A second light heavyweight world title fight has been added to the April 12 edition of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, Ken Hershman, senior vice president and general manager, Sports & Event Programming, SHOWTIME announced today. IBF light heavyweight champion Clinton Woods will defend his title against IBO titleholder and former undisputed 175-pound kingpin Antonio Tarver at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla.

Tarver vs. Woods, an intriguing match-up in its own right, joins the already highly anticipated light heavyweight championship fight between WBC world title holder Chad Dawson and former world champ Glen Johnson, making April 12 an important night for boxing on SHOWTIME.

The world championship doubleheader is being promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and AT Entertainment in association with Fight Academy and will air live beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

“Thanks to SHOWTIME and Dennis Hobson, we have created a very special night for boxing fans and an important event for the light heavyweight division,” said Gary Shaw. “Four world class fighters are taking the risk to reap the reward in a best against best scenario. Dawson, Tarver, Woods and Johnson are in the fights of their lives and I’m proud to be promoting them.”

“I’m thrilled that we were able to put this fight together and add it to what was already a sensational fight card April 12 on SHOWTIME.” said Hershman. “These two match-ups are not only world title fights, but have significant career implications for all four fighters. I give them and their promoters a tremendous amount of credit for agreeing to take these fights. Saturday, April 12 should be a spectacular night for SHOWTIME subscribers.”

Woods (41-3-1, 24 KOs), of Sheffield, England, will be making the fifth defense of the crown he won with a fifth-round TKO over Rico Hoye on March 4, 2005. It will be Woods’ second start in the United States and his SHOWTIME debut.

In his last outing, the hard-punching Woods retained his crown with a unanimous 12-round decision over former light heavy champ Julio Gonzalez on Sept. 29, 2007, in Sheffield.

Tarver (26-4, 19 KOs), of Tampa, will be appearing on SHOWTIME for a third consecutive time. A southpaw who owns two victories over Roy Jones Jr., registered a fourth-round TKO over Danny Santiago on Dec. 1, 2007, on SHOWTIME.

Dawson (25-0, 17 KOs), of New Haven, Conn., – a ShoBox alum – will be defending his WBC belt for a third time since winning it on Feb. 3, 2007. In his last outing, he registered an impressive fourth-round TKO over Epifanio Mendoza on Sept. 29, 2007.

Johnson (47-11-2, 37 KOs), of Miami, by way of Jamaica, is seeking his fourth consecutive victory. The former IBF light heavyweight champ has fought the best in his division throughout his career including title defense victories over Jones Jr. and Tarver.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING announcers Steve Albert and Al Bernstein will call the action from ringside with Jim Gray serving as roving reporter. The executive producer of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is David Dinkins Jr., with Bob Dunphy directing.

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

Tarver v Woods, Johnson v Dawson Quotes

Tickets go on sale Saturday, February 9, at 10 a.m., at the McDonald’s Box Office at the St Pete Times Forum and all Ticketmaster outlets. Charge by phone at 813-287-8844 or 727-898-2100 or log onto ticketmaster.com. Tickets 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.

The world championship doubleheader, billed as “TNT: Title Night in Tampa,” is being promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and AT Entertainment in association with Fight Academy and will air live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

Here is what the fighters had to say. Dawson could not attend the press conference due to illness.

ANTONIO TARVER

“I’m getting too old to go 12 rounds. I can only go four. I’m not going to waste any time. I’m going to go in and take him out. I’m not at an age to be tussling for 12 rounds.

“At the end of the day, there will only be one man standing and that’s what it’s all about. By the end of the year there will be only one. I’ll get all the belts.

“I’ll make sure everyone gets what they pay for. This will be a great fight. It’s rare you get two main events on one fight card. This will be the March Madness, the Super Bowl of boxing. This will be the best.

“God has blessed me, I feel very blessed. I wish I could have fought (Jeff) Lacy, but you can’t make a man fight, but this fight came to me and I feel blessed. I will own all the titles by the end of year. Write that down.

“This is going to be a tough fight for me. He’s coming after my belt. I’m going to need all of you to come out and support me. Make no mistake about it, I’m gonna knock him out!

“I’m going to punish Woods for the lack of respect that I and my entire team received in London.”

CLINTON WOODS

“Tarver hasn’t fought anyone. He has had a short acting career and I’m here to take his belt.

“Since he came to England all he did was talk trash. All I did was talk trash back. He needs to stop being such a diva. He will have a reality check on April 12.

“I’m sure it will be a long hard night for Tarver. I will do whatever it takes to beat him. It will be a great fight for the crowd and those watching on SHOWTIME.

“I can’t wait to get in the ring and kick his butt!”

GLEN JOHNSON

“Please tell Dawson to hurry and get better because I want his best on April 12.

I will knock out Dawson and wait to see who wins the Tarver-Woods battle so I can take them next.

“This fight is very exciting. Dawson is a young fighter so I will be making adjustments constantly. We’re aware of his skills, but we know how to break them down.

“This fight at this point of my career is very important to me. I want the WBC light heavyweight title. It’s something that I have not done yet.

“I will destroy Chad Dawson. He has no clue what’s coming to him. I’m going to tear him apart.”