Glen Johnson Could Replace Mikkel Kessler, Face Green

[Gamer]

c/p By Rick Reeno

BoxingScene.com was advised by promoter Lou DiBella that there are ongoing discussions with Showtime to have Glen Johnson (50-14, 34KOs) replace the injured Mikkel Kessler in the Super Six tournament. Johnson, a former light heavyweight champion, has not made the super middleweight limit of 168-pounds since 2000. DiBella says Johnson is confident of being able to make the division limit without struggling.

If a deal is finalized with Showtime, Johnson will face Allan Green (29-2, 20KOs) in the third stage of the tournament. Green was previously scheduled to face Kessler, who withdrew from the tournament with an eye injury. Sakio Bika was approached and turned down the opportunity for personal reasons, says Dibella.

Green-Johnson could potentially take place as the Showtime televised co-feature to Juan Manuel Lopez-Rafael Marquez on November 6. DiBella said the November 6 date was far from a lock, but he expects the fight, if the Johnson deal is made, to take place in November.

"It's being worked on. We're discussing it. It's a very good opportunity for Glen Johnson and I think it would be a good fight. Nothing is definite yet, but when there is something to definite to announce, Showtime will announce it," DiBella told BoxingScene.com.

[Gamer]

c/p posted by showtime
NEW YORK – Veteran contender Glen “The Road Warrior” Johnson has been tapped to replace the injured Mikkel Kessler in the Super Six World Boxing Classic and is preparing to meet Allan Green in a Group Stage 3 bout on Saturday, Nov. 6, live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast), it was officially announced today by SHOWTIME Sports® Executive Vice President and General Manager Ken Hershman.

The 12-rounder between the Jamaican-born Johnson (50-14-2, 34 KOs), of Miami, Fla., and Green (29-2, 20 KOs), of Tulsa, Okla., will emanate from MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas and open the telecast on SHOWTIME. In the second half of the excellent Nov. 6 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader, undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight champion Juan Manuel “JuanMa” Lopez (29-0, 26 KOs) of Puerto Rico will defend his title against two-division world champion Rafael Marquez (39-5, 35 KOs) of Mexico City.

A former International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight champion, Johnson is a hard-knocking veteran who has fought and defeated some of the best fighters of this era. Seemingly always in close, rough, crowd-pleasing fights, Johnson owns victories over Roy Jones Jr. and Antonio Tarver, among others.

Johnson has appeared in seven world title fights and now has an opportunity to reestablish himself as one of the world’s elite prizefighters.

“I want to thank Showtime for including me in their Super Six tournament,” he said. “Having dedicated so many years to the sport of boxing, it is gratifying to still be considered worthy of competing with some of the top fighters in the world and on such a prestigious platform.”

Regarding the super middleweight limit of 168 pounds, at which Johnson has not fought since 2000, he stated: “I typically weigh in at 172 pounds for my light heavyweight fights. I will have no trouble making the 168-pound limit as a super middleweight.”

Group Stage 3, the final Stage of the point-based round-robin portion of the tournament, will determine the four fighters who will advance to the single-elimination Semifinals. As per tournament rules, a replacement fighter enters the Group Stage tied with the last place fighter—in this case, Green with zero points. Both men go into the Nov. 6 showdown on equal ground. But only one will have the opportunity to qualify for the Semis. The winner of Green vs. Johnson—with either 2 or 3 points—would need help from Andre Ward and/or Arthur Abraham to qualify. (See current standings below)

Allan Green, who was outmatched in his Group Stage 2 bout against Ward, is ready for the challenge ahead of him. Inspired to redeem himself, his intense preparation will continue as planned despite the change from Kessler to Johnson. No matter the opposition, Green needs a strong performance in Group Stage 3 to advance.

Following Nov. 6, Group Stage 3 will conclude on Saturday, Nov. 27, on SHOWTIME when Ward of Oakland, Calif., faces Andre Dirrell of Flint, Mich., in a battle of American stars and Abraham of Germany takes on former World Boxing Council (WBC) titlist Carl Froch of England, in a matchup that pits arguably the hardest punchers in the Super Six at Hartwall Areena in Helsinki, Finland. Ward-Dirrell will be televised live; Abraham-Froch will be shown on same-day delay.

SUPER SIX WORLD BOXING CLASSIC SCOREBOARD (Through Group Stage 2)

Record Fighter Points

2-0 Andre Ward 4

1-1 Arthur Abraham 3

1-1 Carl Froch 2

1-1 Andre Dirrell 2

0-1 Allan Green 0

0-0 Glen Johnson* 0

[Gamer]

c/p posted by top rank
Bob Arum said today Top Rank's fight card featuring Juan Manuel Lopez vs. Rafael Marquez "got bigger and more complete" with the addition of the big Super Six fight matching Alan Green vs Glen Johnson on November 6 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

"I want to thank Lou DiBella and Showtime for adding such a splendid fight," Arum said. "This will insure that the television audience and the fans purchasing tickets at the MGM will get a full, complete and outstanding night of boxing."

DiBella said "...with Mikkel Kessler falling, Showtime could not have created a more compelling matchup for Allan Green. Allan has been working for months to reflect his true ability. Glen Johnson is already poised to make 168 pounds and there are very few men more worthy of this opportunity in all of boxing than the Road Warrior. It will be an exciting opening to an outstanding main event."