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Philippines, 05 Dec 2025 |
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MONTE-CARLO SHOWDOWN VI PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES PhilBoxing.com Fri, 05 Dec 2025  EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID BETWEEN MASOUD, McGRAIL AND THE UNDERCARD The festive fight magic is in the air and Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn believes it will be a "special night" live worldwide on DAZN this Saturday, December 6, for what promises to be a monumental Monte-Carlo Showdown VI. The fighters descended on the spectacular Salle des Toiles Sporting Monte-Carlo on Thursday for the final Press Conference. Shabaz Masoud and Peter McGrail top the blockbuster bill in the Principality as they collide in the main event for the EBU European Super Bantamweight Championship. Beatriz Ferreira defends her IBF World Lightweight Title against Elif Nur Turhan in a scintillating co-main event, as Conah Walker and Pat McCormack – who shared a lively face-off exchange earlier today – clash in a pulsating Welterweight battle. 'The Romford Bull' Johnny Fisher returns against undefeated 6ft 6in Czech rival Ivan Balaz, whilst Northern Ireland's Sean McComb faces Monaco's hometown hero Hugo Micallef. Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman: “Welcome everybody to the stunning Monte-Carlo Showdown. The sixth instalment of this incredible event. We cannot wait to get underway on Saturday night. Of course, completely sold-out – this is by far the most popular event we’ve seen so far in this six-event series. So many international travellers coming to this very special place for a very special fight night. Like Jamie and Darren said, by far the strongest card we have ever seen here in Monte-Carlo. Boxing right now is red-hot. Just a few weeks ago we filled the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with 70,000 people when Conor Benn beautifully defeated Chris Eubank Jr. We then flew to Saudi Arabia for The Ring 4 – one of the greatest cards we’ve seen top to bottom. Ben Whittaker’s viral knockout last week was incredible in Birmingham. This week here in Monaca before we head to Stockton. The big fights keep on coming. The small matter of Anthony Joshua against Jake Paul. Our first event in Ghana. A run out on a Wednesday evening at The O2. Back for the Night of the Samuri in Saudi Arabia. Look at 2026 already stacking up. Andy Cruz going for the World Championship on January 24th in Las Vegas. January 31st, quite incredible, Shakur Stevenson will take on Teofimo Lopez in New York whilst Josh Kelly fights Bakhram Murtazaliev for the World Championship. Wood-Warrington already locked in, Nunez against Navarrete and so much more to come, always exclusively live on DAZN – the Global Home of Boxing.” Albert Manzone, Deputy Chief Executive Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de mer: “Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you a warm welcome at the Sporting Monte-Carlo in this mythical Salle Des Etoiles. For more than 50 years this prestigious ballroom has been the theatre of Monaco’s prestigious events and famous stars. From Frank Sinatra to Celine Dion, Rhiana and much more – the stage has been the one of the stars. It is therefore not only a privilege, but a great pleasure to host here on Saturday evening the international boxing stars. In partnership with Matchroom Boxing at the occasion on the sixth edition of the Monte-Carlo showdown. Probably most renowned for its gaming luxury hospitality activities, Monte-Carlo also has a long tradition in sports. We look forward to welcoming you all on Saturday evening. Thank you.” Michael Wittstock: “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I’d like to welcome all of the boxers to the Principality on behalf of the Prince, Eddie and Frank from Matchroom Boxig. I please want you to enjoy the facility here, and I think the boys from Matchroom have put on a fantastic show for us on Saturday night. Obviously over time I’ve thanked everyone and explained how we got to where we are with the prestigious promoting company here. We started 13 years ago with the Prince’s blessing. Just to finish, there’s a very angry world out there today, and I’ve been following Matchroom over the last couple of years building bridges and creating friendships between all nations through boxing. I think a big compliment must go to Eddie and his team. If we had more people in the world doing that today I think we would live in a much better place than we have at the moment. So well done Eddie, it’s a pleasure dealing with you, and thank you very much.” Laurent Puons, General Director of the Monegasque Boxing Federation: “First of all I would like to thank everyone for being here. Welcome to Monaco. As Eddie said, on Saturday night we are going to have the opportunity and the privilege to attend a prestigious and amazing event, a very interesting boxing event, in Monte-Carlo, in this beautiful venue. Thank you to SBM for your support in organising event. I said amazing because I am impressed by the level of the fights and the level of the boxers who will be in the ring on Saturday night. Interesting because I could say that it is very important, on Saturday night believe me, we can’t give the name of the winner before the end of the fight. It’s very important in the boxing world. Now I would just like to remind you that our boxer Hugo Micallef started his career in Monaco, in this venue more than 10 years ago. On Saturday night he will fight for an international title. The Monagas Boxing Federation and myself would like to congratulate you. I am very proud of you.” Sean McComb: “I would just like to thank yourself and Frank and everybody who has helped get me here. The Monaco Boxing Federation obviously have high expectations of Huge Micallef and what he brings to the table. I have full belief and full trust in my own ability to overcome any challenge. Even if it is in someone else’s back garden. This is what I have trained for. This is the opportunity that I want. My family is burying my grandmother today, so it just shows you how hungry I am to be here. This is the opportunity that I want and we’re ready for it. The Irish always travel well. They travel in numbers. They can outnumber people with the noise they carry. That’s something special with Irish support. It’s great to give them the opportunity to come out here to a place like Monaco.” Hugo Micallef: “I love when they count me out. All my life they have counted me out. I’m from Monaco, in the boxing world people say, ‘what, from Monaco?’ It’s like it is impossible. When I was an amateur in the Olympic qualification, they counted me out. In all of the tournaments I was in, they counted me out. On Saturday night I am going to win and say that’s because I’m in Monaco. Keep counting me out. We’ll see on Saturday night. I know my capacity. The team knows my capacity. The most important thing here I believe is to come back with the title. I wasn’t really concerned about who the opponent was, I was more concerned about the title. That’s how and why I am here now. That’s what I said in the other interviews. I don’t feel the pressure. I’ve already boxed in Monaco in my career maybe six or seven times. One time as a professional. I know the ambience and I know the vibes of Monaco during fight week. I’m in my bubble until the fights finish. I don’t feel nothing. When the fight finishes I feel happy, and that’s the moment I can enjoy.” Ivan Balaz: “For me it was a short notice fight. I grabbed it with both hands, and I’ve come here to win in style. We have with my team some tactics for this fight. We hope they will work on Johnny. It is a very big fight for me. For me it can be a life-changing fight.” Johnny Fisher: “First of all, thank you to the Principality of Monaco for making us feel so welcome. It’s exciting to be here. When I started my career, moments like this and memories like this are what we wanted to create. As you said. I’ve got a new trainer, I’ve got a new regime, and my job is to go in there and destructive, and that’s what I’m going to do. For me it makes no difference if we fight in Romford, Monaco or Saudi Arabia – my job is always going to be the same and that’s to be The Romford Bull. Perhaps in the past I’ve tried to change what I am too much. I am The Romford Bull, I’m an aggressive, attacking fighter and I believe I’m going to show the best of that on Saturday night. Beatriz Ferreira: “I’m very happy to be here again. I know the importance of this fight. I’m ready and I’m happy to be here in Monaco once again. This very important event is special to me. It is amazing. I am very happy. I believe it is going to be a war. We are going to put on a show for the public. She won’t be able to take the belt – that is not going to happen.” Elif Turan: “First of all, sorry my English isn’t very good. Welcome. Before this fight I fought in eleven fights, I haven’t lost yet but every single fight, including this one, I’ve prepared as if it is a championship fight. I know my opponent has prepared as well as I have. She is a warrior, and I am a warrior too. On Saturday night we are going to find out who prepared the best, and hopefully that is me. It’s not about fight night, or the fight week build-up to the fight. It’s all about the preparation before the fight I’ve trained like a warrior. I’ve put myself through the paces. Bringing the belt back to my country is as important as anything. Hopefully we can do that. I’m sure that Saturday is going to be a war. I’ve prepared for a war. Thank you very much.” Conah Walker: “That was the reason I picked Pat – to be the underdog. I thrive off it. It’s where I’m at home. We had the opportunity to take a voluntary defence of the British Title. I said no because I wanted a challenge. I’ve done my apprenticeship and I’m here for big fights now. I’m British Champion and I’ve defended. I’m meant to be here now. Six fights ago you brought me in to lose. What a mistake that was! I’m just over the moon with getting the opportunity to fight here and fight such a good fighter, because he’s a great fighter. I’m just too hungry, I’ve got too much in the tank for him.” Pat McCormack: “Activity is key, that’s the only thing we were missing. I was out for a little bit with an injury but we’re back now. We’ve had a good year this year and we’re going to finish it strong. My last performance was probably my best performance and it was the best fighter I’ve faced so far. I’ve always said when the level goes up my performances go up. I’ve had 9 fights as a pro but I feel like I’m a lot further ahead than 9 fights. I never really look at the odds to be honest. He’s obviously at my weight, he’s boxed a few lads from the North East. As soon as he won the British Title I thought, this fight is definitely going to happen.” Shabaz Masoud: “First all praise goes to God. I worked my way up to this position. I’m ready, I’m more than ready for a fight like this. I’m going to show everyone what time it us. I’ve been in the gym the whole year, even when I had that injury, I was still in the gym working on other things. You can ask anyone in the team, I’m a bit of a gym rat, I’m always in the gym. Peter is a very god fighter. He’s got good skills and stuff. I believe in myself, and I know what I’ve got. A lot of people are going to see on Saturday night.” Peter McGrail: “I’m excited for this fight. It’s a main event in Monte-Carlo and it’s for the European Title. It’s a big one. It’s the biggest fight of my life to date and it’s going to be a great fight. One hundred percent Ed. One hundred percent. I’ve been working so hard this camp. I’m up against a very very good fighter. I’m in the shape of my life and you’ll all see that on Saturday night. He’s a very good fighter but I believe I’m a great fighter.”  |
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