20.4.07 – Photos: TOM CASINO/SHOWTIME – In arguably the most significant bout in the history of “ShoBox: The New Generation,’’ Kendall Holt and Mike Arnaoutis will square off in a WBO 140-pound title elimination bout Friday, April 20 on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast). In a battle of undefeated heavyweights in the co-feature, Mike Marrone faces Mulachy Farrell..
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(Undefeated heavyweight prospect, Mike Marrone, on left, standing with his opponent Mulachy Farrell)NOTE: WEIGHTS – Holt weighed 139 1/4 pounds and Arnaoutis tipped the scale at 140 at Thursday’s weigh-in. Marrone weighed 217 ½, Farrell 244 1/2.
KENDALL HOLT
“I’m very excited about fighting on “ShoBox’’ again. They match fighters tough. It is great for boxing. There never is a clear cut winner going into the fight. It is a great opportunity for the up and coming fighters to show off their talent and abilities.
“Arnaoutis is lucky he is getting this chance to fight for the mandatory because he just lost his last shot at the title.
“Contrary to what people say, I do not lose focus in the ring. I do get bored at times, but I do not lose focus.
“This will be a great and very entertaining fight with me being victorious. One way or another, I will win. My motivation for winning it all is my son Keshon. That is my edge and my push to get the win.”
MIKE ARNAOUTIS
“ShoBox’’ always tests fighters and I have been tested on “ShoBox’ many times (he is 4-0-1). This fight is a special fight because it will show two elite fighters, but in reality I am the elite fighter.
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(Mike Arnaoutis and Kendall Holt get close after their weigh-in Thursday) “Holt on his worst night got knocked out. On my worst night, I got robbed and lost a decision.
“Tomorrow I will win. Nothing will stop me from having my hand raised. I know what I must do and it will be done 110 percent. After tomorrow, Holt will be thinking about playing chess.
“Every fight I have whether it be a four-, six-, eight- or 12-round fight, I fight with the same intent, power and mind set as a world title fight.
“When I get past Holt, which I will, of course, I have (WBO junior welterweight champion Ricardo) Torres on my radar. I need to erase the blemish on my record, but I am focused on Holt right now.”
MIKE MARRONE
“Fighting on “ShoBox” is a great opportunity and I am very excited. I feel like I am making my way through the division and I am grateful.
“Farrell is a tough opponent, but I’m confident in myself that I will come out on top.”
“This is a very important fight because it is a step up. I never look past anyone. Tomorrow can never happen without today.
“Being around Lou Duva’s gym since I was a little boy gave me the opportunity to watch some of the great boxing talent come through such as Pernell Whitaker, Evander Holyfield and so many others. I was also fortunate enough to be able to pick up little things from the revolving door of talent that entered and I would imitate them.
“I am used to fighting both tall and shorter fighters. If I need to go to the trenches with Farrell, I am ready.”
MALACHY FARRELL
“I am excited about fighting on “ShoBox’’ and gain recognition. I know that Marrone is my toughest opponent so far.
“I like to use my height as an advantage, but both of us are tall. We’ll see who can take advantage of that, but for his sake, I am not one to overlook. I may not have a lot of television exposure but I am not one to take lightly.
“Never do I look for the knockout but if it comes to me, I take it. I always go for the win.”
“I never have hatred for my opponent. That is, until that bell rings. But once the final bell rings the hate goes away.”