PHILADELPHIA – February 13, 2020 – Rising lightweight prospect and ShoBox: The New Generation veteran Thomas Mattice and hard-hitting Isaac Cruz both made weight a day before their ShoBox main event on Friday, February 14 live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pa.

Cleveland’s Mattice (15-1-1, 11 KOs) will be making his sixth appearance on the prospect developmental series and is coming off his most significant win to date, an eighth-round TKO of previously undefeated Michael Dutchover last September on ShoBox. The 21-year-old Cruz (18-1-1, 14 KOs), currently ranked No. 7 by the IBF, has scored knockouts in 11 of his last 14 fights since suffering the only loss of his career in just his sixth professional fight.

In the co-featured bout, undefeated super bantamweight Ra’eese Aleem (15-0, 9 KOs), of Las Vegas by way of Muskegon, Mich., will take on ShoBox veteran and San Antonio resident Adam Lopez (19-3-2, 9 KOs) in an eight-round 122-pound bout. In a matchup of undefeated super lightweights, Cleveland’s Montana Love (12-0-1, 6 KOs) returns to ShoBox in an eight-round showdown with New Orleans’ Jerrico Walton (16-0, 7 KOs). In the opening bout of the telecast, undefeated super welterweights Derrick Colemon Jr. (11-0, 8 KOs), of Detroit, and Joseph Jackson (15-0, 12 KOs), of North Carolina, will square off in an eight-round 154-pound bout.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by GH3 Promotions and King’s Promotions are $100, $75 and $50 and be purchased at www.2300arena.com

The four-fight telecast is the third of four ShoBox presentations over six weeks showcasing some of boxing’s brightest young prospects in their toughest tests to date. Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins will call the action from ringside with fellow Hall of Famer 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.

FINAL WEIGHTS

Lightweight 10-Round Bout
Thomas Mattice – 133 ½ lbs.
Isaac Cruz – 134 ¾ lbs.

Super Bantamweight 8-Round Bout
Ra’eese Aleem – 122 ¾ lbs.
Adam Lopez – 123 lbs.

Super Lightweight 8-Round Bout
Montana Love – 139 ¾ lbs.
Jerrico Walton – 140 lbs.

Super Welterweight 8-Round Bout
Derrick Colemon Jr. – 154 ¾ lbs.
Joseph Jackson – 153 ¼ lbs.

Non-Televised Bouts weights:
Norman Neely 235.7 – Nicoly Clarke 213.1
Rasheed Johnson 146.5 – Omar Garcia 143.1
Eduardo Diogo 115.8 – Jerrod Miner 114.2
James Martin 148.6 – Vincent Floyd 148.7

FINAL QUOTES:

Thomas Mattice

“I had a great camp. I’m excited to have a big ring in this fight. We’re going to be all over that ring. You’re going to see some beautiful combinations. All night long. I have a great game plan. I hope I can end the fight in spectacular fashion, but I’m not going to rush anything. I will just see how he comes out, and adjust and fight my fight.

“I feel like a whole different person. I feel motivated. I feel great. I’m right on weight and I had no problems making it. We worked on a lot in this camp. I don’t want to say too much, I just want to go out there and show it. But you will definitely see a different Thomas Mattice. My skills are a lot better than what you guys have seen on ShoBox.

“A win in this fight would mean a lot. What it could do for my career, I’m not sure. I hear he’s ranked No. 7 by the IBF, so a win should put me in a really nice position. I think I should be really close to some big money fights. I’m 29 years old, but I’m a young 29. I’m not rushing.

“I really don’t know much about my opponent. I just know that he is a really tough fighter. I know that he likes to come forward. But I am used to that because that’s the type of guys I’ve been fighting a lot. I just will fight my style and I’m confident in the outcome.”

Isaac Cruz

“Fighting in Brooklyn was very different from fighting in Mexico. Everything from the hand wrapping, to the commission to the medicals. But the guy I faced [Miguel Perez] talked a lot, he was dirty. But I’m happy I have that experience of fighting in the U.S., it will help me both physically and emotionally for this fight.

