07.06.07 -Photos: TOM CASINO/SHOWTIME– Former undisputed light heavyweight champion, Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver, undefeated World Boxing Council light heavyweight champion “Awesome” Chad Dawson and 175-pound contenders Elvir Muriqi and Jesus Ruiz discussed their upcoming world title fights at Wednesday’s final press conference.
On Saturday, June 9, on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast), Tarver (24-4, 18 KOs), of Tampa, Fla., takes on the New York-based Muriqi (34-3, 21 KOs) for the vacant IBO 175-pound belt. Muriqi has won 21 of his last 23.
In the SHOWTIME co-feature, Dawson (23-0, 15 KOs), of New Haven, Conn., makes the first defense of his WBC belt against Mexico’s hard-hitting Ruiz (19-4, 17 KOs). The world title doubleheader is promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, in association with Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and AT Entertainment..
ANTONIO TARVER
“I feel great and am ready to fight. I did not leave boxing, I took time off to recuperate and focus and rejuvenate myself.”
“I think boxing needs me, I am what boxing is missing. We need to define this division and give it a face — this one (pointing to his).”
“We (fighters) come in to this game for fame, fortune and the championship. I came to this fight with all the advantages. You will see the fighter that made me famous, refreshed and refocused. I’m here to show boxing people that I’m back.”
“I’m a champ inside and outside of the ring and I’m at my best. I am going to clean out this division. I’ve got unfinished business. I am one of the greatest light heavyweight champions of all time. When I’m ready to leave, it will be under my terms.”
“My focus is totally on Muriqi and putting on a show for the fans on June 9.
ELVIR MURIQI
“I have been waiting all my life for this opportunity. I have prepared very hard for this moment. In my previous fights, I found myself getting bored. This is the challenge that put the fire in me. I’m excited and ready.”
“I’ve grown up around war and I know how to fight a war.”
“It feels good being the underdog. On, June 9 the fans will see a smart, intelligent fighter and they will see a BIG upset.”
CHAD DAWSON
“I want to be known as the best. I’ll stop at nothing; I put an effort into everything that I do to become the best.”
“Ruiz is a hard puncher. I know he will be coming to win but I not only am the champion, I am in my backyard and I will not let anyone take anything (title) from me. I won’t be overlooking him at all, but this is a fight I will win.”
“I wish these guys would stop dodging me. They all claim to be the best in the division but no one wants to step up to the plate and take me on. I hope Tarver will step up and face me when I beat Ruiz and stop making excuses. What more will I need to do for him to shut up and put up?”
JESUS RUIZ
“I don’t think Dawson realizes what he is coming into. Fans better be ready because this will be a war.”