Frank Smith, Matchroom Boxing CEO:
“We want to make the best possible fights for our fighters. It’s never easy watching two fighters you represent because you can’t pick sides. Our job is to deliver the best possible opportunity. This is a great fight. Rhiannon is coming off the back of that great win where she captured the World Title. Terri Harper has a lot more experience in the pro ranks than Rhiannon. Fair play to them both for taking this opportunity because a lot of people wouldn’t go down this route and wouldn’t take this chance. For us, we build the fighters up so we want to do it in-house, we want to make as many in-house fights as possible. We think it makes sense. When we build the profile, I think it makes a lot of sense to do it, and we’ll be doing more of it down the line. You’ve seen it with Sunny Edwards vs. Galal Yafai on November 30th. It’s a brilliant fight, and that’s what we’re going to continue to do. It’s about making the best fighters possible and delivering for the fighters we represent.”
Rhiannon Dixon:
“I didn’t celebrate that much when I won the World Title because I thought I was rubbish! I actually got out of the ring and was like, ‘that was so embarrassing’. Ant (Crolla) thought I was rubbish too. I feel like I’ve got a point to prove now. I feel like I didn’t even show half of what I can do.
“I think that’s why Ant calls me a bit of a perfectionist. Sometimes I can’t enjoy what I’ve actually achieved. I’m excited to show everything that I’ve learnt since then. I still can’t believe it when I’m referred to as a World Champion. I genuinely can’t believe it. I feel like it’s just the beginning now. I can’t wait to see what’s next.
“It’s boosted my confidence massively. When I was first on DAZN cards, I had a bit of imposter syndrome as I’d only had seven white-collar fights. Going from Commonwealth to European Champion to World Champion has boosted my confidence. I belong at this stage.
“With peace and love, I believe she says things that she doesn’t genuinely believe. That’s why when she said she was going to stop me, I laughed because I thought, ‘that’s not going to happen, is it?’
“This is definitely my toughest fight – I’m under no illusions about that – but it’s a fight I’ve been ready for for a long time and one I’m really excited for. When I win at the weekend, it shoots me into these massive fights which is something I’m really excited for.”Terri Harper:
“The body is feeling the best it’s ever felt. I feel like a new person. It’s nice not to be carrying around all of that extra muscle and that extra weight. I just feel like I’ve found this free speed. In training it’s easier to train. I think for the first time I’ve actually enjoyed the weight cut. Pardon the pun but it has made me hungrier for the win on Saturday night.
“In the first round (against Sandy Ryan), I went out and threw everything I had at her. After the first round, that’s when I really felt Sandy’s presence; the extra weight, the strength, just everything. I couldn’t match it. I remember Andrew [Bullcroft] saying to me after the third round, ‘Terri if you’re not giving me anything in the next round, I’m stopping the fight’ and that’s what he did.
“I’m a big fan of Rhiannon. She’s very fast and her boxing style is really nice, but I have to look at what I’m good at. This is the first time Rhiannon’s stepped up. I feel like her fighting me is her first true challenge. It’s a great fight for both of us.
“I know a lot of fighters are awkward being in with southpaws, but I enjoy it. I’ve always found it comfortable being in the ring with them. I’ve been with my old amateur coach (Paul Durose) for the full camp and working on little shots that we can get off.
“I just want a good win to celebrate with my team and my close ones around me so that I cement myself back into these weight divisions. I feel like I’ve got all the experience at this point in my career to go out there and put on a dominant performance. It’ll be the first time in a long time that I’ll go into the ring without disadvantages in weight. I feel like this fight is perfect for me.”Peter McGrail:
“Coming off the back of a loss, and the way it was, you don’t want to be coming off the back of two losses do you. It was win by any means on that night against Marc Leach and that’s what we done’ we got the win against Leach.
“He’s a fighter coming to win; determined isn’t he? As you said he’s a former British and Commonwealth Champion. I think he’s had three losses and I think two of those possibly could have been controversial. He could have one loss on his record. Me and Brad are going to war on Saturday and that’s all I’ve been thinking about for the past 12 weeks.
“He’s a good fighter. I respect him. I’ve trained my arse off and I’m more than ready. I’m in the shape of my life and I can’t wait to show you all what I’ve been working on this Saturday. just want a dominant performance. It could go early or it could go over the full ten rounds. I’m more than ready for the ten rounds. I’m ready to go and I can’t wait.”
