Don King back on prime time

Trevor Bryan

Promising up-and-coming heavyweight Trevor Bryan (15-0, 11 KOs) will put his unblemished record on the line when he faces his toughest opponent to date, the more experienced Derric Rossy (30-9, 14 KOs), in the 10-round main event of a “ShoBox: The New Generation” triple-header live on Showtime (11 p.m. EDT/PDT, delayed on the West Coast). Promoted by Don King Productions, the bout will take place Friday, Aug. 28, at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center in Las Vegas.

In the co-feature, two-time Dominican Republic Olympian Juan Ubaldo Cabrera (23-0, 16 KOs) will take on the versatile Mike Gavronski (18-1-1, 12 KOs) of Tacoma, Wash., in a 10-round middleweight match. In the opening bout of the telecast, Samoa’s 6-foot-2 heavyweight Natu Visinia (11-1, 9 KOs) of Tacoma, Wash., will face 5-foot-10 Joey Dawejko (14-4-2, 7 KOs) of Philadelphia in an eight-round matchup.

All six boxers will make their “ShoBox” debuts in what amounts to make-or-break fights for each.

“It gives me great pleasure to help young and old prospects, men and women, chasing their dreams, grasping for an opportunity to transform their dreams into living reality,” King said. “Trevor Bryan is such a prospect, seeking an opportunity to fulfill his dreams.” Well, King and Showtime are giving him that opportunity on “ShoBox” Aug. 28.

However, Rossy, a great challenger and “Dreambreaker,” is blocking the door to greatness. And Bryan has to fight like hell to get through that door. The fight will be the power of dreams. I urge all fight fans to tune in on “ShoBox” and don’t blink.

Don King

“We are excited to partner with Don King Promotions and ‘ShoBox’ in bringing outdoor boxing to downtown Las Vegas,” said Derek Stevens, CEO and owner of the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. “The fight card features promising talent, which should make for an unforgettable event.”

Looking to establish himself in the United States heavyweight division, the talented but unproved Bryan of Pompano Beach, Fla., by way of Albany, N.Y., is taking a huge leap in class against Rossy, of Medford, N.Y. The former amateur standout won five national championships in just 60 amateur bouts. Although a close loss in the finals of a 2011 qualifying tournament kept him out of the U.S. Olympic trials, the heavyweight gained valuable experience at Northern Michigan University under the tutelage of former U.S. Olympic coach Al Mitchell.

“On paper, it looks like it’ll be exciting and I’m definitely looking at it as a breakout fight for me,” Bryan said. “I feel excitement, not pressure. It’s time for people to start mentioning my name with the others. I’ve had a great training camp, I continue to feel confident with trainer Stacey McKinley and I feel strong, mentally clear and confident. I’m ready to roll.”

Bryan continued, “You can’t take an awkward, determined guy like Rossy lightly. He’s scored a couple of upsets, fought some guys he thought he beat, has ring experience and he’s been there against all kinds. Like me, I feel he’s kind of desperate in his own way, and the guys who are the most desperate are the most dangerous.