07.07.06 – Photo: TOM CASINO / SHOWTIME (left to right) Cory Spinks, promoter Don King and Roman Karmazin pose after Thursday’s press conference in St. Louis. Roman “Made in Hell’’ Karmazin (34-1-1, 1 ND, 21 KOs) will defend his IBF 154-pound title against former undisputed world welterweight champion Cory “The Next Generation” Spinks (34-3, 11 KOs) in Spinks’ hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, on Saturday, July 8, on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed in the west coast). The 12-round bout is promoted by Don King Productions..
ROMAN KARMAZIN
“I have high regard and respect for Spinks. He is a tough fighter. I have trained hard to a point where you would not understand.
“I have come to a foreign country and foreign state and now a foreign city to make this fight. I have no fear. It does not matter where I fight. I am here to win. Behind me I have an entire country and three kids. I have no choice but to win.”
STEVEN BASH (Advisor)
“Roman has constantly gone to other countries to fight and he never showed fear. When we talked about coming to St. Louis and fighting Spinks, he said if anyone should be worried it should be Spinks. We all know what happened the last time Cory fought in his hometown. That will be on his mind on Saturday and if he forgets, even for a second, Roman will remind him.”
CORY SPINKS
“I’m ready to set fire and let my flame go. I want to fight today. I am so ready to go. On Saturday, I will be on top. I can guarantee that!
“Boxing is called an art. I consider myself an artist in boxing and I am going to paint a canvas. I’ve trained hard and long. I know I will be facing a tough opponent, but I had a tremendous camp and I am ready.”
KEVIN CUNNINGHAM (Trainer)
“I’ve been reading what Karmazin is saying and I want him to know: he is in S.T.L and we are into making his eyes, lips and face swell. Cory is going to kick your tail.”