Boxing News: Andre Ward on Johnson-Tarver Undercard

LOS ANGELES (May 25) – 2004 US Olympic Gold Medalist Andre Ward, unbeaten as a pro at 3-0, will put his gold medal reputation on the line in a featured undercard bout on the June 18 mega-card at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee, which is headlined by the light heavyweight showdown between Glen Johnson and Antonio Tarver.

“I'm just going to use this fight to show my god-given talent,” said the 21-year-old Ward, who will face an opponent to be announced shortly. “It's going to be a great fight and a great night and my next step toward my ultimate goal.”

Also added to the show – which will be televised live on HBO's World Championship Boxing beginning at 10pm (ET) / 7pm (PT)- is an intriguing 10 round middleweight matchup between former world champion's Ike Quartey and Verno Phillips. Ward's fight will not be televised, but highlights may be shown, time permitting.

Blessed with blazing speed in the ring, and a Spartan work ethic outside of it, Andre Ward has dazzled his three professional opponents – this after a stellar amateur career that was capped off with his Gold Medal-winning performance in Athens last summer.  In coming home with the Gold, Ward became the first US boxer since 1996 (David Reid) to do so, and only the second since 1992 (Oscar de la Hoya).  Now he's got his sights on bringing professional Gold back home to Oakland, a task many in the boxing community feel is just a matter of time.

“Every fight I see Andre's growth inside the ring,” said Dan Goossen of Goossen Tutor Promotions, which co-promotes Ward with Roy Jones Jr's Square Ring Inc.  “It's eerie in some ways to see the similarities of Andre and Roy Jones as they perform inside the ring with the same quick hands, power, and ring generalship, as well as the mental toughness.”

Promoters Goossen Tutor Promotions and Star Boxing in association with Prize Fight and Paradisepoker.com present this sensational world championship fight card at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee, on June 18, 2005. The featured bouts will be televised live on HBO.

This will be the second major professional boxing event at the FedEx Forum. Last September 25, Glen Johnson scored a spectacular, one-punch knockout against Roy Jones Jr. in the ninth round of a scheduled twelve.

Over 18,000 seats will be available on June 18, with more than 12,600 priced at $91.75 or less, including approximately 4,000 on the first level and club level.

Ticket prices: $36.75 / $51.75 / $91.75 / $151.75 / $491.75 / $676.75 visit www.ticketmaster.com, area Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, charge by phone at 901.525.1515 or visit the FedExForum Box Office at 191 Beale Street in Memphis.