Allan Green Subs In For Jermain Taylor In Super Six

NEW YORK (Feb. 22, 2010)–-World-ranked contender “Sweetness” Allan Green  (29-1, 20 KOs), of Tulsa, Okla., has officially been named to replace fellow American Jermain Taylor in the Super Six World Boxing Classic and will take on undefeated World Boxing Association (WBA) 168-pound champion Andre Ward  (20-0, 13 KOs) in one-half of a tournament doubleheader on Saturday, April 24, on SHOWTIME®, Ken Hershman, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports®, formally announced today.

Also on Saturday, April 24, undefeated Carl “The Cobra’’ Froch (26-0, 20 KOs) of Nottingham, England, defends his WBC world title against former WBA 168-pound champion Mikkel “Viking Warrior’’ Kessler (42-2, 32 KOs) of Denmark.  All the action will be televised on SHOWTIME beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT (Froch vs. Kessler will be shown on same-day delay from MCH Arena, in Herning, Denmark, immediately followed by Ward vs. Green live from the U.S.).

A winner of six consecutive fights, Green will enter the Super Six World Boxing Classic with zero points heading into Group Stage 2—as per tournament rules, a replacement fighter enters the Group Stage competition tied with the last place fighter(s)—and be fighting for his first world title. It marks the first time since Tommy Morrison in 1993 that an Oklahoman has been involved in a world championship fight.

Green is an ultra-confident super middleweight currently ranked No. 3 in the World Boxing Organization (WBO), No. 4 in the World Boxing Council (WBC), No. 5 in the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and No. 7 in the World Boxing Association (WBA).

“I always had a feeling I was going to get into the tournament,” said the 6-foot-2-inch, 30-year-old Green, who’s currently training in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. “I don’t think I’m a long shot. I’m one of the best super middleweights in the world and the tournament rules allow me to come in and be in the mix with a chance to advance and ultimately win this thing.

“I just don’t see anyone who can beat me. I’ve watched all the fighters over and over.  I’ve studied all of them and know I can beat any of them.”

Green is tall and strong with dynamite in both fists. He is spotting points to three rivals, but a knockout victory for a fighter who prides himself on power would put him in the thick of things. Green is coming off a clear-cut 10-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Tarvis Simms on ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME Oct. 2, 2009.

Ward will be making the first defense of the WBA belt he won on a convincing, 11th-round technical decision over Kessler in the Super Six World Boxing Classic opener.