“I don’t know anything about my opponent. I fight the same fight no matter who I’m facing. I really like to attack. I’m a pitbull. I’m used to facing guys that are taller than me. This is nothing new for me. My grandfather was a fighter and my father was a fighter. We all fight the same way, on the inside.

“I come to put on a show. I always come forward and the fans will enjoy my style. I really need to connect on my punches, either on the body or the head. I need to alternate my angles and throw a lot of punches.”

Ra’eese Aleem

“I’m an aggressive fighter. I’m exciting. I have fast hands. I have good boxing IQ. I’m naturally southpaw, but I box orthodox. Sometimes it’s just instinct, sometimes it’s to give my opponent a different look. I think I’m more fluent orthodox.

“I actually haven’t seen footage of my opponent. I’m just focused on myself. It feels like just another fight for me. I’ve been in this arena before and each time I’m here, I put on a great show. I stopped [Marcus] Bates here and I fought [Ramiro] Robles here and I stopped him in the first round. I think I just have good luck here.

“I moved from Michigan to Vegas, and that really helped turn my career around. I used to travel around a lot to train, and when I came to Vegas to train with Nonito Donaire, I realized that this was what I wanted to do. It was a great decision and has put me on the path I want to be on.

“I was in the karate gym at the age of three. I got my black belt by the age of 13, and started boxing at 14. It’s hard going fight to fight, paycheck to paycheck. But I really think I’m close to better days ahead.

“The ultimate goal is to win a world title and to defend my title. I want to do that and everything that comes along with that. The pay days, the other doors that will open, the sponsorships. I want to be the best I can be. I don’t think I’m too far away. I feel like I’m knocking on the door. I just have to stay consistent and this is a great opportunity for me. I want to win, and I want to look good doing it.”

Adam Lopez

“I think both physically and mentally, having three wins in a row is a huge help. In the past, I’ve been inconsistent. But I’m feeling really good right now. I feel like I’ve gotten over that hump and I have my confidence back. They offered me this fight and I think it’s a fight that I can definitely win. Aleem is an overall good fighter, but he’s nothing that I haven’t seen before.

“If I’m going to test myself, I need to get in there against a guy that’s good. How am I going to know that I’m back to where I need to be if I don’t test myself? I feel like a different fighter than the last time I was on ShoBox. I had a great camp, sparring against young fighters. There was no slacking off. I made a few subtle changes during this camp and I feel great.

“I have a sense of urgency with this fight. This is my eighth time on ShoBox. There was a sense of urgency the seventh time I was on ShoBox. I just have to go out there and stop this guy. I want to get on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. I want to get on bigger cards with world title fights.

“I think that I’ve been through more than Aleem in the ring. He is a good, fast fighter but I have a little bit more experience than him. He’s fought a lot of journeymen, so I think I’m a big step-up for him.”

Montana Love

“I took some time off after my last fight because I was fighting back-to-back. Then we just had some management issues, but everything worked out and I’m ready to go. I’ve been busy in the gym. I don’t feel right if I don’t go to the gym. I need to be around that atmosphere. It’s my second home. Boxing is my priority and when the time comes, I put my all into it.

“This fight means a lot. I’m facing another undefeated guy. He’s 16-0 so we’re not taking him lightly. This fight is a hump. If I can get over this, it will bring me to a whole different level. I think I have a major advantage with my hand speed. During camp, I prepared for both an inside fight and an outside fight. I’ve always worked on that, since my amateur days. The fight is won in the preparation.

“I’m not happy with my performance my last time on ShoBox against [Kenneth] Sims. I just felt off. I wasn’t myself. I’m usually more elusive in there. It was an off night. I think I over-trained. For this fight, I’m facing a guy with not much of an amateur background. I’ve been doing this my whole life. I’ve put everything into boxing.

“My name is Montana ‘Too Pretty’ Love and I’m fighting on Valentine’s Day, so I will be giving a lot of love out tomorrow night. I’ve got something special planned.”

