DIRRELL REMAINS UNBEATEN WITH FI

DIRRELL REMAINS UNBEATEN WITH FIFTH-ROUND TKO OVER HANSHAW, DEMARCO STOPS CASTANEDA IN FIFTH ROUND
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Friday, May 2, 2008, at 11 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME
Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California Photos by:Tom Casino/SHOWTIME (Click on pictures for larger view)

SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (May 2, 2008) – Undefeated Andre Dirrell answered his critics, made a statement and showed that he is a force to be reckoned with in the super middleweight division by stopping Tony Hanshaw in the fifth round Friday on SHOWTIME’s “ShoBox: The New Generation.”

Andre Dirrell (left) connects with a left hand to the head of Tony Hanshaw (right) during a fifth-round TKO win.

Antonio DeMarco (left) lands a left hand to the head of Juan Castaneda (right) during a fifth-round TKO victory Friday on SHOWTIME.

A triumphant DeMarco holds his hands following a convincing fifth-round TKO over Castaneda at the Chumash Casion Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif.

In the co-feature from the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif., Antonio DeMarco (19-1-1, 14 KOs) recorded his eighth consecutive victory by scoring three knockdowns en route to a fifth-round TKO over previously undefeated Juan Castaneda (12-1, nine KOs).

Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, presented the exciting doubleheader, which aired on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

Despite a slow start, Dirrell (15-0, 10 KOs) came on strongly and sent Hanshaw (21-2-1, 14 KOs), of Warren, Ohio, to the canvas at the end of the fourth round near his opponent’s corner with a left hand to the head. Following a series of unanswered punches to Hanshaw’s head early in the fifth, referee Pat Russell stopped the contest at 1:13.

After the bout was halted, Dirrell fell to his knees and slammed the canvas in triumph.

“That was a statement that I had to make,” a jubilant Dirrell said. “I knew I would get the win. I just wanted it to be impressive. The knockout was just what I needed.”

Dirrell, who won the bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games for the United States, said that his game plan entering the contest worked perfectly.

“I knew my short punches would get the job done, and I worked them the whole time,” said Dirrell, who hails from Flint, Mich. “When Hanshaw gets to throwing, he doesn’t think.

“I am a man of few words and a lot of punches. I feel beautiful.”

“ShoBox” expert analyst Steve Farhood said that it was miraculous the way Dirrell turned it around following a trip to the canvas in the first round that was ruled a slip.

“The biggest surprise was the way Dirrell manhandled Hanshaw with power punches and treated him the way I thought Hanshaw would treat him.

“Tonight you saw a potential star emerging from purgatory,” said Farhood referring to Dirrell’s poor performance against Curtis Stevens in a June 2007 victory.

In his eighth Chumash appearance, DeMarco, of Los Mochis, Mexico, knocked Castaneda down for the first time and sent his opponent to his knees near the neutral corner with a brutal combination in the second round. DeMarco then knocked his counterpart down for a second time seconds later near Castaneda’s corner.

DeMarco continued the onslaught and sent Castaneda flailing through the ropes and to the floor with 12 seconds remaining in round three. After a flurry of answered punches in the center of the ring later in the fifth, Castaneda turned his back and forced referee Ray Corona to halt the contest at :42.

Despite scoring a convincing victory, DeMarco praised his opponent for a valiant effort.

“My plan was to go jab and go the body,” DeMarco said. “I was very surprised that Castaneda kept getting up, but he is a Mexican and a warrior. He hurt me to the body a couple of times.”

Farhood praised DeMarco for putting on an impressive performance and his opponent for a valiant effort.

“DeMarco is a pure fighter and a fantastic television fighter,” Farhood said. “Castaneda has incredible heart.”

Nick Charles called the action from ringside with boxing historian Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of “ShoBox” is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing.

Friday’s bouts will re-air this week as follows:

DAY CHANNEL
Saturday, May 3, at Midnight ET/PT SHOTOO
Monday, May 5, at 10 p.m. ET/PT SHO EXTREME
Tuesday, May 6, at Midnight ET/PT SHO EXTREME
Thursday, May 8, at 11 p.m. ET/PT SHOTOO