Elder stops Burton on ShoBox Boxing

Ebo “The Extreme Machine” Elder fought courageously, with both eyes nearly closed due to swelling, to knockout Courtney “Killer” Burton to retain his North American Boxing Association Lightweight belt Friday on “ShoBox: The New Generation.”  In the junior welterweight co-feature from Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif., “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis registered a third-round knockout over Jauquin Gallardo.

SHOWTIME televised the Gary Shaw Productions doubleheader at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).  The telecast represented the 54th in the popular “ShoBox” series, which debuted on SHOWTIME in July 2001.

Elder (22-1, 14 KOs), of Newnan, Ga., fought aggressively throughout the fight, absorbing the best Burton had to offer before finishing the proceedings.  With neither fighter leading decisively entering the final round, the fast-paced bout reached a fever pitch.  Elder connected with a left quickly followed by a right to send Burton tumbling to the canvas.  Burton staggered to his feet, eyes glazed, only to be caught with a straight left that tossed him into the ropes, before his body slumped to the canvas, ending the fight.  Elder was deducted a point in the sixth round for a low blow.  “The Extreme Machine” captured the vacant NABO lightweight title on Oct. 9, 2004, by scoring a sixth-round technical knockout over Ricardo Fuentes in Gainesville, Ga.  The referee halted the contest following the fifth round due to facial injuries.

Burton (21-3, 11 KOs), of Benton Harbor, Mich., seemed to get stronger as the fight got into the later rounds, baffling Elder by periodically switching his fighting stance.  “Killer” opened a cut over Elder’s right eye in the third round and nearly closed his opponent’s left eye with his continuous assault to Elder’s face.  Burton secured the NABO lightweight championship with a 12-round split decision over Francisco Lorenzo on Dec. 5, 2003, from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.  Two judges had Burton winning 115-114 and 116-113, while the third judge gave the nod to Lorenzo, 115-113.

Arnaoutis (12-0-1, 6 KOs), of Athens, Greece, dropped Gallardo in the second round with a quick double left jab, followed by a combination.  At 2:40 into the third round, a punishing left cross dropped Gallardo, prompting the referee to stop the fight.  Arnaoutis floored Jesse Feliciano three times in the initial three minutes to nab the vacant NABO junior welterweight title with an opening-round knockout Oct. 22, 2004, on “ShoBox” from Chumash Casino Resort. In his “ShoBox” and SHOWTIME debuts, Arnaoutis fought to an electrifying 12-round majority draw against Juan Urango for the vacant NABO junior welterweight crown on Aug. 5, 2004, from Hollywood, Fla.

Gallardo (16-3-1, 5 KOs), of San Diego, Calif., started the fight aggressively moving forward on Arnaoutis.  He opened a cut over Arnaoutis’ right eye in the second round, but proved to be overmatched by his Greek opponent.  “Killer” compiled a 173-11 amateur record and captured numerous titles, including the National Silver Gloves title from 1989-93.  A National P.A.L. champion, Gallardo also won the National Junior Olympic silver medal in ’92, the National Junior Olympic gold in ’93 and the U.S. Olympic Festival gold in ‘94.

“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.

Nick Charles called Friday’s action from ringside, with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst.  The executive producer of the telecast was Gordon Hall, with Richard Gaughan producing.

For information on “ShoBox: The New Generation” and SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecasts, including complete fighter bios, records, related stories and more, please go the SHOWTIME website at http://www.sho.com/boxing.