Boxing News: Byrd-Williamson on Showtime October 1

NEW YORK (Sept. 6, 2005) – The terrific Oct. 1 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING fight card just got better. International Boxing Federation (IBF) Heavyweight Champion Chris Byrd (38-2-1, 20 KOs) will make the fourth defense of his title against mandatory challenger DaVarryl Williamson (22-3, 18 KOs), it was formally announced today. The attractive tripleheader on SHOWTIME begins at 9:15 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

“Our goal over the past two years has been to break through the clutter in this sport,” said Jay Larkin,Senior Vice President and Executive Producer, Showtime Sports & Events Programming. “We feel that we have done that so far in 2005 by bringing unbiased, quality match-ups to loyal boxing fans on a consistent basis. The addition of a Byrd-Williamson title fight on Oct. 1 punctuates an already exciting card.”

The Byrd-Williamson world title fight is the third 12-rounder on the stellar telecast. In the heavyweight co-feature, James “Lights Out’’ Toney (68-4-2, 43 KOs) will make his eagerly awaited return to the ring when he defends his International Boxing Association (IBA) crown against Dominick “The Southern Disaster’’ Guinn (25-2-1, 18 KOs).

Rounding out the exciting show from the Reno Events Center in Reno, Nev., is talented, hard-hitting IBF bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez (34-3, 30 KOs). Marquez will defend his belt for the sixth time when he takes on International Boxing Organization (IBO) 118-pound champion/IBF No. 1 contender Silence “African Spice” Mabuza (18-0, 15 KOs).

“With Corrales-Castillo (Showtime PPV) on Oct. 8,” continued Larkin, “and the return of Jeff Lacy on Nov. 5 (SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING), we will continue to deliver on our promise to fans to bring them the very best that boxing has to offer.”