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By Lisa Scott
Photos by Ed Mulholland

As New York fight fans well know, there is nothing more exciting than a heavyweight showdown in the 'Big Apple.' At a final press conference held yesterday at Gallaghers Steakhouse in Manhattan, Cedric Kushner Promotions announced that the big boys of heavyweight boxing will be the featured attraction on Showtime's ShoBox series on Thursday. Televised live from New York's Hammerstein Ballroom, the 6'6" Jameel McCline (30-3-3; 18 KO's) ranked #4 by the IBF, will face his very first southpaw in Wayne Llewellyn (27-4; 20 KO's), a 6'3" native of Greenwich, England in the co-main event. The featured bout will pit the 6'4" Swede, Attila Levin (29-1; 23 KO's) against 6'1" Jeremy Williams (40-4-1; 35 KO's).

This fight card will also signal the very first show of unionized boxers under the auspices of the Joint Association of Boxers (JAB), an organization affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters which is headed by former light heavyweight champ, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad.

Muhammad stated: "JAB is trying to establish a system so when fighters reach the end of their careers, they can leave the sport with dignity. In the fight game, we all know that you're as good as your last fight. I commend Cedric Kushner because he has the cojones to step to the plate when there are other promoters who don't want to see a boxers union. It's those other promoters who are content with exploiting a fighter. Well... that day is over! This is not MY union. JAB is a union for the fighters. If any fighter has a problem with anyone, especially a promoter who thinks he can dictate a fighter, threaten him and give him three or four contracts to sign... that day is over. If you bring your grievances to the union, I guarantee you we will run those cats outta here. Boxing is not about the promoter, it's about the fighter, and that's what this union is about."

Fighter quotes:

Wayne Llewellyn:
"I have nothing but respect for Jameel McCline because he worked very hard to get where he is. I know that no one has heard of me, but on Thursday... you all will. Because on that night, I will take care of things right and proper."

Jameel McCline:
"When you fight Jameel McCline, your career is over with! Look at my last eight opponents (Cedric Boswell, Charles Shufford, Wladimir Klitschko, Shannon Briggs, Lance Whitaker, Michael Grant, Al Cole and King Ipitan). Where are they now? What have they accomplished since they fought me? Absolutely nothing! After my fight with Wayne, we will be talking 'right and proper'... about retiring Wayne from his job as a fighter. I don't mean any disrespect, but that's just the way it is. I understand that everyone works hard, but I have too much will and desire to succeed in this sport."

Attila Levin:
"I'm fighting the biggest fight of my career, but I'm definitely ready for it.

Jeremy Williams:
Attila hasn't fought NOBODY! And, I am gonna... beat... his... ass, on Thursday! I'm not here to play! I ain't no punk and I ain't no loser. I know Attila is scared. Because he knows I'm gonna... beat... his... ass!

For tickets and information, call Cedric Kushner Promotions at 212-755-1944.