Boxing News: Santos Defeats Mendoza on Showtime

MIAMI, Okla. (May 21, 2005) – In exactly the type of exciting, nonstop action brawl that typifies what “ShoBox: The New Generation” is all about, unbeaten lightweight Americo Santos did just enough to record a disputed 10-round split decision over previously undefeated Isaac Mendoza Friday on SHOWTIME. In the co-feature, undefeated super middleweight Allan Green scored a seventh-round technical decision over Rocky Smith. The doubleheader, which took place at Buffalo Run Casino, was co-promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and Tony Holden Productions and aired at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The telecast was the 62nd in the popular “ShoBox” series, which debuted on SHOWTIME in July 2001.

Santos (21-0, 17 KOs), of Garland, Texas, triumphed in a crowd-pleasing slugfest in which there were no knockdowns by scores of 98-92, 96-94 and 94-96. The offense-minded Santos is a tremendous action fighter with an unapologetic style – he throws menacing punches in bunches from start to finish – but he does not change or vary his attack, holds his hands too low, and gets hit a lot. The lanky, charismatic Santos is still young, however – he turns 22 on June 1 – and Friday was the first time he went 10 hard rounds. He is definitely a youngster to keep an eye on, especially if he learns some defense and continues to improve. A terrific left hooker, he certainly is fun to watch.

Mendoza (13-1, 5 KOs), of Tulsa, Okla., had every reason to be discouraged after taking a beating to the body throughout the bout, but he determinedly hung in, counterpunched effectively, and picked his spots very well. The crowd favorite, Mendoza landed numerous clean shots, rocked Santos a few times and was the stronger boxer at the finish. But he did not hit quite hard enough to significantly slow Santos down. Still, most felt Mendoza deserved better on the scorecards. The card in which he lost by six points seemed way out of line.

Green (16-0, 11 KOs), of Tulsa, was ahead by the scores of 70-62, 70-63 and 69-64 when the  bout was stopped because of cuts after an accidental headbutt at 1:41 of the seventh. Green looked like a master boxer against the shorter, slower Smith and fought an intelligent, calculated fight while dominating from long range.

Smith (11-3, 9 KOs), of Honolulu, Hawaii, could not continue after suffering a nasty cut on his forehead. Smith, who also was cut badly over the right eye from an unintentional butt in the sixth, could not get inside against Green and had difficulty dealing with Green’s speed.

These thrilling bouts will be replayed on SHO EXTREME on Monday, May 23, At 8 PM ET/PT.

The next “ShoBox’’ telecast is Friday, June 3, on SHOWTIME. In the scheduled main event, Scott “The Real McCoy” Harrison (23-2-2, 13 KOs) will defend his WBO featherweight title against three-time world title challenger Michael Brodie (35-2-1, 23 KOs). In the scheduled co-feature from M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, England, undefeated super middleweight Yusaf Mack (19-0, 12 KOs) will take on an opponent to be announced. The Sports Network doubleheader will start at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) and will kick off a tremendous weekend of world-class fistic action on SHOWTIME. On Saturday, June 4, in a highly anticipated matchup that has the makings of a classic, IBF junior welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu will defend against undefeated IBF No. 1 contender Ricky Hatton on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

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.