PROMOTER Frank Warren today held the final press conference ahead of Saturday’s o2 Arena show topped topped by Roberto Garcia’s WBC Silver Middleweight Title defence against Martin Murray.
The likely prize for the winner is being made mandatory challenger for WBC world champion, Gennady Golovkin.
Other title bouts on the bill that is being televised by BT Sport are Anthony Yarde’s WBO Intercontinental and European light-heavyweight title defence against Dariuz Sek, KO King Daniel Dubois meets trash talking Tom Little for the vacant English heavyweight crown and Britain’s most controversial boxer Ohara Davies challenges WBC International Super-Lightweight champion Paul Kamanga.
Also in action are Darryl Williams, Johnny Garton, Raza Hamza, Archie Sharp, Umar Sadiq and Harvey Horn.
FRANK WARREN
“There is a bit of football on, but this is a good fighting bill with competitive fights. “There have been changes to the card with Billy Joe Saunders pulling out, but we have worked hard to secure a good opponent for Martin and we have done that. Martin is one of the stalwarts of British boxing and always in good fights, but he cannot afford to lose this fight. It’s a cracking fight between two very good fighters and the winner becomes an A side attraction. “Anthony Yarde was offered a fight with Kovalev but we turned it down. He needs that experience. The objective is to win it and defend it. Each time he fights he will step up. “Daniel Dubois is the best young heavyweight I have been involved with.”
ROBERTO GARCIA
“I have always been on the B side and built a career of pulling off upsets. This is something I’m used to and I am the last throwback fighter. We thought we had the Gennady Golovkin fight a couple months back, and it has been frustrating. I told Don King I wanted a big fight and I pleaded for a big fight and he got this overnight. I have a lot to fight for and I need this fight more than Martin. I go hard, as hard as I have to.”
MARTIN MURRAY
“When Billy Joe pulled out I thought I would’t fight, but getting a meaningful fight means a lot. I was gutted that Billy Joe pulled out, but never took my eyes off the ball. Garcia was calling for the fight on Twitter and he can bring that. He is the opposite of Billy Joe and I won’t have to go looking for him. It is about levels and I will show that on Saturday. Being so close before in world titles makes me more hungry and determined. As soon I feel I can’t offer anything to the sport I will gone.”
ANTHONY YARDE
“I don’t know too much about Dariusz, but I go out and do my job. It doesn’t matter if he is southpaw, northpaw or westpaw. Sparring with southpaws have been different but nothing to worry me. When you have power, that relaxes you. I am not thinking this is a pushover. People talk about world title offers, but boxing is not a sprint, it’s a marathon.
DARIUSZ SEK
“I am looking forward to the fight and I will win. I have seen his fights and we have adapted our training techniques to win the fight on Saturday. I will keep my distance and show him how it is done.
DANIEL DUBOIS
“I don’t like or dislike Tom, but I am ready to do the business. I am prepared to fight whether it ends in the first round or last. He can try what he wants I am ready for it. Tom is a weak man mentally and I will show that. He is nothing.”
TOM LITTLE
“I’m much more than a four day notice man coming to pick up a pay cheque. I will be drilling that rib cage and I will drown Daniel very slowly. I should have bought him armbands. He is going to get welcomed to a man’s world. This fight is way too early for Daniel. I am not the superstar and have zero pressure. He is the one who has got to impress. When it gets down and dirty I will be the tougher. I’ve dreamt of this chance and will not put it to waste.”
OHARA DAVIES
“This guy is bum. He gives a story of coming up the hard way but we all did. This is an easy fight, a walk in the park. I am smarter than him and all I need is a ring IQ. He is gonna get beat, paid and be on the next flight back to Congo. I am gonna eat as much food as a I can after I win. When he is on a plane home and I have crushed his dreams I will be on a plane to Marbella celebrating. It will be so easy I will tell him what shot I am going to throw. When I beat him I want Jack Catterall.”
PAUL KAMANGA
“I don’t share the same sentiment as many do regarding Ohara’s boxing. He is average at best. It is a short notice fight for me, but I don’t see him going ten rounds. I am going to do the British public favour. I am no replacement coming for a payday. I am not a champion by luck and I will put this kid away.”
Roberto Garcia will defend his WBC Silver Middleweight title against Martin Murray at The O2 in London on June 23, live on BT Sport and BoxNation.
Murray will be looking to put the frustrations of missing out on a shot at the WBO Middleweight World Title behind him when he challenges Mexico’s 41-3 Garcia later this month.
Garcia is currently enjoying a 13-fight winning streak that stretches back to 2010 and will be heading to London full of confidence.
“I was gutted about Billy Joe Saunders pulling out of our fight for a second time but this is a great replacement,” said Murray. “Roberto Garcia is the Champion and he’s willing to travel to the UK so we know he is well up for it.
“He’s been calling me out on Twitter for a while and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to make the fight so quickly. This means that several months of hard training won’t got to waste and I’ll be out on June 23 topping a great show.
“A good win against Garcia will put me in a strong position with the WBC so there’s everything to fight for. It has been a frustrating period of my career and I’ll be taking my anger out on Garcia on June 23 before moving on to even bigger fights.”
“I’m not like Saunders,” said Garcia. “I’m not afraid of Murray. I’m willing to risk my title and come to London to beat Murray in front of his own fans. My promoter Don King will be in London to watch me win in style. Let’s get it on!”
Garcia v Murray tops a talent-packed card that features some of the UK’s finest young fighters including Light-Heavyweight KO artist Anthony Yarde, Heavyweight monster Daniel Dubois in English title action against Tom Little and Hackney talent Ohara Davies.
Further updates to the card will follow this week.
Tickets for Garcia v Murray are available to purchase via www.axs.com
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Martin Murray is one very upset fighter.
Murray was scheduled to fight for the WBO Middleweight Championship at the O2 Arena in London, England on June 23, but champion Billy Joe Saunders has pulled out of the fight because of an injury for a second time.
WBC Silver Middleweight Champion Roberto Garcia has just the cure for the upset Murray.
“I’m not like Saunders,” said Garcia. “I’m not afraid of Murray. I’m willing to risk my title and come to London to fight Murray before his hometown fans. Let’s get it on!”
Saunders postponed the originally scheduled April 14th fight with Murray because of a alleged hand injury. Now he is pulling out of the June fight because of an alleged hamstring injury.
“My manager, Lee Holliday, informed me today that my promoter, Don King, has reached out to Warren’s team about making this fight. I have a “have Belt and will Travel” attitude and ready to back it up tomorrow if necessary.
“No more whining about Billy Joe and his excuses. If you want to fight on June 23, then put up or shut up. If not, then you are just Billy Joe with different excuses.”
