Taylor/Ouma Ready To Rock Little Rock

Bad Intentions meets The Dream for middleweight honors

Hometown hero Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor, the undisputed and undefeated world middleweight champion, will put it all on the line against Kassim “The Dream” Ouma on Saturday night, December 9, at Alltel Arena in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

The middleweight showdown, prosaically called Home for the Holidays, will be broadcast live on HBO’s Championship Boxing at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT/9 PM CT.

The title fight pits Taylor (25-0-1, 17 Ks) against the cagey Ugandan fighting machine and resurgent former champion Ouma (25-2-1, 15 KOs) in a 12-rounder.

Taylor first captured the middleweight crown against the legendary Bernard Hopkins with a disputed 12-round split decision triumph on July 16th 2005 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. He defended the title for the first time in a rematch against The Executioner on December 3, 2005 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, and once again won a disputed decision, although this time it was, according to the judges, unanimous.

After the second win over Hopkins, on June 17, 2006, in Memphis, Taylor successfully defended his crown against Winky Wright and walked away with another disputed non-loss, this time ruled a draw, according to the judges at ringside.

Ouma, who is undersized for a middleweight, thus making him the perfect foil for Taylor and his brain trust, has won his last four contests, the most recent being his manhandling of Sechew Powell on August 5 at the Theater at Madison Square Garden..

Arkansas is Jermain Taylor country and DBE’s home away from home, the promoter Lou DiBella, in his de rigueur clich-speak, said. This title defense against the outstanding Kassim Ouma belongs at Alltel Arena, and we are thrilled to be able to deliver it.

Taylor, a country boy at heart said, There’s nothing like home cooking, and I am proud to be fighting again in Little Rock. Since it is my first title defense in my hometown, it is sure to be a very special night, and I look forward to putting on a great show for all of my fans.

Fighting for the world middleweight title is a dream come true for me, Ouma said. After I lost to Roman Karmazin, it seemed like the end of the world. But I worked my way back and I know that I earned this fight with Jermain. I got a second chance and I will make the most of it.

Tickets are on sale and are priced at $650, $500, $300, $200, $150, $125, $75, $45 and $25, and are available through the Alltel Arena Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets (501-975-7575) and at www.ticketmaster.com.