24.09.04 – “People don’t know about Glen Johnson because he was a late bloomer. But then again, people didn’t think Tarver had much of a chance either. Johnson’s older, which means he has more experience. He’s also smart and he’s got good power. I don’t know what kind of punch he can take – but it better be a good one.”
Do you wish to fight Tarver again? He keeps mentioning your name. “That’s the only way people will listen to him – by saying my name.”
Are you worried about getting back into the ring? “That’s what I love and that’s what I live for – to come back from adversity.”
ROY JONES, JR. OPENS THE FedExForum WHEN HE CHALLENGES IBF LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION GLEN JOHNSON TONIGHT – LIVE ON HBO
Roy Jones, Jr., world champion at middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight, will challenge IBF light heavyweight champion Glen Johnson for his crown on September 25, 2005 at the FedExForum in Memphis, TN. Jones-Johnson, the first ever sports event to take place at the brand new arena, is presented by Square Ring, Inc. and Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with Prize Fight Promotions and Grand Casinos Tunica and will be broadcast live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing series beginning at 10:15 ET/9:15 CT.
Tickets, priced at $40, $50, $90, $150, $250, $300, and $500 are available at all Ticketmaster locations including FYE, Tower Records, and Schnucks, by phone at 901-525-1515 and online at www.ticketmaster.com. 12,000 tickets are priced at $90 and under.
Roy Jones, Jr. (49-2, 38 KOs) from Pensacola, FL, has staked his claim to being one of the greatest and most talented boxers in history. He has won 23 world championship fights and was named “Fighter of the Decade” in the 1990’s by the Boxing Writers Association of America. Jones broke into the professional ranks fresh off being named “Most Outstanding Boxer” at the 1988 Olympics even though he was robbed of Gold, settling for Bronze. He won his first world title May 22, 1993, dominating Bernard Hopkins for twelve rounds in winning the IBF middleweight title. On November 18, 1994, Jones’ fought his inaugural bout as super middleweight and embarrassingly tormented IBF champion James Toney for twelve rounds while sweeping the judges cards. Following numerous super middleweight defenses, Jones moved to light heavyweight, won the WBC light heavyweight title, shortly thereafter the WBA and on June 5, 1999 became Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion.
Following seven successful defenses of the undisputed light heavyweight crown, it was time for Jones to move on again, to pursue a dream he’d had since he first laced on the gloves. That dream was to become World Heavyweight Champion. On March 1, 2003, the dream came true as Jones dominated then-WBA Heavyweight Champion John Ruiz to become the first former middleweight champion in over 100 years to win the heavyweight crown. Looking ahead to the next chapter of his boxing career, Jones envisions more titles and more history to make, and it begins with Glen Johnson and the IBF light heavyweight crown on September 25.
Glencoffe Johnson (40-9-2, 27 KOs) from Miami, FL, unlike many boxers that begin at a young age, did not enter a ring until the ripe old age of twenty. Glen had only 40 amateur bouts, winning two Florida Golden Gloves titles while amassing a 35-5 record. As a twenty-four year old, on February 19, 1993 Johnson made his professional debut and won. Johnson continued to win, going undefeated in his first thirty-two fights over four plus years. He had numerous attempts at world titles, most ending in controversial decisions and questionable draws.
On November 7, 2003 Johnson fought Clinton Woods for the vacant IBF light heavyweight title. The bout ended in a draw, with most ringside observers having Johnson as the winner. A rematch was mandated, and on February 6, 2004, Johnson staggered Woods in the second and repeatedly landed harder punches throughout the fight en-route to a unanimous decision to become NEW IBF Light Heavyweight Champion. After years of hard work and dedication Johnson finally reached the top of the mountain, where he finds Roy Jones, Jr.
In another world championship bout at the FedExForum, Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson (44-3, 28 KOs), from Washington, D.C. will defend his WBO junior bantamweight title against Ivan “Choko” Hernandez (19-0-1, 12 KOs) from Mexico. Johnson is a three-time world champion and undefeated in thirteen world title fights. Hernandez looks to put an end to that streak and make a name for himself in boxing.
“Who beat Ruiz since I beat him? Rahman didn’t beat him. Oquendo didn’t beat him. No one could beat him. Who beat Hopkins since I beat him? No one. It starts right here!”