Philippines, 16 Nov 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Final Press Conference: Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Jose Pedraza

PhilBoxing.com




LIVE on Saturday, 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PST on ESPN
Undercard action, including the pro debut of Italian heavyweight Guido Vianello, to stream on ESPN+ beginning at 6 p.m. ET

NEW YORK CITY (Dec. 6, 2018) ? WBA lightweight world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko and WBO lightweight world champion Jose Pedraza exchanged pleasantries on a brisk New York afternoon two days before their title unification tilt, Saturday evening at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden (ESPN, 9 p.m. ET).

In the co-feature, Isaac "Royal Storm" Dogboe will make the second defense of his WBO junior featherweight world title against Emanuel "Vaquero" Navarrete. Dogboe snatched the title from Jessie Magdaleno back in April and defended it Aug. 25 with a first-round knockout over Hidenori Otake.

In the televised opener, unbeaten lightweight sensation Teofimo Lopez faces his toughest test to date in veteran Mason Menard.

And, in a special attraction (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET), 2016 Italian Olympian Guido Vianello will make his pro debut against Luke Lyons in a six-round heavyweight clash.

Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday from Madison Square Garden's Chase Square.



Vasiliy Lomachenko

On his surgically repaired shoulder

"I had a very interesting camp. I had hard sparring sessions and good preparation for this fight. I used all of my punches, and I think it will be the same as before {the surgery}."

On Pedraza as a challenge

"I can't answer that now. I need to feel what he brings, and after that, I can compare."

"His style is not very interesting and not comfortable for all boxers because he's always on defense and waiting for a mistake. If you've seen my fights, it will be similar to the {Miguel} Marriaga fight. They have the same style."

On fighters out there who are a challenge

"In my weight class and closer to my weight class, we don't have a big superstar. Yes, we have big names at 147, but I can't move up to 147 now because it's too much {weight}, I think."

On Manny Pacquiao

"I'm not disrespecting Pacquiao, but I don't want to make my name bigger because I beat an old legend. I have my own road. There are a lot of good fighters to fight who are comparable to me. He's old. I think his career is done. I don't want to become a legend in boxing because of him."

On his plans for 2019

"Seriously, I want a fight with Mikey Garcia. I think this fight will happen. Then, I don't know."


Team Pedraza.

Jose Pedraza

"Since the moment I signed to fight {Ray} Beltran, I knew that the winner was going to fight Lomachenko. Mentally, I've been preparing, staying positive, staying focused, and also physically, I'm well prepared."

"I had a great training camp for this fight. Lomachenko is a great fighter, a complete fighter, and I know that I will have to be at my best. I am prepared to put on a good fight."

"Me {unifying} the titles on Saturday would mean a lot to {Puerto Rico}. It would be the first Christmas after what happened with Hurricane Maria. Definitely, me winning on Saturday would bring a lot of joy and blessings to the island."



Isaac Dogboe

"We couldn't have asked for a better 2018. Before entering into 2018, my uncle said to me, 'All you have to do is dance into 2018. Be happy.' And that's exactly what we did. We started by knocking out Cesar Juarez, another fine Mexican fighter. And we moved on to Jessie Magdaleno, another tough world champion. He's one of the best in my division. And after that, we defended it against Hidenori Otake, one of Japan's toughest fighters. It's been a blessing. Three knockouts out of three fights, and this will be four knockouts out of four fights in 2018. It's always been a blessing."

"Emanuel Navarrete is also one of Mexico's finest fighters, as tough as they come. He reminds me of Israel Vazquez and Juan Manuel Marquez. These are great, great legendary fighters. When he talks about the fighting spirit of the Mexicans, you know he's going to come and fight."

Emanuel Navarrete

"I am very grateful for the opportunity to fight a great super bantamweight champion like Isaac Dogboe. What better way to become a world champion than to do it on a stage like Madison Square Garden."

"Maybe people don't know me, but I've had a great career in my country and I'm focused on taking advantage of this opportunity and bringing the title home to Mexico."

Teofimo Lopez

"It's my fourth time {fighting at Madison Square Garden}. Like always, I am here to put on a show and 'The Takeover.' That's what I've always said, and come Saturday night, we're here to take over the show."

"2019, I will become world champion."

