22.04.04 – In a rematch of a sensational slugfest, IBF No. 1 contender Kassim “The Dream” Ouma will take on IBF No. 2 contender Verno Phillips for the vacant IBF junior middleweight championship Saturday, June 5, on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 9 p.m. ET/PT*. The co-feature and location will be announced in the near future. Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, will promote the event.
Ouma (19-1-1, 12 KOs), of Palm Beach, Fla., is the mandatory challenger to undisputed world champion Winky Wright. A rapidly rising young star, Ouma is coming off of a 10th-round TKO over Juan Carlos Candelo in an IBF 154-pound elimination bout Jan. 3, 2004, on SHOWTIME. Ouma, who is 10-0-1 with one no decision since suffering his lone defeat, recorded a unanimous decision over Phillips when the two met on Sept. 7, 2001. The 25-year-old Ouma captured the vacant United States Boxing Association (USBA) junior middleweight crown and became the IBF’s top 154-pound contender by winning a 12-round split decision over Angel Hernandez on May 30, 2003. Ouma previously won the vacant USBA junior middleweight crown on May 10, 2002, by scoring an eighth-round TKO over Jason Papillion. Ouma successfully defended the USBA title with an 11th-round TKO over Darrell Woods on Oct. 4, 2002. However, the outcome was changed to a no decision and Ouma was stripped of the title when he failed a post-fight test. After reclaiming the USBA title with the victory over Hernandez, Ouma stopped Carlos Bojorquez in the eighth round on Aug. 22, 2003. Ouma has not lost a fight since Nov. 20, 1999, when underdog Agustin Rivera triumphed by first-round TKO.
Phillips (37-9-1, 19 KOs), of Troy, N.Y., has won six consecutive bouts since Ouma outpointed the New York native more than two-and-one-half years ago. In his most recent outing, the rejuvenated 16-year veteran scored an impressive first-round knockout over Julio “The Cuban Lover” Garcia on March 5, 2004. The hard-working Phillips, who turned pro at age 18 on Jan. 23, 1998, is a former World Boxing Organization (WBO) 154-pound champion. He captured the WBO belt by scoring a seventh-round TKO over Lupe Aquino on Oct. 30, 1993, and made three successful defenses. The 33-year-old boxer- puncher, who has been victorious in 11 out of his past 12 starts, has recorded victories over former world champions Julian Jackson, Gianfranco Rosi, Aquino and Julio Cesar Vazquez.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING’s Steve Albert and Al Bernstein will call the action from ringside with Jim Gray serving as roving reporter. The executive producer of the SHOWTIME telecast is Jay Larkin, with David Dinkins Jr. producing and Bob Dunphy directing.
* Tape delayed on the West Coast