7 March 2025
Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
| Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman: “Welcome to Trinity House in London ahead of two very special announcements today, two UK shows live and exclusive on DAZN around the world. “This building has a lot of history for us at Matchroom, it was where we first announced the signing of Anthony Joshua, the building for the AJ vs. Dillian Whyte press conference, the building of the announcement of James DeGale signing with Matchroom, and ironically the building we announced the signing of Chris Eubank Jr, and how things have changed, and we look forward to a huge night at Tottenham Hotspur on April 26. “But we’re here to announce two special shows that will continue our sold-out run, firstly on April 19 in my opinion the man waiting for the WBC World Super-Lightweight title, Dalton Smith, will take on Canada’s Mathieu Germain, and so many big fighters from Yorkshire as well. Ishmael Davis will take on Ryan Kelly in a British title eliminator, there’s the return of the Leeds Warrior Josh Warrington who confirmed his spot on the card last night, and probably the busiest man in boxing right now, the new superhero around the world Josh Padley, who has received an incredible reception since fighting Shakur Stevenson in Riyadh recently. There’s some great young talents on the card with Georgio Visioli talking on Kane Baker and Leli Buttegieg in action.” Dalton Smith: “It’s good that the Alberto Puello-Sandor Martin fight is out of the way now, we know who the guy is, but the guy in front of me right now is Mathieu and there’s no room for hiccups for me, this is my World title shot. It means just as much to me as getting that mandatory shot when I eventually get that World title, I know going into this fight that I need a World title performance. “This is the beauty of boxing, and it is a World title fight for me because I know what can come after. That’s why we’re back in my hometown, I’m looking to put on a big performance to put me in good stead going into those big fights. It’s not about picking easy opponents, Mathieu is a solid fighter, we’re picking these fights because he’s going to bring a lot to the table before these big fights, so no stone will be left unturned and I’m not overlooking him one bit, I’m going to go in there and prove why I am mandatory for the WBC World title. “I’m expecting a tougher fight, I expected more from my last fight, but it’s boxing, you get caught in the first round or the 12th round on the chin, and it’s game over. I go into every fight expecting it to go 12 rounds, and expect my opponents to be the same, and that’s what I’ll be expecting on April 19, I’ll be doing the same and you can expect the best of me.” Mathieu Germain: “I respect Dalton Smith, he’s a pretty good fighter, a complete fighter, but it’s been a long time that I’ve been waiting for this call and it’s the moment where I have to step up and prove that I’m top 15 in the world. “I was supposed to fight against George Kambosos and I was willing to do it, and after that, things happen in boxing and I get the call for Dalton and I’m here. “People are always bigger and taller than me but I always find a way to win, and that’s what I am going to do on April 19.” Giorgio Visioli: “I know Kane will give it a good go, he’s tough and it’s a good step-up in my career, and I’m looking forward to it. I think I’ll show my class and that I’m the best Super-Featherweight in the country. “There was a big question of me when I turned pro as to whether I could punch hard, I could always hit hard but showing it in the amateurs is different. Now I’m setting my feet and I can really let my hands go, I’ve changed and I’m a more mature pro now. “I think I’m very close to big fights, but I’m still very young, I’m only 21 and I’m not looking past Kane as he’s a very tough opponent that’s been in with some great people.” Kane Baker: “I’ll be ready to go, 100 per cent. Unlike a lot of other fighters, he’s got a bit of arsehole as well, six fights in and he’s jumping in with me, so I rate him. There’s other fighters that won’t fight me, shithouses, so I am looking forward to having a ding-dong with Visioli and seeing how good he really is. “He’s sharp as shit, I know, I’ve seen that. I’m a big Super-Featherweight and he’s fought some smaller guys, so I’ll old man and show him the ropes a little bit in there.” Josh Padley: “I’m ready to get back into camp, it wasn’t exactly a toiling camp last time given four days notice, so it’s nice to have a good seven week camp to be able to show what I can do with a full camp. “I don’t think I’ve been to the shop in Doncaster without being stopped and asked for pictures, it’s a crazy come-up but I’m excited for the next step. “The one-fight deal turning into a multi-fight deal was the best outcome that I could hope for, being with Matchroom as the leading promoters, I think I can be a force to be reckoned with.” Leli Buttigieg: “I’m looking forward to fighting in Sheffield again, it was a good fight last time out, a lot of people were shocked that I took that fight but I showed I can dig deep and have a tear-up, so I am looking forward to going to Sheffield for the second time and putting on a good performance. “I want to stay active and I’m looking forward to it, and I hope to fight in London after this one, so get April out of the way first and get on the London card, sell a lot of tickets and put on a good performance.” Ryan Kelly: “It’s great to be back on another big show. Last time around, fighting Kieron Conway, we had a conversation and you said something to me along the lines of rolling the dice, and that’s exactly what I plan to do in this fight. Ishmael has had the big opportunities, I’m yet to have them, so a big win on April 19 and we move onto bigger and better things. “I’ve taken everything on board and that’s what I’ll do. This fight, I plan on rolling the dice and coming away with a big win.” |
Please follow and like us:
