March 11, 2004

Cedric Kushner Promotions brings heavyweights back to the Big Apple in a historic card that will marked by the first official unionized boxing matches under the auspices of the Joint Association of Boxers (J.A.B.).

Attila Levin and Jeremy Williams will slug it out in the main event at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Thursday night, April 15. It was announced today by CKP president Cedric Kushner.

Top contender Jameel "Big Time" McCline, ranked number 6 by the IBF, will appear in the co-feature. Showtime's popular Shobox series will televise beginning 11:00 p.m. The first bout will get underway at 9:00 p.m.

J.A.B., headed by former light heavyweight champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, was formed for the physical and financial protection of boxers and is affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

"This is all about the fighters," Muhammad said. "I am talking about the guys who lose their dignity when the game is over. They are only as good as their last fight.

"When people ask fighters what they are doing, they will able to hold their heads high and say they are working for a union and collecting a pension."

Muhmammad, a former light heavyweight champion, knows the benefits of a union. He appeared in movies such as Raging Bull, and joined the Screen Actors Guild. "I knocked out some guys and won a belt, but SAG kept me going through all the years when I was down."

"It is time for a change, a time to clean up the sport," said promoter Cedric Kushner. "The unionization is a gargantuan step towards that."

Levin has an outstanding ring record of 29-1, with 23 victories coming by way of knockout. The giant from Stockholm, now fighting out of Florida, has reeled off 14 straight wins and is ranked 10th by the WBO.

"(Williams) is definitely my toughest test. I haven't fought the guys he has fought," Levin said. "I am very excited. I jumped at the chance when I heard Williams was the opponent. I have seen in the amateur ranks before I got into boxing."

Williams, a hard puncher from Long Beach, California, is 40-4-1, and has registered 35 KOs.

"Levin can fight a little bit, but at this point, we all can," Williams said. "I have been training since January, so it won't matter what he does. I know what I can do."

McCline (30-3-3, 18 KOs) is one of the division's top contenders and will be matched against another hearty heavyweight that's soon-to-be-determined. "After the (Toney) injury, I told Cedric that I wanted to stay busy, and stay active."

"We are proud to present this historic card," said Kushner. "We are pleased to be working with Eddie Mustafa Muhammad and Walter Kane on this important event with J.A.B.

"There is nothing better than a heavyweight show in New York City," Kushner said. "We are sure that boxing fans will get their money's worth on April 15."  
 

This article originally appeared on the Boxingtalk.net website on March 9, 2004.
 

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