Some fighters are concerned by an opponent switch, especially in their premium cable debut… not Yudel Jhonson.
With original opponent Freddy Hernandez out, Cuba’s Johnson (12-0, 8 KOs) will now face Cleveland’s formidable Willie “The Great” Nelson (17-1-1, 11 KOs) on Friday, May 11in the 10-round light middleweight main event of a liveShoBox: The New Generation (11 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME®, delayed on the West Coast) doubleheadertelecast entitled “Shootout at Texas Station”.
“Shootout at Texas Station” is presented by Warriors Boxing live from the Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas. In the co-featured bout, undefeated super middleweight Badou Jack “The Ripper” (10-0, 8 KOs) of Sweden will face Colombia’s also undefeated Alexander Brand (17-0, 15 KOs).
“I’m ranked in the top 10 and I’m ready for anybody they put in front of me,” said a confident Jhonson, via translator. “I had 400 amateur fights and I was one of the best amateur fighters who ever lived. Now I’m ready to make my mark as a professional. I have a lot of experience. I’m a seasoned fighter, ready to fight any top 154 pounders in the world.”
Hernandez. Nelson. To Jhonson, it matters little.
“I don’t care who they put in front of me at this point. I’ve fought tall guys, short guys and every style you will ever see. Willie Nelson is a very good fighter, I’ve seen him fight, but there’s nothing he can do I haven’t already seen a hundred times and know exactly what to do with.”
Jhonson has been training with the great Cuban trainer Ismael Salas for this fight and says the two have perfect chemistry.
“I have to shine against Willie Nelson to get to the next level as a pro. I have to put in a performance that people will remember and I’m going to do it. I don’t know how the fight will go exactly, but I know I’m going out there to impress. Whatever it takes to impress people, that’s how I’ll make the fight go. I’m happy to be back on national television again and very happy Showtime gave me this opportunity to fight in a main event on their air.”
Tickets for “Shootout at Texas Station” are on sale now, priced at $27 and $52 and are available at Ticketmaster, any Texas Station rewards center or at SCLV.COM/CONCERTS. A few VIP seats are available at a price of $102 can be purchased by calling (954) 985-1155.
On fight night, doors open at 6:30 and the action starts at 7:00 pm.
Station Bucks may be used to purchase tickets. All ages welcome. Under 21 must be accompanied by an adult 21 or over. Show subject to change without notice. Management reserves all rights. Digital Photography and video prohibited. Tickets can be purchased at any Station Casinos Boarding Pass Rewards Center, The Fiesta’s, by logging onto stationcasinos.com/concerts or by calling 1-800-745-3000.
Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel is located at 2101 Texas Star Lane in North Las Vegas. Telephone: (702) 631-1000 or (800) 654-8888.
