“Celtic Warrior vs. Road Warrior” for WBU Cruiserweight World Championship Dec 18th

Don “Moose” Lewis, President of the World Boxing Union, Inc., known as "the WBU", proudly announces that on the evening of Wednesday, 18th December 2013 at the fabulous Sands Casino in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, two (2) former world champions - Glen ‘Road Warrior’ Johnson and Bobby ‘Celtic Warrior’ Gunn - face off for the vacant WBU Cruiserweight World title.

The late change of opponent for Bobby Gunn, who was originally due to face Roy Jones Jr., came about after Jones Jr. announced yesterday that instead he was going to fight Zine Eddine Benmakhlouf in Russia on the 21^st December.

In light of the incredibly unprofessional actions by Jones Jr’s team, and of course Glen Johnson’s willingness to step in at such late notice to save the show, Mr. Lewis made the following statement.

“What a bizarre escapade, we have all not only witnessed but participated in over the last thirty (30) days regarding this title fight.

Bobby Gunn versus Roy Jones has been the talk of the holiday season both here in the USA, as well in Europe where our UK office has been bombarded with requests for press credentials.

We all looked forward to this matchup, yet the paperwork could not get completed from the Jones camp.

I could not understand it, that is until I received correspondence from the law firm Delahunt Solicitors in Dublin, Ireland informing me that Irish boxer Steve Collins had an arrangement to fight Roy Jones for the WBU World title!

I immediately investigated and to my surprise both Mr. Collins and Mr. Jones had indeed agreed to fight for a group calling themselves ‘WBU V’ for the title with the understanding that it was the legitimately recognized WBU here in the states!

Thus Mr. Collins’s legal counsel is moving to protect Mr. Collins position and interests regarding the harm caused by action of Mr. Jones.

On the positive side, not only do we not have to be concerned about legal action stopping the fight but Mr. Collins and his legal counsel have requested through Mr. Gianluca Di Caro, Managing Director of our WBU-Europe to fight the winner of the Gunn-Jones Jr. world recognized WBU Cruiserweight World Championship and such request has been granted.

Now to our surprise, Mr. Jones announces less than twenty-four (24) hours after withdrawing from the fight with Mr. Gunn that he is now again going to fight in Russia for the rogue WBU V against Frenchman Zine Eddine Benmakhlouf.

Of course, that may change since there are two (2) weeks before the event. Anyway, in this business it is sometimes better to be lucky than talented.

This sums up our feeling of the former world Glen “the Road Warrior” Johnson stepping up once again with limited notice to fight Mr. Gunn.

Imagine, we now have the three (3) time world champion and the man who KOed Roy Jones, Jr. replacing Jones himself!

What a great night for both “Warriors” this will be and a sure candidate for worldwide “Fight of the Year”.

I thank the Sands Casino for their patience in working this matter out and I can think of no better Christmas present than to be watching this historic event with so much at stake.”

Bobby ‘Celtic Warrior’ Gunn versus Glen ‘Road Warrior’ Johnson, for the vacant World Boxing Union (WBU) World Cruiserweight title, will take place at the Sands Casino in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday 18^th December 2013.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights! and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment Sports and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

IBF NUMBER ONE RANKED LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT YUSAF MACK PAYS HOMAGE TO LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT KING BERNARD HOPKINS‏

Next Saturday night in St. Charles, Missouri, Yusaf Mack of Philadelphia will attempt to follow in the legendary shoes of Bernard Hopkins and capture a slice of the Light Heavyweight championship as he takes on Tavoris Cloud for Cloud’s IBF title.

Mack of Philadelphia has been extra motivated by a man he calls one of his mentors as he watched Hopkins become the oldest man to win a major boxing championship when he won the WBC/Ring Magazine crown with his win over Jean Pascal on May 21st in Montreal.

“I have known Bernard for my whole boxing life and he was one of the guys who has given me pointers and helped me throughout my career and seeing what he has accomplished and in particular what he did to Pascal gives me that extra drive and inspiration that lets me know I can win this fight”, said Mack
Mack has a record of 29-3-2 with seventeen knockouts recently attended a ceremony where the Mayor of Philadelphia, Michael Nutter presented Hopkins with gifts and recognized him for his amazing accomplishment.

