QUEENSBERRY today hosted a press conference ahead of their show at Utilita Arena, Birmingham on Saturday (October 9), live on BT.
Queensberry’s British and Commonwealth Super-Bantamweight champion Brad Foster (14-0-2, 5 KOs) meets European title holder Jason Cunningham (29-6, 6 KOs) in a 12 round contest where all three titles are on the line,
In a Midlands derby, Nottingham’s Ekow Essuman (15-0, 6 KOs) will defend his British, Commonwealth Welterweight titles when he faces Kingswinford’s Danny Ball (10-0-1, 4 KOs).
Former World Light-Heavyweight title challenger, Callum Johnson (19-1, 14 KOs) defends his WBO Global championship against Russian Server Emurlaev (24-2, 8 KOs).
English Bantamweight champion Liam Davies (10-0, 5 KOs) faces Nicaragua’s former World title challenger Dixon Flores (17-7-3, 6 KOs) with the vacant WBC International Super-Bantamweight crown on the line.
Liverpool Super-Featherweight Nick Ball (13-0, 6 KOs) is in eight round action Poland’s Piotr Gudel (10-6-1, 1 KO).
York Welterweight George Davey (4-0) is in six round action. Worcester Super-Welterweight Owen Cooper (4-0, 1 KO), Bradford Lightweight Amaar Akbar (1-0), Bloxwich Super-Welterweight Ryan Woolridge (1-0) and Telford debutant Macauley Owen all box four rounders.
Here are a selection of quotes from the press conference.
FRANCIS WARREN: “We have a monster fight later on Saturday night between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, but before that some monsters in the Midlands. Brad v Jason and Ekow v Jason are the type of fights that get people intrigued. It’s an old phrase but domestic dust-ups get the blood flowing. There are plenty of belts up for grabs and that is what people want to see. Liam Davies was spectacular in his last fight and this is a good progression fight against Dixon Flores. Callum is one of the best Light-Heavyweights in the World. Callum has a tough fight on Saturday and some think it is a potential banana skin. I don’t think it is.”
BRAD FOSTER: “Jason is the toughest test of my career and that is why I have worked so hard. Let’s go into the deep waters Jason talks about because I am a very good swimmer. Jason is no mug and I have to be on top of my game. I’m just living the dream, working hard and chasing my goals. The next one is Saturday night.
JASON CUNNINGHAM: “I’m ready for what Brad has on Saturday. I hold the bigger title and I’m in the away corner. It’s nothing new to me. It’s a great fight with all the marbles. All I ask, is that I get a fair crack of the whip. I don’t care what anyone says, I am taking care of Brad Foster. It’s taken me that long to get here I am just going to enjoy it. We’re going to see what Brad is all about.”
EKOW ESSUMAN: “All respect to Danny, but I have paid the price to be the boss. I have worked my way from small hall shows without a promoter until the last couple of fights. It’s been hard, but I have been training in the trenches and I just graft. I didn’t revel in the title win because I have tunnel vision and move onto the next thing. Danny is in my way and I have to take him out. He is just another victim. Nobody has seen me show my true potential. I just want to push on and take over the World.”
DANNY BALL: “The pressure of a big fight against Ekow doesn’t bother me. I am in the sport to be in these fights. Winning the British title is a World title for someone like me. The British title was once just a dream. Now it’s going to come home with me on Saturday.”
CALLUM JOHNSON: “I’m ready to go. I am looking to put a show on and do the job I always do. You are in there to throw punches, but if it is another war I know I can go through the trenches and go as deep as anybody. I would like to get a World title and defend it against Lyndon Arthur or Anthony Yarde. I have a test on Saturday and have to come through that. I always get in there to knock out people and at some point he will go.”
SERVER EMURLAEV: “Callum is a very dangerous opponent and one who will throw me a challenge. I have a chance to rise to the occasion. Britain is the home of boxing and I am happy to be here, but I’m here to fight. This is the career opportunity I have been waiting for.”
LIAM DAVIES: “Since I joined Queensberry it has been great. I have two stoppages and I am going for another one in the second round. Dixon has fought for a World title and is no idiot. I am going up to Super-Bantamweight for this fight because the opportunities never came at Bantamweight. I am big enough and good enough to mix with the best at Super-Bantamweight. I will come with bad intentions at either weight. There are also great domestic fights with Andrew Cain and Dennis McCann to be had.”