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Sebastian Fundora vs. Keith Thurman
Final Press Conference
Quotes
WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Sebastian “The
Towering Inferno” Fundora and former unified champion Keith
“One Time” Thurman squared off at the final press conference
Thursday before they meet in the main event of a PBC
Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video this Saturday,
March 28 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The press conference also included top super welterweight
contender Yoenis Tellez and Brian Mendoza, who meet in the
12-round co-main event, top-rated middleweight Yoenli
Hernandez and U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha, who meet in a
10-round matchup and heavyweight sluggers Gurgen
Hovhannisyan and Cesar Navarro, who meet in the 10-round
pay-per-view opener at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Also in attendance Thursday was super middleweight contender
Kevin Newman, who headlines FIRST ON PRIME action against
exciting young star Elijah Garcia streaming live and for
free on Prime Video preceding the pay-per-view. Also
featured in Prime Video action is rising prospect Kaipo
Gallegos, who takes on once-beaten Julian Gonzalez in a
10-round bout opening the card at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT
and undefeated prospect Brayan Gonzalez and Mexico’s Brandon
Medina, who square off in a six-round showdown.
The event is promoted by TGB Promotions and Sampson Boxing.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:
SEBASTIAN FUNDORA
“We’re gonna have a great night on Saturday. Expect ‘The
Towering Inferno’ to burn Las Vegas down once again.
“I definitely don’t see this going 12 rounds, but no matter
how long it goes, it ends with me having my hand raised.
“Thurman is a good talker. He likes to talk. That’s how he
is. He’s a great champion as well, but Saturday night I’m
planning to crash his party.
“I think I’ve just been growing up and becoming more mature
with every fight. I’m getting a harder task every fight, so
I’ve been learning on the job.
“Thurman is one of my best opponents for sure. But I have to
look at it like just another fight. I have to look at it as
my job. This is work for me, and I just have to clock in on
Saturday.
“Look where I’m at and what I’m doing. I’m very blessed. I’m
not trying to look ahead too much, because it’s
disrespectful to myself.”
KEITH THURMAN
“It’s been a beautiful build up to this fight. It’s been a
long time coming. I’m facing a great champion and we’re
gonna make it happen.
“I’m here to hurt this boy. I’m trying to send him home
beltless. Fundora gets hit. He’s used to trading and going
at it. But I’m here to put that fire out.
“I’ve been doing this for a long time. Come March 28 you’re
gonna see why I’ve been able to do this as long as I have.
“Fundora has evolved to become a greater champion than he
was before. And that’s what boxing’s all about. There’s
always someone who’s got your number and I know that I have
what it takes.
“I’ve been favorited in the majority of all of my fights,
but at the end of the day, being the hunter is a lot of fun.
I’m on the prowl. There’s nothing like becoming world
champion by taking it from the previous world champion,
especially a highly-qualified world champion like Fundora.
“You’re gonna see 30 years of greatness on Saturday. Blood,
sweat, tears, sacrifice. It’s gonna be poetry in motion.
“I’m here to make history. This is history in the making
come March 28.”
YOENIS TELLEZ
“This is a great opportunity. Cuba is going through very
hard times and I’m dedicating this fight to my country. I’m
ready to show what I’m made of.
“I’ve proven that I’ll always face top opponents who are
worthy of the level that I’m at. I’ve heard Mendoza say that
I’m not on his level, but I’m here to prove that I am.”
BRIAN MENDOZA
“I’m a short-notice king at this point. I’ve been training
with Richard Barrientes for over a year fine-tuning and
improving everything in my game.
“This fight feels like when I fought Jeison Rosario on short
notice. I have my back against the wall again and you see
how I fight when that happens.
“I know that I belong at the top of this division. This is a
definite must-win and I will win. We’ve been grinding
nonstop and improving my game.
“I’m the one with the experience and I’ve shown that I can
get victories at this level. I believe that experience will
be the difference in this fight.”
YOENLI HERNANDEZ
“I’m here for another victory. I’m excited to be back in Las
Vegas. I don’t need to say much, but I promise that I’m
ready.
“There is no difficult opponent for me. I’m only focused on
what I have to do. We’re ready to show everyone what I can
do.”
TERRELL GAUSHA
“I’ve fought everybody. You can check my resume. I handle my
business in the ring. I’ve trained hard to give you all a
good fight. You have to fight the best to be the best,
that’s what it’s all about.
“We’re gonna stop this narrative about me being a tough
opponent for the champions. We’re gonna switch that
narrative up. I’m a competitor and a fighter.
“I don’t look at Yoenli like everyone else does. He’s tough,
but I fight the best. I’m coming to win. I’m not here for
anything else.”
GURGEN HOVHANNISYAN
“I don’t like to talk a lot, but I’m ready to show everyone
a great fight on Saturday night. You don’t wanna miss it.
“I’m very ready. I always respect my opponent and go in
there to do my job. That’s what it’s all about.”
CESAR NAVARRO
“Opportunities like this don’t come around often. On March
28 I’m stepping in against a tough opponent. We know this
won’t be easy, and that’s what I love, because I’m here for
a challenge.
“On March 28 I’m here to represent my city, my culture, and
everyone who believes in me. Phoenix and Mexico, this one’s
for you.
“I’m Mexican, so I fight and do this for a living. We’re
gonna go in there and do whatever we have to do to get this
victory.”
KEVIN NEWMAN
“You guys aren’t gonna want to miss this one. Saturday night
I’m facing a strong young fighter and I’m gonna put on a
spectacular performance. You’re gonna leave talking about
this one.
“I’m very confident in my abilities. It’s not about him
being strong, it’s about skills and self-belief. I believe
that I’m gonna go out there Saturday night and dominate.
“Roy Jones Jr. has helped give me the dominating mindset.
You need to have that in this game. He’s pushed me past my
limits to pull that out. We’re going to display it all on
Saturday night.”
KAIPO GALLEGOS
“Tune in on March 28, I’m gonna put on a good show and make
sure I get that victory. Look out for me, I’m on the come
up. Come Saturday night, we’re gonna get that victory.
“It feels great to be in this position. It’s a dream come
true to fight here at MGM Grand. Now it’s time and I’m
ready. I’ve put in the hard work and I can’t wait to put on
a good show.”
BRAYAN GONZALEZ
“It’s such a blessing to be here. I dreamed of doing this as
a kid and now I get to live it. So I won’t take it for
granted.
“I know my opponent has faced good fighters, but I’m here to
make a statement and show why I’m different on Saturday
night.
“Early on in my career I’ve just been getting used to the
pros. It’s a big difference, but honestly I feel like my
skill and my talent has translated.”
BRANDON MEDINA
“This is a dream come true. I worked very hard to get to
this point and I’m here to put my city on the map.
“I’m used to facing good opponents. This is nothing new to
me. I’m here to show the best of me. I’m gonna prove that
I’m able to fight anyone at this level.”
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