“That was amazing. I was and am so proud of Bernard and being at the ceremony I just kept thinking that if can accomplish some of those things, I can achieve the same. It starts on June 25th when I beat Tavoris Cloud and bring back that IBF Belt home. Ironically it the IBF belt that Bernard first won.”

“After I win on June 25th, The Light Heavyweight division will run through Philadelphia with Bernard and I ruling the division. This has been the best training camp of my life and if Tavoris thinks he is seeing the same guy who fought Glen Johnson, then that will be his problem on June 25th.”

Cloud against Mack is part of a big fight card that will be televised LIVE on HBO. EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Weights from Atlantic City, New Jersey; 12 Rounds - WBC Super Middleweight Championship/Super Six World Boxing Classic Semifinal

Weights from Atlantic City, New Jersey

12 Rounds - WBC Super Middleweight Championship/Super Six World Boxing Classic Semifinal

Carl Froch – 167.5 lbs.
Glen Johnson – 166.5 lbs.

10 Rounds
Zsolt Erdei – 174 lbs.
Byron Mitchell – 178 lbs.

8 Rounds
Edison Miranda – 182.5 lbs.
Rayco Saunders – 178.5 lbs.

6 Rounds
Ivan Redkach – 136.5
Alberto Amaro – 134.5

4/6 Rounds
J’Leon Love – 160 lbs.
Lamar Harris – 162 lbs.

6 Rounds
Badou Jack – 174.5 lbs.
Hajro Sujak – 173 lbs.

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Andre Ward Joins SHOWTIME Announce Team for Froch-Johnson Super Six Semifinal‏

Andre Ward will join the SHOWTIME® broadcast team for the live telecast this Saturday, June 4 (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) that features a Super Six World Boxing Classic Semifinal fight between WBC Super Middleweight champion Carl Froch and Glen Johnson.

The undefeated Ward, the WBA 168-pound champion and last Olympic Games gold medalist from the United States, will face the winner of Saturday's Froch-Johnson high stakes scrap from Atlantic City in the Final of the Super Six World Boxing Classic.

Ward (24-0, 13 KOs), of Oakland, Calif., will sit ringside with SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING announcers Gus Johnson, Al Bernstein and Antonio Tarver.

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

SHOWTIME Super Six World Boxing Classic Semifinal Press Conference: Carl Froch Vs. Glen Johnson

WBC Super Middleweight Champion Carl “The Cobra” Froch and former World Champion Glen “The Road Warrior” Johnson and their respective camps held their final press conference Wednesday at the Edison Ballroom in New York City to discuss their Super Six World Boxing Classic Semifinal at the Adrian Phillips Ballroom at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Saturday, June 4 and televised LIVE on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

Both fighters were respectful to each other, but they are predicting radically different outcomes of Saturday’s highly anticipated fight.

Froch feels he will dominate every round, while Johnson and his team feel that Froch is in way over his head with a lighter, faster Glen Johnson.

The following are quote highlights made by all the speakers on Wednesday:

Glen Johnson

“We had a great training camp. Everything went well. We went through a lot of stuff we wanted to go through and we came out very successful.

“I have to thank SHOWTIME for considering me for the Super Six. When they heard the name Glen Johnson they could have said, ‘He’s an old guy and it might not go over very popularly,’ but they took a chance on me and I want to say thanks so much. I’m going to go out there and do everything to make you proud and not regret that decision.

“You have to respect a man who can go out there and become a two-time world champ. Every man does it their own way and he found a way. I give him respect.

At the end of the day, it’s a fight. I’m not about lip service or talk. That’s not what I do. I’m about boxing. I will wait for Saturday to finish the rest of the conversation.”

Carl Froch:

“Glen Johnson’s trainer is delusional. He’s not only not going to win the fight; he’s not going to win a round. I’m too young and fresh. From round one to 12, I will dominate.

