20.06 - World Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis will defend his World Boxing Council/International Boxing Organization (WBC/IBO) titles against WBC/World Boxing Association (WBA) No. 1 contender, Vitali "Dr. Iron Fist" Klitschko on Saturday, June 21, at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. In the co-features, Laila Ali will take on Valerie Mahfood, Lucia Rijker will oppose Jane Couch and Phillip N'Dou will battle Yoni Vargas. Lion Promotions, in association with Prize Fight Promotions, Universum Box-Promotion, Budweiser and STAPLES Center, will present the historic event. Tickets, priced at $950, $700, $450, $350, $250, $150 and $75, are on sale at the STAPLES Center box office and through all TicketMaster locations.

LENNOX LEWIS (40-2-1, 31 KOs):

"When Kirk Johnson decided he hurt himself, he actually made a wise decision there because maybe we were not meant to meet at this time. He is still young and has a lot left in him. When I am gone, he can probably come and rule again.

"Vitali Klitschko has been trying to get my title for such a long time, even trying to take me to court. I should not blame him, I should blame his manager. His manager tried to take me to court to make me give away my title. The opportunity then came up that we could fight in the ring, which was great.

"I know the Klitschko brothers have been watching me for some time. I am really the nipple on the hill for them. I know they want to meet me in the ring. I look at this as a big challenge. He (Klitschko) is a big guy. I do well against big guys. He said he has seen some weaknesses in me. I have seen a whole heap of weaknesses in him. We are definitely going to expose those weaknesses. Vitali Klitschko has never seen a boxer like me.

"I am excited about the fight. I am looking forward to it. I am in good shape. I am focused. I am ready. The other day, they tried to get me to pick out some ring girls. I did not want to do that. I am not really into that."

VITALI KLITSCHKO (32-1, 31 KOs):

"I am very excited to be fighting here in the United States, especially here in Los Angeles where I live with my wife and children. I am well-prepared, and am really looking forward to this fight. I accepted this sudden opportunity. It is a wonderful chance to show the American audience who I am, and how good I am. I know Lennox Lewis has great experience and is a very skilled fighter, but I know that nobody is perfect. I have seen some weaknesses. I know that most people think I am the underdog, but I will convince everyone Saturday when I become the heavyweight champion of the world."

LUCIA RIJKER (15-0, 14 KOs):

"The problem for me has not been with finding opponents. The problem has been with promoters wanting to put me on their cards. Maybe after Saturday night, we (Laila Ali and Rijker) will earn a spot on TV. HBO, we are working on it, and we are coming.

"(Jane) Couch is a very honorable woman, and one of the most famous female fighters in England. She is good on the inside, good on the outside. I am honored to fight her, and I am glad I have a good opponent."

LAILA ALI (14-0, 11 KOs):

"I am happy to be fighting in Los Angeles, my hometown, where I was born and raised. I just want to come and do my thing. Like Lucia said, it is good to be fighting on the card with another woman with skills.

"I already whipped my opponent (Valerie Mahfood) from round one to eight on ESPN and took her title belt. She felt like the fight ended too soon. I think it ended too soon also. We are going to give her another opportunity to show what she can do. I think it is going to be a great fight. You are definitely going to see a knockout in my fight."

EMANUEL STEWARD (Lennox Lewis' Trainer):

"When I was told that the fight against Kirk Johnson was cancelled, I was just about into Atlantic City for the broadcast of the Arturo Gatti-Mickey Ward fight. At first, I was happy because I did not want to fight Johnson because his entire strategy was to run. That would have been a bad fight, especially coming off of Lennox' great victory over Mike Tyson.

"Historically, Lennox has fought very well against tall fighters, even in the amateurs. I was very happy this fight happened because it is a new stimulant in our camp. We were not excited about Kirk Johnson. Klitschko is a big guy who has a great amateur background like Lennox."

"The fight is going to be exciting. My reasoning for picking a knockout inside of five rounds for Lennox is that his aggressiveness when he fights big fighters like Andrew Golota or Michael Grant will be a big factor. I also know that Klitschko will not run. He does not know how to run. He is a big guy. He is going to stay in there and fight."