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Future Hall of Fame boxer Roy Jones, Jr. challenges North American Boxing Organization light heavyweight champion Prince Badi “The Boxing Prince” Ajamu in a crossroads fight for both on July 29 at the Qwest Arena in Boise, Idaho. The 12-round Jones-Prince Badi bout headlines “Hold Nothing Back!” presented by Xyience, Inc. in association with Sports and Entertainment Media, Inc.
Roy Jones, Jr. (49-4, 38 KOs) is a five-time world champion in four different weight classes. The 1990’s Fighter of the Decade is the ex-IBF middleweight and super middleweight champion, as well as the former undisputed light heavyweight title-holder. He made 11 successful defenses in unifying the 175-pound division before moving up and making history by defeating John Ruiz in 2003 to become first former middleweight champion to capture the world heavyweight crown in more than 100 years.
Prince Badi (25-2-1, 14 KOs), rated No. 5 by the World Boxing Council and No. 8 by the World Boxing Organization, captured the NABO light heavyweight title in his last fight (January 27, 2006) with a 10th round TKO of Galen Brown (22-3-1). Ajamu also holds the WBC Continental Americas, WBC CABOFE, IBC Intercontinental and Pennsylvania State light heavyweight belts.
Local hero Kenny “The Emmett Eliminator” Keene (51-3, 28 KOs) fights former International Boxing Federation cruiserweight champion “King” Arthur Williams (42-14-1, 29 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature.
Idaho-native Keene has been the WBF, IBC and IBA cruiserweight title-holder over the course of his 15-year pro career. He is riding an eight year, 11 fight win streak. His most notable victories have been against Rob Calloway, Richie LaMontagne and Andrew Maynard.
Williams captured the IBF cruiserweight title in 1998 with a ninth-round knockout of Imamu Mayfield. He also has beaten Dwight Mohammad Qawi and Adolfo Washington.
Local favorite, middleweight Cleveland “The Warrior” Corder (35-3, 20 KOs), received a medical release yesterday and has been added to the card, He will fight for the NABO title against an opponent to be determined.
PRESSER QUOTES
Roy Jones, Jr. (via telephone from Pensacola, Florida): “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to return to the ring and delighted to get back. I’d like to thank Prince Badi for accepting my challenge. I look forward to fighting in Boise. It’s a very good place for me to start my comeback and start Roy Jones’ climb to the top. I can’t wait to get there and I’ll be there a week-and-a-half to two weeks to train.
“Prince Badi is a very tough person who a lot of guys don’t want to fight. A lot of guys have avoided getting in the ring with him, he’s sparred with top fighters, but no one wanted to get in the ring for real with him. He’s very intelligent and a delightful guy (who’s getting a chance) to fight a legend. He’s going to come to win, I respect that and I’m coming to win, so may the best man win.
“I’m still the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, when I’m motivated, and I’m motivated now because a lot of people don’t think that I am the best. If I lose it, I doubt it; I will call it a day. I’m not concerned about what I’m going to do (after boxing). If I win, but not in good fashion, I could call it a day.
“I’m extraordinary. People are going to get the old Roy Jones, Jr.”
Prince Badi Ajamu (live in Boise): “Boxing is a very unpredictable sport. I believe my chance of winning is just as good as Roy’s. I’m focused on the fight. I’m very, very excited and my excitement will be shown in the ring. I’m a very adaptable fighter that makes the right decisions in split seconds.
“This is the biggest fight for me to date. I’m not looking past this fight; I’m specifically focused on this fight. I sparred a lot of guys (including) Antonio Tarver and Bernard Hopkins. I appreciate it (sparring with them) because It showed me that I could definitely compete at this level. (Sparring) Is like testing a product in a laboratory. You test it and test it before you take it out and put it against the best in the world.
“I don’t make guarantees or predictions. I will guarantee that I will give 110-percent and you’ll see a very exciting fight. I think Roy Jones is a legend in his own right, a Hall of Famer. I’ve always admired him and feel that it’s an honor to fight him.
“Come July 29th, all the great fighters from Philly and Jersey and especially the guys who never got their shot, will be on my shoulders. Roy is going to have to take on all of us on July 29th.”
Cleveland Corder: “I’m thankful for this opportunity to fight a top 10 guy. I’d like Ricardo Mayorga. My goal is to get into the top 10. I’m 33 now and I can’t do this forever. I’m still in good shape from last fight.”
“Hold Nothing Back!” will be broadcast live in North America on cable and satellite PPV beginning at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT. The event is being produced and distributed for North American Pay Per View by Integrated Sports and will be available in more than 50-million homes in the United States and Canada via InDemand, TVN, DirecTV & Dish Network in the US and Viewer’s Choice & Bell ExpressVu in Canada. The suggested retail price for the PPV telecast is only $24.95.
Tickets, priced at $50, $100, $150, $250 and $350 (plus handling fees), are now on sale and are available exclusively at the Qwest Arena Box Office. Call 208.331.TIXS (8947), toll free 888.330.TIXS (8497), or go on line at www.qwestarenaidaho.com.