“I’m WBC champ and everybody talks about my one loss, against Mikkel Kessler, and 80 percent of the people don’t acknowledge it was a loss. The fight could have gone either way.

“That’s all behind me now I’ve redeemed myself. I’m the first man to out-box and outclass the top KO specialist Arthur Abraham. Nobody had ever put a beating on him.

“I’m getting tired of hearing about how many big fights I’m fighting in a row. That’s why I’m here. I don’t want to fight bums.”

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

MIKKEL KESSLER RETURNS JUNE 4 ON SHOWTIME BEFORE LIVE SUPER SIX SEMIFINAL BETWEEN FROCH & JOHNSON‏

FORMER CHAMPION MIKKEL KESSLER RETURNS AGAINST WORLD-RANKED MEHDI BOUADLA SATURDAY, JUNE 4, ON SHOWTIME® Fight From Denmark With Be Televised On Same-Day Delay

Before Carl Froch-Glen Johnson Super Six World Boxing Classic Semifinal Airs LIVE on SHOWTIME (Delayed on the West Coast)

Looking to regain his status as one of the premier super middleweights in the world, former World Boxing Council/World Boxing Association (WBC/WBA) 168-pound champion Mikkel “The Viking Warrior’’ Kessler will return to the ring for the first time in 14 months when he faces Mehdi Bouadla on Saturday, June 4, on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, same-day delay) at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The 12-rounder between Kessler (43-2, 32 KOs), of Denmark, and Bouadla (23-3, 11 KOs), of France, will be shown before the LIVE Super Six World Boxing Classic Semifinal on SHOWTIME (delayed on the West Coast) between defending WBC titlist Carl Froch (27-1, 20 KOs) and former world champion Glen Johnson (51-14-2, 35 KOs) of Miami, Fla., at Adrian Philipps Ballroom of Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.

The Super Six announce team of Gus Johnson, Al Bernstein and Antonio Tarver will call the Kessler-Bouadla match from Atlantic City. Steve Farhood will serve as ringside reporter from Denmark.

For Kessler, it will be his first start since a potentially career-ending eye injury forced him to withdraw from the Super Six shortly after he won an exciting 12-round unanimous decision over the previously undefeated Froch on April 24, 2010. A victory puts Kessler, 32, back in the thick of things in the talent-rich 168-pound division. Kessler’s only defeats came against future Hall of Famer, Joe Calzaghe, in November 2007, and to Andre Ward in Group Stage 1 of the Super Six World Boxing Classic on Nov. 21, 2009.

The 29-year-old Bouadla has won 11 in a row dating to February 2008. The No. 5-ranked super middle in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and 10th-rated contender in the International Boxing Federation (IBF), Bouadla earned a decision over Pavels Lotahs in his most recent start last Jan. 29. Bouadla was slated to challenge defending champion Sebastian Sylvester last Jan. 22 for the IBF middleweight championship, but the fight was postponed after Sylvester suffered a viral infection.

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Zsolt Erdei return versus Byron Mitchell on June 4 in Atlantic City‏

It was impossible not to notice the throngs of Hungarian fans who made the trek to Atlantic City to watch their national hero and unbeaten former two-time world champion, Zsolt Erdei, when he fought on the undercard of middleweight champ Sergio Martinez's second-round knockout of Paul Williams last November at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Erdei drew a large – and noisy – contingent of fans who cheered, chanted, and sang him on throughout his convincing eight-round decision win over veteran Samson Onyango.

Now, Erdei (32-0, 17 KOs) is set to return to the ring, and Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, on June 4 when he battles former world titlist Byron Mitchell (28-7-1, 21 KOs) on the undercard of the SHOWTIME Super Super Six World Boxing Classic semifinals between Carl Froch and Glen Johnson at the Adrian Phillips Ballroom inside the famed building in the heart of the AC strip.

With Erdei scheduled to return to the ring, DiBella Entertainment has secured a special block of tickets, solely for Erdei's loud and proud contingent of fans, that will be available for purchase online through Ticketmaster.com.

