| |
|
|
Jermall Charlo vs. Maciej Sulecki
Virtual Press Conference
Quotes
Unbeaten WBC Middleweight World Champion Jermall Charlo and
former title challenger Maciej Sulecki previewed their
upcoming championship showdown during a virtual press
conference Wednesday before they meet on Saturday, June 18
live on SHOWTIME from Toyota Center in Houston in an event
presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
Charlo will hold a Juneteenth celebration in his hometown
for the second-straight year on June 18, headlining in
Houston again after defeating Juan Montiel in an
action-fight last year at Toyota Center. Charlo seeks a
fifth successful middleweight title defense but will have to
get by the veteran Sulecki, who has gone the distance with
former champions Daniel Jacobs and Demetrius Andrade and has
added longtime Polish contender Andrzej Fonfara to his
training team ahead of this fight.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast will also feature
undefeated top super bantamweight contender Ra’eese Aleem
battling Mike Plania in the 10-round co-main event, and
unbeaten lightweight contender Frank Martin facing Panama’s
Ricardo Núñez in the 10-round telecast opener at 9 p.m. ET/6
p.m. PT
Here is what Charlo and Sulecki had to say Wednesday:
JERMALL CHARLO
“Juneteenth is my day and I’m happy to be performing again
on the main stage in my city at Toyota Center. It’s going to
be a great night of boxing against another tough opponent.
I’m ready to get in there.
“My opponents always talk. Once they get in there with me,
they see that it’s a whole different story. I wanted someone
like him who will come in not scared and ready to fight.
That’s what I need.
“I’m in my prime and I’m ready for everybody. No matter who
they put in front of me, I’ll make the adjustments and get
the win. All those names are just names to me.
“Sulecki is a good challenger. A lot of people might not
know him but he’s been in there with top competition. This
is the right timing for this fight against a strong
opponent. I’m ready for whatever he brings. He says he can
beat my tactics, but once he’s in there he’s going to have
to survive.
“I’m not in a rush. I’m the champion at 160 pounds. So these
guys have to fight me no matter what. I have my sights set
on bigger opposition. We’ll move forward when it’s time. If
I have to move up to 168 to do that, let’s look at the
drawing board after this fight.
“Juneteenth is a big holiday in my city and my town. It
started in Galveston only 30 miles away from Houston. It’s a
holiday here and I’m the best person to represent it at this
time. I’m thankful to fight Juneteenth weekend.
“I’m very familiar with Sulecki. I’ve trained with one of
his friends and he’ll be able to tell him what that heat is
going to be like in the ring.
“This is going to be another war. I’m going to be in the
pocket and ready to go. Whatever he does, I’ll make the
adjustments. If I hit him with something flush, I’m going to
knock him out.
“It motivated me to see my brother Jermell capture those
goals that we’ve both always wanted. That’s something that I
want to do. Sulecki is standing in front of that goal right
now. Everyone wants to be champion, but not everyone is
destined to be a champion.
“I’m fighting to get the biggest names and get the biggest
fights. I’m fighting for my legacy. I’m fighting for
something way bigger than just fighting Sulecki.”
MACIEJ SULECKI
“I took this fight because I like to be the underdog. I like
to go into the lion’s den, I’m comfortable there. I took
this fight because I believe I’m the better fighter. I’m
ready to take my chance. I live for that moment to fight
against one of the best fighters in the world.
“I don’t think Charlo is a better fighter than Andrade or
Jacobs. I think they’re all similar fighters. Charlo is
still a great fighter with an explosive punch. I’m just
ready for this fight. I’m going to make it all happen on
June 18 in the ring.
“Both fights against Jacobs and Andrade have prepared me for
this fight. Charlo has made mistakes before and I want to
exploit those mistakes. I know what it takes at this level
now.
“Charlo is a different fighter than past opponents and I
respect him for being a champion. I’m ready to face the best
Charlo possible on June 18 and my only focus is on winning
this fight.
“Words don’t win fights. This is going to be a different
story than my other fights against top guys. I’ve been here
before and training hard and I’m just ready to show
everything on June 18.
“Since I was a child I always dreamed of that green belt.
This is the fight of my life. I’ve done everything that I
needed to do to get to this moment. I want to be the new
champion on June 18.
“The talking doesn’t matter, it just matters what happens in
the ring. I don’t think about anything but what I have to
do. We prepared very well for this fight. Charlo is strong,
but I have a good right hand too.
“I’m here because I always give my best. For the fans who
are watching this fight, they’re going to see a lot of
emotion and fire from me. I’m going to show everyone that
I’m a great fighter and I’m not afraid of anyone. Charlo
will bring the same thing and I know we’ll give the fans a
great fight. I can’t wait to step into the ring on June 18.
The ring will clarify everything.”
|
|
|
