Kingpin Woes Champion
Klitschko and Swiss at Press Conference
November 5, 2009
(NOV 5) When Star Boxing's undefeated
heavyweight Kevin "Kingpin" Johnson (22-0-1, 9KO) faces off against
Vitali Klitschko (38-2, 37KO) for Vitali's WBC Heavyweight Championship
belt on December 12th at the PostFinance Arena in Bern, Switzerland,
there won't be an empty seat left in the house. The arena which holds
17,000 people has already completely sold out all of its pre-sale
tickets. And while many of those 17,000 people will consist of
Klitschko's adoring European fans, after Johnson's recent appearance in
Switzerland to officially announce the upcoming bout, there just might
be more than a few fans cheering for the American Johnson.
"Everyone fell in love with Kevin in
Switzerland. The press, the fans, and even Vitali was impressed with
Kevin," stated Joe DeGuardia, CEO and founder of Star Boxing, who
accompanied Johnson on the trip.
The official press conference to announce the fight was held Friday at
Switzerland's famous Jungfraujoch (elevation, 11,333 feet; 3,454
meters), the highest train station in all of Europe.
Johnson was the first of the fighter's to address the audience, thanking
everyone for coming, and inviting him to their beautiful country and to
Vitali for accepting the challenge.
"Vitali is a great champion, but I am not
leaving this country on December 12th without that belt," stated
Johnson. "I made a promise to my daughter at home that I will be coming
back the WBC Heavyweight Champion of the World, and I have no intentions
of breaking that promise."
"I know Kevin is a very dangerous and skilled opponent, much more than
my last opponent Chris Arreola, and I am taking this fight very
seriously," stated the champion Klitschko. "Looking at Kevin today I can
see in his eyes that he truly believes he is coming here to win my
title, he has no fear of me. Kevin is going to be a champion one day,
just not on December 12th."
Following the press conference Johnson spoke with reporters and signed
countless autographs for those in attendance.
On Saturday both Johnson and Klitschko were the guests of honors at the
PostFinance Arena ice hockey game. The two took photos, met with more
fans, and participated in the ceremonial dropping of the puck to start
the game.
Following the game Johnson and Klitschko attended the post event
cocktail party. At the party was where the 6'3" 240lb. intimidating
looking Johnson, who originally hails from the rough streets of New
Jersey, showed a much softer side.
"Without saying anything, Kevin walks up to the pianist in the middle of
the room, asks him if he can sit down and with no hesitation starts
playing," said DeGuardia. "Everyone was completely blown away. After
playing for a few minutes and not missing one key or note, Kevin rose
from the piano to a standing ovation."
"It's one of the many skills I have, just not a lot of people known
about that one," says Johnson with a laugh.
On December 12th Johnson will look to use his better known boxing skills
to dethrone Klitschko, finally bringing a heavyweight championship back
to the U.S.
"To all my fans out there, stay tuned because Mr. Tall, Dark and
Handsome is about to shock the world again. To all my haters, keep it
up, I enjoy the motivation. On December 12th I am bringing the
championship back to America were it rightfully belongs."
Published on WBAN. Source/PR
