Square Ring Boxing: Kimbrough vs. Litzau Added To “Hook City” Fight Card

A pair of young lightweight prospects battling to get to the next level, Verquan “The Show” Kimbrough and Jason “The American Boy” Litzau, have been added to the August 15th “Hook City” pay per view event in a 10-round Special Attraction.

The “Hook City” pay-per-view show, headlined by two of the best left-hook punchers in boxing, 8-time world boxing champion Roy “Captain Hook” Jones, Jr. (53-5, 39 KOs) and former 2-time super middleweight title-holder Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy (25-2, 17 KOs, will air live from the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi.

Kimbrough (21-1-2, 7 KOs), 26, has a rich amateur pedigree, highlighted by his gold medal performance in the 2002 U.S. Nationals (AAU) Championships as a lightweight, the same tournament and weight class that produced champions such as Aaron Pryor, Pernell Whitaker, Oscar de la Hoya, Shane Mosley and a host of other world champions.

A member of the Roy Jones, Jr.-owned Square Ring Promotions stable, Verquan at one time held several titles, including IBA, NABA, NABC Americas, IBC Americas, and West Virginia State. A slick, consummate boxer from Pittsburgh, Kimbrough is looking forward to his fight against Litzau, who has already challenged for the IBF featherweight crown.

“I feel very good about fighting on this show because it’ll be my first time on pay per view,” he said from training camp. “I’m eager, especially where I’ll be fighting on the same card at Roy Jones, Jr. The fight itself will be exciting and is a big step for me. I look forward to getting in the ring with an elite athlete and putting on a great exhibition.

“I’ve watched a lot of Roy’s fights and what I like most about him is what he brings to the table. He’s a great champion who is also a promoter. There’s an edge with him because he’s still a fighter, unlike most other promoters. I signed with him because I liked him and his team the most.

“They are all very ethical individuals who are united in their efforts. My word is my bond, let the cards fall where they may, and they’re like that, too. I’m enjoying training with Roy at camp. I know what to expect from him — when it’s time for business or to play. You can see it in his eyes. He jokes when it’s play time, but he’s all business in the gym.”

Litzau (24-2, 20 KOs), fighting out of St. Paul (MN), already had a taste of competing at the next level, losing an IBF featherweight title fight 1 ½ years ago to Robert Guerrero. The 26-year-old Litzau is a flashy fighter who also had an impressive amateur career, posting a reported 125-10 career, including top honors in the National Silver Gloves Championship, and later earning a spot on the 2001 U.S. National Boxing Team.

“Fighting him is going to be a little awkward for me because he’s so tall (5’ 10”),” the 5’ 5” Kimbrough noted. “We both started boxing when we were young and are good athletes and competitors. He is the toughest opponent of my career.

“We’re at the level where the fight’s going to come down to who is more mentally and physically capable of getting to the next level. I’ve developed my skills where I can fight well against anything brought to the table. I guarantee that I’ll have the answers for anything he brings into the ring.

“I think it’ll come down to the stronger, more focused fighter that night. I expect a tough fight and I’m up to the challenge. I’m looking forward not only to the fight, but winning.

“I think this will be the biggest win on my resume. I don’t look too far ahead, career-wise; I leave that up to Roy and Square Ring, whether my next fight will be for any type of title or at the next level of competition. My job is to compete to the best of my ability.”

Australian import Danny “Green Machine” Green (26-3, 23 KOs) takes on South American champion Julio Cesar “La Furia” Dominguez (20-4-1, 14 KOs) in the 12-round co-feature for the vacant IBO cruiserweight championship.

All bouts are subject to change.

The “Hook City” pay-per-view show, presented by Square Ring Promotions in association with Left Hook Promotions and Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, is being distributed by Square Ring Promotions, Inc. at 9:00PM ET/6:00PM PT in the United States on cable and satellite via iNDemand, TVN, DirecTV and Dish Network for a suggested retail price of $34.95, as well as on Super Channel in Canada.

Tickets, priced at $150.00, $125.00, $100.00, $75.00, $50.00 & $25.00 are on sale and available at all Ticketmaster locations by calling 800.745.3000, on line at Ticketmaster.com and at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum box office.