Kingpin on the
Championship Trail Takes on Barrett on Friday Night Fights
April 30, 2009
(APR 30) After months of back and forth
trash talking, Star Boxing's WBA#5, WBC #10, and IBF #13 world rated
heavyweight contender Kevin "Kingpin" Johnson (21-0-1, 8KO) will face
off against two-time world title challenger Monte "Two Gunz" Barrett
(34-7, 20KO) on May 15th in the main event of ESPN2'S "Friday Night
Fights" at The Concert Venue at Harrah's Resort in Atlantic City, NJ.
KEVIN "KINGPIN JOHNSON
Johnson vs. Barrett pits one of the top prospects in the industry
(Johnson) against who many believe to be the ultimate gatekeeper in the
heavyweight division (Barrett). What makes this ultimate crossroads
battle even more intriguing is the fact that Johnson and Barrett flat
out don't like each other. For months the two have been sounding off on
one another. Adding more fuel to Johnson's fire is the fact that Barrett
got the fight against David Haye back in November, a fight Johnson had
been offered, and gladly accepted before Haye's people chose to pass on
Johnson and give the fight to Barrett instead.
"May 15th is going to be a tremendous night for me and my career and for
all those fans in attendance and for the rest at home watching on
T.V.,"stated Johnson. "I am the total package and I plan on showing that
to everyone under the bright lights of ESPN2 on May 15th."
"Trust me when I tell you Monte doesn't have a chance. He is in for a
long and painful night when he steps into that ring with me on the 15th.
He has been running his mouth for a long time now, and I promise he is
going to pay for what he has said. I do want to thank Monte though for
stepping up and taking this fight, since no one else in the heavyweight
division will."
JOHNSON WITH PROMOTER JOE DEGUARDIA & REST OF TEAM JOHNSON
"This is a step up for Kevin, but it's exactly what we have been wanting
and waiting for," stated Johnson promoter Joe DeGuardia, CEO and
President of Star Boxing. "No one has been willing to give Kevin a
chance to showcase his skills, but luckily for us Monte has stepped up
to the plate and it should make for a very entertaining fight. There is
a lot of bad blood between Kevin and Monte. There is no acting between
these two guys, they honestly just don't like each other."
MONTE "TWO GUNZ" BARRETT
The bout has heavy implications in the all important heavyweight
division as many people have been calling for Johnson, who is widely
considered one of the top heavyweight prospects in the world, to step up
his level of competition. Problem is no one has been willing to fight
him, until now.
In Barrett, Johnson will have a chance to showcase his skills against a
real heavyweight contender. Barrett has twice challenged for different
versions of the heavyweight championship, and has knocked off previously
undefeated fighters Dominick Guinn, and Owen Beck who were both 24-0
before facing Barrett. Last June, Barrett brutally KO'd highly regarded
"Big Sky" Tye Fields (6'8", 265 lbs.) in the very first round. Prior to
the bout against Barrett, Fields sported a very impressive 41-1, 37KO
record.
The card is promoted by Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing, in association with
Harrah's Resort. A complete list of the undercard will be announced
shortly. Tickets are priced at $90 and $60 and can be purchased by
calling Ticketmaster at 1(800) 745-3000 or going online to
ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available by calling Star Boxing at
(718) 823-2000 or by going online to starboxing.com. Source/PR
