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Tyson Fury vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov
Final Press Conference Quotes
Today, international heavyweight World Champion Tyson Fury
(34-2-1, 24 KOs) and knockout artist Arslanbek Makhmudov
(21-2, 19 KOs) came toe to toe at the final press conference
in advance of their highly anticipated showdown streaming
live on Netflix on Saturday, April 11.
Fighters across the main and preliminary cards participated
in the press conference, including British welterweight
Conor “The Destroyer" Benn (24-1, 14 KOs) who will take on
Regis “Rougarou” Prograis (30-3, 24 KOs) in the co-main
event. Additional fighters in attendance included Jeamie
Tshikeva (9-2, 5 KOs), Richard “The Midnight Train”
Riakporhe (19-1, 15 KOs), Frazer Clarke (9-2, 7 KOs), Justis
Huni (12-1, 7KOs), Pawel August (17-0, 7 KOs), Simon
Zachenhuber (28-0, 17 KOs), Breyon “Grind Time” Gorham
(20-0, 16 KOs), Eduardo Costa (12-5, 5 KOs), Mikie “The
Omen” Tallon (11-0, 2 KOs), Leonardo Blanc (0-1, 0 KOs),
Felix Cash (16-0, 10 KOs, Liam O’Hare (13-2, 4 KOs), Hector
Lozano (3-7-1), Sultan Almohammed (2-0, 1 KO), Elliot Whale
(13-0, 8 KOs, and Tom Hill (12-3, 3 KOs).
The event was punctuated by a series of candid, emotionally
charged exchanges, from Conor Benn openly reflecting on his
maturity, faith and violent welterweight intentions against
former two‑time world champion Regis Prograis, to Tyson Fury
vowing a destructive return after 16 months out of the ring
against fearsome knockout artist Arslanbek Makhmudov, while
heavyweight contenders Frazer Clarke, Justis Huni, Jeamie
Tshikeva and Richard Riakporhe all promised to steal the
show on a historic Ring Magazine card streaming live on
Netflix.
Hosted by Josh Denzel, the fighters had plenty to say at the
press conference about their upcoming matchups. See quotes
below and view the full press conference on Netflix Sports
YouTube and The Ring’s YouTube.
TYSON FURY QUOTES
On returning to the ring after 16 months and deciding to
come back: When I walk away every time from boxing, I have
zero intentions of returning. However, after a few months,
I’m bored of the normal life – dropping the kids off at
school, taking the dog for a walk, that sort of stuff – and
I miss the game. I miss the boxing. I miss the press
conferences. I miss everything that comes with the big
fights.
On being the hunter again in the heavyweight division: For
the first time in forever, I’m the hunter. I’m not the
hunted. And we all know that when I’ve always been the
hunter in the past, I’ve always fucked people up. I feel
actually sorry for Arslanbek Makhmudov because he’s got to
face me – an injury‑free Tyson Fury and on good form. I’ve
had good preparation and I’m going to make an example of
him.
On what he plans to do to Arslanbek Makhmudov on fight
night: I’m going to lay him unconscious on Saturday night at
Tottenham. I’ll be like the game cock on top of Tottenham
Hotspur Stadium and he’ll be like the knocked‑out man, spark
out on the floor on the canvas looking up thinking, “What
the fuck just happened there?” But it’s no shame, because
like he said, he’s fighting the great Tyson Fury. And not
only will I do it to him, I’ll do it to all of them as well,
like I’ve done many times in the past before.
On what version of Tyson Fury fans will see on April 11:
Speedy, skillful, handsome and destructive – 100%. The one
thing about me is I’ve never lost my speed or my reactions.
I can put my hands down, let a heavyweight try and punch me
in the face, and get out of the way of 99% of them.
ARSLANBEK MAKHMUDOV QUOTES
On headlining a Ring Magazine card on Netflix against Tyson
Fury: To be honest, very excited. Really excited to be in
this kind of event, in this big show with these big names.
I’m very happy and can’t wait for Saturday night.
