Taylor, Dirrell Make Weight For Tonight’s ShoBox Bill

Two of the most recognizable names in boxing will make their long-awaited returns to the ring tomorrow, Dec. 30, when Jermain Taylor and Andre Dirrell are featured in separate 10-round fights on a special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation live on Showtime at 11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast, at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, Calif.

Taylor, (28-4-1, 17 KOs), of Little Rock, Ark., is a former undisputed middleweight champion who’ll be making his first start in 26 months when he meets Jessie Nicklow (22-2-3, 8 KOs) of Baltimore, Md., in the main event of a tripleheader. It will be Taylor ’s first fight since losing to Arthur Abraham in the Super Six World Boxing Classic on Oct. 17, 2009.

Dirrell (19-1, 13 KOs), of Flint, Mich., hasn’t fought since March 27, 2010, when he won by 11th-round disqualification over Abraham in the Super Six World Boxing Classic. Dirrell’s first fight in 21 months will be against Darryl Cunningham (24-2, 10 KOs), of Detroit , who has won 17 in-a-row.

In the opening bout of the telecast, former Cuban amateur standout Luis “El Leon” Garcia (11-0, 9 KOs) of Cork, Ireland, makes his United States debut when he takes on southpaw Alexander “The Great” Johnson (12-0, 5 KOs, 1 NC) of Oxon Hill, Md., in an eight-round showdown of undefeated light heavyweights.

Garcia, who turned 24 on Dec. 23, is a former world amateur champion. Johnson outpointed previously unbeaten Farah Ennis (17-0 going in) two starts ago on April 2, 2011.

The fighters weighed in yesterday:

Jermain Taylor: 161 lb
Jessie Nicklow: 159 lb

Andre Dirrell: 169 lb
Darryl Cunningham: 167.5 lb
Luis Garcia: 174.5 lb
Alexander Johnson: 172 lb

What the fighters said Thursday:

Jermain Taylor:
“I feel totally different today than I ever have the day of the weigh-in before a fight. I’m not irritable. I didn’t have to dry out. I feel calm and at peace.

“I feel so different because finally, for the first time, I did it right. I put in the hours training in the gym. I did my job and worked hard. I don’t have to drop a bunch of weight. I ate pasta the other night, steak and eggs the other morning. I never could do that before.

“This is the first time I can say that I am entering a fight knowing that I’m in shape. I’m ready to fight.’’

Jessie Nicklow:
“I know why they want to fight me. They think I’m too small, that I’m a natural junior middleweight. But they’re making a big mistake. I’m not a stepping stone.

“I’m really confident for this. I don’t think Taylor has that confidence. He’s been off two years. I’ve had four fights, two this year, but I’ve never been out of the gym. I definitely feel I can stay close (inside) and fight my style of fight

“My game plan is always the same – to hit my opponent in the face. I’m not changing anything just because I’m fighting a former world champion. Let’s see what he’s got to offer. I know what I’m bringing.

“I’m really looking forward to this.’’

Andre Dirrell:
“I have never felt as excited for a fight since I turned pro. I’m really psyched up.

“There’s going to be ring rust, of course. I just don’t want to show it. I’ve trained really hard. I trained through the holidays. It all begins again for me Friday night.

“I want to win, look good, and then go after all the super middleweights. I’m not ducking anybody. I will fight any of the 168-pounders in the world except for my brother, Anthony. People want to see me and Andre Ward fight. All I can continue to say is that that fight will definitely happen.’’

Darryl Cunningham:
“I’m going to have fun. I appreciate Team Dirrell giving me the opportunity to showcase my skills, and I will showcase my skills on Friday.

“This is such a great opportunity. I just can’t lose and not take advantage of it.

“Lots of people have never given me my due. They look where I come from, my background, the fact my Dad’s a pastor. They’ve always said the ‘Church Boy’ couldn’t make it in boxing because he was too nice a guy and too much of a family man.

“This is my chance to prove them, and everybody else wrong.’’

Luis Garcia:
“It’s always been my dream to fight in the U.S. , and I’m very excited that now it is happening and that it is on Showtime.

“I really want to win and leave a good impression so I can fight in the states all the time. I don’t know anything about the guy I’m fighting. What I do know is that I will give my best.’’

Alexander Johnson:
“This is a great opportunity for me, fighting on Showtime on such a great card like this. I am determined to come in and show what I am made of and what I can do.

“He may be a bigger name and have the credentials, but that all changes tomorrow.

“After tomorrow, when someone mentions my name, the question isn’t going to be, “who is he?’’