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Cordina vs. Vazquez & Undercard
Press Conference Quotes
Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:
"Welcome to Monaco and it feels so good to be back with our
friends at SBM and Casino de Monte Carlo ahead of a huge
night of World championship boxing, a double-header of World
championship action live from Monaco on DAZN around the
world.
"It’s been four years since we graced this venue, a unique
environment for boxing.
"The main event, in my opinion, the best 130-pounder in the
world, Joe Cordina will defend his IBF title against Edward
Vazquez, a tough fight for Joe as he looks to unify the
division in 2024 and Sivenathi Nontshinga defends his IBF
strap against Adrian Curiel Dominguez in our other World
title bout and he’s one of the most exciting fighters in the
world after a couple of incredible fights, one in his native
South Africa and a fight of the year contender in Mexico.
"We believe Souleymane Cissokho is France’s next World
champion and he’s in a good fight with Isaias Lucero, and
for me, one of the fights of the night, Ramla Ali will
attempt to overcome the defeat she suffered to Julissa
Guzman in a fantastic female fight on the card."
Joe Cordina:
"It’s been four years since I boxed here last and it’s a
special place that has a special place in my heart.
"He’s a good fighter, I’ve never once disrespected him. I’m
taking this very seriously, don’t worry about that. I saw in
an interview that I am taking him lightly, trust me, I’ve
never taken a journeyman lightly never mind a world title
fight. This is a fight that can potentially set up my future
and my kids’ future. I’ve got three kids to look after so
every time it gets tough, I think of my kids. Without me
winning on Saturday, those big fights aren’t going to be
there for me, so I’ll do everything possible to get the win.
"He’s going to bring it because it’s a big opportunity for
him. He’s a good fighter, I watched the fight against Ford,
and I thought he should have had it, so he’s going to bring
the heat but I am ready to match it.
"People said I didn’t have power, I knocked out Ogawa. Then
they said I can only look pretty, and I showed I can dig
down against Rakhimov. If you come into the gym and see how
I train and spar, I do that on the daily, but the Rakhimov
fight is the only one that I’ve had to get out of first
gear. So, me saying you have to be special to beat me, it’s
not being cocky, I believe in my ability. I’ve done it time
after time as a pro and all through my 180 amateur fights,
I’ve beaten some great, great fighters that have won Olympic
and World medals. It’s not a fluke, I am the real deal.
"I’m hoping Michael will give me a few more tickets to get
my fans in! I told them not to book until I found out the
deal with the tickets, but they booked anyway. They have
come over anyway and they’ll be in the Irish bar waiting for
me to get out, but first and foremost I’ve got to get the
job done on Saturday. I know he’s going to put it all on the
line, and I am ready to do the same too."
Edward Vazquez:
"I’m thankful to Matchroom and Lou DiBella for this
opportunity, I feel like everyone has their time and this is
my time. I’m here for a reason, I’m blessed to be here, and
I am prepared. If you have looked at my career, I’ve been
the challenger every time and I’ve come out on top, except
from that bullshit call, you know what I am talking about
(split decision loss to Raymond Ford, February 2022). I’m
here to pull the upset and ready to handover a Texas
ass-whooping and do what we do.
"I hope he is overlooking me. I don’t care how he is looking
at it, I just want him to be 100 per cent ready, I don’t
want to hear any excuses. Every time I beat these guys that
I am supposed to lose to, there’s always some bullshit
excuse that comes out, like training camp was bad, my coach
was bad, weigh-cut was bad, something like that. I don’t
want to hear any of that; I’m 100 per cent ready, we had all
the time to get ready for the fight so come Saturday night,
we’ll see who the best man is.
"I just have to do me, listen to my coach and my team and
stick to the game plan. He’s got a lot of great attributes,
but he’s never been in there with someone like me and he’s
going to find out."
Sivenathi Nontshinga:
"Thank you for granting me this opportunity to fight here,
I’m looking forward to the fight, I’ve been working hard
with my team, and I am glad to be here. I believe it takes a
special person to achieve such greatness.