On the pressure of the biggest stage of his career so far: I
don’t have nothing pressure because God prepared me for this
moment all my life……And I believe this is my time. It’s my
hunting. That’s it.
On what fans should expect from him against Tyson Fury: We
are going to give the fans exactly what they deserve – a
good fight. I think both styles are a good mix for fans.
Let’s believe in some action. Two big guys go in the ring to
kill each other. Just one game plan: to land a lot of
punches and don’t receive punching for myself. That’s it.
Very simple.
On whether he believes he can be the first man to stop Tyson
Fury: Tyson Fury is a great boxer. In boxing we have rules –
you have to go for count, you have to go for good boxing.
This is what I want to do: to box good. This is my goal.
What’s going to happen, we don’t know. We’ll know Saturday
night.
CONOR BENN QUOTES
On evolving after the first Eubank loss and what fans will
see on Saturday: I had to grow. I had to become a better
fighter to beat Eubank and not fight the same kind of fight.
And that’s what I’d done. As for this fight, you’re going to
get the old welterweight Benn back.
On returning to his natural welterweight and feeling
dangerous again: It’s the weight I’ve been most dangerous at
my whole career…..it’s now time for me to come back down to
my natural weight. People say I can’t do it – I’ve done it –
and get that world title and solidify my legacy. But
ultimately, Regis is my world title shot. He is in the way
of my world title. It was the first name that was mentioned
to me and it was straight away, “Yeah, of course, no
problem. When? Six weeks? No problem. I’ll be ready.”
On going four years without a knockout and what that means
here: In the nicest possible way, I’m extremely violent and
dangerous. But ultimately, for me, you’ve got to remember:
I’ve been competing at a weight that’s not my weight for the
past two, three years. Fighting at 154, fighting at 160 –
it’s not my weight. These are big guys that I’ve been mixing
it with. So for me to fight somebody my own size for a
change, it’s exciting. I know the weight I’m most dangerous.
REGIS PROGRAIS QUOTES
On moving up in weight to face Conor Benn at 150 lbs: My
plan was to go up anyway. So when they called me about it, I
was just like, “Yeah, of course. Let’s do it.”
On fighting again in the UK and the British boxing fans: The
British fans are great, bro. I don’t have no problem
fighting in front of the British fans because they love
boxing. I mean, it’s not my country, it’s not my home, but
at the same time, they embrace boxing just like they love
us. So I’m cool with it.
On what a win over Benn on this Netflix stage would mean:
After this, I mean, I feel like it’ll be whatever I want. I
can say whatever I want. I can call anybody who I want and
tell them what I want. After a fight like this, people won’t
have to come to me with opportunities – I’ll come to them,
and that’s how it’ll be.
JEAMIE TSHIKEVA QUOTES
On his physical advantages and Richard adapting to full
heavyweight: In a way Richard’s got to get used to the
weight too. Obviously, it’s only been a year since he’s
been, I think, sitting at a heavyweight weight and he’s got
to get used to fighting at that weight. Look, we’re doing 12
rounds. We’re going to wait and see on Saturday how it goes,
to be honest.
RICHARD RIAKPORHE QUOTES
On the opportunity of fighting for the British title on
Netflix: I think it’s just a major opportunity. I think this
will be the first ever highest‑televised British title fight
in the history of boxing, and I’m happy that I get to be a
part of that. We’ve got some champs over there, some legends
– Lennox Lewis, David Haye – they all won this title. And I
think now I think about legacy.
FRAZER CLARKE QUOTES
On his intentions for the fight: For any of you guys that
think I’m just turning up here to take part, you’re
absolutely crazy. You obviously don’t know me well enough.
That’s never been in my DNA. There’s never been a fight
where I don’t leave every ounce of myself in that ring. This
is not about going in there and just surviving. I’m coming
here to win and to win well.
JUSTIS HUNI QUOTES
On knowing Frazer from the amateurs and what he brings: I
always felt like we were going to meet at some point in our
career, and yeah, now’s the time. Just my boxing ability and
movement, speed. I think when I put it all together, it’s
going to be a tough challenge for him.
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