Mean Once More! Joe Greene Returns to Action
Junior middleweight contender “Mean” Joe Greene (22-1, 14 KOs) will make his long-awaited return to the ring this Saturday, October 1, inside the Grand Ballroom at Fitzgerald’s Hotel & Casino in Tunica, Mississippi, in six-round bout against local journeyman William “Pete” Johnson.
It’s been a long road back for Greene who battled with depression and a loss of focus after suffering his first loss in June of 2010, a close, but unanimous 10-round decision against fellow up-and-comer Vanes Martirosyan in his own home state of New York.
“When he suffered his first loss, especially one he knew he was a better fighter than the guy, it seemed to take a psychological effect on him. He was feeling bad for a long time and it took a long time to get his boxing state of mind back. He always wanted to fight again; he was just waiting for the right time,” explained father/manager/trainer Joe Greene Sr.
Greene is currently training in Florida for another run at the top of the division.
“He’s back full tilt and ready to fight some big names!” added Green Sr.
Promoter Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions says his 25-year-old southpaw has thought long and hard about what went wrong. “Our last fight on HBO, we were on the big stage and he gave the guy too much respect. Not to take anything away from Martirosyan, but that was Joe’s time to shine and he didn’t take full advantage. But he’s taken all the time he needed to get right again and now he’s back better than ever. He’s still one of the best junior middleweights in the world; he just had a bad night.”
Cohen says after one or two tune-up bouts, Greene should be ready for anyone.
“He’s such a talented fighter, it won’t take him long to knock the rust off. And all indications are he’s been looking fantastic in the gym, so it’s more just about fine-tuning and getting sharp before the big fights start happening again.”
“Fights at the Fitz” is being presented by Prize Fight Promotions in Association with Greg Cohen Promotions. The main event will feature undefeated Karim “Hard Hitta” Mayfield 14-0-1 (9 KO’s) against tough veteran Patrick Lopez 20-4 (12 KO’s) for the vacant NABO Jr. Welterweight Championship.