Jerrico Walton

“I sparred with one of the best southpaws around for this fight, O’Shaquie Foster. He gave me great work and really prepared me well for Montana.

“My best friend was murdered in front of me before the [Dedrick] Bell fight, which is why I think my performance wasn’t great. That wasn’t the real me in the ring that night, but I fought because I think my friend would have wanted me to.

“I never thought I’d be at this point in my life. Through all my trials and tribulations, it’s surreal. I don’t think it’s even hit me yet. Being here, I want people to know my story. I want to have an impact on somebody’s life, just to show them that no matter what, you can change. You can be unique. You can be different. You can be successful. I want to use this fight to tell the world my story and have an impact on somebody’s life.

“We have a good game plan for Montana, and I think we’ll be successful tomorrow night. Before I got with Ronnie Shields, I was just a counter-puncher. Now, my style has changed completely. I think the world will see that on Friday night that I’m much more versatile. I can fight on the inside, I can box and I have much better defense than I had before.

“I didn’t know much about Roberto Duran when I was first given my nickname. When I learned about him, I thought to myself that I need to live up to that name. I need to keep that name alive, ‘Hands of Stone’. There’s a lot to live up to and those are big gloves to fill.”

Derrick Colemon Jr.

“Emanuel Steward was a huge influence for me. He was that guy. I was just a little kid and he put all of this attention into me, so that meant a ton. I was at his house every day after school. He would cook for me. He would give me pointers and invest a lot of time into me. We watched fights together. He was like a grandfather to me. I knew the whole Kronk crew growing up and Gerald McClellan was my favorite fighter growing up in Detroit.

“Kronk is in my blood. We’re animals. I come from the original Kronk gym. I trained in Los Angeles for this fight because of the experience. There’s really good sparring there. I sparred with a lot of Russian Olympians. It was invaluable experience for me.

“I don’t know much about my opponent. I just know that he’s 31 years old. It’s desperation time for him. We watched very little video on him. I just need to be myself, fight my fight, and stay within myself. I can box and I can bang.

“If you haven’t seen me fight before, you’re going to see a nice jab. Good body punches. And once I see how my opponent is reacting, I’ll go from there. Whatever I need to do to adjust, I’ll go from there. I can fight from range or in close. I don’t have any nerves. I feel like I’ve been here before. I want the boxing fans to say that I’m next up after they watch me Friday night.”

Joseph Jackson

“I feel good. I feel like a kid in a candy store. I just like going to show off, show out, and show new eyes what I can do. This is a chance to show America what I can do. I can be a boxer or I can be a brawler. I like to come forward. I have a strong punch and I’m in great condition.

“We’ve seen a little bit of my opponent. But we don’t really go off what our opponent does. We just glanced at him to see what his style is like, and we go off what we can do best. We’ll just adjust as the fight goes on. I just need to be myself and do what I do best.

“I’m always learning. I’m learning on the go because I had such a late start. But I’m doing a good job of learning from the guys I’ve been in camp with. Of course I’m a late bloomer but I’m doing well on the go. There’s definitely a sense of urgency because of my age. This is not just for me, but for my family and my kids. I have the maturity advantage. I think that is what will propel me to victory.

“I had a couple offers for football coming out of high school, but I wanted to go out and work and provide for my daughter. I got a job out of high school at UPS, and then I got into boxing by just trying to stay athletic and stay in shape. Now I’m a fulltime fighter. It makes all the difference. Mentally, it’s all I need to focus on – just boxing and providing for my kids.

“I sparred with Tony Harrison when he was preparing for Jermell Charlo. He was a great guy to be around. It was a great experience and I’m a better fighter because of it. I stay in the gym. What I learned from the Harrison camp, I brought into my camp. We had great sparring. I stayed consistent, stayed on-weight. This is a great opportunity for me. North Carolina doesn’t have the best reputation in boxing, but I’m going to break that curse tomorrow night.”

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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 81 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.

Barry Tompkins will call the action from ringside with boxing historian 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.

