Heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder and unbeaten Gerald Washington kicked-off fight week with a media workout in Alabama Wednesday before they headline Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes action this Saturday, February 25 from Legacy Arena at the BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama.
Also working out at Round 1 Boxing Gym and featured in televised action beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT were rising super welterweight contenders Tony Harrison and Jarrett Hurd, who battle for a vacant junior middleweight world title, plus hard-hitting Dominic Breazeale and undefeated Izuagbe Ugonoh, who meet in a 10-round heavyweight battle.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TBG Promotions in association with Bruno Event Team, start at $25 (not including applicable fees) and are on sale now. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and by visiting AlabamaTitleFight.com.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:
DEONTAY WILDER
“This started as a dream and now it’s a reality. It’s always a pleasure to come back home and do it again. We’re going to keep it going. I love being at home.
“If I had doubted myself because of injuries, then I wouldn’t be here. At this point, I’m ready to go. We all know that when I step into the ring, no matter what’s wrong with me, I’m going to go to work.
“Washington might be my most athletic opponent. That should make it interesting and even better than my previous opponent. Everything that happened was a blessing in disguise. Everything works out the way it’s supposed to.
“From the time I got into the ring, I wanted to focus on the aspects of my game that needed improvement, not my injuries. I knew everything would take care of itself if I kept working hard. There’s enough on your mind in the ring without worrying about an injury.
“I’m just happy to be back in the sport I love. I’m ready to put on a show for the world and for my state.”
GERALD WASHINGTON
“This felt like destiny. It’s the year of the Rooster and it’s my time. It was only a matter of time and it happened to come early. I’m grateful I stayed in the gym and I stayed prepared. It’s just a matter of me locking in on Deontay Wilder.
“Me and my team are ready. We work hard all of the time. This is the sport of boxing and opportunities can pop up.
“I have a lot that Deontay hasn’t seen before. He’s young to the sport of boxing like me. Every fight for me has been a learning process. I’m an unorthodox fighter and I know how to use my size. I’m more athletic than all of the guys he’s been in the ring with. I’m big and strong and I can punch. It’s going to be a good fight. Deontay won’t be able to hit me from outside. It’s going to be a matter of who has better fundamentals, who’s sharper and remembers that defense wins championships.
“I’m definitely going to work hard every round. I’m trying to win every round. Knockouts do happen. I’m not expecting any favors. I know I have to beat him convincingly. I have to do it all the way.
“Luckily I boxed as a kid so when I picked it up again I already had the love and passion. People don’t want it for real after they get hit in the face. It’s a hard road but you have to take those bumps and bruises to climb and reach this level.
“You have to look at a guy’s strengths and weaknesses. They’re right there for everybody to see. I plan on being the best me that night. I’m looking to exploit everything.”
TONY HARRISON
“Training camp was great. I can always tell when the training is over because I feel so ready to fight. My last week of sparring is usually the most brutal. I have no complaints and everything went smoothly.
“We focused this camp on getting into the best shape that we could. Nothing worth having comes easy. We grinded every day from sun up until sun down.
“I’m just going to do whatever it takes to win. This is a big fight for both of us. Saturday night, all we’re focused on is winning. That’s the name of the game.”
JARRETT HURD
“I feel really good. Training camp went well. It was about a seven-week training camp. I’m on weight and ready to get in the ring.
“We had another strong camp and we came up with a great game plan. We’re focused on how we can beat Tony Harrison on Saturday night.
“We want to go in there and dictate the pace. I’m going to establish my jab and keep my timing sharp. If we can get that going in the first round then we should be able to do good work.
“I know in the later rounds he’s going to start slowing down, so I could see myself getting a late stoppage and if not, a unanimous decision.”
DOMINIC BREAZEALE
“I’m feeling great and I can’t wait for Saturday’s fight. Training camp went really well. We had a hard 10 weeks and I’m in fantastic shape. I feel great mentally and physically.
“We brought in some smaller guys in training camp to prepare for my opponent. He’s moved around in weight so these guys have helped me with accuracy and speed.
“I’m looking to put on a great performance and give the fans what they want to see. I’m going to give a boxing lesson. I’m going to throw the jab and pop the right hand and hopefully I can get the knockout I’m looking for.”
