‘The Ring 6’ final press conference ahead of a marquee main event that will see (22-1, 13 KOs) defend his Ring Magazine and WBO Junior Welterweight Titles against Shakur Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs).
Who aims to secure his fourth world title in a fourth different weight class. It all gets underway Saturday night, January 31, live worldwide, exclusively on DAZN PPV.
The undercard features numerous must-see matchups headlined by WBO No.1 ranked Keyshawn Davis (13-0, 9 KOs) in his anticipated return to the ring against Jamaine Ortiz (20-2, 10 KOs) as the co-main event. Additionally, WBC World Middleweight Champion Carlos Adames (24-1, 18 KOs) will take on Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams (19-1, 13 KOs), while Brooklyn native, Bruce ‘Shu Shu’ Carrington (16-0, 9 KOs) will look to defend his home turf and secure the Vacant WBC Featherweight Championship against veteran, Carlos Castro (30-3, 14 KOs). Heavyweight ‘Big Baby’ Jarrell Miller (26-1, 22 KOs) will also join in on the action against ‘Black Lion’ Kingsley Ibeh (16-2, 14 KOs), and Saudi Arabian prodigy Ziyad ‘Zizo’ Almaayouf (7-0, 1 KO) looks to upend Kevin Castillo (5-2) in a Super Lightweight bout.
Teofimo Lopez: On how his preparation has been going and how big of a challenge it may be for him on Saturday night…
“It’s been very good. Stacy McKinley, our assistant trainer, has been helping out and training me at his gym, alongside my father.
The amount of knowledge that’s been bestowed in my skills, and the amount of progress I’ve been creating has really made an impact. I feel very good, excited, determined, and I can’t wait to display that on Saturday.”
On if this is the best he’s felt going into a fight…“Yes, but more importantly my soul feels great, like a beacon.” Keith Connolly, Connolly Boxing On what he’s seen from Teofimo Lopez in this camp…
“I’m super excited, big fight week in New York and nothing like a fight at Madison Square Garden. We’re in the same exact position five, six years ago when he fought [Vasiliy] Lomachenko.
He went in and kicked his a**. He’s going to do it again. Shakur Stevenson is a great fighter, but he’s never faced anyone like Teofimo Lopez.”
Shakur Stevenson: On why it matters bringing the kids from New Jersey to Saturday’s fight…
“It means everything to me. I usually do this before a lot of my fights, but it means everything for the kids to get motivation by seeing me fight. They get to see somebody from the same circumstances, but my main thing is to give them motivation.”
On if this fight has become personal…“It’s all business. I’m not treating it that way, but I’m one hundred percent focused and we’ll see on Saturday night.” On how big of a challenge Teofimo Lopez will be…“We’ll see. He’s a good fighter.”
James Prince, J Prince Boxing Gym, on what makes Shakur Stevenson unique… “He’s one of a kind. He’s his own person and a student of the game. He has taken aspects from the great Andre Ward, the great Roy Jones, yet he’s borrowed from all of them and blended it into his own mix. Now, he’s Shakur Stevenson. One of a kind.”
Rick Reeno, CEO, Ring Magazine:On the main event…“We’re only two days away…two of the biggest stars colliding, and that’s why The Mecca of Boxing is sold out, live and exclusively on DAZN. Shakur – if you talk to any of the oddsmakers he’s a favorite.
Teofimo upsets the odds, though. He upset the odds against [Vasiliy] Lomachenko, Josh Taylor, and if he does it again, it will be the biggest of his career. I think Shakur is the better fighter.”
“On the other end, Shakur is one the most talented boxers in the game today, and he’s looking to make history on Saturday night by going for his fourth divisional title. I believe it’ll be the biggest victory of his career because I hold Teofimo higher in regard than the fighters Shakur has fought. It’s an intriguing fight with two of the very best colliding along with The Ring title at stake.”
Eddie Hearn, Chairman, Matchroom Sport: On which fight he is most excited about…
“Firstly, you talk about good and bad memories. That’s what you want and that’s what you get when you come to The Mecca of Boxing. I want to say well done to Matchroom and The Ring team for a completely sold-out event. This is something very special and this place is special.
A lot of people say to me, ‘Dream venue for boxing?’ and it’s always Madison Square Garden, so we’re very lucky. I can go down the table – Jarrell Miller. A lot has been said, but this is an emotional return for him. I look at Carlos Adames – a great world champion, and to my left, Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams, who turned professional with Matchroom Boxing.
I could not sit here any prouder than Ammo. Everything he went through, the ups and downs, has led to the moment he can win that incredible green and gold belt at Madison Square Garden. Carlos Castro, Shu Shu [Carrington] – You’re all from the same school. Shu Shu – I don’t even represent you and I’m excited for you because I know when you walked through those gym doors as a kid coming up from USA boxing. Keyshawn, you’re a great fighter and you’ve been through your ups and downs as well. To our partners at DAZN, I couldn’t be prouder.
We came to this market six years ago and we were ridiculed for fighting on an app. Now, we sit as the global home of boxing. The unrivaled global home of boxing and this card on Saturday night should not be missed. Two of the sport’s greatest talents in the main event…this is what makes the sport great. Tune in live on DAZN for a night you won’t forget.”
On the Shakur Stevenson vs Teofimo Lopez fight…“This is everything. Everyone talks about making boxing great again, and you’ve got to tip your hat off to Shakur and Teo, because Shakur is dominating the 135 pound division. Both fighters know that there’s money out there, deals out there, to just keep on doing the standard thing, but these aren’t standard guys. These are guys that are chasing greatness in a sold out arena that has hosted Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson and Rocky Marciano.
That’s what these guys are after. You know the guy to my left [Shakur Stevenson] at 28 years of age, I say it all the time – he’s a three division World Champion looking to become a four division World Champion at the age of 28 and that’s a phenomenal achievement.
Any young fighter getting in the game, I would recommend they look at the way that Shakur Stevenson lives his life and his dedication to the sport, and the same with Teofimo [Lopez] as well.
This is a joy as I said to the fighters earlier on the undercard…understand what you’re fighting for on Saturday night. Memories. Top to bottom, the whole boxing world will be in New York on Saturday night. You’ve got the Ring Magazine Awards tomorrow night, live on DAZN around the world. Thank you to both men. This is exactly what boxing needs, and I cannot wait. “
Shakur is the favorite to win, my prediction is that this is a 50/50 fight, who has the heart and wants it most will win, wishing both fighters all the best.
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