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Eddie Hearn: “We’re looking forward to a big show on Saturday. We’ve been to this great city many times. It feels like we’ve been coming here years with Kell, starting out at the Hillsborough Leisure Centre of course, travelling to the US when he beat Shawn Porter for the World title, defending his World title here in Sheffield, coming here to Bramall Lane fighting what is now probably regarded as the number one 147lbs fighter in the World in Erroll Spence in front of 25,000 people – it was a great night of boxing. “Seeing him today, I think he looks fitter, healthier, chirpier and more excited than I’ve ever seen him in his career so far. A fit, hungry and healthy Kell Brook is a very dangerous fighter. I believe that we’re going to get a fantastic performance from him on Saturday night. “There’s talk about the future, there’s talk about Amir Khan, one thing I know is that Kell Brook has many miles left on the clock. When there’s hunger in his heart, I believe he’s one of the best 147lbs fighters in the World.” Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing: “We spent a lot of time here in Sheffield back in the late 90’s with the likes of Prince Naseem Hamed of course, Ryan Rhodes and our own Johnny Nelson. Kell Brook was just a young kid then coming through. It’s fantastic to see how he’s developed over the years. This is a wonderful fighting city, I’m really looking forward to being back here on Saturday night, it’s a great December with New York next week for Canelo vs. Rocky and then Whyte vs. Chisora at The O2 – a pre Christmas cracker. “It’s a great bill and it’s fantastic to see Kell back, I agree with Eddie, he looks in terrific shape and obviously he’s got the fire reignited alongside John Fewkes. Have a great one Saturday night, we’ll see you there.” Kell Brook – Sheffield, England – 37-2, 26 KO’s – fighting Michael Zerafa in a Final Eliminator for the WBA Super-Welterweight World title: “I’m feeling very fresh. I feel reborn. A happy fighter is a dangerous fighter and I am so happy. We got all the hard work done in our training camp. It couldn’t have gone any better. I’m raring to go now for Saturday. I’m looking to put a serious performance on. “Amir Khan is a con man, they should call him Amir ‘con’. This is his last big fight under Matchroom and I thought it was nailed on. He shook my hand and looked me dead in the eye and said we would fight next. “What can I do, I’ve bent over backwards and said I’d come down to 147. I’m doing everything I can for the fans, he’s turned his back on them. Everyone knows it’s him that’s running off. I want any elite fighter and could weigh in at 147 tomorrow if I wanted, I’ve got that buzz again. “I want the top guys, Shawn Porter with the WBC title if he wants a rematch or I’d love to bring Errol Spence Jr back in the summer and get the win.” Michael Zerafa – Melbourne, Australia – 25-2, 14 KO’s – fighting Kell Brook in a Final Eliminator for the WBA Super-Welterweight World title: “It’s a huge opportunity for me and the team. Kell Brook has done a lot of great things for the sport. We know it’s going to be a great fight but we’ve come prepared. His name is a World title to me. No stone has been left unturned, he’s just a man. He’s got two arms and a head and he bleeds red. The best Michael Zerafa is going to be there and it’s going to be fireworks. “We’ve been studying him throughout our camp. He’s a great fighter but we saw a lot of flaws – too many holes in a ship and it sinks. We’ve got a game plan in place and come Saturday we’ll lay it all out.” John Fewkes, trainer of Kell Brook: “Kell is in fantastic shape. It’s great to be a part of this if I’m honest with you. Kell is happy and he’s been dragging me out of bed at half past six in the morning. This camp couldn’t have gone any better. I’m looking for a very special performance on Saturday. He has another two, three or four years in him at the top of the game – easily.” Blake Caparello, trainer of Michael Zerafa: “The good thing about Michael is that he comes into camp fit and only a couple of kilos over weight, so we can focus straight on the boxing. He’s coming over here in great spirits. The English public have been awesome towards us. I know they think he’s coming as an opponent but Michael isn’t an opponent, he’s coming here to win. Kell Brook’s name is a World title to Michael so we’re coming to his back yard to beat him.” Josh Kelly – Sunderland, England – 8-0, 6 KO’s – defending his WBA International Welterweight belt against David Avanesyan: “I need someone to come and really try to take my head off. A lot of people want to take my head off because I look like an arrogant guy. I’ve got a switch when I go into the ring, I’m a different man in there. I’ve got a lot of respect for David Avanesyan. It’s four weeks since my last fight, it has been a quick turn around. I’m feeling fresh and relaxed, I feel nice. “Stylistically I’m ready for this sort of fight. It’s sort of the typical boxer versus fighter match-up. It’s going to be a great fight and a night that I’ll enjoy.” David Avanesyan – Tabynskoe, Russia – 22-3-1, 11 KO’s – challenging Josh Kelly for the WBA International Welterweight title: “This is a big fight for me. I like this fight, I want this fight, I’m hungry. I’m ready for this fight. I will do my best, everything is good. “Josh was a very good amateur boxer and I’m expecting a tough 12 rounds against him.” Jono Carroll – Dublin, Ireland – 16-0, 3 KO’s – fighting Guillaume Frenois in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Super-Featherweight World title : “I need to be in with people that will test me. This Frenchman is very experienced. I hope he is up for a war because us Irish love to go to war. I’m ready for anything. I’m looking to impress, I don’t want to just win this fight – I want to impress and I’m going to show the little peanut head Tevin Farmer that I’ll eat him alive when his time comes. “I truly believe that the only person that could test me to my limits would be someone like Gervonta Davis. That would be a dog fight, me and him going head-to-head. That would be a war, you’d see the true Jono Carroll go to war. “Nothing is going to stop me, I don’t really look too much into who I’m fighting. I just try to be the best boxer that I can possibly be and the rest takes care of itself. I’m getting better and better each time I fight because my level of opposition is getting better and better.” Guillaume Frenois – Aisne, France – 46-1, 12 KO’s – fighting Jono Carroll in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Super-Featherweight World title: “I’m very pleased to be here in Sheffield, it’s a great place for boxing. When the IBF ordered this Final Eliminator I was determined to come and get my chance to fight for the World title. After a two month camp I’m ready to win. If you target a World title you must be a warrior, he will meet a French warrior on Saturday.” Anthony Fowler – Liverpool, England – 8-0, 7 KO’s – fighting Jose Carlos Paz in a 10 round Super-Welterweight contest: “Dave Coldwell knows that I need tests, there’s no point in me getting in the ring and just dominating people like I have been. I’ve had 8 fights and I’ve been cocky. I haven’t broken a sweat so far, it has been easy and straight forward fights. This lad has been at the top level, he’s ranked 40 on BoxRec – much higher than me, so he’s mixed at a much higher class and this is the fight where I show what I’m about. It’s going to be a great fight.” Kid Galahad – Sheffield, England – 25-0, 15 KO’s – fighting Bryan Mairena in a 8 round Super-Featherweight contest: “It was a good win out in Boston, he was a tough kid. I did everything that I had to do in that fight to win. Hopefully on Saturday I’ll get this kid out of the way and then I’ll be ringside watching Frampton and Warrington on the 22nd. “I’d like to thank Eddie Hearn, Matchroom and Sky Sports. Three fights this year and hopefully next year you can get me four fights. I’ll be fighting for the World title, win that and then another three fights after that.” Qias Ashfaq – Leeds, England – 3-0, 1 KO – fighting Jay Carney in a 6 round Super-Bantamweight contest: “I can’t wait to get out there now, it’s been a long training camp. I’m starting to finally feel myself in the pro game. Before I turned pro I had a good year and a half off with injuries and sorting a promotional deal out but now I’m in the best place in the World at Matchroom Boxing. I feel amazing, it’s a little step up against Jay Carney this weekend and I’m looking forward to showing what I’m made of. “I’m ready to step up, I’ve taken my time so far. I’m ready to step up slowly and next year hopefully get a few titles around my waist as well.” |
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