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Shakur Stevenson vs. Shuichiro Yoshino
Final Press Conference Quotes
The King of Brick City is ready to shine again in front of a
packed hometown crowd.
Undefeated former two-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson
(19-0, 9 KOs) will take on Japanese puncher Shuichiro
Yoshino (16-0, 12 KOs) in a 12-round WBC lightweight title
eliminator this Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark, New
Jersey.
In the co-feature, heavyweight destroyer Jared “The Real Big
Baby” Anderson (13-0, 13 KOs) faces fellow unbeaten George
Arias (18-0, 7 KOs) in a 10-rounder. U.S. Olympic silver
medalist Keyshawn Davis (7-0, 5 KOs) meets his stiffest
challenge yet in the 10-round lightweight televised opener
against former title challenger Anthony Yigit (26-2-1, 10
KOs).
Stevenson-Yoshino, Anderson-Arias & Davis-Yigit will be
broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m.
ET/7 p.m. PT.
The ESPN+-streamed undercard (7 p.m ET/4 p.m. PT) includes
Polish heavyweight Damian Knyba (10-0, 6 KOs) and
Brooklyn-born featherweight phenom Bruce "Shu Shu"
Carrington (6-0, 3 KOs).
At Thursday's press conference, this is what the fighters
had to say.
Shakur Stevenson
“It feels great to be back home. It feels great to be back
in front of my fans and family. I’m enjoying myself, and I
just can’t wait for Saturday. I’m really excited for
Saturday. But is he ready for Saturday? That’s the real
question. He walks around here with a smile, and I can’t
wait to wipe that smile off his face.”
“This dude been running around here saying that I don’t have
any power. He’s been saying that he’s going to push me
mentally. Let’s see if he’s ready to go to deep waters with
me. I’m going to drown him.”
“You’re going to see everything in the arsenal. I’m going to
go out there and box him. I’m going to beat him up. He’s
going to leave that ring knowing that I’m the best fighter
he’s ever been in the ring with."
Shuichiro Yoshino
“I’m really pumped up for the fight. I’m really excited."
“I’m excited to fight for the WBC title. This opportunity is
really going to change my place in boxing.”
“My trainer and I have been studying Shakur. We have a game
plan to implement on Saturday.”
Jared Anderson
“I’m beyond focused. I’m more than ready for this fight. I’m
ready to handle business and come out impressively. It’s a
fight against an undefeated fighter. And we’re looking
forward to being impressive.”
“I let things play out in the ring. Jerry Forrest kind of
picked the ending to our last fight. I came in, and I felt
too relaxed. That’s how he landed those two big shots. So,
he decided the fate of that fight. Hopefully, Arias decides
to let us get a couple of rounds in.”
George Arias
“On paper, he is the toughest fighter I’ve faced because it
seems like he’s the new face of the heavyweight division. As
for me, I see it as a sport. I got to do what I can to win.
It’s boxing. You do what you have to do to win. It’s just
another fight to me.”
“I’ve come back from a layoff before. I did the best I could
to be ready. I have no excuses. I trained to the best of my
ability. I sparred with great fighters. I did everything I
could. For me, it’s like if I fought a few months ago.”
Keyshawn Davis
“I know Yigit is definitely coming to fight. He is an
experienced fighter. I really think he’s going to test me in
ways that nobody has tested me before. He’s a southpaw. And
he’s a fighter. He likes to fight. And I love that. I like
to fight, too. This Saturday is going to be action-packed.
The tougher man is going to win.”
Anthony Yigit
“I’m very happy to be here. I’m very thankful for this
opportunity. I’m happy to be able to showcase my skills.
I’ve been training my whole life. I had some bumps along the
road. But, hey, who said following your dreams is easy? But
we’re still doing it. And I’m here. This is my time.”
Damian Knyba
“It’s an honor for me. It’s a huge step forward. The
beginning was tough. I never had guaranteed fights. We had
to scramble to get fights and experience. But I’m here now.
I’m ready to take advantage of this opportunity. I’m excited
to see the huge leaps forward that my career will take.”
Bruce Carrington
“Every single time I fight, I try to display art. It’s not
just about knockouts. I want people to see that everything
is strictly business. I’m Picasso in the ring. The ring is
my canvas, and I’m painting the canvas. I just want
everybody to learn and be more educated every single time I
fight.”
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