Press Release: Light heavyweight Danny Green, 23-3, is one of the top men in Australian boxing, who sells a huge amount of tickets. But now the man from Down Under puts his future in boxing on the line as he faces American Otis Griffin, 18-1-2 tonight, Wednesday, July 18, 2007, on a Green Machine Promotions bill at Challenge Stadium in Green's hometown of Perth, Australia. "The fight has been taken really well by the fans and the press. They know Otis is no pushover and are keen to see Danny achieve his goal of being world champion by the end of the year," said Justin Manolikos, Green's manager and partner in Green Machine Promotions.
 
"Otis has also come across really well as someone that is respectful, is here to fight and obviously knows what is required to succeed at the elite level in sport. Danny is an icon in Australia and he is keen to reward the fans for the support he receives."
 
Green, 23-3, had been set to face former WBA super middle champion Manny Siaca but was forced to find another opponent when the Puerto Rican slugger dropped out of the bout.
 
Siaca's replacement, Otis Griffin of Sacramento, California, turned professional while taking part in a Fox television production, "The Next Great Champ", developed by Oscar De La Hoya. Griffin shook off a split decision loss in his debut before going on to win the reality show tournament.
 
Since that time, the 29 year old hasn't lost a bout in 20 contests, boxing his way to a regional light heavyweight title with a thrilling seventh round stoppage of previously undefeated Mike Nevitt in April of this year.
 
Manolikos is confident that Green will shatter the dreams of the American visitor but the manager/promoter isn't taking anything for granted, having seen his fighter controversially disqualified in Germany after beating up and then stopping WBC super middle champion Markus Beyer during the fifth round in 2003.
 
"It will be a great test," he said. "There are certainly easier opponents out there and I believe Griffin will be a tougher test than our original opponent, Manny Siaca. Griffin has no great strengths but is a solid all round boxer that may just get through a couple of Danny's risk areas. A good work out for Danny will hold him good stead for a title bout.
 
"Any fighter is dangerous. Danny has only lost three times and in my opinion, only one was a loss. The fight fight with Markus Beyer was daylight robbery and rematch, well had it been in Australia, I am pretty certain Danny would have got the decision. As mentioned, Griffin is a good all round fighter but Danny will expose any weaknesses he has."
 
"This fight is an IBO world title eliminator," said Manolikos. "The issue is that IBO titlist Antonio Tarver's mandatory is not due for 12 months. Once we are through this fight, we will formally negotiate with him. Whether it is in Australia or America, bring it on! Should Tarver fight against Danny as he did recently against Elvir Muriqi, he will be on a hiding to nothing!"
 
"We will seriously consider fighting any of the major world champions," said Manolikos. "Other than Tarver, none have the drawing power of Danny Green and as long as they are reasonable in what they ask for financially, we will gladly bring them to Australia. If however they want Danny to travel, again, they need to pay him what he is worth. We treat all our opponents with respect and if this is mutual, then I am sure a deal can be done with any of these guys."
 
Also on the table for Green, should he turn back the aspirations of Otis Griffin, is the possibility of a rematch of last year's battle with current WBA super middle champion Anthony Mundine that drew 30,000 spectators to Aussie Stadium in Sydney.
 
"I believe Mundine is out for some time so that is not on the radar at this stage," said Manolikos. "However, I know Danny craves revenge so as his manager, it is up to me to make that happen. Mundine showed in his last fight he is beatable. However, we travelled to his home turf last time, so if it is to happen it will be in Danny's home town of Perth, the destination of this fight with Griffin."
 
While there has been talk of a long awaited clash with Green's biggest rival on the Australian light heavyweight scene, two-time world title challenger Paul "Hurricane" Briggs, Manolikos is quick to put the damper on the flame unless the Sydney based New Zeland native can pass a big test in September and then go onto win major honors.
 
"Briggs is a different story," said the Green Machine honcho. "Whilst he and Danny are both at light heavy, Briggs is also ranked highly in most divisions. As such, I think the best way this fight will happen is by either Briggs or Danny winning a world title. For them just to fight does not achieve anything for the career of either. Briggs is due to fight the highly regarded Hugo Garay in a WBA eliminator. All I can say to him is go and get the world title, then we will get it on."