Ricardo Williams Jr Kicks Off Biggest Year Of Career Feb. 15 At Caesers Palace

TOP 140-POUND PROSPECT TAKES ON JUAN CARLOS RUBIO ON HBO'S BOXING AFTER DARK

29.01 - With the biggest win of his career under his belt, junior welterweight Ricardo Williams Jr. is prepared to make the leap in 2003 from prospect to contender to champion. His first bout of 2003, a ten rounder against tough Juan Carlos Rubio on February 15 is the first step on that journey.

The ten rounder, to be held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, and presented by Don King Productions, in association with DiBella Entertainment, will be televised live by HBO's Boxing After Dark at 10:45 PM ET/PT. The main event on the telecast is the mandatory IBF Bantamweight Championship, with the undefeated "Cincinnati Kidd", Tim Austin, making his 10th title defense against No.1 contender Rafael Marquez of Mexico.

Williams, 8-0 with 5 KOs is a 2000 Olympic silver medallist and is coming off a near shutout ten round decision over former IBF junior welterweight champion Terronn Millett in November.

"I am extremely pleased that Ricardo's next bout will be televised by HBO," said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. "The world is going to see one of the most exciting prospects in boxing, who is a future world champion, take his next step toward a title. This will be Ricardo Williams' year."

In Rubio, 29-6-2 with 12 KOs, Williams faces a true spoiler, who is best remembered for dealing highly touted Mexican Olympian Francisco Bojado his first loss last February. The Mexican will be looking to duplicate that feat against Williams on February 15.

Tickets for this card, priced at $200, $150, $100, $70 and $40, can be purchased at TicketMaster locations in North America, Canada and Mexico as well as the Caesars Palace Box Office. Tickets also can be acquired by calling 1-800-834-6698, or by accessing the TicketMaster website at www.ticketmaster.com.