Glen “Road Warrior” Johnson (51-16-2, 35 KOs) is working hard with trainer Orlando Cuellar, co-Trainer Hamlet McKenzie and strength and conditioning coach Steve Arintok at Thump Boxing Gym in Miami.
The still-dangerous former world champion is putting the finishing touches on preparations to face Chicago’s “The Polish Prince” Andrzej Fonfara (21-2, 12 KOs) in the 10-round main event of 8 Count Productions and Warriors Boxing’s “CROSSROADS”, boxing event at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago and live on ESPN Friday Night Fights next Friday, July 13.
In the co-main event that night, former world champion Jose Luis “EL Terrible” Castillo (63-11-1, 54 KOs) will face Chicago fan favorite Ivan “EL Marro” Popoca (15-1-1, 10 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight battle.
“Training went well,” said Johnson. “I feel good. I’m going to come out and look good next Friday. I feel sharp right now. I’m feeling real relaxed and energetic. I’m excited about going out there and showing the things I can do and re-establishing myself.”
Johnson says he’s happy about the choice of opponent for his return, and true to his always-considerate nature, not just because he thinks he can win.
“I know he’s a big aggressive kid, who uses his jab and comes forward with the right hand and the hook. He’s just an aggressive guy, basically. I love aggressive guys. They create good fights for the people.”
So why does a 43-year-old ex-champion continue to trade leather with men who could be his son? Because he can.
“I like the challenge. I’m excited about going out there and doing the things I do. I’m still able to do it at a high level. People are still excited about seeing me perform, so that’s another plus. Mostly, I keep doing it because I’m still enjoying it.”
Aware of father time, however, Johnson says at this point in his career, a loss to a non-champion like Fonfara would probably spell the end.
“Oh yeah. If I lose to a guy like this, then that would tell me exactly the opposite of all I just said – that I’m sharp and ready to go and can still do it on a high level. If I lose I probably won’t want to do it anymore.”
Putting the pressure of keeping his boxing career alive aside, Johnson says he’ll probably deliver in a big way Friday.
“The way I’m feeling right now, I think I will stop this guy, but it’s always easier said from the outside looking in. I just want to get in there and see exactly what’s happening and then I’ll put my shots in the right spots. I really think I’ll stop him.”
Johnson has fought in Chicago a couple times already, but claims this is already his favorite fight in the area.
“This is my first time where I can actually enjoy the weather. Every time I went there, it was freezing ad I hated it. I’m not a cold-weather guy. I’m going there now when it’s fairly warm and the kind of weather I can deal with. I will enjoy this fight more than any other one I’ve had here.”
A die-hard basketball fan, Johnson says he’s already having a great summer because of his favorite team’s victory.
“Miami Heat. Champions. Glen Johnson is extremely excited about that. The only thing that would be better is if I won another world championship!”
###
Several local and national prospects are scheduled to appear on the CROSSROADS undercard.
In a six-round welterweight battle, Jaime Herrera, 7-2-0 (4 KOs) of Franklin Park, Illinois, will face Tyrone Chatman (9-1-2, 6 KOs) of St Louis, Missouri; Bassett, Virginia’s Elijah McCall (9-1-1, 8 KOs), son of heavyweight champion Oliver McCall, will appear in a six-round heavyweight scrap against Jason Massie (7-2, 4 KOs), Cleveland, Ohio; popular Chicago super middleweight Paul Littleton (3-0, 3 KOs) will face Ramiro Bueno Jr., (2-2-0, 1 KO) of South Bend, Indiana, in a five-round bout; cruiserweight Junior Wright (3-0, 3 KOs) of Evanston, Illinois, will face Covon Graham (1-2-1, 1 KO) of Detroit in a four-rounder; Chicago super featherweight Juan Bustamante (3-0, 2 KOs) will go against Michah Branch (0-1-0) of Cincinnati, Ohio, in a four-rounder; Miami, Florida’s hard-punching Vilier Quinonez (3-0, 2 KOs) will take on Hesperia, Michigan’s Rogelio Saldana (1-3, 1 KO) in a light heavyweight four-rounder; and in a heavyweight four-rounder Curtis Tate (4-3, 4 KOs) of Oakland, Tennessee will face Calbert Lewis (0-1) of Gary, Indiana.
Advance tickets for CROSSROADS/ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS, presented by 8 Count Productions, Warriors Boxing, Round 3 and Blue Wave Boxing, priced at $151, $101, $51 and $31 are now on sale through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com), the UIC Pavilion Box Office (312-413-5740) and the 8 Count Productions’ Office (312-226-5800).
Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 7:45pm. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Racine, just one block south of the Eisenhower Expressway. Doors on the night of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 7:45 pm.
The UIC Pavilion is now serving alcohol at all boxing events. For further information, please visit their website at www.uicpavilion.com.