Those looking to purchase tickets should visit Ticketmaster.com, search "Boardwalk Hall", click on “Carl Froch vs Glen Johnson - WBC Super Middleweight Championship Tickets” and then search for tickets under the header “Fans of Zsolt Erdei”. Fans looking purchase tickets from this block must use the password ZSOLT in the appropriate box for the purchase to go through.

“Zsolt is a Hungarian megastar and one of the best European fighters of the past decade,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment."He needs to fight and stay busy for his enormous Hungarian fan-base here in the states. He will be on the international broadcast, so the home-town crowd can watch him there too. The last time he fought in Atlantic City, he brought a very passionate and devoted crowd. It was really impressive to see.”

Erdei, who held the WBO light heavyweight title from 2004 to 2009, moved up in weight in 2009 to win the WBC cruiserweight title. He has now returned to the light heavyweight division for yet another run at that championship.

Erdei is in line to be the mandatory challanger for the winner of the May 21 bout between current WBO champion Jurgen Brahmer and Nathan Cleverly.

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

McGirt returns Nov. 11 as proven prospect

VERO BEACH, Florida – How a pro boxer responds to adversity usually separates contenders from pretenders. Highly-regarded world middleweight prospect James McGirt, Jr. (19-1, 9 KOs), coming off of his first career loss, passed his first major test June 25 on national television, winning a unanimous 10-round decision against former IBO and WBU middleweight champion Raymond “Hallelujah” Joval (37-5, 16 KOs).

McGirt, who returns to the ring November 11 on “Bad Boys” (Glen Johnson and Edision Miranda headline the card in separate bouts) against an opponent to be determined in Hollywood (FL), successfully bounced back from his first pro loss in April to Carlos DeLeon, Jr., serving as a valuable lesson for James who had floored DeLeon at the end of the sixth round, only to get careless going for a knockout in the seventh and consequently getting stopped himself.

McGirt has started to establish his own identity, somewhat breaking from the shadows of his father and head trainer, 2-time world champion James “Buddy” McGirt – James doesn’t use the nickname “Buddy” – with his win against Joval that catapulted him into the No. 8 spot in The Ring magazine’s ratings, as well as No. 14 in the latest World Boxing Council rankings.

“I felt better about myself after the Joval fight,” James said, “but it didn’t erase the loss (to DeLeon). But I did beat The Ring’s No. 8 rated middleweight (Joval). I beat a well experienced fighter, but I still have to whoop Carlos DeLeon so I can sleep good again at night.”

McGirt recently shifted training camp from Vero Beach to Las Vegas, where his father is preparing Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi for his November 22nd showdown against Ricky Hatton. “I’ve had a real good training camp and it’s going to get even better in Las Vegas,” James remarked. “I don’t know who I’m fighting but it doesn’t matter. Whoever it is, he’s going to have to worry about me. Paulie’s getting ready for his big fight with Hatton. My dad is his trainer, so I’m going where he is, and I respect that. I need to get away anyway. I’ve been home too long. I’ll be working harder out there and will be able to focus even more. It’s going to help get me in the right frame of mind with five weeks to go so I can go kick some butt. I can promise you this: I will be ready to fight on November 11th.”

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TARVER CALLS OUT DAWSON AFTER BOTH ARE VICTORIOUS

Photos: TOM CASINO/SHOWTIME


TAMPA, Fla. Antonio Tarver registered a unanimous 12-round decision over defending champion Clinton Woods to capture the International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight crown and World Boxing Council (WBC) 175-pound kingpin Chad Dawson remained undefeated with a thrilling, hard-fought 12-round decision over hard-luck Glen Johnson Saturday on SHOWTIME.

Former undisputed light heavy champ Antonio Tarver had his way against defending champion Clinton Woods, winning a lopsided 12-round decision and the IBF 175-pound title.

The world championship doubleheader, billed as “TNT: Title Night in Tampa,” took place at the St. Pete Times Forum and was promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and AT Entertainment in association with Fight Academy. A crowd-pleasing event aired on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

Tampa’s Tarver (27-4, 19 KOs), a former undisputed light heavy champion and reigning International Boxing Organization (IBO) titleholder, mostly dominated en route to winning by the scores of 119-109, 117-111 and 116-112. There were no knockdowns.



