(NEW YORK) Jan. 11, 2007 – Photos by David Martin Warr/DKP – Four talented, crowd-pleasing boxers with a combined record of 130-6 with 89 knockouts—a winning percentage exceeding 95 percent — will be featured during an excellent world championship doubleheader on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday, Feb. 3, it was formally announced Thursday during a press conference at Miami Arena in Miami, Fla.
In a battle of unbeatens in the main event, exciting and talented Tomasz Adamek (31-0, 21 KOs) of Jersey City, N.J., by way of Zywiec, Poland, will defend his WBC light heavyweight title against hard-hitting WBC No. 2 contender “Bad” Chad Dawson (23-0, 15 KOs) of New Haven, Conn., via Hartsville, S.C..
In the telecast’s co-feature, making his first start since winning the title in a bout against Levander Johnson that ended in tragedy 16 months ago, Jesus Chavez (43-3, 30 KOs) of Austin, Tex., will defend his IBF lightweight crown against IBF interim 135-pound champ Julio Diaz (33-3, 24 KOs) of Coachella, Calif.
The fight card, entitled “Super Saturday” is being promoted by Don King Productions in association with Gary Shaw Productions and will include a third world championship bout on the non-SHOWTIME televised undercard—IBF junior middleweight champion Cory “Next Generation” Spinks will defend his crown against mandatory challenger, No. 1-ranked “Smooth” Rodney Jones.
Tomasz Adamek: “I showed I am a gladiator in my two fights with Paul Briggs. People know now I have a lot of heart and boxing skills. I give all credit to God.
“Dawson’s a regular guy. He will be a tough opponent, hungry to take my title. It’s not going to happen. I will stop him.”
Jesus Chavez: “Julio Diaz is a very good, well-respected boxer that comes from a boxing family.
“Particularly in this fight, winning will be a person achievement for me. I’ve had to overcome a lot in my career and this will be no different.
“This is my third big shot at stardom. This would be strike three for me so I have to hit a home run.”
Julio Diaz: “Chavez is a the most polite, dangerous opponent lightweight in the division. Don’t be fooled by his unassuming nature. Don’t drop your guard. When he steps into the ring he’s different.
“We’re going to have a great war. I’m going to try to hurt him more than he hurts me.”
