Little Rock, AR, October 11 — Home town hero Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor, the Undisputed and Undefeated World Middleweight Champion, will put his title on the line against Kassim “The Dream” Ouma on Saturday night, December 9, at Alltel Arena in North Little Rock, Arkansas, when DiBella Entertainment presents in association with Golden Boy Promotions and Peltz Boxing Promotions “Home for the Holidays: The Return of a Champion,” it was announced today by DBE president Lou DiBella.
HBO’s World Championship Boxing will telecast the event at 10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT & 9:00 p.m. CT.
This compelling title encounter pits Taylor (25-0-1, 17 KO’s), the megastar and favorite son of Arkansas against the cagey southpaw and resurgent Former World Champion Ouma (25-2-1, 15 KO’s).
Taylor will be making his sixth pro appearance in Little Rock, and his third at Alltel Arena.
Taylor first captured the Undisputed Middleweight Championship against the legendary Bernard Hopkins on July 16th 2005 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV, with a 12 round split decision triumph. He defended the title for the first time in a rematch on December 3, 2005 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas with a unanimous decision victory over the future Hall of Famer. Next, on June 17, 2006, in Memphis, Taylor successfully defended his title when he and Winky Wright fought to a draw. Taylor has not tasted defeat in his pro career, upending the likes of Former World Champions William Joppy and Raul Marquez, and “Contender” Champion Grady Brewer.
Ouma has won his last four contests to again emerge as a contender for the middleweight championship, most recently handing the highly regarded Sechew Powell his first defeat on August 5 at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. Ouma, the 27 year old native of Kampala, Uganda, has also downed the likes of Verno Phillips, Marco Antonio Rubio, Kofi Jantuah and Carlos Bojorquez during an eight year pro career.
“Arkansas is Jermain Taylor Country and DBE’s home away from home. This title defense against the outstanding Kassim Ouma belongs at Alltel Arena, and we are thrilled to be able to deliver it,” said Taylor’s promoter, Lou DiBella.
“There’s nothing like home cooking, and I am proud to be fighting again in Little Rock,” said Taylor. “Since it is my first title defense in my hometown, it is sure to be a very special night, and I look forward to putting on a great show for all of my fans.”
“Fighting for the world middleweight title is a dream come true for me,” said Ouma. “After I lost to Roman Karmazin, it seemed like the end of the world. But I worked my way back and I know that I earned this fight with Jermain. I got a second chance and I will make the most of it.”
There are approximately 4500 tickets priced at $75 or less.
Tickets are on sale and are priced at $650, $500, $300, $200, $150, $125, $75, $45, & $25 (Students Under age 18, Seniors & Active Military). Available through the Alltel Arena Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets (501-975-7575) and Online at www.ticketmaster.com.