18.05.04 – Championship boxing returns to South Florida with an exciting lineup of bouts. The card features the NABF heavyweight championship as current champion, DaVarryl “Touch of Sleep” Williamson, defends his title and World Boxing Council No. 10 rating against former World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion Ray “Merciless” Mercer. The card, to be held at The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, takes place Tuesday, June 8, and will consist of seven bouts including two championship fights. The card is being televised by ESPN 2.
NABF heavyweight champion DaVarryl Williamson (20-2, 17 KOs) of Aurora, Colorado defends his title against Ray Mercer (33-5-1, 25 KOs) of Fayetteville, North Carolina in a 12 round championship bout. Williamson is defending his title for the first time since defeating Elieser Castillo in April by way of a 12 round decision. “With all that has happened in the heavyweight division these last few months, I believe that it is as wide open as ever, and I believe that ‘Touch of Sleep’ has to be recognized as a player in the game. I now have a legit top 10 rating behind me, I want to fight for the belt”, Said Williamson. “Since the Mesi loss I have reinvented myself as a boxer. I no longer rely on just trying to land a right hand. Anyone who has watched my last two fights has seen an entirely different fighter in the ring. Ray Mercer is a former world champion and is still very dangerous, but I know that I have the tools to beat him and continue my march towards a world championship. This is my second chance, not too many people get a second chance to shine, but a fight with Mercer is the name I need to help boost myself into the next tier of fighters. Ray is dangerous and hungry, but so am I.” Mercer, the former WBO heavyweight champion is on a three fight win streak since losing to WladIimir Klitschko in 2002. At 43 years old, Mercer still feels he is a serious contender to win the heavyweight championship. “The heavyweight division is definitely weak right now and DaVarryl Williamson is providing me with the opportunity to step right back into the top ten”, said Mercer. “I feel great, I haven’t had this opportunity in a while and I am taking this fight very seriously. DaVarryl Williamson is going to have a lot of problems on June 8th.”
The co-main event features World Boxing Association No. 3 rated cruiserweight Dale “Cowboy” Brown (30-3-1, 20 KOs) of Calgary, Canada taking on former WBA cruiserweight champion, Robert “Preacherman” Daniels (45-6-1, 37 KOs) of Miami, FL. Brown, the former North American Boxing Association champion has fought for the cruiserweight title three times since 1999. The losses came at the hands of Vassiliy Jirov in 1999, Wayne Braithwaite in 2000 and most recently, Jean-Marc Mormeck in 2002. Since losing to Mormeck, Brown is on a two fight win streak with a victory over Kevin Petty in 2002 to capture the NABA cruiserweight title and most recently Rich LaMontagne in 2003. Daniels is looking to bounce back from a decision loss to Jermal Barnes in 2003. Since losing to David Tua by a third round knockout in 2000, Daniels was on a six fight win streak before losing to Barnes. The 35 year old Daniels is entering his twentieth year as a professional fighter.
The undercard includes cruiserweight contender, Ramon Garbey (17-3, 13 KOs) of Miami, Florida taking on Jim Strohl (26-3, 21 KOs) of St. Charles, Missouri for the vacant North American Boxing Organization cruiserweight championship. Garbey, originally from Cuba owns knockout victories over Saul Montana and Ezra Sellers. Two of his three losses have been decisions at the hands of Frez Oquendo and James Toney. In his most recent effort, Garbey decisioned Jermal Barnes in January. Garbey currently holds the No. 9 rating by the WBO.
Local favorites Juan Urango (12-0, 11 KOs), Ed Paredes (1-0, 1 KOs), Kili Madrid (5-0-1, 3 KOs), and Meacher Major (2-1, 1 KOs) round out the card.
Tickets priced at $30, $60 and $100 are available through Ticketmaster by calling 954-523-3309, 305-358-5855 or 561-966-3309, ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster outlets. Doors open at 6:00 PM. First fight is at 7:00 PM. For more information on Warrior’s Boxing Promotions, visit our Website at: www.warriorsboxing.com.