Golden Boy Boxing Signs Ex-World Champ Joan Guzman

Perhaps the greatest boxer to ever come out of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo's Joan Guzman has already compiled a spectacular resume that includes a 1996 Olympic berth, 29 professional wins without a defeat and world titles in two weight classes.

The 33-year-old Guzman, however, is far from done and has now enlisted Golden Boy Promotions to help lead him to a third world championship.

"This is a special day for me in my career," said Guzman. "I've always admired Oscar de la Hoya in the ring as a boxer and outside of it for what he's done with his promotional company. This is the team that will take me to the top of the lightweight division again and I couldn't be happier."

"Everyone in boxing knows how good Joan Guzman is," said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. "He can box with the best of them and he can also knock you out with either hand.

"Now it's time for Joan to take things even further with super fights against the best fighters around the lightweight division have to offer and we're going to take him there. Boxing fans are going to be in for a treat when they see what Joan brings to the ring in the future."

One of the greatest amateur boxers to ever lace up a pair of gloves, Joan "Little Tyson" Guzman (29-0, 17 KO's) compiled an amazing 310-10 record while winning Gold Medals at the Pan American, Central American and Caribbean Games in addition to earning a spot on the 1996 Dominican Republic Olympic Team.

He turned professional in 1997 and earned a reputation as a knockout artist thanks to an early 17-0 start with 13 KO's. In August of 2002, he won his first World Title as he knocked out unbeaten Argentinean Fabio Oliva for the vacant WBO Junior Featherweight Title.

Guzman defended the title twice (including a seventh round stoppage of former World Champion and countryman Agapito "Ciclon" Sanchez) before moving up in weight.

In September of 2006, he won his second world title belt by defeating Argentinean former World Champion Jorge Rodrigo "La Hiena" Barrios by decision for the WBO Junior Lightweight title.

After two more defenses of his crown, Guzman moved up to the 135-pound weight class and in his last bout on December 20, 2008, he won the WBA Fedelatin Lightweight title by defeating Ameth Diaz over 12 rounds.

A date and opponent for Guzman's first bout with Golden Boy Promotions will be announced shortly. For more information on Golden Boy Promotions, please visit www.goldenboypromotions.com.