Boxing News: Don King Press Conference in Worcester

WORCESTER, Mass. (March 10, 2005) – Don King Productions held a press conference today at the DCU Center in Worcester to officially announce its April 2 show, headlined by World Boxing Council champion Wayne “Big Truck” Braithwaite against World Boxing Association champion Jean-Marc Mormeck in a cruiserweight world title unification, featuring local star and WBA welterweight champion Jose Antonio Rivera, of Worcester, in his first world title defense against undefeated No. 1 mandatory contender Thomas “Lionheart” Damgaard.

“This is the greatest fight card in New England history,” Massachusetts Boxing Commission Chairman Nick Manzello said. “There are nine world-class fighters on this card.”

Tickets priced at $35, $50, $100 and $250 go on sale Tuesday at 10 a.m. at

the DCU Center Box Office, all area Ticketmaster locations, online at

ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at (617) 931-2000 or (617) 228-6000.

All tickets are subject to a $.50 facility fee.

Quotes:

Wayne Braithwaite (21-0 17 KOs): “Welcome to America, but I have bad news for you (Mormeck). You’re not going home with your belt. I’ve been training since last year because we were supposed to fight October 2. I trained in the hurricanes. If hurricanes can’t move me, Mormeck can’t. Do not leave your seat to go to the bathroom. Don’t blink because something spectacular is going to happen. Mormeck is a very good fighter. I take nothing away from him. You won’t see nothing boring in this fight. Mormeck, on April 2, come prepared. I’ll have something waiting for you.”

Jean-Marc Mormeck (30-2 21 KOs): “I’ve been training two years and I’m very happy to be fighting this unification. I’m very happy to have this unification fight against Braithwaite. He’s a great fighter, a champion, and that’s why I want to fight the unification. You’re going to see a great fight. It’s going to be a tough fight. I’m sure you’ll see me again in the next unification.”

Jose Antonio Rivera (37-3-1 24 KOs): “This is an exciting time for me. It’s a dream come true. I can’t describe my feelings and emotions. Three weeks from this Saturday I’ll be defending my title in my hometown with my fans, my people. Tank (his manger Steven “Tank” Tankanow), we did it. I’m going to guarantee one thing: I’ll be in the best condition I’ve ever been in. I’m going to be the best Jose Antonio Rivera you’ve ever seen. We’re putting on a grand event.”