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Philippines, 15 Feb 2025 |
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CATTERALL VS. BARBOZA JR + UNDERCARD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES PhilBoxing.com Fri, 14 Feb 2025  Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman: "A huge night of boxing at the wonderful Co-op Live here in Manchester on Saturday - live on DAZN around the world. For me one of the best fights in the world at 140 lbs. It's the interim WBO Super-Lightweight World Title between England's Jack Catterall and America's Arnold Barboza. Jack Catterall, the man that should be undisputed. The man that has gone through Jorge Linares, Josh Taylor, Regis Prograis and now this man awaits - 31-0 Arnold Barboza that sat at the top of the pecking order for a long long time. One of Golden Boy's top charges. Straight off a fantastic victory over Ramirez in Saudi Arabia. Ready now to put himself in a golden position for huge fights within the division." Jack Catterall: "What a card we’ve got on Saturday night, three other lads from my gym fighting, some great live fights but on my fight, it’s a huge opportunity for me on Saturday. "I think we’re both taking confidence from the preparations we’ve had, I don’t want easy fights, Arnold has been in the position that I’ve been in waiting for that opportunity and I don’t think that you can sit back now the way that boxing is on the sidelines, you’ve got to take your chance. I’ve got good momentum, I feel better with every camp, this camp has been great, we’ve bettered it from the last time, and I do believe I’m a better fighter and I get him out of there on Saturday. "I’ve been very active and the confidence comes from the time spent in the gym and all the hard work has been done and it’s time to relax, recover and perform. I’ve got better and better through the momentum and activity and that’s where the confidence has come from. "I’m in a great division at 140 lbs with a lot of tremendous fighters, but nothing matters until after Saturday night, I have to remain focused on Arnold. That being said, we understand the business, there’s so many great fights to be made. Teofimo Lopez has the WBO Title, hopefully that’s a fight that can be made down the line, but I’ve got to beat him and beat him well on Saturday. "This is the final hurdle on Saturday, it’s a big fight, it’s high risk, high reward like he said, I’m ready and we’re bringing that belt back to Charley on Sunday morning." Jamie Moore: "Jack’s on a fantastic run, he’s in the form of his life, and he needs to be as these types of fight and the challenges that he wants to put himself in front of, you need to be on top form. Activity was always an issue two or three years ago when he wasn’t getting the fight that he wanted. When you look back to 2018, I know Barboza’s team say they have been waiting a long time, but Jack was mandatory for the WBO Title then and for some reason or the other it kept dragging on, different fights were getting made in front of him. He eventually got his chance and the decision didn’t go our way, and it brings us to the point we’re at now, and it’s going to take some fighter to beat him, and that time is not yet. "I’ve said for years that Jack is the best 140 lbs fighter in the world, he’s just needed the chance to prove it. He’s been doing that for the last couple of years, I’ve no doubt that Barboza is going to come with everything he’s got, he’s a solid fighter, but Jack has the kryptonite for everyone, he’s always a step ahead, and he’ll show that on Saturday." Arnold Barboza Jr: "We had another offer to fight the main event at home, but I just want to fight the best. I believe Jack is a really good fighter at the top of the division, and I think we’re the best, I don’t think the champions are better than us to be honest. We’re always ready for challenges, we’re ready to go. "I believe I’m the best in the division, I don’t think anyone can fuck with me. I’m just confident in myself, at the end of the day we can do all he talking, I know he’s not a trash talker and I’m not a trash talker, Saturday is going to determine everything and that’s all the matters. "I’ve watched a lot of fights where people have gone to enemy territory and they are getting booed - I hope it’s sold out and I hope I get booed, that’s just going to turn me on. I’m excited and it’s a dream, a big fight with high risk and high reward, no more of those low risk, low reward fights, I’m excited to get in there and dance with him. "I really believe I stop him. The way camp has gone, we isolated ourselves with 8,000ft elevation, running in the snow, everything we did and the the way I’ve been feeling in sparring and my sparring partners can attest, I feel stronger and better than ever. He’s coming with everything, I’m coming with everything, so let’s go. "This fight