Press Release: On a night in which the WBA Heavyweight Title will be contested, it is the supporting bout that may have the most potential for fireworks. Bringing the kind of excitement that only heavyweights can bring to the ring, fans will be treated to a clash of true big hitters. Featuring a combined 38 knockouts to accompany their combined 49 wins, it is almost a given that someone is going to hit the canvas on Saturday, April 30, 2005 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. DaVarryl “Touch of Sleep” Williamson (21-3, 17) will return to the ring on April 30th against Derrick “D-Train” Jefferson (28-3-1, 21) in a 12-round clash for the vacant North American Boxing Organization (NABO) Heavyweight title as chief support to the HBO televised World Boxing Association (WBA) clash between champion John Ruiz and challenger James Toney.
Williamson has re-established himself as a legitimate contender, and believes that this is the most important fight of his life, “I’m ranked #6 by the IBF and #10 by the WBC, and with this fight scheduled for 12-rounds, I know that I must go out there and execute my plan, I need this fight to position myself for a title shot later this year, I cannot let Derrick Jefferson ruin everything I have worked for, this is the most important fight of my life.” said Williamson.
Coming off of a questionable split technical decision loss to former WBO Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in October 2004, Williamson jumped right back into the fray when he met former WBC Champion, Oliver McCall in November 2004 and with a 10-round unanimous win Williamson earned himself a promotional contract with Don King as well as the opportunity that he has coming up on April 30th.
"I know what I need to go out there and do. Derrick Jefferson is the guy standing across the ring from me, and in the way of my title shot. I need to go out there, do what I know I can do. I'll hit the target until it is no longer there, and once I've accomplished that, I want the title shot that I've worked so hard to earn.” said Williamson. “Don is the man in boxing, he can get things done and that was a big plus for me when I decided to ink a contract with him, and here we are later, barely four months into our relationship and he has positioned me for a shot, now I need to hold up my end of the bargain and take care of business. Toney-Ruiz may be the headliner, but I plan to steal the show!”
Jefferson (6’6”, 250lbs.) and Williamson (6’4”, 225lbs) share a pair of common opponents. Both have squared off with Wladimir Klitschko and Ed White. Williamson left with a questionable TD loss to Klitschko, while Jefferson was KO’d in the 2 round, and while Williamson KO’d White inside of 1 round, it took Jefferson 3 rounds to put White away.
Tickets priced at $350, $250, $175, $100 and $50 are on sale now at the Garden box office and all Ticketmaster locations or by calling Ticketmaster at: 212-307-7171, 201-507-8900, 631-888-9000, or 914-454-3388. Ticketmaster purchases are subject to convenience charges.
