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Q&A WITH STEVE "SUPERMAN" BUJAJ PhilBoxing.com Thu, 03 Nov 2016 Cruiserweight Faces Fellow Unbeaten Constantin Bejenaru In Co-Feature on ShoBox: The New Generation TripleheaderThis Friday, Nov. 4, Live on SHOWTIME? Welterweight Taras Shelestyuk Risks Perfect Record Against Jimmy Herrera in Main Event; Brazil's Vitor Jones FreitasTakes on Indio's Manuel Mendez in Opening Bout From Omega Products Event Center in Corona, Calif. Tickets on Sale Now CORONA, Calif. (Nov. 2, 2016) -- Undefeated ultra-confident cruiserweight Steve "Superman" Bujaj (16-0-1, 11 KOs), of Westchester, N.Y., chimes in before his important 10-round bout with fellow unbeaten Constantin Bejenaru (11-0, 3 KOs, 0-1-1 in the World Series of Boxing), of Brooklyn, N.Y., in the middle match of a ShoBox: The New Generation tripleheader this Friday, Nov. 4, from the Omega Products Event Center in Corona, Calif. Bujaj (pronounced "Boo-ha"), 26, has won four in a row, including his last two by knockout, since boxing a split 10-round draw in a slugfest with then-undefeated three-time Chicago Golden Gloves champion Junior Wright (10-0) in May 2014. A two-time New York Golden Gloves champion, Bujah, who'll be fighting on ShoBox the first time, is coming off a first-round TKO over previously undefeated Sergio Ramirez (11-0) on June 11 Bejenaru (pronounced "bay-zhin-nah-ROO") is making his second ShoBox start. In his debut last April 15, the native of Ungheni, Moldova, scored a unanimous eight-round decision over previously unbeaten Alexey Zubov (10-0), a former Russian amateur champion and seven-time European amateur champion. Southpaw Bejenaru boxed on the Romanian national team for 10 years and was a nine-time national champion. Here is What Bujaj said: What do you know about Bejenaru and what are your thoughts going in? "I know he's undefeated, 11-0 and a lefty, but I don't believe he's on my level. I think I'm a different class fighter and will be able to show it on Friday." What kind of fight do you expect? "I don't really have any expectations. When I get in there, I make my adjustments, and then I start breaking him down." What is the key to winning? What are your advantages? "My best advantage is my experience. I've fought 10 rounds before. This is his first time. I believe that I'm more skilled than he is, and I believe that I have more heart and just think I have the edge all around." On fighting on ShoBox the first time? "I'm very excited and grateful for the opportunity that has been given me. I'm ready to go out and perform and show the world what I'm all about -- and that is being one of the top guys in the cruiserweight division." Your opinion on the cruiserweight division? "The cruiserweight division is a good division with a lot of good fighters. I feel like it will get more exposure in the future because there are so many talented fighters and good fights that can happen. I'm looking forward to being a part some of the big fights and making some noise." What would a win on ShoBox mean to you? "A win on SHOWTIME would be really huge, but mostly it would keep me going." Are they making a mistake fighting you? "I don't think he made a mistake, but I refuse to lose this fight. I'm gonna give it my all. He's not on my level and I'm gonna prove it. I'm gonna fight my ass off." On his slugfest with former world title challenger Wright? "I was winning the fight but I broke my jaw in the fourth round. I had a bad mouthpiece, a cheap one. I never knew mouthpieces needed to be fitted. The surgeon told me if I'd had a pro mouthpiece, I wouldn't have had a problem. "I still believe anybody else would have quit in that fight. I was in a lot of pain, I couldn't close my mouth because the jaw was broke, I was spitting out blood. But I hung in there despite the jaw. "I had him out on his feet in the last half-minute or so but the referee stopped the fight to give him time to tape up one of the laces on his glove. That gave him time to recover. If the ref hadn't stopped it when he did, I feel I would have knocked him out." On his career? "I had to work hard for my career. I don't have a padded record. I do not have it as easy as most in their career. I don't have a big-time promoter, and I'm not pampered. I've fought tough guys throughout my career but I've learned a lot and have no regrets. But I feel it's time for me to step up. After I win Friday on ShoBox, a lot of doors should start opening up me." New Nickname? "I've been known as 'Superman'my whole career but I'm thinking of changing it to "Steel.'' The Wright fight proved a lot of me, and I learned a lot. I didn't quit. I'm very tough and strong-minded, made of 'steel.'" Bujaj vs. Bejenaru is scheduled for 10 rounds and will be part of a ShoBox: The New Generation tripleheader live on SHOWTIME at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The main event will feature undefeated welterweight Taras Shelestyuk (14-0, 9 KO's) taking on upset-minded Jimmy Herrera (15-3-1, 8 KO's). Opening up the broadcast will feature Unbeaten lightweight Vitor Jones Freitas (12-0, 1 ND, 6 KOs), of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, will be opposed by local fan favorite Manuel Mendez (12-1-2, 8 KOs), of Indio, Calif., in an eight-round bout in the opening bout of the telecast. Freitas, 23, is the nephew of popular former two-time lightweight world champion and Brazilian legend Acelino "Popo" Freitas. Tickets for the event promoted by Banner Promotions, Thompson Boxing, Hitz Boxing and Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing are priced at $100 (ringside), $70 (reserved) and $50 (general admission) and can be purchased by calling (714) 935-0900. Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Rich Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing. About ShoBox: The New Generation Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 67 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.  |
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