"I know Mason Menard. He's going to definitely come out there and fight, bring the fight. But they all try the same thing, and it's not going to work. No matter what they do, no matter what they try, they're in there with a real one."

Guido Vianello

"When I started in boxing, my dream was to go to the Olympics and go to America for a fight in Madison Square Garden with Top Rank. So now the dream {has come true}. I am very excited and ready for this fight."

"I am a mix between {Wladimir} Klitschko and Muhammad Ali. I move in the ring and I am aggressive. I want to box and fight."

On training with Abel Sanchez

"I have the best training in the world. The training was very hard every day in Big Bear. We ran every morning. For this, I am very, very ready for the fight."

ESPN, 9 p.m. ET

Vasiliy Lomachenko (WBA lightweight champion) vs. Jose Pedraza (WBO lightweight champion), 12 rounds, lightweight unification

Isaac Dogboe (champion) vs. Emanuel Navarrete (challenger), 12 rounds, WBO junior featherweight world title

Teofimo Lopez vs. Mason Menard,10 rounds, lightweight

ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET

Alexander Besputin vs. Juan Carlos Abreu, 10 rounds, Besputin's USBA welterweight title

Guido Vianello vs. Luke Lyons, 6 rounds, heavyweight

Josue Vargas vs. John Renteria, 8 rounds, super lightweight

Michael Perez vs. Abdiel Ramirez, 8 rounds, super lightweight

Brian Ceballo vs. Daniel Calzada, 6/4 rounds, welterweight

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Madison Square Garden, tickets for the Lomachenko-Pedraza world championship event are on sale now. Priced at $506, $356, $206, $106, and $56, tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008), and online at ticketmaster.com and MSG.com.

Use the hashtag #LomaPedraza to join the conversation on social media.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Conor Benn dominates Chris Eubank Jr to claim emphatic rematch victory
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • Filipino GM Antonio beats Argentinian CM Daniri , maintains second place in Spain chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • NBA ALL STAR 2026: USA VS. WORLD
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn 2: Will Eubank Step on the Gas Pedal Earlier?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Tickets ON SALE NOW for Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
    , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Russ Westbrook set record setting 10,000 assists
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • GM Joey Antonio draws Becker to maintain second place in Spain chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • 4th Gov. Ruel Pacquiao Motocross Competition
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Weigh-In Results: Rafael Espinoza vs. Arnold Khegai
    , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Soledad fights Thai for WBC Asia Continental Welter title on Nov. 29
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Former Champ Joseph Parker fails drug test on WBO championship fight
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • R&B PROMOTIONS RETURNS TO HARD ROCK LIVE AT ETESS ARENA FOR FIGHT NIGHT 4 ON NOVEMBER 22, 2025
    , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • WEIGHIN RESULTS FROM ALL STAR BOXING SHOW IN MANAGUA
    , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Tapales wins by a unanimous decision
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 14 Nov 2025
  • Porres III to fight Narukami for vacant IBF Youth flyweight title tomorrow
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 14 Nov 2025
  • Press Conference Notes: Featherweight King Rafael Espinoza Readies for Mexican Homecoming
    , Fri, 14 Nov 2025
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS HOSTS “BABY SHOWER” TO BENEFIT MARINE TOYS FOR TOTS IN HONOR OF PAPA-TO-BE JIMUEL PACQUIAO’S PRO DEBUT
    , Fri, 14 Nov 2025
  • DANGEROUS SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS FRANCISCO VERON AND ROIMAN VILLA COLLIDE IN “DO OR DIE” MAIN EVENT ON PROBOXTV’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS
    , Fri, 14 Nov 2025
  • Jeter Promotions Kacie Wheeler Back in Action on November 22
    , Fri, 14 Nov 2025
  • Filipino GM Antonio beats German FIDE Master for stay in second place in Spain Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 14 Nov 2025
  • ROUND 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Gathering Of Legends
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 13 Nov 2025
  • Antonio draws with England's Arkell in Spain chess tiff
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 13 Nov 2025
  • NBA announces the new format to All Star Game
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 13 Nov 2025
  • Press Conference Notes: Xander Zayas & Abass Baraou Face Off Ahead of January 31 Title Unification Showdown in San Juan, Puerto Rico
    , Thu, 13 Nov 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.