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Green Battles Williams on
ESPN2!
TULSA, OK - World rated super middleweight contender Allan Green looks to
continue his march towards a world championship when he battles former world
title challenger Rubin Williams on January 4th at the Osage Million Dollar
Elm Casino, Tulsa, OK.
While Green is excited to return, this bout represents somewhat of a
let-down for Green. After already committing to this fight, Green was
offered an opportunity to square off against Olympian Andre Ward on HBO. The
timeline, however, left it impossible for ESPN2 to fill the hole with a
comparable fighter, and Green was forced to keep his original commitment.
"Losing the fight with Ward was a major blow," said Green, who will be
fighting in his hometown of Tulsa for the 4th time. "While losing that fight
really hurts, I have to block it out and focus on January 4th because my
head has to be together when I step into the ring."
"It's disappointing that the Ward fight offer came at the wrong time," said
promoter Tony Holden. "But, we would be more than happy to meet him after
this fight."
Meanwhile, Rubin Williams, who will have a chance to get back into the world
championship picture with a win over Green. Williams gave a valiant effort
against than IBF world champion Jeff Lacy in 2005, but has seen his career
slow to a crawl since then, fighting just four times over the next two
years.
"This is a great opportunity for me," said Williams. "This fight is a long
time in the making. Allan has been making a lot of noise and a fight like
this, against a fighter like Allan is just what I need to show the world
where I stand in the super middleweight mix."
Both Green and Williams have been on a collision course for some time. Both
have been very vocal about their dislike for the other in the past.
"Rubin talks a lot and has said I didn't want to fight him, but he has been
offered fights with me on many occasions and he never wanted to make it
happen," said Green. "I have nothing bad to say about him only that on
January 4th he will be at the wrong place at the wrong time."
"I get a bad rap from a lot of people because I had to pull out of the
Pascal fight," said Williams, who brings a 29-2-1, 16 KO's record into the
fight. "I was in a car accident and had to pull out, but you can rest
assured that I will be in that ring on January 4th."
In 2007 Green suffered his first career set-back at the hands of hard
punching Edison Miranda. Despite suffering through a major medical issue,
Green quickly rebounded to score two devastating knockouts over veterans
Darrell Woods and Sherwin Davis.
"I am not going to make any excuses for the Miranda fight," said Green, who
brings a 25-1, 18 KO's record into the fight. "Miranda did what he had to do
to beat me. I don't think one fight should make or break any fighters’
career. I had major surgery after that fight and then I rallied for two
wins. I am still in the Ring Magazine top ten and I have never ducked anyone
in my career. Now I have to take care of Williams to continue on the road
back. In fact I think Williams is a tougher fight than Ward."
Since the loss to Lacy, Williams' career has all but stalled. Williams last
fought to a draw with former three-time world title challenger Antwun Echols
on January 12, 2007.
"I definitely have not been as active as I would have wanted," said
Williams, who hails from Detroit, MI. "I made a lot of bad decisions and had
some major managerial issues that kept me sidelined more than I would have
liked. I went out for the Contender and that took a lot of time as well, and
left me unavailable for some good fights that I did get offered. But I am
ready to get going and I know a win over Allan on January 4th would put me
right where I want to be."
The Green-Williams fight is scheduled for 10 rounds and will be televised
live by ESPN2. Former world tit le challenger Zahir Raheem looks to start
2008 in a big way as he is scheduled to face Francisco Dominguez in the 10
round co-feature.
For Ticket information call: (918) 699-7777. Souce: press release |
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