Complete Show Boxeo TELEMUNDO Ford July 13th , 2012 at Auditorio Plaza Condesa, Mexico DF, Mexico
“CIVIL WAR IN CONDESA II”
12 Rounds WBC Latin Flyweight Title (vacant)
Edgar “El Power” Jimenez Vs Julian “Chicano” Rivera
Mexico DF, Mexico Mexico DF, Mexico
15-6-1-11 KO’s 11-6-2 KO’s
8 Rounds Supermiddleweights
Pablo “Pokemon” Farias Vs. Alvaro “Pantera” Enriquez
Buenos Aires, Argentina Mexico DF, Mexico
6 Rounds Welterweights
Rodolfo “Epi” Martinez Vs. Ulises “Cerillo” Jimenez
Buenos Aires, Argentina Mexico DF, Mexico
6 Rounds Lightweights
Angel “Bamboo” Molina Vs. Guillermo Medina
Mexico DF, Mexico Mexico DF, Mexico
4 Rounds Flyweights
Jose Armando Valdez Bernal Vs. Edwin Pena
Estado de Mexico, Mexico Mexico DF, Mexico
4 Rounds Lightweights
Julio Cesar Juarez Vs. Jorge Barrera
Mexico DF, Mexico Mexico DF, Mexico
4 Rounds Bantamweights
Juan Manuel Benitez Vs. Manuel Martinez
Mexico DF, Mexico Mexico DF, Mexico
****CARD SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND OR APPROVAL FROM COMBOXDF****
Time: Doors Open @ 7:30 PM & First Fight 8:00 PM
Promoter: All Star Boxing, Inc., “The New Generation” & Felix “Tuto” Zabala, Jr. in association with Producciones Deportivas-Ricardo Maldonado Jr., OR Promotions-Osvaldo Rivero and RB Producciones-Eric Reider.
Matchmaker: Jorge Gonzalez
TV: Telemundo Main Event Live @ 11:35 PM (ET).
Tickets now on sale: Ticketmaster.com.mx Tel: 53259000
Location: Auditorio Plaza Condesa
Juan Escutia #4 (Esquina Tamaulipas y Nuevo Leon)
Colonia Hiprodromo Condesa
Mexico DF, Mexico
ARGENTINIANS TO FIGHT MEXICO ON JULY 13th
Mexico DF, Mexico: Two contenders from Argentina will be in action next Friday, July 13th when “Boxeo TELEMUNDO Ford” returns to the beautiful Auditorio Plaza Condesa In Mexico City.
Supermiddleweight Pablo “Pokemon” Farias 20-2-12 KO’s) of Buenos Aires, Argentina battles Alvaro “Pantera” Enriquez (11-10-2-3 KO’s) of Tlaxcala, Mexico in a bout schedule for 8 Rounds and welter Rodolfo “Epi” Martinez (40-5-2-15 KO’s) also of Buenos Aires, will face Ulises “El Cerillo” Jimenez (19-15-1-15 KO’s) of Mexico City in a bout schedule for 6 Rounds.
“It’s a good way to start heating up the rivalry between Mexico and Argentina heading up the much anticipated showdown September 15, Chavez Jr. Vs. Martinez”. said Promoter Zabala, Jr.
In the main event Edgar “El Power” Jimenez of Mexico City, Mexico (15-6-1-11 KO’s) , battles fellow countryman and spoiler Julian “Chicano” Rivera (11-6-2 KO’s) in a fight schedule for 12 rounds with the WBC Latin Flyweight Title at stake.
First bell at 8:00 PM, 4 mores fights round up the card. The main event will be televised live by Telemundo Network at 11:35 PM. Tickets are already on sale at Auditorio Plaza Condesa (Juan Escutia #4, Esq. Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon, Colonia Condesa) and also at ticketmaster.com.mx, prices are: $200 and $100 (MP). The show is being presented by Tuto Zabala’s Jr. All Star Boxing, Inc. in association with Ricardo Maldonado, Jr., Producciones Deportivas, RB Producciones and OR Promotions.
Weights: Majewski vs. Fitzpatrick, Harvell vs. Okedara
to jrussellpeltz
WEIGHTS FROM BALLY’S ATLANTIC CITY
Patrick Majewski 159 Christ Fitzpatrick 160
(vacant NABF middleweight title)
Lavarn Harvell 174 Mojeed Okedara 176
Osnel Charles 135 Rafael Luna 135
Esteban Rodriguez 138 Naim Nelson 137
Dan Biddele 204 Pedro Martinez 210
Jesse Hart 165 Steven Chadwick 165
Randy Easton 224 Mark Rideout 241
DeAndre Phillips 148 Anthony Prescott 144
Bally’s Atlantic City
Promoter: Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc. in association with Global Boxing
Tickets: $50 & $75
First fight: 7.30pm