"I am going to get inside the ring and do what I know,
nothing more, nothing less. I expect a good clean fight, I
am used to big stages now and the ability I have to get
inside the ring and do the job, it makes me a special person
and I want to give the people of Monaco a great fight like I
did in Mexico."
Adrian Curiel Dominguez:
"I am completely committed to getting this victory and
taking the belt home to Mexico. I saw the Rocky Hernandez
fight and I think it shows the hunger that we’ve got, I need
to almost die to win this belt and he needs to be prepared
to do the same if he wants to get the victory, but it will
be me that gets it."
Souleymane Cissokho:
"I feel like I am at home fighting in Monaco, we’ve had a
very good camp, working very hard and I can’t wait to get
back in the ring on Saturday night.
"We are looking for those big title fights, so Isaias is a
good fight for me, we know that Mexican fighters are very
tough, so I can’t wait to share the ring with him and then
move forward for World titles."
Isaias Lucero:
"There’s lots of hunger to get the win. I’m really enjoying
this experience so I want to go through and get the victory.
I understand that it will be difficult because I am facing
someone with great amateur pedigree, but I want to do my
best."
Julissa Guzman:
"It’s great to have another opportunity for a big fight but
it’s different this time as I am defending what is mine. I
am no longer the challenger, and this is going to make it
even more difficult for Ramla, as I know you are going to
run, and I am ready to fly at you in the ring. I am going to
make good on my promise to knock you out.
"I have to come through Saturday but as I have said before,
the decision to take this rematch will go in my favour and
after this fight, I want to face the best in the division
because I want to be the best."
Ramla Ali:
"It is a huge fight for me. A lot of people are saying to me
‘why are you jumping straight into this rematch?’ I was
speaking to Steve Bunce earlier who was giving me props for
it, but with me, my whole life has been riddled with
challenges, as everyone knows my backstory has been talked
about. I’ve had challenges in my personal life and my
sporting life, and you have to accept those challenges. I
was telling Steve; I was watching a Baseball movie and there
was a quote that said ‘never let the fear of striking out
keep you from plating the game’. So, you can never let fear
keep you from doing what you want to do and from achieving
your dreams and goals.
"All fights I have had in my opinion have been tough. I have
trained equally as hard for my pro debut as I did for this
camp. So, I consider every person in front of me as a
challenge. I always try to stay disciplined; I like to get
involved and have a bit of a tear-up, who doesn’t? Why do we
box in the first place? But it is about staying disciplined,
sticking to the game plan, listening to Manny Robles as I’ve
probably given him more grey hairs in this camp than I have
ever done. I know from that; it will be a great day on
Saturday."
Michael Wittstock:
"To put on an event like this in a venue like this is not
easy, and I want to thank the casino for everything they do
for us. They have done us proud. In 2013, Prince Albert gave
us his blessing and backing to start boxing here, and it was
triple G, Gennadiy Golovkin that kickstarted his career here
then, came back to fight Martin Murray in a World title
fight and then went to America to become a legend and a
household name. Gennadiy is in constant contact with me, and
his heart is deeply involved in Monaco, he loves the place.
"Eddie comes from a family that has been in boxing for many
years with his father Barry, and what I like about Matchroom
is they have a young team and are the biggest and best
promoters in the world.
"Monaco has one thing that it’s really good at and that’s
building bridges between other nations and other people. I
think that boxing has latched onto that and looking at the
bill this weekend, you will see part of that. We’ve come a
long way with boxing in Monaco, we’ve had a lot of support
from people that have helped us. Eddie, thank you and Frank
Smith for all you have done, it’s a privilege to deal with
guys and on behalf of Prince Albert, I wish all the boxers
the best of luck and to enjoy your time here."
Rudy Tarditi:
"It’s very important for us to receive an event like this,
for the image of SBM and the casino in the world, so we are
very happy to welcome you."
Laurent Puons:
"It’s a great pleasure to see Matchroom back in Monaco. On
Saturday night you will have the opportunity to attend an
amazing boxing event with four title fights, eight
high-level and powerful boxers. Believe me on Saturday
night, Monaco will be the worldwide capital of boxing - so
‘bonne chance’ to all the boxers, may the best win."
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