Carlos Cuadras and Jesse Rodriguez faced off for the first time today at a press conference in downtown Phoenix when they met to contest the vacant WBC World Super-Flyweight title at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday night. live worldwide on DAZN.
(Image source: Ed Mulholland / Matchroom or Melina Pizano / Matchroom)
Carlos Cuadras – against Jesse Rodriguez in the title for the vacated WBC World Super-Flyweight title.
“This is what I want most in the world, to be a champion again. Whoever gets in my way, it’s Rungvisai, but he’s sick, so we have Jesse, and I’m ready.
“As the fight goes on, you will see my experience manifest. I’ve seen Jesse fight, and I know he’s a great fighter; I’ll be careful, but more than anything, I’ll give him his potion.
“I expect the best from him and me. I think Jesse’s going to be prepared and strong so he doesn’t lose his strength so quickly. I will give my best as I have in every fight.”
Jesse Rodriguez – against Carlos Cuadras for the vacant WBC World Super-Flyweight title.
“There is no hesitation in joining this war. Robert and I believe we train so hard that we know we can beat anyone at 108lbs, 112lbs and 115lbs. And by Saturday night, that training and confidence will show; San Antonio will have a new world champion.
“I am looking for the big fights. My last fight was to win the World Championship, but that failed. This chance is 115lbs for the WBC title, and who is going to pass that? We are ready for this.
“Size is not an issue. A lot of people say I have to gain weight to get to 115lbs, but I walk at 130lbs, so I had to lose weight, and I’m a 108lbs adult, so at 115lbs it’s going to be a performer other gorgeous .
“This is my moment, I was born to perform, and on Saturday night a star will be born.”
Jamie Mitchell – defended the WBA World Bantamweight title against Carly Skelly.
“I’m ready to defend my title, and it’s going to be a great night.
“You can’t doubt yourself whether you’re chosen as the opponent, or if you’re on the A side. I knew I was going to go in there to fight Shannon Courtenay and do what I had to. I have great coaches and a great manager, and my belief in myself is phenomenal, so I have all the confidence I need to be a World champion.
“Carly is a great opponent for me, but I will show everyone why I am the World Champion. Nothing is given to me, and I will go out and show my skills and abilities.
“I give up nothing but butt slaps – no one gets this belt.”
Carly Skelly – challenged Jamie Mitchell for the WBA World Bantamweight title.
“I don’t know where this shot came from, and I was compensated for it. It’s an opportunity that I’ll take with both hands.
“As soon as I saw the announcement of the war, I didn’t even process it; I 100 percent want this fight. I was at the battle in Liverpool when Jamie and Shannon were fighting, and I was trying to call out the winner of a contest I wanted and one that I could win.
“I was given a draw before that I disagreed with, so I knew I had to go and give it all to win that belt. I am a warrior. I’ll go ahead and make it work hard; I have a lot of things about me not just the job rate, I have the skills and I’ll show it all on Saturday. ”
Raymond Ford – defended the WBA Continental Featherweight title against Edward Vazquez.
“He must feel he can beat me; if he comes here unconfident, you know how that goes. So he talked a lot on social media, so I wanted to see the same energy. We’ll warm up if he comes to fight. If he comes fast, he’ll be hit with heavy hits, and it’ll be an early night, so we’ll see how it goes.
“I will always feel like I’m ready for those big names, for whoever it is, that’s the warrior in me. It’s about experience, and I’m getting older and smarter, so we move on to more prominent names after I tackle this guy.
“Everybody wants a draw. The guy couldn’t beat me on my worst night, so imagine what I would do with him on my best night? It was in the past that he didn’t want the rematch, and I beat the last two in front of me. I’m going to burn this guy and then do the same to the others. You will see on Saturday. ”
Edward Vazquez – challenge Raymond Ford for the WBA Continental Featherweight.
“This is not my first fight, I have had it three times before and I won them all. I’ve prepared well, a six-week camp, with no shortcuts and no cut corners, this is the best I feel, and the title will come home to Texas with me.
“Ray is very skillful, and he has had good wins. I respect what he did, but he had a subliminal fight, and he was drawn.
“You have to use your brain and overestimate your opponent. The brain wins wars, and I have more of that than he does. Fast and flashy is good but only gets you so far.
“This is everything I have dreamed and envisioned; I feel like I’ve been here because I’ve seen it play out in my head. I feel comfortable, well prepared and ready.”
Khalil Coe – facing Dylan O’Sullivan.
“Weight played an important role in the draw. We started cutting camp later; We forced it a bit, but we learned from it, and we are here and better for it now.
“It was a small step back, but a lesson learned. It’s not something I want to forget, and I want to remember it and grow from it, and never let it happen again.
“It shows me what I’m capable of doing when I’m not at 100%, so imagine what I can do when I’m at my best.”
Aaron Aponte – facing Louis Jourdain
“I am grateful to Matchroom for signing and giving me these opportunities, and for being well prepared and ready.
“Knockouts are great, but the focus is on winning, learning and performing in style.”
Cuadras and Rodriguez clash in a big night of action in Phoenix with more World championship action on the cards as Jamie Mitchell (7-0-2 4 KOs) makes her first WBA Bantamweight title defense against Carly Skelly (4-0-1 ).
Raymond Ford (10-0-1 6 KOs) defended his second WBA continental Featherweight title against Edward Vazquez (11-0 3 KOs), Fernando Diaz (10-1-1 3 KOs) faced Rodriguez but now meets Phoenix’s undefeated man Lorenzo Smith (10-0 8 KOs), another fresh hit in the United States signing Aaron Aponte (4-0 KOs) looks set to extend any start his defeat in paid matches against undefeated Canadian Louis Jourdain (2-0 1 KO), Lightweight Talent Khalil Coe (1-0-1 1 KO) also meets Dylan O’Sullivan (1- 0 1 KO), and had a big stage for two Arizona boxers, heavyweight Adam Stewart (12-1-1 8 KO) and middleweight Elijah Garcia (9-0 8 KO).
