Luis Carlos Abregu & David Estrada, Travis Kauffman & Malachy Farrell Final Quotes

Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008,
Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, Calif.

“SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION’’
Friday, Dec. 5; Telecast Begins at 11 p.m. ET/PT
Photos: Tom Casino - SHOWTIME

Undefeated, world-ranked but virtually untested welterweight Luis Carlos Abregu (24-0, 21 KOs) of Argentina faces what will be by far his sternest challenge in his career when he takes on the vastly more experienced David Estrada (22-5, 13 KOs) of Chicago in the 10-round main event on ShoBox: The New Generation tomorrow/Friday, Dec. 5, on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. E/PT, delayed on the west coast).

In the ShoBox co-feature at Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif., undefeated Travis “GW Hope’’ Kauffman (13-0, 10 KOs) of Reading, Pa., will face once-beaten Malachy “The Seventh Son’’ Farrell (16-1, 12 KO’s) of Chicago in a solid eight-round heavyweight bout.

The event is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC.

What the fighters said Thursday:

LUIS CARLOS ABREGU
“This is definitely a legit fight and a real test. He’s a tough guy and has a lot of experience, but he is the kind of fighter that will bring out the best in me. He want to fight and will bring it to me, and those are the kinds of guys I like.

“Estrada has fought bigger-named fighters in tough fights so I know he has a lot left and I have to be aware of him. But it’s hard to say if it’ll be my toughest fight right now. Wait until after the fight to ask me. But I do expect it to be my toughest.

“I know for sure Estrada will be my toughest fight since coming to the United States. I fought two guys in Southern American title fights in Argentina that were definitely tougher than the last two guys I fought in the U.S. But Estrada is at another level.

“Winning this fight is very important to me. I want to prove I can fight at this level. I disappointed myself in my last fight. Fans should know that was not the real me. It was just a little stumbling block. I’m confident things will work out. The key is always for me to be relaxed. When I am, I can do what I want in the ring.’’

DAVID ESTRADA
“There’s no question that this will be the best fight of the weekend. Both of us come to fight. There is no boxer and puncher here -- just two fighters coming to work and put on a show.

“I can’t say it will be the best true welterweight fight of the weekend, but only because I am going to beat him down like you wouldn’t believe. He may be undefeated, but he’s so one dimensional. It’ll be simple.

“He’s a strong kid but all he has is a right hand. I am very well prepared and have a good game plan. He’s been knocking everybody out; let’s see how he does when I take him into deep waters.

“It is not insulting, but one of these days promoters are going to learn to stop putting their undefeated fighters up against me. They still haven’t learned. Maybe, after this one, I will get the respect. I want to out-everything him – out-jab, out-punch, out-everything. I want to make him look like an amateur.

“I feel I’m where I need to be. After this fight I’ll be back in the top 10 and getting a shot at the title. I really want a rematch with (Andre) Berto. We have unfinished business. That last stoppage against me was total bull. I felt I was winning and he was about to quit. I still don’t understand why the referee stopped it.’’

TRAVIS KAUFFMAN
“I’m really excited about fighting on ShoBox and I hope there are many more opportunities to come. I feel really good, especially considering I weighed 310 pounds about a year ago. At 221, this will be the lightest I have been in my career.

“All fighters are tough, and this will be my toughest fight. He also is most definitely the most awkward fighter I have fought. He throws punches from his back pocket. But I have been training really well for the last 5½ weeks and had great sparring against all kinds of fighters with different styles.

“I beat him in the amateurs, but what I remember is how I kept hitting him and he kept coming forward. I can box or bang but this time I plan to outbox him. They say I am slick with a good chin, but I have heart and pride, too.’’

MALACHY FARRELL
“I want to get him out of there early. I am fighting for my career. I can’t afford another loss.

“I really felt won I won the fight I lost, but it was my fault for leaving it in the judges’ hands. I had the guy out twice but didn’t finish him.

“I’m as ready as I can be for training for about six weeks. I really want to see if he can handle my power.’’