Figures in boxing are rarely short on soundbytes, as the year-round chatter helps keep the sport moving despite some of it?s finest athletes only fighting once or twice a year, if that.
When taking a look at the boxing landscape on this Wednesday, the news that seemed to resonate the loudest was that of IBF and WBO champion Wladimir Klitschko claiming that a potential fight with WBA champion David Haye is still very much a possibility despite conflicting reports that the fight was all but dead after reports rose that Dereck Chisora was in line to land the bout. Klitschko advised veteran reporter Michael Marley of the news while at a recent press conference in New York.
Continue reading below for Klitschko had to say about a possible fight with Haye as well as the latest quotes from such figures as Shane Mosley, Devon Alexander, Emmnauel Steward, Freddie Roach and others?
“The fight with Haye is not off, the fight is on. We had to get clearance on a date with Sky TV for pay per view in the UKand then we were concerned about conflicting with the upcoming Royal Wedding. So the wedding is set for the end of April and we got clearance on a fight date of July 2, for sure.” ? Wladimir Klitschko speaking to scribe Michael Marley, still hoping to land a bout with David Haye
?He feels threatened by me I guess. I don?t know. I?m happy, I?m ready to fight. I?m gonna do what I normally do; I?m not letting my emotions get involved. This is a fight. So I?m going in there and do what I normally do. He wants to psyche himself up and get mad and get all riled up, say he?s a beast. Put it in his head he can do this. He has to psyche himself up. And that?s what he?s doing. I don?t care. I?m just gonna do what I normally do.? ? Devon Alexander, in a recent interview with BoxingInsider’s Scoop Malinowski, dishing up some verbal venom towards fellow champion Timothy Bradley, whom he meets on January 29th
?With his exciting style, Alvarez already is a major star in Mexico. Alvarez’s popularity is beginning to grow in the United States, especially with Mexican-Americans. When he faced former welterweight champ Carlos Baldomir at the StaplesCenterin Los Angeleson a September undercard, it was the charismatic Alvarez who sold most of the tickets
After a standout 2010 in which he won five bouts, including four by knockout, while ratcheting up his competition, he’s just beginning to come into his own. Alvarez has all the potential in the world to become a major force.? ? ESPN?s Dan Rafael touting Saul ?Canelo? Alvarez as 2010?s Prospect of the Year
“Styles make fights. He’s an exciting fighter and I’m an exciting fighter. With the way we both fight, somebody’s going to get knocked out. That’s the beauty of the whole thing. People will come to see a good match. I respect Manny, the way he fights, and I know he does the same for me. We’re both warriors and we have that hunger to win and that’s what’s going to make this fight so great.” ? An obviously excited Shane Mosley speaking to ABS-CBN Sports’ Dyan Castillejo on his May 7th encounter with Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas
“There’s no room for loss right now. Mayweather’s still out there. People still want to see [that fight], that’s the fight I want to see.? ? Still hopeful Freddie Roach optimistically speaking to 8 Count News’ Brady Cooney on a potential Pacquiao bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
“In between the broadcasting, this is where I spend my time. I don?t golf; I don?t fish. I don?t have a boat; I don?t gamble. My hobby is being at the gym when I?m home. I?m at the gym 24-7. I don?t have any hobbies at all.” ? Trainer Emmanuel Steward during a recent interview with MaxBoxing’s Steve Kim
?Once we got there it was something that I had never seen before. It was something I never experienced. There were cameras right there. They were at the airports asking us what we were going to do and the media was out there. It was crazy. We were on T.V. everyday for like two, three weeks. I was on T.V. everyday. All the people already knew me and they look up to Pacquiao so much and just because I was his sparring partner it was like I got famous. Just to be out there with everybody and go to the mall and have people around you and asking for autographs, it was great. It was good to feel that and now I want that a little bit more.” ? Junior middleweight prospect Glen Tapia reflecting on his best memories in 2010, including his time in the Philippines training with Pacquiao
“It’s very hard not to get these big fights. I’m used to people not calling my name out to fight. I’m fighting people in the industry who don’t want to see you prevail. The sport of boxing is a real political, backstabbing sport. I feel that I aint that kind of person. But it’s boxing and I still love it. It is what it is.” ? Former champion Winky Wright venting his frustrations on the sport of boxing. Wright reportedly will be returning to the ring on April 9th in Las Vegas
