New York (Showtime Press Release) - International Boxing Federation (IBF) Junior Welterweight Champion Zab Judah will make the fourth defense of his title when he takes on former North American Boxing Federation (NABF) titleholder Reggie "Showtime" Green on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. The telecast begins at 10 PM ET/PT on Saturday, January 13, in the Uncas Pavilion at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Ct. The fight card is promoted by Main Events, Inc.
The telecast also will include the pro debuts of two young up and coming boxers recently signed by SHOWTIME. Ricardo Rocky Juarez and Jeff Lacy, who were members of the 2000 United States Olympic team, will make their pro debuts against opponents to be named in four-round bouts. Also, hot young prospect Juan Diaz, who is unbeaten in six starts, will take on an opponent to be determined in a six-round bout.
Judah (25-0, 1 NC, 19 KOs), of Brooklyn, New York, won the vacant IBF 140-pound title by knocking out Jan Bergman in the fourth round Feb. 12, 2000 on SHOWTIME. The 22-year-old dropped Bergman twice in the opening round and finished him off in the fourth. Judah is coming off of an eighth-round TKO over Hector Quiroz on Oct. 20, 2000. Judah dominated the one-sided bout on the Tyson vs. Golota undercard by battering the challenger from the outset. On Aug. 5, 2000, Judah defended his crown with a fourth-round TKO over former IBF junior welterweight boss Terronn Millett at Mohegan Sun. In his initial defense, the unbeaten southpaw won a unanimous 12-round decision over Junior Witter on June 24, 2000, in Glasgow, Scotland.
Green (33-4, 16 KOs) of Tuxedo, Maryland, is a former NABF and International Boxing Council Intercontinental 140-pound champion. He turned pro in January 1992 and won his first 17 starts. In his first attempt at a world title, Green lost a majority 12-round decision to World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Lightweight Champion Sharmba Mitchell. Green rallied from a first-round knockdown, but eventually lost by the scores of 114-114, 113-115 and 111-116.
Diaz (6-0, 5 KOs), of Houston, Texas, turned pro at 16 on June 23, 2000. As he was too young to box professionally in the United States, the super lightweight fought his initial three bouts in Mexico. The crowd-pleasing 17-year-old won his first five contests by knockout, prior to capturing a six-round decision over Michael Lucero on Dec. 1. Diaz is trained by Ronnie Shields.
Juarez, age 20, of Houston, Texas, won a silver medal as a featherweight at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. He went 145-17 during an amateur career in which he won numerous titles. The disputed defeat in the gold medal bout at the Olympics ended his 68-fight winning streak. Ray Ontiveros has trained Juarez for the past six years.
Lacy, age 23, of St. Petersburg, Florida, made it to the second round of the 2000 Olympics. A super middleweight nicknamed "Mini Holyfield" by some of his Olympic teammates, Lacy went 209-12 in the amateurs, and won numerous competitions. Roger Bloodworth serves as Lacy's trainer.
Mohegan Sun, one of the largest and most distinctive casino destinations in the world, is owned by the Mohegan Tribal Nation. Conveniently located between New York and Boston, Mohegan Sun is easily accessible from the Massachusetts Pike and Interstate-95, just off Interstate-395, in Uncasville. Mohegan Sun provides its guests with the ultimate in action, entertainment and excitement in a place that looks and feels like no other. The Uncas Pavilion is Connecticut's newest music and event theater. Featuring some of the state's biggest events, with prime viewing from every seat, Uncas Pavilion is the opening act of Mohegan Sun's $1 billion expansion.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING's Steve Albert and former world champion Bobby Czyz will call the action from ringside. The executive producer of the SHOWTIME telecast is Jay Larkin with David Dinkins, Jr. producing and Bob Dunphy directing.
