The Cyber Boxing Zone Newswire

August 28, 1999

On the night David Reid successfully defended the WBA world 154-pound crown against Keith Mullings (W 12) here in the United States, WBO 175-pound titlist, Dariusz Michalczewski (41-0, 34KOs) pummeled former WBC light-heavyweight champ, Montell Griffin (38-3, 27KOs) in Germany. It was Michalczewski's 16th defense of his throne.

The bout ended at the 2:59 second mark when the 6' 1," Michalczewski landed a heavy barrage of powered shots that took the cagey 5' 7," Griffin out of the fight.

Michalczewski, who seeks to pursue a shot against Undisputed World Light-Heavyweight Champion, Roy Jones, Jr., has marketed himself pretty well. In Griffin, Michalczewski beat a fighter who handed Jones is sole professional loss - a disqualification win in March 1997. Michalczewski, who had two of the three championships Jones holds, showed well against Virgil Hill when they fought two years ago.

However, Jones too holds two more impressive wins against Griffin (KO 1) and Hill (KO 4).

From June 1997, Michalczewskin has fought seven times and markets himself as the best at 175. The only problem is that the man they call "Tiger Michalczewski" has had only one of his fights televised on US circuits, which was on neither SHOWTIME or HBO SPORTS. As a result, Jones-Michalczewski probably might not sell as well here in America, opposed to Germany.

As of press time, Jones is currently in negotiation with WBC interim champ, Graciano Rocchigiani for a meeting in early fall. Michalczewski, who could make another defense of the WBO title, hopes secure a bout with Jones by April 2000.