means everything to me. There’s fans in the UK, expect a great fight and an exciting fight, and I hope to bring some of those fans back with me to the US." Arnold Barboza Sr: "We’re ready and we’ve been ready for this opportunity. We’re traveling but we don’t care where it’s at, we’ve been waiting for this for a long time, and it’s here and we’re here. Traveling is fun, it’s a little bit cold, but it’s fun. There’s no fear at all, we had the opportunity to fight at home in a main event on the same day for the same pay, but we’re looking to fight the best and i think Jack is one of the best, so that’s why we’re here and made that decision. "It’s number one against number two and that’s what it’s supposed to be. The best against the best, give the fans what they deserve, and this fight is going to be worth every penny. "It’s going to be an exciting fight. We wouldn’t make the trip over here if we weren’t confident, we’re going to stop Jack." Alfie Sharman: "We’re back in this incredible arena in Manchester and what a fight we have ahead of us on Saturday. From top to bottom it’s a stacked card, and Jack Catterall, a local favorite around here, has been on a remarkable run recently, but he has a tough fight on Saturday in the very talented and undefeated Arnold Barboza Jr, and the winner takes it all with a potential World Title fight later in the year. I wish everyone on the card and the two main guys the very best of luck on Saturday. We’re looking at two powerhouses of the promotional world here with Eddie and Matchroom and Golden Boy led by Oscar de la Hoya, earlier this week at DAZN we announced the first slate of fights with another powerhouse in the world of boxing with Frank Warren and Queensberry, and we look forward to welcoming Frank and his talented roster from April 1. We at DAZN are the global home of boxing and have a commitment to our subscribers and boxing fans all over the world to deliver the biggest and best fights in 2025 and beyond." Reece Bellotti: "No one saw you all day, from your team? You should sack them. My boys woke me up that day. Why wouldn't your team check on you in the morning? Why would they not, if they know you're not feeling right? You just said you didn't fall ill in the changing room. You just said you didn't fall ill in the changing room. So you haven't been right all week. So why make weight, why waste my time and everyone's time when that was going to happen? Your team should know that. Your story has holes in it. That's all I'm saying. Who got in the cab with you to the arena, were you on your own? Your team should be getting in there with you. Everyone does that. Everyone goes with their team to the arena. Everybody. So they would have known way before. I'm not denying the fact you was ill. But you knew you was ill way before it came out. Why did you let someone pull you out in the changing room. There isn't a fighter on this table that would do that. The doctor wouldn't have come into my changing room. There's holes in your story but I'm not denying that you were ill. At least you had your excuse that night. What's your excuse this time? That fire burns inside me and it always has done. My Christmas weren't as good as it could have been, and I blame Michael Gomez for that." Michael Gomez Jr: "Can I just correct you Eddie? I didn't fall ill in the dressing room. Obviously on fight week I came in here the last time and I was all hooded up. I wasn't feeling great, but as a fighter you keep your mouth shut and you get on with it. I met my team at the arena on fight night. I had a back and forth with my manager - he wasn't happy with the way I was. He took it upon himself to get the doctor involved. The doctor came in, did an observation and took me to the room. On my behalf, I should have made it come to light earlier, but as a fighter, at the end of the day I wanted to fight. Why would I tell someone earlier? Either way the fight would have been pulled. If my manager goes and gets the doctor and brings the doctor in what do you want me to do? Do you think that you're that good to make me pull out? Do you honestly believe you're that good? You're a f****ing idiot mate. Absolute idiot. Until my team took it upon themselves to pull me out, I was wanting to fight. You'd have gone in there that night and you'd have beat me up but I'd have taken it like a man and gone home. That's how it goes. My team did the job that they're supposed to do. I'm going to beat you. I don't need any excuses. I'm going to win and I'm going to win horribly. On Saturday night everything gets put to bed." Pat McCormack: "I'm buzzing for the fight. Obviously I've been boxing all my life, won medals all over the world, got all the experience I need. I'm just ready to step up and start winning belts in the pro ranks. I've got two belts and I'm looking to push on this year and get some more. With the