Kelly Pavlik – photo by Sumio Yamada – This is a great show and I’m excited to be a part of it. I’ve been a big fan of Cotto and he puts on a great show. He’s a tough kid. He’s got a lot of heart and he’s determined. He is dangerous and has a lot of power. We both have a lot a stake here. This will probably be his last opportunity for a world title.
But this is a do-or-die fight for me and I will take nothing lightly.
It took about a week to get over the loss. I talked to my wife and my dad. Then we moved on. The fans have been very supportive as you can see by the ticket sales of this fight. (Pressure?) After being in the ring with the Taylors and Hopkins’ you get used to the atmosphere, so I am used to fighting at that level.
I still feel like a champion but I feel as if I need to go in and shine on February 21. I need to dominate..
Youngstown is a fight town. It’s a small city. Not as big as Philadelphia which probably has more fighters, but it is a strong fight town. The majority of the people have been very supportive. There are some nay-sayers out there, which will make me want to win even more and show them that I am still the best fighter in the room. For this fight, they don’t have to go to A.C. or Vegas – they can sit at home and enjoy it.
Miguel Cotto – I don’t know anything about my opponent. I have not watched any tapes of him.
Right now I feel good, but I miss the gym and the fights. I am hungry to get back. I have walked around at about 176 or 178. The people in Puerto Rico have made me feel real good, as well as my family.
In New York there is a strong Puerto Rican population and latin community and to fight here makes me feel at home.
I would like to get the rematch right away with Margarito, but I have to wait for the company to decide then we will see. It is a rematch that I want. Not badly (laughing), but I want it. When I fight him again, I will try to be a better boxer.
I never watched the fight. I’ve been there, so I don’t need to see it (laughing).
If Manny Pacquiao wants to stay at 147 and fight one of the biggest names in boxing – I am available.
When I win this title (WBO Welterweight), I will feel like a champion. We want to give the people a good show. I am going to work hard. I want to be champion again and I am going to be champion again on Feb. 21.
Michael Jennings
I’m not coming here for a holiday. I am coming to fight and to take full advantage of this opportunity.
Marco Antonio Rubio
This is a great opportunity for me and I have to take advantage of it. Like any fighter in the world, my dream is to become champion of the world and on February 21 I will realize that dream when I beat Kelly Pavlik.
Promoted by Top Rank, the Cotto vs. Jennings / Pavlik vs. Rubio pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $44.95. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. For Cotto vs. Jennings / Pavlik vs. Rubio fight week updates, log on to www.toprank.com.
Tickets to Cotto vs. Jennings at Madison Square Garden, priced at $500, $300, $200, $100, and $50, can be purchased at the Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets or online at www.thegarden.com.
Remaining tickets to Pavlik vs. Rubio at the Chevrolet Centre, priced at $500, $300, and $200 can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, Retail Locations, including Giant Eagle and Macy’s, or charge by phone at (800) 745-3000 or (866) 448-7849. Tickets will also be available at the Chevrolet Centre Box Office. Additional fees may be applicable. There will be a ticket limit of eight (8) per customer.