Photos from Dave Mandel/SHOWTIME
Photos from Dave Mandel/SHOWTIME
LOS ANGELES (February 7, 2019) – WBA Super Featherweight World Champion Gervonta Davis and former world champion Hugo Ruiz went
face-to-face Thursday at the final press conference before they go
toe-to-toe this Saturday night in the main event of SHOWTIME
CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® from Dignity Health Sports Park, formerly StubHub Center, in Carson, Calif. and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
Also facing off on Thursday were fighters who will enter the ring live
on SHOWTIME in televised undercard attractions. Undefeated super
lightweight Mario Barrios will be facing Mexico’s Richard Zamora, while former world champion Javier Fortuna will step in against lightweight contender Sharif Bogere as part of live SHOWTIME action kicking off at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
The event is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, TGB Promotions and
Sampson Boxing and tickets are sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com.
Davis was joined on-stage by his promoter, legendary boxer and Mayweather Promotions President Floyd Mayweather. Here
is what the press conference participants had to say Thursday at the
Westin Los Angeles Airport before Saturday night’s event:
GERVONTA DAVIS
“I’m so excited to come back strong in 2019. This is the year that could put me over the top and put me at the highest level.
“The opponent change didn’t really affect me. In the amateurs we fought
four or five times a week so we always had different opponents. I had
been sparring someone taller than me in training camp anyway. I think a
fighter should be ready and able to adapt to anything that is in front
of him in the ring. I’m ready and I hope Ruiz is too.
“Training camp has been great. I’m ready for Saturday night. We planned
on fighting Abner Mares, but he had an injury and we hope to still get
him down the line if everything is okay with his health.
“Hugo Ruiz is a great opponent. He’s going to come to fight on Saturday
night. He’s been telling the media he’s going to knock me out, so I hope
we get an action packed fight for the fans. I’m glad Ruiz is coming for
the knockout. We owe it to the fans and I’m praying that he comes ready
to give them a great show.
“Ifeel like I’m the fighter that can be the next big star. I’m working
towards it. I’m just a kid soaking it all in right now. Saturday night, I
hope everyone is ready, because it’s going to be action.
“Ruiz’s record speaks for itself. I’ve watched him and he has some pop.
He’s accurate and I’m ready for it. I don’t think I’ll have any ring
rust. I’ve worked with a lot of great fighters in the gym. I’m just
excited to get back in the ring.
“I want to give my fans all over the world a great show. Everyone tuning
in is going to see a great performance. Hopefully Hugo will live up to
his word, because I’m going to live up to mine.”
HUGO RUIZ
“I’m very happy to have this opportunity. I’m going to leave everything
in the ring. I have a lot of faith in my boxing skills. I trust and
believe that there is going to be a new world champion on Saturday
night.
“I’m in rhythm and in shape. I’ve been very active leading into and
since my last fight. Davis is a tremendous champion, but he doesn’t
intimidate me. I’ll be ready for him come Saturday night.
“This is a great opportunity to fight a southpaw, as I had originally
been training for a lefty before my opponent changed in my last fight. I
also fought a southpaw in November. I’ve been training with a lot of
lefties for a while. I’m more than ready for this opportunity.
“Davis is a strong champion and I know this is a big opportunity for me
to fight someone of his caliber. I’m ready mentally and physically for
the greatest opportunity that has been given to me.
“At 130-pounds I feel more power than ever and I will demonstrate that
on Saturday night. This is a big challenge for me. This is the
opportunity that I’ve been waiting for throughout my 12-year career. I
don’t plan on wasting it.”
MARIO BARRIOS
“This is a huge opportunity and I’m very excited for it. I’m looking
forward to going out there and putting on a great show for the boxing
fans.
“I’m ready and I’m prepared to take full advantage of this chance to
make a statement on Saturday night. I want any one of the champions in
this division, but I’m not looking past Zamora. I just know that the
work that I put in will pay off.
“I have big things on the horizon and Zamora is in my way. I’m focused
and ready to make this a great night. If he wants a war, I’ll give him a
war.”
RICHARD ZAMORA
“I’m very happy and thankful to be in this fight. This is the
opportunity I’ve been looking for. I’m ready to compete and I’m not
going to let this opportunity pass me by.
