| |
|
|
Efe Ajagba vs. Joe Goodall Final Press Conference
Nigerian contender Efe Ajagba (18-1, 13 KOs) is set to face
upset-minded Australian Joe Goodall (10-1-1, 9 KOs) in a
10-round heavyweight attraction this Saturday, Nov. 4 at
Tahoe Blue Event Center in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
Ajagba and Goodall fought as amateurs, with Goodall earning
a decision in the semifinals of the 2014 Commonwealth Games
in Glasgow, Scotland. Nearly 10 years later, the two are
ready to settle the score in a fight that could propel the
winner towards an eventual title opportunity.
In the 10-round lightweight co-feature, Raymond “Danger”
Muratalla (18-0, 15 KOs) takes on unbeaten Mexican banger
Diego Torres (18-0, 17 KOs).
Ajagba-Goodall and Muratalla-Torres headline a loaded bill
streaming live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+
beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.
The ESPN+-streamed action includes the Top Rank debut of
heavyweight Brandon Moore (12-0, 8 KOs), who takes on Robert
Simms (12-3-1, 3 KOs) in an eight-round fight, as well as a
junior lightweight showdown between unbeaten standouts Henry
Lebron (18-0, 10 KOs) and William Foster III (16-0, 10 KOs)
The undercard will also feature an all-Mexico junior
welterweight showdown between rising unbeaten contender
Lindolfo Delgado (18-0, 13 KOs) and Luis Hernandez (23-3, 20
KOs) and a home region appearance by Carson city-born
lightweight Christian Avalos (0-1-2), who faces Estevan
Partida (1-1-1) in a four-rounder.
At Thursday's press conference, this is what the fighters
had to say.
Efe Ajagba
“The ‘Silent Roller’ is my nickname, so I’m going to come
out as a beast in the fight. I’m silent outside, but in the
ring, I’m a different guy.”
“This fight means a lot to me. For me, this fight is going
to get me closer to a world title fight. So, after this
fight, we’ll see where we go from there.”
“We sparred each other a long time ago. And I lost to him in
the Commonwealth Games in 2014. So, that’s the guy I lost
to. This fight will be a rematch for me. This fight means a
lot to me because of that loss.”
“I’m going to come as beast in the ring. I’m going to come
with everything, the training, the sparring, everything I
did. I’ve been knocking people out in sparring. I’m going to
put all of that in the fight.”
Joe Goodall
“This is a big clash Saturday night. Efe Ajagba is a tough
fighter. I believe I’m up there with the top fighters in the
world. It’s no secret that with the WBC Silver title on the
line, the winner may get a world title shot. Being the
winner of this means everything to me.”
“Without giving away too much, his only loss was to Frank
Sanchez. I watched that fight. Frank’s movement was pretty
good in that fight. I don’t want to say that I’ll copy him,
but there are some things in that fight that I can
implement. But once again, we’ve sparred before. We know
each other well. So, it’s about executing the plan on fight
night.”
Raymond Muratalla
“It’s a huge opportunity for me. Come Saturday night, I’m
going to show out again, and it’s going to get me close to
that title shot that I’ve been wanting.”
“It’s going to be another great performance. Every fight I’m
learning and learning and working on my craft. Come Saturday
night, it’s going to be another hell of a show, and it’s
going to be a great night for me.”
“Hopefully, this gets me to a title fight. That’s what I
want. That’s what I’ve been wanting. Hopefully, a victory on
Saturday night gets me closer and closer.”
Diego Torres
"I feel very happy. I’m very motivated because this is my
first fight on a card like this as a co-main event fighter.
I’m very excited, and I’m very eager to step into the ring.”
"I want people to get to know Diego ‘Azabache’ Torres. This
is my coming out party. I came to do an excellent job. We
had a very good camp, and I’m very ready for the fight.”
"I took this fight because I know that Raymond is a very
good fighter. I like challenges, and I want a career that
people will remember. I’m a courageous person, and I’m
ready. I like challenges. And to be a world champion, I have
to face the best, and Raymond is one of the best. So, he is
in my path to a world title shot.”
Brandon Moore
“This is exciting because I’m with Top Rank now. It feels
like I’m in the NBA right now. I get to walk around, and
people ask me who I am. For the first time, I got to meet
all the people behind the scenes. It’s really fun.”
“In 12 or 24 months, I want to be fighting the big fights.
Top Rank has all the heavyweights. There are heavyweights on
this card. So, I’ve got these next 12 or 24 months, and I
see myself fighting for a world title. I’m going to be
winning a world title, honestly.”
Christian Avalos
“I feel great. This is surreal for me. It’s really exciting.
This is my fourth pro bout, and I’ve been wanting to fight
in my hometown in front of my friends, family and
supporters. It’s just up the road, so it’s nothing new to
me. It’s just another day.”
|
|
|