IZUAGBE UGONOH
“I believe that this is my year. I have a path to the world championship right in front of me and it starts with Dominic Breazeale on Saturday night.
“I am well prepared for this fight. I have been patient in learning my craft over the past two years and waiting for my opportunity.
“I know this is a big stage and I’m very excited to be here. The heavyweight division is on fire at the moment and I want in. On Saturday night everyone will know who I am.”
Deontay Wilder & Keith Thurman celebrate and reflect Black History month
Boxing’s World Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder and World Welterweight champion Keith Thurman took time away from preparing for their upcoming matches to reflect on Black History Month, its importance and the major influences in their lives.
Wilder will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Gerald Washington live in prime time on Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Saturday night (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT).
Thurman, the WBA welterweight champion and native of Clearwater, FL, will meet WBC welterweight champion Danny Garcia in a 147-pound title unification match live in prime time on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing on CBS presented by Premier Boxing Champions at Brooklyn Barclays Center on March 4.
Wilder, a native of Tuscaloosa, AL, won the same WBC belt that Muhammad Ali held and he earned it on Jan. 15, 2015 – Ali’s birthday. Wilder counts Ali as the African American boxer who had the most influence on him.
“Muhammad Ali is my idol,’’ Wilder said. “When I look at Muhammad Ali, I really see a man who was a real life super hero. What he did for boxing, in and out of the ring, will forever live on to the point where want to walk in the same footsteps that he did, but to do it in my own way. “
On the question of what virtues and characteristics that boxing brings to the African American community:
“Being able to learn the craft, the art, the skill, and the sweet science of boxing. It also brings people together in the community, whether it’s a family gathering or a gym gathering. You’re meeting new people and old faces,” said Wilder.
‘The legacy of the sport, the importance of this month, the influence I can bring, it makes me want to continue the work of my Black role models in the sport. Show the positive aspects of boxing. The fact I’m defending my title during Black History month means a lot, it is creating my legacy.”
On the question of who is the most influential African American in your life:
“The most influential African American in my life were my grandmothers [one was a church pastor Evelyn Loggins.] Both of my grandmothers, on my mother’s side and on my father’s side, they were very influential in my life. Both believed in one thing for sure, they believed in God and they believed in doing the right things and that if you work hard, you shall obtain what you seek.’’
For Thurman, four African American boxers have had a major influence on his life – Ali, Mike Tyson, Aaron Pryor and Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
“Ali made boxing what it is today. He made the world love boxing. The world love Ali and the way that he fought. He was a gold medalist and did a lot for our country. Mostly, he influenced me by showing what a true, athletic fighter should look like. He was perfect combination of speed and power. Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.
“Mike Tyson was the animal. He was the beast, something to be afraid of. He put fear into the hearts of his opponents, who were nervous before they ever stepped into the ring with him.
“Aaron Pryor just happens to be one of my favorites. They say he was somebody that even Sugar Ray Leonard never wanted to fight. He was a tremendous fighter. The intensity Pryor fought with and his overall style really was admirable.
“Floyd influenced me by showing the world how money can be made through boxing,’’ Thurman continues. “You can argue that Ali was making tremendous amounts and so was Tyson. Floyd Mayweather has made tremendous amounts, and outside of that.
“Watching Floyd is almost like watching a ballerina. There is a beauty in the way that he sets up his counters and dances around the ring. Floyd wasn’t known in the later years for knockouts, but he finessed his way into victory, which gives me a better, well-rounded understanding of the sport as a whole.’’
On the virtues and characteristics that boxing brings to the African American community:
“The No. 1 thing is to fight in the ring, not outside of it. That’s something that Ben Getty taught me when I was 7. You fight in the ring and not outside of it. I’m glad to say that I pretty much live up to that. You shouldn’t resort to violence to solve your problems. If anything it creates more problems. Boxing and any form of training helps you to develop discipline. For those who are truly dedicated, it’s a career path and I’m proud to say that it’s my career and allowed me to support myself and my family.’’
On the most influential African Americans in his life:
“Nelson Mandela, Haile Selassie, Al Haymon, and Martin Luther King. The first two are influential African people whose work had an impact on African Americans. Martin Luther King meant a lot here in America. Those four men do it for my short list.’’
