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From The Grand Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi

NEW YORK, NY (May 3, 2002)

Undefeated welterweight contender and 2000 Uzbekistan Olympic Gold Medalist Mohamad Abdulaev will make his SHOWTIME debut along with former teammate, Ruslan Chagaev, in separate bouts on “ShoBox: The New Generation,” Saturday, May 11, live at 5 p.m. ET/PT. In the 10-round main event from the Grand Casino in Biloxi, Miss., Abdulaev will take on fellow unbeaten welterweight Juan C. Rivera, while Chagaev will battle Christopher Isaac in the eight-round heavyweight co-feature. The Millennium Events-promoted fight card is the 17th in a series of “ShoBox” telecasts on SHOWTIME. Abdulaev (7-0, 5 KOs), of Uzbekistan, captured the gold medal in the 139-pound division by defeating Ricardo Williams 27-20 in the finals at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Abulaev also defeated Williams during the second round of competition at the 1999 United States World Championships, prior to capturing a gold medal at the competition. During a stellar amateur career, Abdulaev won two titles and more than 270 bouts. The pride of Uzbekistan turned pro at age 27 on April 6, 2001, and shutout Mahan Washington across four rounds in Las Vegas, Nev. In his only bout outside of Nevada, Abdulaev returned home to score a second-round TKO over Rey Pelonia on Sept. 21, 2001, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. In his last contest on April 14, 2002, the 28-year-old was en route to his sixth knockout in seven fights when Joel Salas was disqualified at 1:56 of the ninth round for repeated low blows. Rivera (12-0, 10 KOs), of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, turned pro at age 19 in October 1997 and stopped his first nine opponents within four rounds. After campaigning exclusively out of his native Puerto Rico for his initial six contests, Rivera made his United States debut with a third-round TKO over Jose Acosta on Aug. 22, 1998, in Miami. Following four additional victories in the city, Rivera made a triumphant return home by registering a six-round victory over Alejandro Jimenez on Oct. 28, 2001, in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Chagaev (4-0, 4 KOs), of Uzbekistan, is a two-time world amateur champion. He defeated legendary Cuban boxer Felix Savon to capture the gold medal at the 1997 World Championships. After being stripped of his crown for having two pro fights prior to the championships, Chagaev was reinstated as an amateur when the fights were declared exhibitions. The undefeated southpaw returned to win a gold medal in the super heavyweight division at the 2000 World Championships, and make it to the quarterfinals of the 2000 Olympics. The 23-year-old has scored knockouts over each of his four pro opponents, including a first-round KO over Val Smith on April 14, 2002, in Las Vegas, Nev. Isaac (6-3, 6 KOs), of Montgomery, Ala., tied for third in the super heavyweight division at the 2000 U.S. Championships in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Alabama native turned pro at age 28 on Sept. 16, 2000, and floored Spurgeon Bishop in the opening round in Ozark, Ala. After completing his rookie year with three first-round knockouts, Isaac opened 2001 by stopping his first two opponents in the second round. ShoBox: The New Generation” features up-and-coming prospects determined to make a mark and eventually fight for a chance at a world title. The best of the new generation of hungry, young boxers will have an opportunity to showcase their talent and heart as they battle each other in competitive fights in front of a national television audience. “ShoBox: The New Generation” is pure, basic boxing, reminiscent of the golden days of the sport.

SHOWTIME televises “ShoBox: The New Generation” live at 5 p.m. ET/PT on Saturdays approximately every other week. The telecast will repeat the next day, Sunday, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and the following Saturday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME TOO. Nick Charles of “ShoBox: The New Generation” will call the action from ringside, with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producers of the telecast are Jay Larkin and Gordon Hall, with Richard Gaughan producing.