“It’s all about the belts; I’m looking for all the belt-holders,’’ Tarver said. “He was a tough, gritty fighter but I came into this in great shape. I took some and got some (punches) but the best man won tonight. I’m not surprised by anything that went on in there.

“A lot of credit for my performance goes to my trainer, Jimmy Williams, who never let me give up or get down on myself. Jimmy is one of the all-time great teachers and absolutely definitely should be in the Hall of Fame."

Tarver, who called out Dawson at the post-fight press conference – Shaw said a unification world title fight could take place in the fall -- wasn’t impressed with Dawson’s performance in the telecast’s opening bout.

“Chad Dawson would be easy pickings now,’’ Tarver said. “He’s not the fighter now that he was before his fight. He’s a wounded duck.

“Dawson took a lot of hard hits against Johnson, but there is a difference between getting hit by Glen Johnson and getting hit by me.’’

There was an electric atmosphere inside the jam-packed room where the weigh-in took place.



Woods (41-4-1, 24 KOs), of Sheffield, England, could not find his range or rhythm for much of the 36 minutes.

Tarver and Woods Weigh In


“I fought the best light heavyweight in the world tonight,’’ said Woods, who was making the fifth defense of the crown he won in March 2005. “I don’t know if it is my time to retire or not."

Dawson (26-0, 17 KOs), of New Haven, Conn., wanted a tough test and he got it.

In a tremendous slugfest that featured non-stop, two-way action, Chad Dawson remained unbeaten and retained his WBC light heavyweight title with a close, hard-fought unanimous 12-round decision over Glen Johnson Saturday on SHOWTIME.


“Johnson is a warrior and we trained for that,’’ Dawson said after winning the fight of the night by the scores of 116-112 on all the scorecards. “We worked on stepping around and boxing him in training and we did that, too.



“I executed my game plan and landed more punches. Glen is a great fighter. He caught me with some good shots but I did my job and took them."

There were no knockdowns in a non-stop slugfest with constant two-way action, but both boxers were rocked on several occasions.

Johnson (47-12-2, 37 KOs), of Miami, by way of Jamaica, owns wins over Tarver, Woods and Roy Jones Jr., but almost is as well known for coming up on the wrong end of close, unpopular decisions.

Tarver and Woods Weigh In


Such was the case again Saturday. “The decision was total bull,’’ Johnson said. “Dawson is a good, young fighter with a great future, but I really worked hard for this fight and definitely feel I won it.

Dawson vs Johnson Weigh In


‘I can’t afford to keep losing these kinds of fights at this stage of my career. I wish I knew why these kinds of bad decision keep going against me.

“This loss hurts me more than any other in my career. I would love a rematch.’’

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING’s Steve Albert and Al Bernstein called the action from ringside with Karyn Bryant serving as special correspondent. The executive producer of the SHOWTIME telecast was David Dinkins Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing.

Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING fight card will re-air as follows:

DAY CHANNEL

Monday, April 14 at 8 p.m. ET/PT SHO EXTREME

Tuesday, April 15, at 9 p.m. ET/PT SHOWTIME TOO

Wednesday, April 16, 10 p.m. ET/PT SHOWTIME


For more information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video, photo galleries and complete telecast information, please visit http://www.SHO.com/Sports.

About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL® XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL® ON DEMAND. SNI is also an owner and manager of SUNDANCE CHANNEL®, a venture of NBC Universal, Robert Redford and SNI. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.

Kimbo Slice, who headlines the EliteXC mixed martial arts fight card on Saturday, May 31, on CBS, and WBC super welterweight champion Vernon Forrest, who looks to defend his title against Sergio Mora on Saturday, June 7, on SHOWTIME, pose together at Saturday night’s light heavyweight world championship doubleheader in Tampa.

