SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION 20-YEAR ANNIVERSARY EVENT ON FRIDAY, JULY 23

The favored sequence ShoBox debuted in Atlantic Metropolis on July 21, 2001 and has produced 84 fighters who later went on to win a world title. Similar to it has for the previous 20 years, the upcoming tripleheader will characteristic prospects matched robust with a mixed file of 81-1-5, together with 5 boxers who’ve but to style defeat on the skilled stage.

Henderson (14-0-1,10 KOs) matches up towards knockout artist Steen (15-0, 12 KOs) within the first 10-rounder for each fighters. The co-feature pits ShoBox veteran Janelson Bocachica (17-0, 11 KOs) of Detroit towards 21-year-old Shinard Bunch (15-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight bout. In a battle of unbeatens, Martino Jules (10-0-2, 2 KOs) faces Aram Avagyan (10-0-2, 4 KOs) in an eight-round featherweight affair.

Henderson vs. Steen is a matchup that was initially scheduled for ShoBox in October, earlier than Henderson withdrew throughout combat week with an sickness.

Born in Fort Price, Texas, Henderson at the moment resides and trains out of Fayetteville, Ark., the place he was a six-time Arkansas state champion within the amateurs competing in 70 fights. He turned professional in 2016, profitable his first 12 fights earlier than preventing Genc Pllana to a attract 2019. Henderson has prior expertise on the Heartland Occasions Middle, knocking out Justin Baesman on the venue in March.

“Two undefeated guys coming in on the principle occasion,” mentioned Henderson, who’s married with 5 youngsters. “I do know he has an excellent beginner pedigree and he throws good combos. He’s bringing it and I’m bringing it. The third time’s a attraction to lastly make this combat occur. That is the subsequent step in my profession. Numerous fighters have been on ShoBox and have gone on to wonderful careers, and now it’s my flip to do the identical.”

“I’ve been going from coaching camp to coaching camp,” Steen mentioned. “I’m going to combine it up, and out field him with loads of jabs. Then once I see his weak spot, I’m going to get him out. Kalvin is a come-straight-forward fighter and he punches laborious. I used to be speculated to combat him earlier than, so this combat has been brewing for some time.”

Janelson Bocachica vs. Shinard Bunch – 10-round Welterweight Bout

A local of Puerto Rico and preventing out of Detroit, Mich., Bocachica is simply 22 years outdated and already has 5 years of professional expertise, together with two appearances on ShoBox. This will probably be his third look on the sequence in 9 months. He’s coming off his greatest win thus far, a majority determination win over beforehand unbeaten Mark Reyes, Jr. An aggressive, come-forward fighter, Bocachica started boxing at age eight, gained 4 consecutive Ringside Championships (2011-14), the Nationwide PAL Championships and the 2015 Detroit Golden Gloves. He boasts an beginner file of 60-5 and beat Brandun Lee within the finals to win the 2014 U.S. Junior Nationwide Olympics. He’s educated by his father, Nelson Figueroa. Bocachica is managed by McWater and co-promoted by King’s Promotions and Salita Promotions.

“That is what ShoBox is understood for: matching up fighters for excellent fights,” Bocachica mentioned. “Shinard Bunch is a step up in competitors. He’s from the identical gymnasium as Mark Reyes, and also you noticed what I did to him, On July 23, will probably be a lot of the identical. Preventing on SHOWTIME has helped with my profile. After I went to Puerto Rico, folks knew who I used to be due to my earlier expertise on ShoBox. Being on the platform has introduced me many new followers.”

Bunch is a Queens, N.Y.-native residing and coaching in Trenton, N.J. Simply 21-years-old, Bunch has been lively with 5 fights in 2020 and 5 fights so far in 2021. Bunch has greater than 400 beginner fights and began boxing at age 7. He was rated as excessive as No. 3 within the nation on the 2016 Nationals. Presently using a 13-fight profitable streak, Bunch’s solely professional loss got here in 2019 in simply his third combat, a unanimous loss to Paul Kroll. Bunch is managed by Russell Peltz.

“We’re coming to work and make an announcement,” Bunch mentioned. “I actually have no idea an excessive amount of about my opponent. I do know he’s a strain fighter. I’m not taking this combat frivolously. This can be a huge combat, and we’re going to field sensible. This can be a blessing to have a chance like this. Preventing on ShoBox is one thing that I have all the time dreamed of.”

Martino Jules vs. Aram Avagyan – 8-round Featherweight Bout

“I’m grateful for getting this combat,” mentioned Jules, who’s promoted by Kings Promotions and managed by Trifon Petrov. “That is one thing I’ve been ready for a 12 months now. I used to be speculated to combat on ShoBox earlier than, however the combat fell out. I’ve been staying prepared. My opponent is hard, and he comes able to combat. He has loads of benefit to him, and that’s pushing me to be higher and I’m excited to combat somebody that can make me carry out at my greatest.”

Preventing underneath the Salita Promotions banner, the 30-year-old Avagyan returns to ShoBox for the third time going through his fourth consecutive unbeaten fighter. In January, Avagyan and Panama’s Jose Nunez fought to a majority draw. Avagyan survived two early knockdowns in his debut towards then-unbeaten Dagoberto Aguero to earn a majority determination within the final ShoBox telecast earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the sports activities world for a number of months in March 2020.

Born and raised in Yerevan, Armenia, and now residing in California, Avagyan is a embellished beginner with greater than 300 fights. He captured two Bronze Medals on the European Championships and represented Armenia on the 2016 Summer time Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

“I’m all the time hungry and wish to combat and the truth that will probably be on the 20-year anniversary of ShoBox is doubly motivating to placed on an ideal present,” mentioned Avagyan. “I’m progressively gaining form and I’ve one other month to indicate my greatest aspect to all boxing followers. I promise that I’m going to conflict on July 23. Don’t miss this occasion and the conflict of the warrior!”

Worldwide Boxing Corridor of Famer Barry Tompkins will name the motion with fellow Corridor of Famer Steve Farhood, former world champion Raul Marquez and particular visitor Al Bernstein. The manager producer is Gordon Corridor with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.