NEW YORK – January 22, 2020 – Rising lightweight prospect Thomas Mattice will face hard-hitting Isaac Cruz Gonzalez in the 10-round main event of ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday, February 14 live on SHOWTIME from 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

The four-fight telecast is the third of four ShoBox presentations over six weeks showcasing some of boxing’s brightest young prospects in their toughest tests to date, including super lightweight prospect Shohjahon Ergashev and super middleweight Vladimir Shishkin, who were victorious on January 17. On January 31, featherweight Ruben Villa and welterweight Taras Shelestyuk will be tested and on February 28, super lightweight Malik Hawkins and welterweight Richardson Hitchins face tough opposition.

In the co-featured bout on February 14, undefeated super bantamweight Raeese Aleem (15-0, 9 KOs), of Las Vegas, will take on ShoBox veteran and San Antonio native Adam Lopez (19-3-2, 9 KOs) in an eight-round 122-pound bout. In a matchup of undefeated junior welterweights, Cleveland’s Montana Love (12-0-1, 6 KOs) returns to ShoBox in an eight-round showdown with New Orleans’ Jerrico Walton (16-0, 7 KOs). In the opening bout of the telecast, undefeated junior middleweights Derrick Colemon Jr. (11-0, 8 KOs), of Detroit, and Joseph Jackson (15-0, 12 KOs), of North Carolina, will square off in an eight-round 154-pound bout.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by GH3 Promotions and King’s Promotions are $100, $75 and $50 and be purchased at www.2300arena.com

Cleveland’s Mattice (15-1-1, 11 KOs) is coming off his most significant win to date, an eight-round TKO of previously undefeated Michael Dutchover last September on ShoBox. The fight was stopped due to a deep gash on Dutchover caused by a clean right hand from Mattice. The judges’ scorecards were split at the time of the stoppage. Mattice will be making his sixth start on the prospect developmental series, including a close loss to Will Madera in 2019, a split decision win and a split draw with Zhora Hamazaryan in 2018, and a knockout of Rolando Chinea. The 29-year-old hopes a convincing win over the top-10 ranked Gonzalez will move him closer to a world title shot.

“A win would be huge for my career and put me in a great position,” Mattice said. “It would put me in the conversation with the top dogs of the division. I have to put on a great performance and let all those top fighters know that I’m here and ready to fight anyone. It’s a must-win for me, but it’s a big fight for both of us. He is ranked No. 7 by the IBF so this has the feel of a big fight. I think a win would put me in the top-10.”

Gonzalez (18-1-1, 14 KOs), of Mexico City, has scored knockouts in 11 of his last 14 fights since suffering only loss of his career in just his sixth professional fight. The 22-year-old owns a career-best knockout of former interim world title challenger Jose Felix Jr. in 2018. Currently ranked No. 7 by the IBF at 135 pounds, Gonzalez made his U.S. debut in December on the non-televised undercard of the Jermall Charlo vs. Dennis Hogan event at Barclays Center in Brooklyn last December.

“I am excited to be fighting in the United States and I am thrilled for my fight to be shown on SHOWTIME,” said Gonzalea. “So many fighters started their career on ShoBox and have become World Champions.”

Aleem compiled a 65-10 record as an amateur and was a five-time Golden Gloves State Champion in Michigan. He finished third at the National Golden Gloves in 2010 and 2011 before turning professional in 2011. The 29-year-old recently relocated his training camp to Las Vegas, where he has sparred with Jessie Magdaleno, Nonito Donaire and Jhack Tepora. Aleem, who is trained by Terry Markowski, will face the toughest test of his career in the veteran Lopez.

“All my hard work is paying off and now I get to show it on the big stage,” Aleem said. “I am looking forward to earning new fans and staying on a roll. I know Lopez is a really tough fighter with something to prove. He’s been here before so I know he’s ready for the challenge. This is a steppingstone to ultimately get where I want to be, and that’s fighting for a world title, bigger paydays and more exposure. Ultimately, I don’t just want to win, I want to dominate. Winning isn’t good enough – I also have to look good while doing it.”

