TalkingBoxing News
BOXING MOURNS LEAVANDER JOHNSON
THU September 22 - It is with great sadness that we announce that Leavander Johnson passed away at University Medical Center in Las Vegas at 4:23 PM/PT. Leavander fought this injury with the same courage and grace that he displayed in his sixteen years as a professional prize fighter. He died in the presence of his family and those he loved.
"We at DiBella Entertainment are devastated by the loss of our great friend and champion," said DBE president Lou DiBella. "Our prayers are with his parents, children, siblings and loved ones. His passing is a terrible reminder of the dangers inherent in our sport of boxing. Despite the high level of medical care and regulation in Nevada, it is also a reminder that the health and safety of fighters must be protected to the greatest extent possible and that national, uniform health and safety regulations must be instituted and enforced. If there is any comfort to be taken at this time of great sorrow, it is that Leavander lived his dream and died a champion doing what he loved most."
Leavander's father Bill Johnson, on behalf of the family, wishes to thank the public and boxing community for the love and support that they extended to Leavander and his team. Bill would also like to wish the best of luck to Jesus Chavez, a great champion, and to tell him that he is blameless in this tragic situation. DiBella Entertainment and the family are establishing THE LEAVANDER FUND to support the essential needs and education of Leavander's four children. Legal services for the LEAVANDER FUND are being provided pro bono by the law firm Wolf, Block, Schoor & Solis-Cohen. Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming as will information about the LEAVANDER FUND.
Taylor-Hopkins A Go, Dec. 3rd
THU September 22 - In what is being called the most highly anticipated fight of the year, the rematch between undisputed middleweight champion Jermain ‘Bad Intentions’ Taylor and former undisputed middleweight champion Bernard ‘The Executioner’ Hopkins - Taylor vs. Hopkins II, 'No Respect' - will take place Saturday, Dec. 3 at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Tickets priced at $800, $600, $400, $200 and $100 go on sale today at Noon at the Mandalay Bay Theatre box office. Tickets also will be sold at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (Tower Records/WOW!, Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Robinsons-May stores and Ritmo Latino). To charge by phone with a major credit card, call the Mandalay Bay box office at (702) 632-7580 or Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
Their first fight captivated the sports world with its drama and stirring outcome making it one of the most spectacular bouts in recent history. For Taylor, it is an opportunity to prove that his split decision win over the long-reigning champion July 16 was no fluke. For Hopkins, it is time to set the record straight with his spirited rival.
The championship card will be presented by DiBella Entertainment and Golden Boy Promotions and will be broadcast live on HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST. The undercard bouts will be announced in the near future. A press conference with both fighters is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 1 in Tampa, Florida.
For more information about Taylor vs. Hopkins II, 'No Respect' please visit www.goldenboypromotions.com or www.dbe1.com.
The Taylor vs. Hopkins II pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST Oct. 1, has a suggested retail price of $49.95, will be distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 50 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For your daily Taylor vs. Hopkins II fight week updates, log onto www.HBOPPV.com.
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