Brad Foster:
“I’ve still got loads of ambition. I’ve got goals in this game. Peter is the next step. Get through this one and then I’m back up there. My name isn’t in there yet. I’ve got to get my name in there. Beat him, and then my name will be there.
“Peter is in for a hard fight. I’m coming to win. Fully focused. Fully focused myself. I’m coming to win, I’m telling you. We’ll see on Saturday night. I’m very confident. It’s a good time to fight Peter McGrail. It’s always a good time. I’m fresh. I’m 26-years-old. I turned pro when I was 18. I’m fresh as a daisy. Brad Foster win, by any means necessary.”
George Liddard:
“Everyone keeps saying that it’s going to be my first real step up. I think I’ve been in with two undefeated fighters already. Obviously both early on in their careers too, young and hungry fighters. For me, it’s not my first test. Every fight has been a test in some way, shape or form. The record you could say is stepping up but I’m more than ready for the task ahead. I think I’m the toughest opponent he will have faced for sure. We’ll see Saturday night.
“I was mandatory for the Southern Area Title; didn’t quite get that fight across the line for some reason. But look, Saturday night, it’s not a title fight, but I’m going in there with the same intentions to win. For me, it half is a title fight because I have to win this to get to those. I want to win the British Title by this time next year. I’ve got these steps on the way. I can pick up the Southern Area and the English on the way; that’s perfect. A few more fights and I’m ready for that for sure. I’ve just got to keep on passing these tests.”
Jimmy Sains:
“To be honest looking back I probably wouldn’t have believed you. Maybe 6-0, but I don’t know about 6 KO’s as well! Just them few years as an amateur, training with the pros, like you said with Tony – they definitely helped me develop and come into a man a lot more. I’ve got my man strength coming through and my boxing ability has come on loads sparring with the pros. That’s where the KO’s have come from.
“My last two amateur fights were actually here in Sheffield in the Three Nations. I had two KO’s in two days – one was Ste Clarke like you said. It was a great ending for my amateur career. It was the perfect time for me to move into the pros.
“This year has been all about getting as active as I can. Getting all of the pro experience under my belt and getting a few rounds under my belt which I have done in my last couple of fights. It’s going to put me in a good position when I move into eight and ten round fights.”
Giorgio Visioli:
“It was amazing really (Joshua vs. Dubois). I stepped into the stadium and straight away I got goosebumps. It was surreal. I’d never watched a fight there before. It was my first time. It was a real eye-opener and I’d love to box there one day and maybe headline. It’s a bit difficult, maybe even just to be on a card there would be amazing.
“My first year as a professional has gone really well. I’ll be real, I’d say I didn’t expect the KO’s because obviously in the amateurs I wasn’t really know as a knockout artist. But it’s gone really well. Obviously you’ve seen the three knockouts. There’s more to come and I’m looking forward to going on Saturday.”
Ibraheem Sulaimaan:
“I’m different. I’m going to come out different and he’s going to get stopped 100%. I need more fights. The more fights I have, the more I can show. The more I show, the better everyone will see me. I rate myself a lot. Let’s get this one over and done with, another clinical performance, and then onto the next.”
Josh Babb:
“Firstly I’d like to thank Frank, Eddie and Matchroom for the opportunity. I had a good amateur career; over 70 fights. My last fight, I boxed a good experienced man in Marvin Solano. So now I think this is my time. I haven’t got the same style as Ali, so I think Majid is was all wrong for him. I just can’t wait now.”
Brandon Scott:
“I just felt like it was the right step, the right thing to do at the right time right now. As mad as it sounds, this is technically home soil for me. I’ve got something to prove on Saturday. I’ve got a good fight. I’ve learnt so much from my last fight which I’m so glad happened, you know when I boxed the terminator. We’ve been working on that so much in the gym.
“Like I say, I’m so glad it’s happened, because this is what I need to progress as a fighter. I know I do stupid silly things and I know I’m very silly, but I want to be a great boxer. That’s all I’ve ever wanted since I was younger, when I was bullied all the time for being obese.
“People laughed at me for saying I wanted to be a boxer. Then I became a great amateur boxer. I won the Welsh Nationals every time I entered them. I won the British Championships, represented Wales in the European Games, won loads of international tournaments and now people are laughing at me because I’m saying I want to be the best in the world as a professional.
“I don’t care how many obstacles life throws in my way, how many times life tries to get in my way. I will not stop until I get where I want. I’m going to be relentless in the pursuit of greatness and I will not let nothing stop me. If I want to wear a Spider-Man costume on the way, let me do that.”