The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

YOU expect a war of words between fighters getting set to vye for the WBC Silver middleweight championship and the vacant WBA International middleweight championship, but Tureano Johnson suggested that his oppenent Alex Theran doesn’t know him as well as he thinks he does.

The two are slated to square off tonight in the co-main event of the debut of Roc Nation Sports’ “Throne Boxing” at Madison Square Garden at 9pm, televised on FOX Sports 1.

Theran claims to have fought Johnson in a 2008 Olympic qualifier, while Johnson said the Colombian native is mistaken. “We did have a matchup in 2008 in an elimination bout for the Olympics and I did beat him. I don’t think he has a very strong defence. I have studied his fights and his movements and I am very prepared for him,” Theran said. “His technique lacks. I studied that fight and saw he is a slow mover compared to me – I am very quick.”

The claim was denied by Johnson, who made it all the way to the semi-finals of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, finishing just shy of a medal.

“It wasn’t me,” Johnson said. “I qualified for the Olympics, he didn’t.”

With the lack of preparation and research on the other side, Johnson said he has made adjustments to his game as he prepares to fight under the Roc Nation stable for the first time.

“I have added more power, more speed and a little bit of technique like slipping and moving my head. We have added more of what I have not been good at doing,” he said. “We have had to go the extra mile – put more mileage in. Get my nutrition and eating properly. A weight programme to enable me to get some power and some strength and getting into the boxing game so I can box when needed. To go in there to beat up a guy when needed. So yes, we went the extra mile for this fight. This is a big fight for me personally. It is going to tell me just where I am at in the boxing world – whether I will be a world champion and a world champion forever.”

Johnson will defend his WBC Continental Americas middleweight title while vying for the additional belts.

At 17-1 (KO 12), the 30-year-old Johnson is currently ranked at No.9 in the WBC and No.12 in the World Boxing Organisation. Theran also sports a 17-1 (KO 10) record.

Michael Buffer will be the ring announcer and Gus Johnson blow-by-blow alongside Rich Morotta. Special guests at the fight include Roc Nation Sports founder Jay Z, Rihanna, Carmelo Anthony, CC Sabathia, Victor Cruz, Sam Dew, Sentigold, Melany Fiona. Wardell and Big Sean.

DJ Mustard will be spinning for the TV portion of the event. Hosting is the Voice of New York Angie Martinez and a special performance in the ring between the co-feature and the main event will be renown hip hop artist, Fabolous.