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World Championship boxing returns to Hartford for the first time in 20 years as the long awaited rematch between undefeated two-time light heavyweight champion and Connecticut’s favorite son Chad Dawson and former world champion Glen Johnson is on.
The world title rematch pits Dawson, the light heavyweight division’s kingpin, defending his world championship belt against Johnson, the man who gave him the stiffest test and closest shave of his career.
In their first battle, which took place in April 2008, the two squared off with Dawson’s WBC light heavyweight title on the line. Dawson came away with a hard-earned unanimous decision, but the entire boxing world was left clamoring for more from these world-class fighters.
Since their first rumble, Dawson has only raised his profile, with two nationally televised victories over former undisputed champion Antonio Tarver.
Johnson has also kept a high profile, stopping Aaron Norwood in four rounds, and then avenging a highly controversial draw with Daniel Judah by winning a clear-cut unanimous decision in February.
“I am so excited to be able to bring back world championship boxing to Hartford as a defending world champion,” said Dawson.
“This is going to be a homecoming home run because this time I’m going to knock Johnson’s head out of the park. He didn’t win the first fight and he has absolutely no chance this time.”
“I’m known as the ‘Road Warrior’ for a reason. I always win the away game,” said Johnson. “In 2004 I went to England and beat Clinton Woods for the world title, knocked out Roy Jones in Memphis and smacked Antonio Tarver in Los Angeles to win the Fighter of the Year Award”.
“It is such a thrill to bring a world title fight back to Hartford,” said promoter Gary Shaw. “It’s hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since Marlon Starling defended his WBC welterweight title in this same building, winning a unanimous decision over Yung-Kil Chung.
“Starling, Gene Tunney, Willie Pep, just to name a few, came from Connecticut and put it on the map as a boxing capital. The title fight drought is over for the fans of Hartford, and millions of HBO viewers will get a first-hand look at what a home cooking, Dawson Style, is all about.”
Promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, in association with DiBella Entertainment and Seminole Warriors Boxing, Dawson-Johnson II will be broadcast live on HBO World Championship Boxing, Saturday, November 7, beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT, from the XL Center.
Tickets, priced at $200, $100, $70, $50, and $35, (plus any applicable fees and surcharges), go on sale next Friday, September 18 at Noon ET, and can be purchased at the XL Center box office, at all Ticketmaster outlets, through Ticketmaster Charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at www.xlcenter.com.
