Guzman-Diaz, Holyfield-Valuev; Johnson Lashes Out Against Tarver-Dawson2 – Boxing News

By Boxing News - 12/19/2008 - Comments

guzman33Joan Guzman (28-0, 17 KOs) is in his native Dominican Republic to take on World Boxing Association (WBA) Fedelatin lightweight champion Ameth Diaz (25-7, 19 KOs) of Panama this Saturday, Dec. 20, from El Palacio de los Deportes in Guzman’s hometown of Santo Domingo.

The 12-round fight is promoted by Jay Boxing Promotions and will be Guzman’s first since outpointing Soto last November. The bout also serves as a WBA lightweight title eliminator.

The fight will be available on DIRECTV Channel 434 and DISH NETWORK Channel 844 (please check local listings for time in your area).

Please find attached photos from Thursday’s press conference at El Palacio de los Deportes in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Here is what Guzman had to say:

JOAN GUZMAN

“I’m on pace to make weight and on Saturday night Diaz is going to be surprised at how good I really am. I’m here to make a statement to the world. Joan Guzman, the undefeated champion is back.

“I’m at 136 pounds right bow, one pound above the lightweight limit. This is a message to the boxing community that I am back.

“This fight is particularly special because it is in my hometown where my fans have always treated my well.

“I’m extremely happy with how training camp wrapped up. We went back to some of the old stuff that I used to do when I was younger. I felt like a kid again.

“I’m really excited to give my hometown fans a great show. I won here in 2006 against Antonio Davis and I’ll win again on Saturday.”

JOHNSON LASHES OUT AGAINST DAWSON-TARVER II

It takes a lot to get Glen Johnson angry, but when he heard that a March 14th rematch between Chad Dawson and Antonio Tarver had been finalized, he couldn’t hold back his feelings.

“This is a disgrace to the sport,” said Johnson, the former light heavyweight champ who is currently the most avoided man in boxing. “Didn’t anyone watch the first fight? Do they think anything different will happen the second time around? HBO should have put this fight on a month earlier, so it could have been the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Part Two.”

Johnson, who is currently awaiting a fight against the winner of the WBC light heavyweight title bout between Adrian Diaconu and Silvio Branco, has good reason to be angry, considering that he has already beaten Tarver and that most objective observers believe he beat Dawson as well in their controversial April 2008 match. But neither will fight him again, opting instead to rehash a non-competitive October bout that saw Dawson knock Tarver down on the way to a 118-109, 117-110, 117-110 unanimous decision win. Now they want to do it again, and on HBO no less?

“I thought HBO really meant business when they put together great, competitive fights like Margarito-Mosley Berto-Collazo and Marquez-Diaz for the early part of 2009, but then they agree to put on a rematch of a fight that wasn’t even competitive the first time,” said an incredulous Johnson. “It boggles my mind, especially when the only true rematch at 175 pounds is between Dawson and myself.” This type of worthless rematch robs the fans, and are bad for the sport. Whoever at HBO decided to purchase this fight, should be embarrassed.”

Needless to say, a championship reign that started off with bold words and so much promise for Chad Dawson has denigrated into a money grab that will see him continuing to fight easy fights while avoiding the true contenders of the division.

“I thought Chad Dawson was going to live up to his boasts, and be a true fighting champion,” said Johnson. “But it looks like I beat the fight out of him in April. Just a word of advice to Chad – you may make money now, but people will remember you later for ducking me. As for you Antonio, you’re a better actor than we all thought – you actually convinced HBO and Dawson to give you a rematch.”

Holyfield’s experience key versus Valuev

ZURICH, Switzerland (December 18, 2008) – Four-time world heavyweight Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield’s vast experience edge is key for a potential upset Saturday night against WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai “The Russian Giant” Valuev on pay-per-view live from Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland.

During the course of his certain Hall of Fame career for the past 24 years, Holyfield (49-9-2, 27 KOs) has defeated a remarkable 16 world champions, 11 heavyweights and five cruiserweights. Valuev (49-1, 34 KOs), fighting only two less pro fights than Holyfield, has beaten only one world champion, John Ruiz (twice by controversial 12-round decisions), who Evander was 1-1-1 against in three championship matches.

Valuev-Holyfield is promoted by Wilfried Sauerland’s Sauerland Event and its Managing Director, Christian Meyer, in association with Don King Productions. The broadcast is being distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 3 PM/ET – 12 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, TVN and DISH Network for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. A same night replay will be available at 9:00 PM/ET – 6:00 PM/PT. Award-winning announcers Nick Charles and Al Bernstein will call all of the action.

In addition to Ruiz, Holyfield has defeated former heavyweight world champions Mike Tyson (twice), Riddick Bowe, Larry Holmes, George Foreman, “Buster” Douglas, Michael Moorer, Hasim Rahman, Ray Mercer, Michael Dokes and Pinklon Thomas; cruiserweight titlists Bobby Czyz, Carlos De Leon, Dwight Muhammad Qawi (twice), Ossie Ocasio and Ricky Parkey.

“Boxing is not about size or age,” Holyfield said. “It is about what you do inside the ring. I know what to do inside the ring. I have been boxing for 38 years, so I know how to make correct assessments. My experience will be the key. I am very experienced and I know what to do against Valuev. He certainly is the biggest champion I have ever fought, but his head is right where I need it to be to hit it. I’m in great shape and will put on a performance that will surprise many people. I’m really looking forward to Saturday night.”

Holyfield trainer Tommy Brooks added, “It is nothing new for Evander to fight big names. He has been in the ring with Lennox Lewis, George Foreman, Riddick Bowe. Of course, I will not give away our tactics but, believe me, we have prepared for this fight.”

Also on PPV is an 8-round super middleweight bout between Danish southpaw Mads “Golden Boy” Larsen (50-2, 37 KOs), former IBO title-holder, and 5-time world kickboxing and Thai boxing champion, Roberto Cocco (9-2, 5 KOs), from Italy.

Highlights from some other fights on the card, time permitting, may be shown including a 12-round co-feature matching two undefeated heavyweights, German-based, Italian-born southpaw Francesco Pianeta (17-0, 11 KOs) defending his European heavyweight title against French challenger Johann Duhaupas (17-0, 10 KOs); former New York Knicks dancer Eileen “The Hawaiian Mongoose” Olszewski (5-2-1, 0 KOs) defending her WIBA flyweight title against undefeated German favorite Nadia Raoul (9-0, 3 KOs); heavyweight Oleg Platov (26-1, 22 KOs) versus Jason Gavern (15-4-3, 8 KOs), cruiserweights Jimmy Kapanov (8-0, 5 KOs) and Paolo Ferrara (25-13-1, 7 KOs); heavyweight Timor Ibragimov (24-2-1, 13 KOs) vs. TBA.

For more information about Saturday’s Valuev-Holyfield PPV go to www.integratedsportsnet.com.



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