Bivol vs. Clarkson, Hawkins vs. Shelestyuk - ShoBox on April 14

By Steve Kim

A pair of interesting fights has been confirmed by promoter Greg Cohen for the April 14th edition of ShoBox on Showtime.

The main event that night according to Cohen is - "the WBA light heavyweight interim title fight between Dmitry Bivol (9-0, 7 KO's) and Samuel Clarkson (19-3, 12 KO's). It's just a terrific, terrific main event. You don't see world title fights too often on ShoBox and Bivol is a kid from Eastern Europe with just ridiculous amateur pedigree and he's a complete stud."

"Samuel Clarkson every time he's been given an opportunity on ShoBox he was the underdog on paper and knocks out his opponents and you can't say enough about how he rises to the occasion when given the opportunity.  Now he's given a world title fight and the main event on ShoBox."

The co-feature that night is a major step-up fight for welterweight prospect Malik Hawkins (10-0, 7 KO's), who faces 2012 Olympic bronze medal winner Taras Shelestyuk (15-0, 9 KO's).

"It's certainly a huge step up in competition and Malik has never gone more than six rounds, he's fighting a ten rounder for the NABA title against a former Olympian, undefeated stud who trains out of Freddie Roach's gym. I've got to tell you, Malik and his team his manager, 'Snapper' (Taylor) and his coach, Calvin Ford, they asked for this fight. They were literally asking to fight Shelestyuk and when Gordon Hall (of Showtime) presented the opportunity, they wouldn't let me turn it down. They demanded the fight."

Cohen says that two more bouts could be added to the broadcast. Banner Promotions is the co-promoter of this event, which will soon find a venue.

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.