Photos: TOM CASINO/SHOWTIME



The always entertaining Kimbo was interviewed by Al Bernstein during Saturday’s telecast. You can catch the interview during a replay of the thrilling SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecasts, which featured a war between WBC Champ” Bad" Chad Dawson and Glen Johnson as well as a flashy performance by the always entertaining Antonio Tarver against IBF champion Clinton Woods.

Replay schedule:
Tuesday, April 15, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME TOO;
Wednesday, April 16 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME.

The telecast is also available On Demand starting this Tuesday and ending on Monday, May 12 where available.

FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES ANTONIO TARVER & CLINTON WOODS, CHAD DAWSON & GLEN JOHNSON

IBO champion and former undisputed light heavyweight kingpin Antonio Tarver (26-4, 19 KOs), of Tampa, Fla., will challenge IBF 175-pound titleholder Clinton Woods (41-3-1, 24 KOs), of Sheffield, England, and undefeated WBC light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson (25-0, 17 KOs), of New Haven, Conn., will defend against former world champion Glen Johnson (47-11-2, 37 KOs) of Miami, by way of Jamaica, this Saturday, April 12, at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla., on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
TOM CASINO/SHOWTIME

Tarver, Dawson, Johnson and Woods --


Antonio Tarver (left) and Clinton Woods couldn't resist showing off their upper bodies during Thursday's final press conference at Tampa, Fla. Tarver and Woods will collide in one of two light heavyweight world title fights Saturday at the St. Pete's Forum on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).


Tickets for a doubleheader promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and AT Entertainment in association with Fight Academy are on sale at the McDonald's Box Office at the St Pete Times Forum and all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at (813) 287-8844 or 727-898-2100 or online at ticketmaster.com. They are priced at $27.75, $52.75, $102.75, $202.75, $302.75.

Limited ringside seats are available at $602.75. Limited VIP Packages are available at $1002.75. Prices do not include service charges. For dinner reservations, the night of the event, call 813-301-6926 or log on to ticketmaster.com. Parking passes are available at ticketmaster.com.

ANTONIO TARVER

“I’m glad to be here. If anyone has any doubt who’s the best light heavyweight, I will show them once again on Saturday night. I am delighted that Woods is here and sounds ready to fight.

“But like so many that fought me before him, his dreams and hopes will be dashed.


“This is a tremendous fight card, but my fight is the main event and if you want me to dissect all the reasons why and all the fighters on this card I will.


“There is only one true light heavyweight champion and that’s me. Everybody wants to see me fight Chad Dawson. He is a good fighter but he still has aways to go. I don’t think he’s looked so hot in his last couple fights.

“I’m strong as ever and ready to go. If you can’t be here live in Tampa, watch on SHOWTIME. This is going to be a great night for me, and a great night for boxing.’’


CLINTON WOODS

“I want to thank all involved for making this fight happen. I am very excited to be fighting a great champion like Antonio Tarver. It is a dream come.

“My conditioning is excellent. I’ve been in Florida training for 10 days and spent eight weeks in the gym in Sheffield before that, so I am ready for a war.

“For four of the top light heavyweights in the world to be on the same card makes for an historic event. I am proud to be part of it.

“Tarver can win the war of the words until he talks himself hoarse, but, come Saturday, when the real fight starts, my hands will do all the talking.

“I can’t see our fight going the distance, but I do see me definitely winning and retaining the IBF title and taking it back home to Sheffield.’’

CHAD DAWSON

“I have never been more anxious or ready for a fight. I am determined to make a statement and prove to everybody that I am the No. 1 light heavyweight in the world.

“I have done all that’s been asked, but I definitely feel I’m being underrated and not getting the respect I deserve. Some polls are flat out wrong for having some of the guys ranked ahead of me like they do. As far as I’m concerned all those polls are a farce.

“I have a lot of respect for Glen Johnson. He truly is a warrior and I know he is coming to win the world title again. I expect him to give it everything he has. I am prepared for an onslaught. But he is 39 and I’m just 25.

“Tarver has some nerve saying bad things about my fights. What he said riled me up and there’s nothing hardly that ever riles me up. I guess he hasn’t watched tapes of his last two fights.

