WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Russell Jr and undefeated top challenger Mark Magsayo faced off on Thursday at their final press conference before they meet at the SHOWTIME main event this Saturday, the day January 22 during a Premier Boxing Champions event from Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, NJ
(Image source: Amanda Westcott / SHOWTIME)
The press conference also featured ultralightweight contenders Subriel Matías and Petros Ananyan, who meet for a rematch in the 12-round co-main event, along with featherweight contender Tugstsogt “The King of Pulls.” co” Nyambayar and candidate defeated Sakaria Lukas, who shuts down in the 10-round remote opener at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
Ticket for the live event, promoted by TGB Promotions, is currently on sale and can be purchased via Ticketmaster.com.
Here’s what the boxers had to say Thursday from the Music Box at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, NJ:
GARY RUSSELL JR.
“At the end of the day, I’m a fighter and I love what I do. I love showing off the skill set I bring to the sport of boxing. Nothing comes easy to us. This is no foreign territory for me and my family.
“No worries about ring rust. I’m always in the gym. I haven’t stopped training for two months since I was about four or five years old. Boxing is not just what I do, it’s a lifestyle for me.
“If I go out there and kill Mark on Saturday, the big fights I want, those warriors won’t be in a hurry to face me, anyway, they aren’t now. I always try to give the same message when I step into the ring. I believe in wisdom more than sport, whatever the circumstances.
“Mark is really ready to wind it all up. He’s going to go out there and give his best. A lot of other boxers want the best hiding. But I know Mark really wants this. It was a pleasure to share the field of battle with him.
“He said he was going to show his skills and that was what I expected. I wish other boxers would step up like him. That’s what the sport of boxing needs.
“I’m playing in the first month of the year, so if we can get through the game without injury, we’ll try to come back this summer. I just need a well-intentioned opponent. I’m willing to gain weight, but if I do, I want to compete with another champion.”
TICK
“Gary is a really good fighter. I’ve wanted to fight him for a long time. Now the opportunity is here and I can’t wait for the fight. I don’t expect any rusty rings from Gary Russell.
“I think I’m a fighter who wants to beat him more than anyone else. I’m here to report his second death on Saturday night.
“I can fight and I can adjust. I have the same speed as Gary. On Saturday we will compete against each other.
“Manny Pacquiao has been my idol since I was little. I started training at the age of eight because he wanted to be a world champion one day. Now is the time here. I’m so glad Manny signed me to his advertising agency and I’m so grateful.
“I learned a lot from the fight with Julio Ceja. I have shown that I can adjust, that I can argue, and that I can close the box when needed. That fight helped me a lot.
“It’s great to have Freddie Roach and Marvin Somodio helping me every day. I thought I knew boxing, but when I went to the gym, they corrected me and turned me into a much more accurate boxer.
“Filipinos are born strong, we are warriors. I will bring that attitude and that mentality into the fight. “
SUBRIEL MATIAS
“This is a great opportunity for me to show the world who I am. I’m so glad my mom is here to watch me fight for the first time on American soil. I’m excited and I’m ready. Saturday is showtime.
“On Saturday you will see my improvements. All questions about me and about what happened in the first battle, they will be answered in this fight.
“It’s him or me, but either of us is being knocked down. I needed to turn this into a big win to redeem myself and my career.
“I’ve always promised my mom since we started boxing that I would buy her a house of my own. I haven’t made it yet, but I promise I will.
“Everybody knows how I fight and I am a fan-friendly fighter. That won’t change, but I am much better in many ways and I will show my skills in this fight. “
PETROS ANANYAN
“This fight is a very good opportunity for me. I’m ready to give everyone a big fight. I have to thank Matias, for he gave me this opportunity to rematch him on a big stage like this.
“Everybody knows that the pandemic is going to be difficult and I’ve been looking forward to this fight all along. I promise I’ll be ready by Saturday night. I’ve been waiting a long time for this one.
“I just take it one step at a time. I want to be a world champion one day, but those matches don’t matter to me yet. It’s all about this fight on Saturday night.
“I believe in my heart that I am ready. I just love fighting. Knockout or not, doesn’t matter. I will show my skills and do my best to win this war. This is the kind of fight boxing needs.”
TUGSTSOGT NYAMBAYAR
“I believe in myself and am very excited to take advantage of this great opportunity for me. I’m ready to give everyone a great battle.
“I saw what I needed to see from Lukas. I will do all I can to win this match and I am confident in the result.
“I would certainly love another fight against Gary Russell Jr. I want the main event winner. I’m focused on my fight, but I want another shot to win the title. ”
SAKARIA LUKAS
“This is the stage that I want to be. I’m ready to go on Saturday night. I don’t want to go back, I want to stay on this stage and keep climbing.
“Style makes the fight. This is short notice for me, so I’m just getting ready to go in and do what I do best. Anything can happen. It’s cheap to say, when you get slapped in the face it’s a different story.
“It has been my dream since I was young to fight in events like this in America. I have to leave it all in the ring and make sure there’s no doubt about what I can do after Saturday night.”
