State Farm Arena, Atlanta - In the telecast opener, Lionell Thompson (22-5, 12 KOs) made his debut at 168 pounds in phenomenal fashion, upsetting former IBF titlist Jose Uzcátegui (29-4, 24 KOs) with a decisive unanimous decision. The judges scored the fight 95-94 and 96-92 twice.

Thompson, who had campaigned as a light heavyweight his entire career, overcame a cut over his right eye in the third round and a point deduction for holding in the fourth. He scored the fight’s only knockdown in the first round, landing a textbook one-two combination that floored the Venezuelan Uzcátegui for the fifth time in his career. 

Thompson was the far more accurate puncher, holding advantages of 32 percent to 19 percent in overall punches and 32 percent to 13 percent in jabs. The Buffalo, N.Y. native also out-landed Uzcátegui in nine of the ten rounds including an overall advantage of 80-21 connected jabs.

“Moving down to 168 (pounds), I was a little worried for my first fight but I felt great,” said the 34-year-old Thompson. “I still had the power at this weight and I hurt him a few times. This is my weight class now and I think I have a real chance at becoming super middleweight champion and putting my city on the map as the first world champion from Buffalo.”

“I thought the decision was fair,” said the 29-year-old Uzcátegui, who has now dropped two of his last three fights. “I don't want to make any excuses. He came to fight. The distance from my last fight definitely showed. I was very rusty. I need to get back in the gym train harder and hopefully get another fight in the next few months.”

Preceding the telecast, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN featured two ShoBox: The New Generation alums recording impressive wins in undercard attractions streamed live on the SHOWTIME Sports social platforms. Malik Hawkins (18-0, 11 KOs), a rising super lightweight prospect out of Baltimore, defeated previously unbeaten Darwin Price (16-1, 9 KOs) via fifth-round TKO.

Both fighters showed glimpses of their potential throughout the five rounds before Price suffered a right knee injury and was unable to continue. The 30-year-old Price pulled up limping after taking an awkward step, and Hawkins closed in on him looking for the finish. After referee Brian Stutts broke the action up, Price informed Stutts he was unable to continue, handing Hawkins the win.