“I want to express my gratitude to everybody for giving me the opportunity to showcase my talents. I definitely feel this is the fight card of the year.’’

Unbeaten WBC 175-pound champion Chad Dawson (left) and Glen Johnson square off after the presser.


GLEN JOHNSON

“I have been in a lot of world title fights, but this is my first in Florida and I plan to make it a memorable one for all concerned.

“I appreciate Chad Dawson giving me the opportunity. Most fighters, especially world champs, avoid me.

“I am ready for a great, tough fight that in my mind will be the most exciting of the night.

“I am in tremendous shape. I am ready to bring it like you won’t believe.’’

Unbeaten Super middleweight James McGirt, Jr.'s fight Friday night against Carlos DeLeon, Jr. on ShoBox, in battle between sons of former world champs

VERO BEACH, Florida– The marketing of unbeaten super middleweight prospect James McGirt, Jr. (18-0, 9 KOs) spikes Friday night when the son of former world champion James “Buddy” McGirt fights in his first scheduled 10-round bout against the offspring another ex-world title holder, Carlos “Baby Sugar” DeLeon, Jr. (19-2-2, 12 KOs), in the 10-round co-feature on ShoBox, airing live from Miccosukee Resort in Miami.

Photo:credit Emily Harney


“I had an excellent training camp, about two months long, and I’m ready to go,” James said. “All of the hard work has been done. My dad (and head trainer) watched tapes of DeLeon. He’s told me what to do and what to watch out for. That’s the way we always do it. Nobody breaks down tapes and analyzes opponents better than my father. I don’t watch tapes; I just do what he teaches me. Working with Glen Johnson has been great for me. He brings a lot of experience to the table and a lot of pressure. I really liked the work.”

The fathers of McGirt and DeLeon were world champions at the same time in 1988. McGirt, Sr., who had a 73-6-1 (48 KOs) record as a pro, was a 2-time world champion in two weight classes (IBF light welterweight 1988, WBC welterweight 1991-93). Carlos “Sugar” DeLeon, Sr., 52-8-1 (32 KOs) as a pro, was a 4-time WBC cruiserweight champion (1980-82, 1983-85, 1986-88, 1989).

“Training has been good, no complaints,” Buddy McGirt remarked. “The best part was working with Glen Johnson. No matter who we fight, they can’t put pressure on like Glen Johnson. They offered to pay James to spar with Glen, but we did it for the experience. DeLeon is a good fighter. His specialty is a double left hook. The key is to nullify it.

“James’ strength and conditioning program has helped him a great deal. You can see the difference in his body, especially his legs. Plus, he’s maturing. I’ve put him in the gym with the best to test him, and James has gained a lot of valuable experience that way.”

McGirt, rated No. 26 by the WBC, is a southpaw originally from Brentwood, New York, now living and fighting out of Vero Beach, Florida. DeLeon, rated No. 29 by the WBC, is the reigning USNBC champion from Puerto Rico.

“Friday night is where we wanted to be (ShoBox in first 10-round fight),” McGirt’s manager Dennis Witherow explained. “We did this like a business plan with long range plans. We knew that it was going to take time to get there. A win in this fight will be a big leap towards where we want to get. Ideally, we’ll get a look at a top 15 or bigger name opponent. One different thing about James now is that outside of the ring he understands boxing is a business. He’s not a trash talker like other guys, preferring to let his hands do the talking, but he realizes he has to market himself. He’s been talking to kids in school, attending charity events, and he’ll be doing more things he really enjoys like that.

“James is proud of who he is. He is a true student of the art of boxing. He’s been educated in boxing his entire life. Not only has he learned how to be a good boxer, he knows when to box and throw certain punches, not just throwing ‘em at random. His strength is going to be the biggest surprise. His conditioning has always been great, but the conditioning and weights program he’s been on has made a huge difference.”

Part of McGirt’s marketing campaign includes a mission statement to become the first family in boxing to feature father-son world champions with the former working his natural son’s corner as head trainer when the latter captures a major world title. The McGirts want to make boxing history together and the next chapter starts Friday night on ShoBox.