Their first meeting in 2003 ended in a controversial draw. On Friday, February 27, nearly six years later, light heavyweight standouts Glen Johnson and Daniel Judah finally get the opportunity to settle the score when they headline ESPN2 Friday Night Fights from the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida..
“This is one of the fights I’ve been waiting to get back, and now the time is here,” said Johnson. “I know I won the first fight with Judah, and I will take care of the injustice of that draw on February 27th.”
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to fight a great fighter like Glen a second time, but this time, I’m bringing my own judges,” said Judah. “I beat him once and I’ll do it again, this time by knockout.”
In the co-featured bout of the evening, junior welterweight prospect Jesus Pabon kicks off his 2009 campaign against an opponent to be determined. Also in action is unbeaten 2008 US Olympic team alternate Danny O’Connor.
Johnson vs Judah II headlines a night of world-class professional boxing presented by Seminole Warriors Boxing. The ESPN2 Friday Night Fights broadcast begins at 9pm ET / 6pm PT.
Tickets for this event, priced at $152, $102, $52, and $22, will go on sale Monday, January 26th and may be purchased at the Hard Rock Live Box Office or TicketMaster.com.
One of the fight game’s true heroes, Glen “The Road Warrior” Johnson (48-12-2, 33 KOs) is a former light heavyweight world champion and 2004 Fighter of The Year who, at 40, remains the most feared man in the sport today. Currently ranked #1 by the WBC, and the winner of four of his last five bouts by knockout, with the only loss coming via a highly controversial decision to Chad Dawson last April, Johnson is on a quest to right the wrongs inflicted on him during his career, starting with his rematch with Judah.
A member of the famous fighting Judah family, 31 year old Daniel Judah (23-3-3, 10 KOs) is a slick southpaw with speed and savvy in the ring, who is looking to get a long overdue world title shot in 2009. Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, Judah has been in the ring with the likes of Eric Harding, Julian Letterlough, Darnell Wilson, and Yusaf Mack over the course of his 10-year pro career, and fresh off an impressive 12 round win over Jaffa Ballogou last December, he’s peaking at the right time for his return bout with Johnson.
San Juan, Puerto Rico native Jesus Pabon (13-1, 8 KOs) has done his island proud with his two-fisted attack and determination to win. Coming off a 2008 that saw him go 3-0 (including a decision win over 11-1 Bulmaro Solis in August), the 28-year old southpaw is ready for a step up to the big time in 2009.
23-year old southpaw Danny O’Connor ended a stellar 95-8 amateur career with an alternate spot on the 2008 US Olympic team, and he has carried that success into the pro game, where he is 2-0 (1 KO) since turning pro last September. On February 27th, he looks to keep the momentum going.
WBC World Champion Andre Berto Proves His Star Quality with Late Surge to Turn Back Mandatory Challenger Luis Collazo
New York (January 20, 2009) – In an early candidate for “Fight of the Year” honors, WBC 147 pound world champion Andre Berto came on strong in the championship rounds to rally past former WBA welterweight king Luis Collazo, in a tremendous all-action fight that featured several shifts in momentum, as seen on HBO’s Boxing After Dark, from the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.
The spirited twelve round fight offered great give-and-take action, with slick boxing southpaw Collazo (29-4, 14 KOs) getting off to a fast start, before Berto (24-0, 19 KOs) rallied in the middle rounds, only to have Collazo, who reigned as world champion in 2005, find a second gear in rounds nine and ten. With his championship in peril, Berto saved his best for last – producing an awesome two-fisted attack in the final two rounds to earn a unanimous decision on scores of 116-111 and 114-113 twice.
“Tonight we saw Andre Berto graduate from the ‘future’ to the ‘here and now’ of the welterweight division. Only a very special type of champion rises to the occasion – with his title up for grabs late in a fight – to close the show like Andre did tonight against Collazo. It’s clear why Luis Collazo won a world title and why he gave Ricky Hatton fits. Together, Berto and Collazo began 2009 with a bang,” said DBE president Lou DiBella.
Berto was tested from the beginning, as Collazo, from Queens, NY, hurt the champion with a left hand in round one and seemed to be in control through the first four rounds. To make matters worse, Berto had to overcome a point deduction for holding and a cut over his right eye from a clash of heads. Despite the adversity, Berto remained composed and eventually began to find his rhythm, while scoring effectively from the outside, before digging deep late in order to retain the championship.
“Luis Collazo is an animal! He is a tough customer. He caught me with some shots early on,” said Berto.
Berto, 25, from Winterhaven, Florida, represented Haiti in the 2004 Olympics. He won the vacant WBC welterweight crown this past June via TKO 7 over Miguel Angel Rodriguez, and in his first title defense, unanimously outpointed Steve Forbes on September 27.