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Chris Colbert vs. Roger Gutierrez
Virtual Press Conference
Quotes
Unbeaten rising star Chris “Primetime” Colbert and WBA Super
Featherweight Champion Roger “The Kid” Gutiérrez each
expressed confidence that they will emerge victorious in
their upcoming clash during a virtual press conference
Thursday, as they previewed their showdown taking place
Saturday, February 26 live on SHOWTIME in a Premier Boxing
Champions event live from The Chelsea inside The
Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast kicks off at 10
p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and will feature unbeaten phenom Gary
Antuanne Russell, a 2016 U.S. Olympian, facing former world
champion Viktor Postol in the 10-round super lightweight
co-main event, while IBF Junior Bantamweight World Champion
Jerwin Ancajas will defend his title against unbeaten
Argentine Fernando Martínez in the televised opener of the
loaded tripleheader.
Colbert has made a name for himself with his exciting mix of
speed and power that has helped him shoot up the 130-pound
rankings, defeating former champions and dangerous
contenders along the way. Colbert will look to capture his
first world championship against Venezuela’s Gutiérrez, who
earned the title and made his first defense in a pair of
upset victories over Rene Alvarado in 2021.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:
CHRIS COLBERT
“This is going to be ‘Primetime’ on SHOWTIME. This is what
I’ve been waiting for. There’s no better time than right
now. This is my time and I’m going to dominate in this
fight.
“Everybody that they put in front me that they say has
power, they don’t hit hard at all. I end up walking them
down and beating them up. I don’t expect anything different
in this fight. I’m ready to win by any means necessary. I
don’t care about looking pretty, I care about winning and
dominating.
“He better make sure he brings the Mack truck, because I’m
coming at him in this fight. If he can’t put me on my bike,
then he’s going to be in trouble.
“At the end of the day, two warriors have to go in the ring
and fight. He’s the current champion and I’m going to be the
champion. I expect nothing but a firefight from him.
“February 26, you better make sure you tune in. I don’t have
any losses and I don’t plan on getting any. You’re going to
hear ‘and the new’ when this fight is over. After the fight,
I’ll take him out for a beer.
“To be honest, I’ve never watched Gutiérrez fight. Shout out
to him for earning the belt, but I don’t care who he fights
like. I have one job that night, and that’s to win by any
means necessary.
“When I win this fight, I’m that guy. I’ve told you forever
that I’m that guy. I was born that guy. I’m just going to
continue to prove that and whatever comes next, comes next.
Hopefully Gary Russell Jr. can heal up and I can take that
fight and put him into retirement.
“Gutiérrez has more knockouts than I have fights, but it
doesn’t matter to me. I like fighting bigger punchers
because I know they come to fight. I know he’s not going to
run. I want this to be an exciting fight. I want to show the
fans that I can do it all.
“You’ve seen my skills and you’ve seen that I can stand in
the middle of the ring and bang with anybody. You’ve seen me
do it all. I’ve never been outboxed, so I know he’s not
going to do that. If he wants to go toe-to-toe, I’m going to
show everyone that I’m too fast, too sharp and too strong.
“This is definitely another stepping-stone for me. I knew
that this opportunity was going to come. I knew that I was
going to be a world champion. I made it happen. This is just
another day, another dollar, for me.
“I bring my own style to the boxing game. I’m looking to
build my own legacy in this sport. I’m focused on this
fight. I’m ready to go mano-a-mano with the champion.
“When I win in dominating fashion, don’t be surprised if I
knock him out. That’s what I’m coming into this fight to
do.”
ROGER GUTIERREZ
“I was very excited when I was told that this fight was
going to happen. Regardless of him being the mandatory, I
knew that this fight was going to be a big opportunity for
me to show that I’m one of the best in the world.
“This is a chance that I’m not about to pass up. I’ve been
training in Los Angeles since December and I’m going to show
the world what I can do on February 26.
“Anything that you’ve seen from me against Alvarado, you can
toss it out the window. This is going to be a completely
different fight. I’m going to have to adapt and I’m going to
better than ever. This is going to be something you’ve never
seen from me before.
“It’s not important to me whether I’m the favorite or the
underdog. Alvarado was the favorite against me as well. I
don’t care who believes in me, what matters is that I’m a
warrior and I believe in myself.
“Even though people say I’m a knockout artist, that’s not
what I look for. I work toward winning each and every round.
It doesn’t matter to me if we go to the final bell. The
knockouts just come naturally.
“You’re going to see a Venezuelan champion once again. I
don’t care what people say about this fight. I’m taking this
belt back to Venezuela after February 26 to celebrate with
my people.
“His best weapon is his mouth. I can’t wait to see him in
the ring on February 26. I understand that he does what he
has to do, but I’m not worried about his talk at all.
“Chris is a great fighter and he’s a very versatile boxer.
That’s what excites me. I love facing big challenges. You’re
going to see me step up to this challenge on fight night.
“Winning the world title was a whirlwind of emotions. Not
only did make it to the top, but I was able to fulfill my
promise that I made to my mother, who passed away a month
before my fight. It was amazing to be able to reach that
pinnacle.
“If he wants to stand there and go blow for blow, we’ll be
ready. If he wants to use the ring, we’re ready to chase him
down. We will have a plan no matter what. I’m going to be
ready to leave the ring victorious.
“I’m focused on this fight, but if everything goes well, the
name that I have in mind for a next opponent is Leo Santa
Cruz.”
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