.m. ET/PT).
The 12-round world title unification fight is the first ever in the eight-year history of ShoBox and the first to take place in Canada. Seminole Warriors Boxing will promote the historical scrap between two of the most talented 122-pounders in the world from the Casino Rama in Rama, Ontario.
“This is a historic unification fight,” said Gordon Hall, Executive Producer of ShoBox. ”We showcased Vazquez-Marquez on SHOWTIME, now both Caballero and Molitor want to make their statement and establish themselves as the best at 122-pounds. It will be a classic chess match between two very skilled boxers. This is boxing at its best.”
“Fights like these are what boxing needs right now,” said Caballero, winner of 11 straight. “The best fighting the best; I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Caballero (30-2, 21 KOs), of Colon, Panama, and Molitor (28-0, 11 KOs), of Ontario, Canada, have each successfully defended their title five times, but this marks the first world unification attempt for either champion.
“This is the biggest fight of my career,” said Molitor, who will be fighting for the first time on American television. “I’ve been boxing for 20 years, and it’s by far the biggest. Having the fight in my home country makes it even better. It puts a little bit of pressure on my shoulders, but it’s going to make me train that much harder knowing the spotlight is going to be on me.”
Molitor is a stylish southpaw with amazing endurance. He will rely on a high work rate to keep the naturally bigger and taller Caballero off balance.
“We know a little bit more than he thinks we know about him,” said Molitor, who sleeps in a hyperbaric chamber that replicates the thin air of altitude. “We’ve watched him on tape and we’ve brought in excellent sparring. Training camp has been great and I feel very confident.”
Molitor, who has fought most of his fights in his native Canada, is often criticized for having a “soft” resume.“
On Nov. 21, everyone is going to get what they want,” Molitor said. “I’m fighting a legit champion in Celestino Caballero. He’s a world champion that can’t get fights because nobody wants to fight him. Well, guess what? I’m going to put everything I have on the line against the same guy that everybody is running scared from.”
Molitor’s last defense was a 10th- round TKO over Ceferino Labarda on Aug. 29, 2008.
Caballero has largely been avoided despite holding a title for two years. His range, knockout power and intimidating presence scare off most opponents.
“The Towering Inferno,” as Caballero is often called due to his near six-foot frame, does not mind going into Molitor’s backyard if it means adding a second title to his resume.
“When I won my WBA title [in 2006], I did it against Somsak [Singchachawan] in his home country of Thailand,” said Caballero, who is also a southpaw. “I wasn’t favored to win and the site was at some remote temple better accessible by helicopter than by the winding, narrow road that we took.
“No one gave me a chance to win and I ended up winning the belt by third-round TKO. Going to Canada for this fight isn’t a big deal. I’ve won big title fights in hostile territory before.”
Along with his triumph over Singchachawan, Caballero also holds a win against former WBO super bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce de Leon. His most recent defense was a first-round TKO over Elvis Mejia on Sept. 18, 2008.
Nick Charles will call the action from ringside with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. Hall is the executive producer of ShoBox with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing. ShoBox recently celebrated seven outstanding years on the air.
For more information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go to the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://sports.sho.com.