Fight Camp Week 2 Press Conference Quotes
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FIGHT CAMP WEEK 2 PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman: “Fight Camp Week 1 was a great way to kick off our new ground- breaking partnership with DAZN, capped by a Cinderella story with Leigh Wood ripping the WBA Featherweight World Title from Xu Can in a big upset at the top of the card. “Shout out to Chris Billam-Smith and Tommy McCarthy on an incredible fight for the British, Commonwealth and European Cruiserweight Titles. It was a game-changing win for Jack Cullen against former World Title challenger Avni Yildirim and Anthony Fowler got the job done to set up his huge Liverpool showdown with Liam Smith on October 9. “This week we have an absolute cracker for you. We expect more drama as we go into the World Championship fight – the IBF Featherweight World Title between Kid Galahad and Jazza Dickens. “Three big Heavyweight fights on the card – Wardley against Nick Webb for the English Heavyweight Title. ‘The Savage’ Alen Babic back in action in a great fight as well. ‘The Romford Bull’ Johnny Fisher, and of course Aqib Fiaz and Ebanie Bridges against Bec Connolly to kick off the live action.” Kid Galahad – Sheffield, England – 27-1, 16 KOs – fighting Jazza Dickens for the vacant IBF Featherweight World Title: “It’s been a long time coming, I’m just focused, I can’t wait – Saturday night I’m going to IBF World Champion. I’m just focused, I’m in the zone. “Jazza is a tough fight for anyone, no matter what level. I can’t actually remember much from the first fight; I can’t even remember what happened yesterday let alone what happened ten years ago. I just focus on what’s ahead. I’m focused on Saturday night and doing a job on Jazza Dickens. “Every fight is life changing, for me every fight is life of death, Saturday night isn’t going to be any different.” Dominic Ingle, trainer of Kid Galahad: “It’s been long time; he’s been in camp almost from his last fight a year ago in February. He’s never been off it and the time’s arrived now; on Saturday night he’s going to take the belt and be World Champion. “It’s always good to go through the process of making the weight, having the camp for the fight, it’s good to have that. When you’re on the level these two are, I don’t think it counts for much because it’s all about keeping active during the time between the fights. Galahad has been a constant pro, he’s kept moving, sparring, he’s kept active and he’s sharp. He’s not got any ring rust and there’s less mileage on the clock. “Jazza has been in two great fights, one with recently crowned champion Leigh Wood, he’s got the chance on Saturday to take a title, if he doesn’t, I think he might get another chance against Leigh. I don’t think the inactivity on Galahad’s part is going to play any part in the fight. “I said way back when their first fight happened, they were both big prospects at the time, you didn’t see fights like that of that magnitude – two guys fighting for the British Title. It was a cracking fight, nip and tuck all the way, Jazza was probably slightly in front in that fight until Galahad caught him with the left hand and stopped him. “Look at how their paths have gone since, Jazza has had greats fights against great fighters, this is where they are now, back in a World Title fight – it shows the level of both fighters. I don’t think that first fight will have anything to do with this one, I think it’ll be a totally different fight.” Jazza Dickens – Liverpool, England – 30-3, 11 KOs – fighting Kid Galahad for the vacant IBF Featherweight World Title: “I’ve had great preparations thanks to my team, everyone around me. I’m grateful to be on this platform, DAZN and Matchroom, kicking off some great nights head. I’ve had great fights leading up to this point and it’s a fight for a World Title, I’ve ticked every box below so now I’m in a good position now. “Of course, I had to take the opportunity but not on his [Galahad] terms, he might be slick but I’m better. I’m a good fighter, I know what I can do, he can be as slick as he wants. Slick doesn’t inflict any pain on me, he can be as slick as he likes, so I’ll win the fight how I want to win the fight. I’m looking forward to it. “People talk about game plans, I don’t really consider them too much because they go out the window, when something is going well you keep doing it, you adapt on the fly. I’ll be resilient in there and able to adapt to anything that he brings. “It’s the best to think like that, this sport is the best and worst, I’ve endured both sides and come through it. To get my crown on Saturday it would be beautiful, I’m grateful to be on this platform.” Derry Matthews, team Jazza Dickens: “It’s life changing for either fighter, Jazza had a great camp, George and myself have done everything right. Jaz has done everything we’ve asked of him – we’re looking forward to it. He’s coming off 4 great wins, picking up a couple of great belts on the way, getting good rounds in, making good fights look easy. We know he’s ready and we’re looking forward to it. “Jazza deserved all the credit, he;s a proper athlete. People always talk about him, he stops for everyone, he’s a people’s champion – a true athlete. Saturday night is about him being world champion, then big things to come for him.” Fabio Wardley – Ipswich, England – 11-0, 10 KOs – defending his English Heavyweight Title against Nick Webb: “This is what I’ve been asking for, I’ve been asking for this fight, and you know with me I don’t turn down any fight, I don’t say no to anyone. Any name you’ve ever put forward to me I’ve always said yes, just make sure they turn up – it’s the same attitude with this. “This is a good fight, it’s a good test and this is all I want to do, be in those good fights and push myself through. Ultimately, I’m coming through on the night. “I’m always confident, I don’t think there’s any point being in this game if you’re not going to be confident with yourself and don’t have that self-belief. I don’t care what man is stood in front of me, what they’ve done before, no-one’s got in the ring with me. Nick has never got in the ring with a guy like me and he’s going to find that out on the night. “Nothing else is acceptable but a KO victory, there’s no other way this is going. It’s not going to points, the judges aren’t needed, you can save yourself a few quid and send them home – they won’t be needed.” Nick Webb – Surrey, England – 17-2, 13 KOs – challenging Fabio Wardley for the English Heavyweight Title: “I’m looking forward to fighting now, I’ve trained really well, coming off a great win. Everybody doubted me then, everybody is doubting me now, it’s the same story and I’m ready to prove them all wrong. “I see the fight totally different; I’m laughing at the fact I’m the underdog. I’m here to show people what I can do and I’m happy to be here. “I’ll be in a great position if I win this and I’m ready to put myself in that position on Saturday night. “I have the power and the boxing ability, everyone knows me for my power, but you will see that I can box very well. I’ve got it all and I’m ready to prove it.” Alen Babic – Zagreb, Croatia – 7-0, 7 KOs – fighting Mark Bennett in an eight round Heavyweight contest: “This is the place ‘The Savage’ was born when I walked out to that ring walk, I felt something and that is with me today, tonight, tomorrow and Saturday. I’m going to ruthless; I’m going to be at my best. I’m twice as strong now, I’m fully in da-zone. I can’t wait, all of you put your children away, it’s going to be a blood fest. “I answered all those questions in Joe Joyce’s camp last week, we did 14 rounds with Joyce, he said after his fight with Takam that I hit harder in 18-ounce gloves then Takam did in 10. What should I explain more to people, I want to show that I fight against the biggest Heavyweights, Joe Joyce is much tougher than Bennett. He’s a nice guy but Mark is nowhere near the class of Joyce, I don’t see a bigger Heavyweight than Joyce around. “You should ask Joe Joyce that question, we did eight rounds straight, I could do eight rounds more. I could do 25 rounds with Bennett, then you could bring in Nick Webb and I could do another 12 with him.” Mark Bennett – Dunsville, England – 7-1, 1 KO – fighting Alen Babic in an eight round Heavyweight contest: “This is a massive opportunity, I’m happy to be here.