David Tua No. 1 After Turning Back Danell Nicholson, Fres Oquendo Stops Clifford ``The Black Rhino'' Etienne On a Showtime Championship Boxing Doubleheader.

Sports Editors & Boxing/Television Writers

LAS VEGAS--(BW SportsWire)--March 23, 2001

Showtime Championship Boxing Doubleheader From Texas Station

Gambling Hall and Hotel in North Las Vegas;

Both Heavyweight Fights Will Be Replayed In Their Entirety

On SHO2 On Tuesday, March 27, At 10 PM ET/PT

International Boxing Federation (IBF) No. 5 heavyweight contender "Tuaman" David Tua became the No. 1 contender in the IBF by scoring a sixth-round knockout over Danell Nicholson, the IBF's No. 3 contender, in an IBF elimination bout Friday on SHOWTIME.

In the co-feature, Fres "The Big O" Oquendo surprised Clifford "The Black Rhino" Etienne in a battle of unbeatens with an eighth round TKO win. The bouts aired on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 11 PM ET/PT from Texas Station Gambling Hall and Hotel. The card was promoted by America Presents LLC.

Tua (38-2, 33 KOs), of Samoa, was making his first start since Lennox Lewis outpointed him on Nov. 11, 2000. The loss snapped a 10-fight winning streak for Tua, whose only other loss came on a controversial decision to Ike Ibeabuchi in June 1997. The hard-hitting Tua has registered 14 first-round knockouts, and 25 inside three rounds. Tua sent Nicholson (39-4, 30 KOs) of Chicago to the canvas once in the fifth round with a vicious left hook and finished him off at 34 seconds of the sixth round when referee Jay Nady stopped the bout.

Etienne (19-1, 13 KOs), of Baton Rouge, La., was making his first start on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. Etienne, 30, is a high-power, non-stop puncher who makes for great action fights. The "Black Rhino's" victory over Lawrence Clay-Bey on the undercard of Lennox Lewis-Tua was clearly the evening's best performance and Etienne emerged as the most exciting prospect that the heavyweight division has seen in years. A disappointing performance against Oquendo had him down seven times before the eighth round stoppage.

Oquendo (20-0, 11 KOs), of Chicago, who is managed and trained by Felix Trinidad Sr., sent Etienne to the canvas seven times during the evening, the final time coming at 1:37 of the eighth round. The 1993 National Golden Gloves heavyweight champion has shown steady improvement since turning pro in May 1997. Oquendo, 27, is a speedy boxer with terrific movement.

All SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING fights will be replayed on SHOWTIME 2 the following Tuesday. This one will air on SHOWTIME 2 on Tuesday, March 27, at 10 PM ET/PT.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING's Steve Albert and former world champion Bobby Czyz called the action from ringside with Tim Smith serving as roving reporter. The executive producer of the SHOWTIME telecast was Jay Larkin, with Ray Smaltz producing and Bob Dunphy directing.