Tarver Returns to Form; Dawson TKO's Ruiz
HARTFORD, Conn. (June 9, 2007) – Photos: TOM CASINO/SHOWTIME - Antonio Tarver and Chad Dawson set up a possible showdown with each other for later this year with victories Saturday on SHOWTIME. The brightest young star and one of the most accomplished veterans of the light heavyweight division won exciting contests Saturday on SHOWTIME at the Connecticut Convention Center.
Former two-time world champion Antonio “The Magic Man” Tarver did enough to get past determined Elvir Muriqi to win a controversial close majority boxing decision and the vacant International Boxing Organization (IBO) 175-pound title. And undefeated 24-year old “Bad” Chad Dawson registered a sixth-round TKO over Jesus “Chuy” Ruiz in the first defense of his World Boxing Council (WBC) title.
It took about four rounds for the magic to return for Tarver but when it did he seemingly took control of the bout. Muriqi of Bronx, NY, won more than a few of the early rounds, and a lot of fans with a valiant and exciting effort.
 Fighting from the inside, Muriqi seemed to surprise Tarver with some big shots and hard work to the body. But by the sixth, Tarver began landing crisp, punishing combinations in flurries to clearly outscore his opponent.
Muriqi never gave up and often fought back with vigor to the delight of the boxing fans. In the end, the near capacity crowd at Exhibit Hall was on its feet urging the fighters to the final bell.
The judges scored the contest 114 apiece, 116-112 and 115-113 for Tarver.
“I took a year off,” said Tarver of Tampa, Fla., who starred in the latest installment of the Rocky series opposite Sylvester Stallone, “but I felt great. I had a good time in there. I was rusty, but he was never in the fight. I took my time and I dominated.”
Regarding judge Steven Weisfeld, who scored the bout even, a furious Tarver told SHOWTIME boxing reporter Jim Gray, “That judge should be banned for judging in every state. That was ridiculous. Find out who he is.”
Tarver improved to 25-4, 18 KO’s on the night and says he is on a historic run to be the best light heavyweight in history. He is not planning any more long layoffs and hopes to return to the ring as early as September this year.
The crowd-pleasing, and highly regarded WBC champ, Dawson of New Haven, Conn., dominated his bout against a game Ruiz. Dawson displayed all of his offensive weapons before the bout was stopped in the sixth.
He opened the scoring with his impressive jab. By the second, Dawson fell into a rhythm and pressured Ruiz continually with well timed and powerful combinations. In the fourth, a devastating body punch clearly hurt Ruiz. Dawson continued to attack the body and head.
In the sixth, Dawson, clearly less than cautious of his opponent, landed jabs, hooks, uppercuts and a few straight left hands to force referee John Callas to halt the contest at two minutes of the round.
“I knew he wasn’t going to get by my jab,” said Dawson, who remains undefeated at 24-0, 16 KOs. “It’s too fast.
“My left hand went numb,” the southpaw continued. “My glove was laced up too tight, so I had to hold back with it. But everything works off the jab anyway.
 When asked if he would like to face Tarver in his next world title defense, “I have youth on my side so I’ll fight anybody. Tarver is on his way out and I am on my way up.”
Ruiz, 33 of Long Beach, Calif., by way of Leon, Mexico, drops to 19-5, 17 KO’s.
Acclaimed play-by-play announcer Steve Albert called the action from ringside with renowned color man Al Bernstein commentating. The executive producer of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is David Dinkins, Jr. with Ray Smaltz producing and Bob Dunphy directing.
Tarver vs. Muriqi Undercard Stacked with Talent
Hartford CT (June 8, 2007) – Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing has stacked the undercard of the June 9th doubleheader on Showtime. Headlined by the come-backing Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver, Saturday’s undercard boasts some of the East Coast’s finest young prospects. This event will take place at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. Tickets are priced $35, $50, $100, $200 and $500, and are available through TicketMaster outlets, by calling (860) 525-4500, and at TicketMaster.com. Tickets also may be purchased at The Connecticut Convention Center by calling (860) 249-6000.
This event will also be televised on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
Headlining the undercard is America’s best hope to bring the heavyweight title back to the States—Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson (14-0-1, 6KO’s). In March, the undefeated Johnson offered to step in for an ill Briggs and fight Sultan Ibragimov on short notice—a challenge that the new WBO Heavyweight Champion left unanswered. Johnson went on to fight later that month in South Carolina, and KO’d Curtis Taylor in one round. On June 9th Johnson will be taking on veteran Ron Guerrero (19-13-3, 13KO’s).
Hartford’s own Adelita Irizarry (0-1), a part-time corrections officer, is looking to make Tiffany Lucas (0-1) serve some hard time in the ring in a scheduled four rounder.
A Connecticut vs. New York rivalry is brewing at the Convention Center when New Haven super middleweight Elvin Ayala (16-2, 7KO’s) goes mano-a-mano with NY’s Dillon Carew (20-16-3, 12KO’s) in a scheduled six rounder.
The rivalry continues when Norwich's Shakha Moore (9-11-3, 1KO) goes up against Utica’s Jason Bouvouso (5-3, 1KO) in a six round welterweight clash.
Tampa’s Akinyemi Laleye (6-1, 3KO’s), known as “AK-47” for his two years of military service in Iraq and Afghanistan, is gunning for a shootout when he takes on Philadelphia’s Cameron Bright (1-8-2, 1KO) in a scheduled four-rounder.
The Bey Brothers, two of Cleveland's most decorated amateurs, are ready to showcase their skills for the Hartford fans. Mickey Bey Jr. (6-0, 3KO’s), a two-time National PAL Champion, 2002 National Golden Gloves and two-time US Jr. Olympic Champion, will take on Felix Fernandes (1-0) in six round welterweight clash. In a six round lightweight clash, the 2000 Jr. Olympics National Champion Cortez Bey (5-0, 4KO’s) will battle Sebastien Hamel (6-9-1, 1KO).
In the main event, former undisputed light heavyweight champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (24-4, 18KO’s) will vie for the vacant IBO light heavyweight title when he takes on Elvir “Kosovo Kid” Muriqi (34-3, 21KO’s). This world championship doubleheader will also feature Chad Dawson (23-0, 15KO’s) making a voluntary defense of his WBC light heavyweight world title against Jesus Ruiz (19-4,17KO’s).
The event is presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, in association with Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and AT Entertainment.
About Star Boxing
Star Boxing has been in operation since 1992. Star Boxing's stable features world-class athletes and has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry.
For information on Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, visit http://www.starboxing.com
About The Connecticut Convention Center
The Connecticut Convention Center is located on the eastern edge of Downtown Hartford, overlooking the beautiful Connecticut River and Adriaen’s Landing, the city’s exciting new riverfront district. With over 140,000 square feet of exhibition space, a 40,000 square foot ballroom and 25,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, it is the largest convention facility between New York and Boston, featuring exceptional highway access at the crossroads of New England, where Interstates 84 and 91 meet.
For information on Connecticut Convention Center, visit http://www.ctconventions.com
|
