Allan Green advisor Greg Leon has formally notified the Nevada State Athletic Commission of Team Green’s intent to file an appeal of referee Robert Byrd’s decision to call a halt to his bout this past Saturday evening against Glen Johnson at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Johnson was awarded a knockout victory at the close of the eighth round. Green went to the canvas after being on the receiving end of what he and his team feel were rabbit punches. Although Green beat the count, Byrd stopped the bout and Johnson was declared the winner..
To handle this appeal, Green’s advisor Greg Leon has hired respected boxing attorney Josh Dubin, who, in California, successfully overturned Timothy Bradley’s knockout victory over Nate Campbell to a no contest. The appeal will be filed by the end of the week, and the rules of the NSAC entitle Mr. Green to a decision within sixty days of the filing of his petition.
“A review of the fight makes it clear that the blow which put Mr. Green to the canvass, and led to Mr. Byrd stopping the fight, was a rabbit blow. No question about it. There is absolutely no point in having rules in the first place if they are not going to be enforced. Now it is just a matter of asking the Nevada State Athletic Commission to apply its own rules. That is all we ask for. I have full confidence that the Commission will do that,” said Dubin.
At the time of the stoppage, Green was ahead on two of the three scorecards. Said Leon, “The fight was close, no doubt about that. But my guy was winning and I just want him be able to win or lose within the rules. He was hit in the back of the head at the end of the third round and then again in the eighth. He should have been given time to recover. I just hope the Nevada Commission hears our case fairly. If they do that, I have no doubt they will overturn the referee’s decision.”
DiBella Entertainment celebrates big weekend victories as Glen Johnson, Edwin Rodriguez, and Marcus Johnson all come up winners on national television
(November 8, 2010 – New York, NY) From young to, well, not as young, DiBella Entertainment (“DBE”) is reveling in a big weekend of victories from some of its top talent. It all started on Friday night when two of the best prospects in all of boxing, super middleweights Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez and Marcus “Too Much” Johnson scored impressive knockout wins on SHOWTIME’s ShoBox: The New Generation series from the Scheels Arena in Fargo, ND. On Saturday, as part of Showtime Championship Boxing, 41 year old Glen “The Road Warrior” Johnson, who is co-promoted by DBE and Warriors Boxing, knocked out Allan Green at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas to advance to the semi-finals of Super Six World Boxing Classic.
On the un-televised undercard from Fargo, even more DBE talent came up victorious as welterweight prospect Antwone Smth (19-2-1, 11 KO) and middleweight contender Ishe Smtih (22-5, 10 KOs) notched wins.
The young guns, Rodriguez (17-0, 13 KOs) and Marcus Johnson (20-0, 15 KOs), both stepped in with the toughest tests of their career, with the 25 year old Rodriguez facing James McGirt, Jr. for the WBC USNBC super middleweight title, and Johnson squaring off with hard-nosed veteran Kevin Engel. Rodriguez wore down McGirt, forcing a ninth round stoppage, while Johnson scored a third round knockdown en route to a stoppage at the end of that same round.
“Marcus and Edwin have yet to look anything less than spectacular in their careers,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “They faced the toughest tests of their careers head on and passed with flying colors. It was another impressive step for two impressive prospects.”
Dan Rafael of ESPN.com said Rodriguez “showed poise and maturity as he took his time to break McGirt down” and called Johnson “one of the top prospects in the land” following their respective wins.
Come Saturday, it was the other Johnson’s turn as Glen Johnson finished off an otherwise competitive bout with DBE stablemate Allan Green with a right hand in round eight. With the win, Johnson (51-14-2, 35 KOs) advances to the semi finals of SHOWTIME’S heralded super middleweight tournament, despite having to make the super middleweight weight limit for the first time in a decade.
“Glen proved against a game and determined Allan Green that he’s an extraordinary athlete and a complete anomaly for a 41 year old man,” said DiBella. “He adds dignity, class, and excellence to the semifinals of the Super Six. I thank Showtime and [Showtime Executive Vice President] Ken Hershman for their foresight including Glen in this great tournament.”