04.03.04 – Two classy, former 130-pound world champions with a combined record of 67-3 with 50 knockouts collide when Joel Casamayor faces Diego Corrales in an eagerly awaited rematch for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) 130-pound title on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday, March 6 (9 p.m. ET/PT). In the co-feature from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn., three-time world champion and current WBO Super Flyweight Champion Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson defends against WBO No. 1 115-pound contender Luis Bolano. The world title fights will mark the conclusion of a successful first-quarter year of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING in which the network unveiled its new, fan-friendly scheduling strategy of providing viewers and boxing fans with the best possible event on the first Saturday of every month.
JOEL CASAMAYOR (30-1, 19 KOs)
“Everyone expects me to fight a certain way but in this fight I am going to show Corrales and my former trainer that taking this rematch was the worst mistake they could make. I am going to finish what I started in the first fight. This time, (Diego) Corrales will not walk out with just a busted lip. It will not last four full rounds. You are going to see a new Joel Casamayor. I am very confident. I am not looking past Corrales, but my goal has always been to fight the best guys and that is what I want to do after I beat Corrales.”
DIEGO CORRALES (37-2, 31 KOs)
“I am thrilled this fight is happening; I still cannot believe it. I am anxious and have been ready. When we fought the first time, I had some ring rust. It was my first real fight since hitting the comeback trail. Until then, I had pretty much had it my way. But I made the best of it then and still made the fight really close. I will be much better in the rematch. I have been extremely sharp in training and you are going to see a lot of great head movement and a lot more jabs along with some beautiful combinations. You are going to see a lot of great stuff. I give (Joel) Casamayor credit for agreeing to do this again. Not many guys would agree to a rematch after the kind of fight our first fight was. But it tells me a lot about what kind of fighter he is.”
MARK “TOO SHARP” JOHNSON (42-3, 27 KOs)
“In some ways, I feel reborn. Since winning the title I have rededicated my life to boxing. After the (Rafael) Marquez fights, everyone thought my career was over. I am very happy for the opportunity to be able to make my first title defense on SHOWTIME. The guy I am fighting is 38-0 with 28 knockouts. He is left-handed, strong and can punch. He has the will to win and probably does not feel he can be defeated. He is not just fighting me just for himself, but his country and everybody else. But I have been fighting guys like this my whole career. I expect a good fight and look forward to putting on a great show.”
LUIS BOLANO (38-0, 28 KOs)
“This is the opportunity of a lifetime and a dream comes true. I have been waiting a long time to fight for a world title and to be able to come to the United States and fight for one is huge. I have seen a lot of tapes on (Mark) Johnson. He is very good and has a lot of experience. This is not going to be an easy fight for either of us. But I am confident I will win. My ultimate goal is to be undisputed world champion.”