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Errol Spence Jr. vs. Lamont Peterson
Undercard Fighters Talk Upcoming Jan. 20 Showdowns
Rising stars and veteran contenders will enter the ring on
Saturday, January 20 looking to start their 2018 with a
statement victory when they compete in undercard action from
Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®, on the
undercard for the welterweight championship showdown between
IBF champion Errol Spence Jr. and two-division champion
Lamont Peterson.
Undefeated 135-pound world champion Robert Easter will
defend his IBF Title against former world champion Javier
Fortuna in the co-main event live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6
p.m. PT).
In the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING PRELIMS, unbeaten light
heavyweight Marcus Browne will take on once-beaten Francy
Ntetu in a 10-round fight and undefeated heavyweight
sensation Adam Kownacki will face Iago Kiladze of Kiev,
Ukraine in a 10-round bout.
The live digital offering will stream exclusively in the
U.S. on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and the SHOWTIME
Boxing Facebook page.
Here is what the fighters had to say about their January 20
matchups and more:
ROBERT EASTER (20-0, 14 KOs) - Making third defense of IBF
Lightweight World Title
“This fight can definitely set a good tone for me in 2018.
I’m going to be making a statement with this fight. My last
three fights I haven’t gotten a knockout. I’m going to be
giving my fans and fight fans a good show.
“I’m going to use my reach and length and destroy this guy
from the outside. All my career I’ve been fighting shorter
guys. Every short guy doesn’t fight the same. But you get in
the ring and you feel him out and make adjustments.
“There’s nothing in particular that I have to prepare for
with Fortuna. I take every fight the same. Every fighter
fights different so you get in there, feel him out and make
adjustments as you go along. I’m not worried about him being
a southpaw. I’ve faced plenty of lefties in my career and in
the amateurs. That’s no problems at all.
“I think what makes me the more dangerous boxer in this
fight is having the height that I do and the punching power
and the speed and the mindset as well. My mindset is that
I’m not going in there to play around with him. I’m ready to
destroy.
“My goals for 2018 are to capture more titles and to get
unification bouts. We had a few champions in the weight
class, but it appears that no one is willing to fight the
other champions. We’re willing to do whatever it takes,
fight whoever has the titles. We’re willing to capture all
those titles whenever the other guys are willing to sign up
for the fights.”
JAVIER FORTUNA (33-1-1, 23 KOs) - Former Super Featherweight
World Champion
“My preparation for this fight is going very well. I’ve been
working out in the Dominican Republic, but I’ve come back to
Boston to finish my training. Right now we’re at 75% and
closing in on 100%. I will be completely prepared when it’s
time to fight. My preparation and my strategy make me the
more dangerous guy.
“I see this like no other fight that I’ve had before,
because every opponent is different. Everyone has their own
niche at this level, something that works for them. His
niche is that he’s tall. He uses that to his advantage. But
it’s nothing that I can’t overcome. I’ve fought tall guys
before.
“I prefer my opponents to be taller. It plays into what I’m
able to do. I’ve never had a problem with taller opponents.
Abner Cotto (5-10) is one of tall guys that I fought. I
fought in Chicago and put on a great performance. (Fortuna
scored a 5th round KO against Cotto)
“My goal for 2018 is to fight all the top elite fighters in
my weight class, and I’m trying to become mentioned as one
of the best in the sport. I really want to win another world
title in a different weight class. It would be the biggest
moment so far of my career to get another world title.”
MARCUS BROWNE (20-0, 15 KOs) - Top 10 Ranked at 175 lbs.
(WBC, WBO, WBA & IBF)
“My opponent (Francy Ntetu, 17-1, 4 KOs) looks like a
durable, tough guy. I see this fight being very exciting for
the fans for as long as it lasts. I saw a little bit of tape
on him. I know he always comes in tip-top shape, and I hear
he’s consistent in his performance in the ring. I just know
I’m going to have to be sharp on Jan. 20.
“It’s always an honor to fight here at home and at Barclays
Center. It’s special to be able to perform in front of these
fans and I can’t wait to put on a good performance leading
up to the Spence vs. Peterson fight.
“This fight could put me in the position that I need to be
in to fight for a world title. I can’t be lacking in any
way. I have to come out strong with a great performance from
start to finish and leave no doubt in there.
“For 2018, I want to become a world champion. I’m determined
tomake it happen this year. That vision starts on Jan. 20 at
Barclays Center against Francy Ntetu.”
FRANCY NTETU (17-1, 4 KOs) - Fought David Benavidez at
Barclays Center in June 2015
“I know Marcus Browne is probably taking me lightly and
thinks he will simply go through me. I hope that’s the case,
because it’s going be a shock to him, the fans and his team
when I take his spot in line for a title. I want to face
Eleider Alvarez in our hometown of Montreal after I get this
win.
“My previous fight at Barclays Center against the current
WBC champion David Benavidez was obviously a very bad
decision by the referee to stop the fight, especially when I
was winning the round and Benavidez was slowing down. I was
getting stronger while he was getting weaker.
“I’ve never been hurt and never been dropped in a fight. I
want Marcus to challenge himself and see if he can do
something no one else has. I’m excited to be in a fight of
this magnitude. Marcus, it’s time for us to give the fans
what they want!”
ADAM KOWNACKI (16-0, 13 KOs) - Originally from Poland &
fighting out of Brooklyn
“This fight is going to be another step toward becoming a
champion. I know I’m going to have to work very hard and
prove that I’m continuing to build on my win against
Szpilka. From the video I’ve seen on Iago Kiladze (26-1, 18
KOs), he moves a lot, so I’ll be needing to cut off the
ring. Whatever he brings to the ring, I’ll have an answer
for.
“Three years in a row now I’ve been fighting in January. I
love starting off the year strong. My wife and I actually
started a tradition of the “Kownacki Family Run” at midnight
on New Year’s Eve. Since I’m always preparing for a fight
around New Year’s, we figured we might as well have fun
while we work. So, we’ll have some friends come out and run
a few miles with us around the neighborhood during the
fireworks. It’s fun and helps get me ready.
“Ultimately, I’m looking to become the best in the
heavyweight division. The end goal for this year is to
become a world champion. But the very first step is taking
Iago Kiladze very seriously. I can’t look past January 20
right now. I have a tough opponent who will challenge and
make me a better fighter in the long run.”
IAGO KILADZE, Third fight since move up to heavyweight
division (2-0, 2 KOs)
"I feel great and my training has been terrific. My trainer
is Freddie Roach now. I sparred with (IBF Cruiserweight
Champion) Murat Gassiev three times recently which is great
preparation for me. I believe I can knockout Kownacki but if
I have to go the distance I'm prepared for that. Either way,
I'll be victorious. I'm feel that I'm the more skilled
fighter and that will show in the ring.
"This is a great fight for my career and a terrific start
for 2018. I know that if I win this fight I'll be that much
closer to a world title opportunity.
"My goal is to be a world champion at the end of 2018. I
want to continue improving and learning under Freddie and
with his guidance I'm confident of success."
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