Star Boxing: Antonio Tarver vs. Elvir Muriqi On Showtime June 9

Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing is proud to announce that on June 9 the former undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (24-4, 18KO’s) will vie for the vacant IBO Light Heavyweight title when he takes on Elvir “Kosovo Kid” Muriqi (34-3, 21KO’s).

This world championship doubleheader will also feature Chad Dawson (23-0, 15KO’s) making a voluntary defense of his WBC Light Heavyweight World title against Jesus Ruiz (19-4,17KO’s). The event will take place at the ultramodern Connecticut Convention Center, located in the new riverfront district in downtown Hartford, CT.

“We’re happy to be bringing world-class championship boxing to Connecticut’s Capital” stated Star Boxing CEO Joe DeGuardia. “This World Championship doubleheader will ignite the city of Hartford. We encourage the fans to come out and experience the electricity an event of this magnitude generates. It will be the event of the year for Connecticut”

“We are extremely proud to bring events of this caliber to the City of Hartford and the State of Connecticut,” said Mike Costelli, General Manager of the Connecticut Convention Center. “Star Boxing is a great organization that will bring national attention to the convention center as a viable venue for future boxing events.”

Tarver’s last fight took place on the silver screen starring as “Mason “The Line’ Dixon” opposite Sylvester Stallone in the critically acclaimed “Rocky Balboa”.

“The Magic Man is back,” Tarver said, “On June 9, I am going to make Muriqi disappear.”

“Antonio Tarver is in peak shape and is anxious to reclaim his status as monarch of the Light Heavyweight division” declared Star Boxing CEO Joe DeGuardia.

Media scribes describe Elvir Muriqi as having unequalled heart and fighting spirit. On June 9 Tarver will be facing a real-life Rocky. “This is the opportunity he’s been waiting and working hard for—he’ll make it a war” said Joe DeGuardia.

On the undercard, Connecticut’s own “Bad” Chad Dawson, the current WBC Light Heavyweight Champion, returns to the ring after his dominating performance over the former WBC Champion Tomasz Adamek this past February. “Bad” Chad defends his title against Jesus Ruiz.

“Hail the conquering hero,” said Gary Shaw, Dawson’s promoter. “There is nothing better than a world champion making his first title defense on his home turf. Chad is one of boxing’s brightest young stars and on June 9, he will write the first chapter of a very long and successful world championship story.”

A press conference to announce the Tarver vs. Muriqi and Dawson’s first defense is scheduled for next Tuesday May 15, at the Connecticut Convention Center Ballroom. Ticket information will be announced shortly.

This fight will be televised live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast)