| Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman: “Welcome to Birmingham ahead of a huge show this Saturday night live and exclusive on DAZN around the world. What a time for boxing, we’re back from Puerto Rico last weekend, an incredible atmosphere out there as the boogeyman of the 140lb division Subriel Matias got beat in his backyard by Australia’s Liam Paro in an incredible night of boxing. “We have another big show this weekend in Birmingham and Felix Cash returns after 18 months out of the ring, into the backyard of the champion Tyler Denny, and what about the 147lb match-up between Lewis Crocker and Conah Walker, we can’t wait for that. There’s a big fight for Cameron Vuong against Jeff Ofori and a brilliant domestic dust-up for the British and Commonwealth championship between Shannon Ryan and Emma Dolan, and we have a lot of young fighters that are in crunch fights and have sold a lot of tickets.” Tyler Denny: “I’m absolutely buzzing for this. It’s a bit of a shame really because I’ve been around Felix for a few days and he seems like an alright character and he’s got a nice story, he’s been out of the ring, but he’s going to get smashed on Saturday and I feel bad for him, but this is the game we’re in. “Fair play to him, he’s got some catching up to do because when he knocked Denzel Bentley out, he was meant to go on to World titles by now. He’s getting excited but ignore him, he’s thinking about the weigh-in because he’s struggling at the weight. “We have our back and forth, but I respect him, he’s a good fighter. It’s just the run that I’ve been on and the work I do in the gym day in, day out. You can’t cheat this game; boxing will find you out. Whatever he’s been up to over the months and years, I’ve been in the gym grinding every day and it’s going to show on Saturday. I’m going to break him down and get him out of there, and still.” Felix Cash: “I’m very excited to be back in the ring on Saturday. I’ve really enjoyed fight week, soaking it all in, and I want to thank you Eddie and Matchroom for sticking in there with me when I’ve been out of the ring for 18 months and giving me the European title shot and winning the purse bid. I’m looking forward to Saturday and getting my hands on that European title, making up for lost time, and like you say, the Middleweight division is opening up and I’m looking at getting a shot at a World title. “Every fight is a must-win fight. I’m just looking forward to it. I’m in his backyard but it doesn’t matter to me, I’m looking good and feeling good in the gym, and I don’t think he stands a chance with me on Saturday night. He’s going to come out and try his best, but it’s not going to be good enough. “I definitely think I am going to get him out of there inside the distance, but we’ll have a look at him after the first couple of rounds and I don’t think he’ll go the distance. I want to be in the big fights, and I sure will be after this one.” Lewis Crocker: “It’s class having a game opponent, its exciting stuff fighting him in basically his hometown on a big stage, it gives me goosebumps thinking about it and I’m relishing the moment. “I think Conah is a good fighter, but I don’t think he’s as good as what he thinks he is. He’s talked a lot of shit the whole way through about me. He’s saying I am overlooking him and stuff and thinking about fights after this; any interviewer that’s asked me about a fight after this I’ve told: I’m fully focused on Saturday, Conah Walker is my focus right now. I’ve had a great camp and that’s where my confidence is coming from. “I can’t afford defeat any time. He said win, lose or draw he’ll still get fights after this. That’s not in my mind, losing is not an option, never has been, never will be. I’m here to win every time, it’s big rewards on this stage and I’m feeling good. “He says I’m made for him, but he’s made for me too. He said I haven’t had to dig deep, it’s because people can’t bring me to that. They’ve tried, but it doesn’t work out well. So, I am ready for a toe-to-toe war with this guy.” Conah Walker: “I’m ready. It feels like deja vu – I’m sat in the same spot, telling you the same thing. It’s another banana skin because I see him looking over me. He’s looking at Paddy and he doesn’t think I should be in the ring with him. I’m here to rip up the script again and i’m in the best shape of my life and I’m looking forward to it. “I took the fights that no-one wanted to take, that’s the bottom line. I never turn down a fight, there might be losses, but check those losses and there’s a point in it here and there. We’re a couple or one step away from a World title, I’m ranked number five in the world, two years ago I lost a close decision for the English title and was beating myself up thinking I should have done this and that. But I’ve bounced back, I’ve learned, I’ve polished the edges and we’ve gone back to the pad, and we keep becoming a netter fighter and I feel I’m becoming a more complete fighter. I started my career knowing I was going to take losses because of the way I fight, but like I said before, I learn on the job and those losses haven’t stopped me getting to where I am now. We’re doing the tickets; we’re doing the fights and I’m enjoying this at the moment. “You know what sort of guy I am, I’m a hard-working guy, I live for my family, and the bottom line is this man isn’t taking that away from me. I know that this is a hard fight, he’s a talented fighter, a massive puncher, he’s ranked number two in the UK and done things I haven’t done. But he hasn’t been in there with someone like me. It’s alright knocking these Featherweights and Lightweights over, but I am not that guy, you know that, and I know that, and proper boxing fans know that this guy isn’t beating me on Saturday night. “I’ve been there, he hasn’t; that’s the bottom line. He’s got to prove it to himself, not just to everyone else. I know I have got it in the tank and in the locker, I feel like I bring more to the table than him. “The last time you said we did well (on tickets) we’ve doubled that and