things I'm working on in the gym, if my opponents aren't coming to win then it doesn't work. I think Robbie is a good fighter. He's been around for years. I saw him fight against Lewis Ritson in Newcastle in a good fight. Every dog has its day, and my days are coming. This is a good fight. I'm looking forward to it. I can't wait. My full focus is on getting the job done on Saturday night." Robbie Davies Jr: "I think normally if it was just any 6-bout opponent, I'd just say, 'leave it'. But obviously with his extensive amateur career, everything that he's achieved. Everyone knows he's a good fighter. He's already built himself a platform from the amateurs. I know with this sort of win moving up in weight, which I've been dying to for years, I've just needed the right opportunity. I think it's just as big a scalp for me as it is for him. I said straight away, take their hand off, I'll have that fight. The xxxxxx fight, you've got to remember, it was 15/16 months out of the ring. I took the fight on seven weeks' notice. Even though I'm always in the gym, you're not in camp are you. There was a lot of things that I would have done differently. But take nothing away from him, it was a great fight. I was over there in their backyard. And then going onto another former World Champion. That's the sort of calibre I want to be in with. I'm right up for this fight. Everyone knows what you get when you watch me fight. I'm going to bring it. Hopefully it's a great fight on Saturday night." Zelfa Barrett: "Jazza is a good fighter. When you're at this level, you fight whoever they put in front of you. I can't really be picking, if I believe I'm one of the best in the weight division. I've just got to beat who you put in front of me. He's a good fighter but I've got goals and aspirations. I need to be a World Champion. Every fight is important. Every fight is a must-win fight. It brings that extra something inside of me to be focused every round, to try and get the knockout. To keep doing what I'm doing." Jazza Dickens: "I'm in really good form. Training has been going well and it's good to be back on a Matchroom show. I'm feeling really strong. Every fight is a must-win isn't it Ed and I will win. Being around this Manchester scene here is good because it's normally Liverpool or Manchester or London. It comes back around doesn't it. Manchester is flying at the minute. It's good to be on one of these cards. It's not too far from home. A lot of people will be coming up for it. Like you say, it is a must-win." William Crolla: "Like you say, on paper it's a tough fight. He's boxed over ten rounds. I think he holds a win over a lad who's just boxed for the English Title at my weight. The lads who have beat him are all international amateurs. They're not me. I'm going to set about him on Saturday night and I think it will be a massive statement when I am the first to stop him. I'm fully focused on Saturday night but the activity is key and I said Manchester boxing is going to be in again. I'm privileged to be a part of it and there's going to be some great fights back here." Aqib Fiaz: "Thank you for having us on this amazing show. It's practically the VIP Gym show. There's four of us on. The gym is flying, Manchester boxing is flying. Our gym will be at the forefront in the coming years. I'm excited to be back and I'm excited for a big performance on Saturday. Thank you to all my supporters that are coming out. I'll have my eyes on the Bellotti vs. Gomez Jr fight and hopefully we get the winner." Conner Tudsbury: "I'm really excited to get out on Saturday night. I've been training for this for a long time. I've been waiting for this opportunity. I'm going to really show you all what I'm made out of on Saturday night. As I said the other day, I couldn't have a better start to my professional boxing career. Boxing at the Co-op Live, it's an amazing place. It's a great atmosphere when the boxing is on. It's great to be making my debut on the undercard of my stablemate Jack Catterall.I think I'm more suited to the professional game. Smaller gloves and the style and everything like that. I think it'll be really good. I'll show you all what a talented boxer I am." Alfie Middlemiss: "I'm just excited. I'd like to say a big thanks to Matchroom for the opportunity to be on this card. It's the stuff you dream about as a youngster when you're first getting into boxing. To perform at the Co-op Live is such a massive opportunity for me and I'm bringing massive support from Manchester. I'm excited and I'm ready to go. The gym is thriving at the moment. I'm one of the youngest in the gym so I'm just learning and improving all of the time from all of the main fighters. Manchester boxing is the place to be at the moment. It's a hotbed of young talented fighters. It's a great place to be."  |
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