Lopez was an accomplished amateur who won six national titles and held a No. 1 ranking, but he has had an up and down career as a pro. The 29-year-old started his career with 15 straight victories yet he has suffered a few setbacks as his level of opposition has dramatically increased. Lopez was undefeated and one win away from challenging for a world championship before losing to current unified 122-pound champion Daniel Roman in a title eliminator in 2017 on SHOWTIME. Lopez, who will break his own record of ShoBox appearances when he steps into the ring for the eighth time, will face his sixth undefeated opponent on the series as he looks to get his career back on track.

“Aleem is a pretty good fighter, but I think my experience is going to be a factor,” Lopez said. “He hasn’t fought top-tier guys with the exception of Marcus Bates. I have been in the big fights and this is his first time doing this. I am on a three-fight winning streak and I have rededicated myself to the sport. I have a new trainer, Chato Martinez, and a whole new camp. I can’t wait to show that I am back.”

The flashy Love was an accomplished amateur who compiled a 174-13 record. The 25-year-old southpaw will return for his third test on ShoBox as he seeks a convincing victory. In his first bout on the series, he won a majority decision over Samuel Teah in 2018 and followed that up with a split draw a few months later against Kenneth Sims Jr. Love, who has sparred with Adrien Broner and Robert Easter Jr., will face what should be his most dangerous opponent in the fellow-undefeated Walton.

“Walton is a decent fighter, but I feel he is still green and he doesn’t have that much experience,” Love said. “I know he is tough, but I am taking this to the next level. He’s just a stepping stone. It’s exciting to fight under the bright lights. Some guys fold, but I was made for this. I am not looking past him, but this will take my career to the next level. We are both undefeated and not many guys take risks like this, but this shows I am a true fighter. My name is Montana “Too Pretty Love” and I am fighting on Valentine’s Day, so I will be giving a lot of love out on February 14.”

The 29-year-old Walton was born and raised in New Orleans, where he rescued his mother and sister from the flood waters of Hurricane Katrina when he was just 13 years old. Left homeless, the family relocated to Houston, where Walton competed as an amateur. Walton turned professional in 2014 and has been perfect through his first 16 fights, including a career-best win over former super bantamweight world champion Victor Terrazas in 2019. The boxer-puncher, who is trained by Bobby Benton and fought six times last year, will face the first undefeated opponent of his career in Love.

“I have seen Montana fight before. I know he is flashy in the Adrien Broner mode, but other than that I do not know too much about him,” Walton said. “This opportunity is a blessing. The world is going to get to see me and hear my story. I’m from New Orleans and it was a struggle for me growing up, so this is a great opportunity. I never in a million years thought that I would be in this position. I just need to seize the moment and get the victory.”

Just 20 years old, Colemon started boxing at the age of 4 and honed his craft at the original Kronk Gym under Emanuel Steward until his passing in 2012. Colemon had a 135-fight amateur career and was a four-time national amateur champion in the junior division. He turned professional when he was 18 years old and has eight knockouts in his first 11 professional fights. Colemon, who is trained by Marlon Thomas, will face by far the toughest test of his career in Jackson, a fellow undefeated yet untested prospect.

“I am physically and mentally prepared more than I ever have been,” Colemon said. “I know Jackson is undefeated and tough, so I know I’m in for a big test. This is the next step in my career, and I feel that I will be not only the next great champion that has fought on ShoBox, but the next great fighter out of Detroit. I am ready to show the world my talents. February 14 will put my name in the minds of boxing fans all over the world.”

The 31-year-old Jackson got a late start as a professional yet has been active, including three fights in 2019 and three in 2018. He has 12 KOs in 15 fights, including knockouts in seven of his last eight bouts. The Greensboro native will fight outside of North Carolina for the first time in his career when he takes on the undefeated Colemon.

“I know Colemon is tough, and he had a long amateur career,” Jackson said. “He will come to fight, but I prepare for anything. That is what this sport is all about. I am looking forward to showcasing my talent to the world.”

Barry Tompkins will call the action from ringside with boxing historian 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.

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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 81 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.