probably more. Once I splatter him, we’ll double it again. I’ve just got to keep pulling the performances out and I’ve had so many messages, it’s crazy, my old schoolteacher even came to the open workout. It’s mad, I’m in awe of it, I’m enjoying the ride and this man to my right is getting in the way so let’s have it.” Shannon Ryan: “Thank you, Eddie, again for another incredible opportunity. It’s my night to shine and I’m looking forward to it. This fight got ordered in October, then Emma pulled out, but it’s happening now and to be the first females in the Super-Flyweight division to fight for the British title is incredible, and it’s great to be a part of history. “I’m ready for however she wants to bring it. I believe I can beat a lot of styles out there and Emma is one of them. It’s an important moment in my career, I had an incredible camp, it’s fight number eight and on Saturday night I will go and do the business.” Emma Dolan: “it’s everything I want, I’m genuinely ecstatic for it and I can’t wait for Saturday to come and I’m looking forward to getting I there and getting the win. One hundred million per cent I have the beating of Shannon, styles make fights and I believe with every ounce of my fibers that I beat her. It’s different courses for different horses, I’m relaxed and I’m looking forward to it.” Cameron Vuong: “It’s boxing, injuries happen, and I wish him a speedy and full recovery. I’ve got a very tough task on my hands on Saturday in Jeff, he’s caused a few big upsets and he’s been on the wrong end of a few decisions, so I am looking forward to putting on a big statement performance. Props to Jeff for taking the fight on short notice but he’s going to find out on Saturday night. “I feel I can hold my own with any 135 or 140lber in the world, I believe I’ve got the talent for it and it’s about getting the right fights at the right time. I am looking at putting on a big statement on Saturday and coming for them English and British titles next year.” Jeff Ofori: “Thank you Matchroom for having me here. As soon as I got the opportunity, I took it and grabbed it with both hands. My last fight didn’t go my way, but I thought I won it. I’m here now and I’m ready to turn the tide. I know you have me here as a steppingstone but I am no-one’s steppingstone, he’s going to have to really fight come Saturday. “I’m here to do me, I’m not here to test anybody. If he can do it, he can do it, if he can’t, he can’t; simple.” Hamza Uddin: “I fully deserve to be on the main broadcast. That debut I had; you don’t see many debuts like that. I knocked him out flat on his back, boxed nice, had the flash and the confidence, and it’s the same again. Unfortunately, we had a pull-out a few days ago, no opponent really wanted to fight, but one did. He’s three weights above me so I am stepping up a lot of weight for this fight, but it doesn’t matter how big, strong, or tough he is, he’s getting knocked out the same way. “We’re looking to move at a fast pace, I’m not here to mess around. I have very big dreams in this game, I’m 20 years old, I’m a baby but I n have those dreams and I’ve got to get a move on if I want to achieve them so whatever the team says is right for me, and I want to get active. “A big performance here and I see what you (Eddie) are doing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Mr Turki Alalshikh, His Excellency, watch out there’s going to be a big knockout on Saturday and I want to be on the first plane to Saudi this autumn.” Aqib Fiaz: “I’ve got nothing to say to that, Kane has said it all so let’s have it on Saturday night, I’ll meet him in the middle of the ring no problem. I just need to win. we can talk about pressure and this kind of thing, but no-one puts more pressure on me than me, and on Saturday a big performance will do it.” Kane Baker: “It’s definitely the last fight, and I’ve saved the best ‘til last and I‘m going to let it all out of the bag on Saturday and smash Fiyaz all over the place. I have questioned retiring because of how well I’ve performed and trained, but I feel a good win on Saturday night will be my time to walk away. I’ve been on 12 Matchroom shows, and I’ve never been signed by Matchroom! The stalker got this far! It all started really with Conor Benn and Fight Camp at Matchroom, that’s where my mindset has gone back to because he stood me up in the garden, and that was my dream, to fight in your garden, it wasn’t Madison Square Garden it was Eddie Hearn’s garden, but that was my dream. And Aqib broke my heart, so I am going to smash him in his face. “I’ve gone southpaw now and I’m a boxer-mover! No, I’m not, there’s only one way I know how to fight, if there’s a phone box or anything like that, it’s as small as we can get and get as close to Fiaz as I can and punch him in the face all night, that’s the plan.” Ibraheem Sulaimaan: “I’m ready to go, I feel sharp and ready, ready to put on a great performance on Saturday. My last performance was great, we have closed that chapter and we’re onto the next one, it’s my fourth fight, the fourth chapter, and it’s going to be a great one then we move onto the next and take it one step at a time.” Muhammad Mustafa Ali: “I want to give big respects to my Grandma who just passed away, it’s been a tough week but I’ve had an amazing camp with Anthony Crolla and my team, and I am just ready to go on Saturday. “It’s been amazing with Anthony, I can’t complain at all. He’s an amazing coach and he’s got knowledge from right at the top so he can take me to the top. It’s been a brilliant camp and I’m ready to go.” Emmanuel Odiase: “I’m ready to perform. I want to thank my team at 258 and Matchroom for this great opportunity. I’m a Heavyweight prospect but I have a goal, I want to be Heavyweight champion and go down as one of the greatest to do it, so let’s get it on. “I have shared the ring with all of them in sparring, it’s given me great confidence and I just need the team to push me and get the fights because I am ready for the top level.” |
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