Jermain Taylor’s time has arrived

NEW YORK, March 16 – Three years ago, Jermain Taylor was just another prospect, fresh off of his bronze medal-winning performance at the 2000 Olympics, and looking to rise up the ranks. Fast forward to 2004, and Taylor – who takes on Alex Bunema in the main event of DiBella Entertainment’s “March Badness”, to be held on March 27 at the Alltel Arena in Little Rock, Arkansas – has become a bonafide contender and the consensus pick as boxing’s superstar of the future. And the Little Rock native is not done yet. “I feel that if I keep working hard and keep my focus, there’s no telling how far I can go,” said Taylor. “I feel like I’ve learned so much in these last few months and I’m still learning.”

“March Badness”, presented in association with Budweiser, featuring Taylor-Bunema and a heavyweight bout between Dominick Guinn and Monte Barrett, will be televised on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 10pm ET/PT. During his fistic education, Taylor has racked up 19 wins without a loss, with 14 of those wins coming by knockout. But in Bunema (24-3-2,12 KOs), a native of Zaire, who now fights out of Seattle, WA, Taylor will be facing his toughest test to date as he defends his WBC Continental Americas Title. Needless to say, Taylor has steered his “Bad Intentions” towards his foe. “I know he’s going to come out and try to bring the fight to me,” said Taylor. “But I’m gonna stick with my game plan and box him. I don’t underestimate anybody. At any given time, anybody can be champion.”

Taylor plans on being the last man standing, not only on March 27, but also in the future, as he looks to eventually take a world title home to Arkansas. And even though he is on the verge of worldwide stardom, Taylor insists that he will never abandon Little Rock. “I would never leave Arkansas,’ said Taylor. “That’s my home.” It’s that attitude that has made him so endearing to boxing fans all over, including a special fan back home. “Jermain is not only the hottest young phenomenon in boxing, he’s also the pride of Arkansas as he works his way to the top,” said Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee who will be in attendance on March 27th. “He’s a great boxer and an outstanding human being. I love watching him.”

For the 25-year-old, the road only gets harder as he moves closer to his dream of a world championship. Not surprisingly, he’s ready for battle. “There are no easy wins in the sport of boxing because everybody wants to be champion,” said Taylor. “I’m going to go in there and take what I can get.”

Tickets, priced at $300 (First Row VIP), $195 (VIP), $115 (Ringside), $85, $60, $40, $25 (Upper Bowl), and $19.50 (Students & Seniors in Upper Bowl), can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 501-975-7575 (www.ticketmaster.com), or by calling the Alltel Arena Box Office at 501-975-9000.