“This is definitely a big step for me in my U.S. debut. If I can get a
win over Mario Barrios, then I would be able to reach a lot of dreams
that I have.
“I come well prepared and I’m expecting a war. I’m going to be ready to
go and battle until the end. You’ll see that I’m going to leave it all
in the ring.”
JAVIER FORTUNA
“I’m going to give the best that I have in the ring. I’m going against a
good boxer with a good record, but it doesn’t matter what obstacles are
in front of me. I’m going to come through with a big win on Saturday
night.
“We have a new team and a new trainer that is going to give the fans the best Javier Fortuna possible on Saturday.
“A victory against Sharif Bogere is very important for me and a stepping
stone to where I want to get. It’s going to be a difficult fight, but
I’m ready to make this a very tough night for him.”
SHARIF BOGERE
“We are going to make this a great fight on Saturday. Fortuna is a good
fighter and tough guy. I expect him to bring a lot of fireworks. I’m
prepared for it and I have the game plan to win.
“Every day is a tough test in life. This is going to be just another
fight. I’m prepared and I have a great team behind me. I’m coming on
Saturday night for what belongs to me.
“Fortuna has a big name and is a step up for me. This win will put me up
there toward the top and I’ll be prepared for whatever challenge comes
after that.”
FLOYD MAYWEATHER, President of Mayweather Promotions
“It’s great to be here with so many young talented fighters. I could
remember 23 years ago when I was in that same position. When you’re in
this position you have to take advantage of it. Opportunities like this
come once in a lifetime. You must go out there and give it your all.
“I want to see these fighters become great and become stars. The records that I’ve set were made to be broken.
“I remember when Gervonta Davis first came to my gym. He worked hard and
believed in himself. Sometimes we did two-a-days. I f we didn’t think
the job was done right, we’d come back and correct it. We continue to
strive every day to be the best we possibly can be. Gervonta works
extremely hard, but he can’t take anything for granted in this fight.
“I think Hugo Ruiz is more dangerous opponent than Abner Mares. Abner is
a tremendous fighter, but Ruiz is very tough and he has good knockout
power. This is a great matchup and the kind that people want to see.
It’s all about putting on great shows and Saturday will be another
blockbuster.”
LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions
“We have a great event this Saturday night with great fights from top to
bottom of this card. This is going to be a great night of boxing.
“Gervonta Davis has reached goals beyond just the boxing ring. I know
the impact that Gervonta has on the youth all around the world. When it
comes to excitement, explosiveness and knockout power, this is something
new that the fans are getting a chance to witness.
“At the young age of 24, fans have come to know Gervonta for his
punching power. But he’s also a very skilled boxer. This is one of the
things that he’ll be able to showcase moving forward in a number of big
fights he’s going to have.
“We know he has a tough challenge in front of him. Anytime you have a
last minute replacement who’s an excellent fighter, it’s a big
challenge. Ruiz is an aggressive fighter and we expect nothing but a
great fight.
“Gervonta Davis has the full arsenal. In my opinion, he’s the most
exciting fighter and the biggest puncher in the entire sport. It takes
more than knockout power and I think you’ll see an array of his
skillset.”
SAMPSON LEWKOWICZ, President of Sampson Boxing
“It really is an honor for me to be involved in this great show. These
are going to be three great fights. Hugo Ruiz had been training for a
southpaw before an opponent switch led to him fighting a right hander
last fight. After a few more weeks leading into this fight, Ruiz is 100
percent ready for this challenge.
“Trust me, this is going to be a rough fight. I believe that Davis will
have his hands full with Hugo Ruiz. Ruiz comes from a family of fighters
and he is a true Mexican warrior who will leave it all in the ring on
Saturday.”
# # #
ABOUT DAVIS VS. RUIZ
Gervonta Davis vs. Hugo Ruiz pits the WBA Super Featherweight World
Champion Davis against the former world champion Ruiz in the main event
of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday, February 9 from Dignity
Health Sports Park, formerly StubHub Center, in Carson, California and
presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and
features undefeated super lightweight Mario Barrios taking on Mexico’s
Richard Zamora and former world champion Javier Fortuna battling
lightweight contender Sharif Bogere.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com
follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing
@MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on
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