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| Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman: “Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Birmingham ahead of a big show on Saturday live and exclusive around the world on DAZN. Just talking to Galal and Peter there about the card on Saturday, they’re both saying this is going to be an absolute banger – all-action. “We understand that fighters have specific styles, but the reality is, the public want entertainment. I think you’ve got that in droves on Saturday night. Particularly the three fights at the top of the card. Galal Yafai 9-0 now, Birmingham’s Olympic Champion, looking to cement his shot at the WBC World Title, against this man, Francisco Rodriguez Jr. “I know a lot of people might say on paper, ‘oh look, they’ve brought in another Mexican challenger’. Not really, this guy is a former unified World Champion. This guy in my opinion beat Ioka in Japan. This fight will be an absolute war. I said to Galal just then, ‘you’ll enjoy Saturday’. He went, ‘you will!’. I said, ‘yeah exactly, that’s what we want to watch isn’t it?’. I want a war. Yafai-Rodriguez is a war. “And of course, just a couple of weeks ago we got the news that Masoud was out with an injury. Peter McGrail told us that he wants a real fight. Well up steps this lunatic, Ionut Baluta. He’s an absolute animal. And all of a sudden, you look at the history between the camps, with Peter McGrail, wins over Brad Strand and Andrew Cain, a draw with Dennis McCann. This is a serious serious fight for Peter McGrail. “And what about Conah Walker, has there ever been a fighter that gives you more value for money than Conah Walker? If you want entertainment, Conah Walker against Liam Taylor is going to give it to you, for the British and Commonwealth Title. Pat Brown, just his second fight, massive support again. I think this guy is good enough to win British, Commonwealth and European Title fights now. Good step up on Saturday. Giorgio Visioli down the end there, already making waves internationally. One of the hottest prospects in the sport.” Galal Yafai: “He’s a great fighter, Rodriguez. Anyone that knows him. He comes forward, I come forward. It should make for a great fight for the fans, not so good for myself and him. As long as I get the win, that’s all that matters. “Why was he coming towards the end of his career? He was 28 (Sunny Edwards). I’m 32. At 28 I was in my prime. I won Olympic Gold at 28. It’s normally at 28 that you’re at your prime. “Rodriguez should be my hardest fight, on paper. Let’s hope it’s not in reality on Saturday. I’ve had to fight Sunny who was number one with the Ring Magazine, then I’ve had to fight the WBC number one Rodriguez and then I’ll have to go to Japan probably and fight the pound for pound fighter who’s got the WBC and WBA belts in Teraji. I’ve not had it easy have I?” Francisco Rodriguez: “I want to say thank you to everyone present here. I also want to give a big thanks to Eddie Hearn for the opportunity. Of course, I come really prepared for this fight. On Saturday I’m not coming so far just to lose this fight. “Yes, it’s true that Galal Yafai throws a lot of shots, but I’d also say that I equal him in the amount of shots that I throw. What I would say is that I don’t think he’s ever faced someone like me who throws those shots and throws them with power. Without doubt the styles will mix on Saturday night and it will be an excellent fight. Ultimately, the fans will come out as winners.” Peter McGrail: “I’m at that point in my career now where I’m looking to push on. The fight with Dennis was a big fight for me that fell off. The fight with Shabaz was probably an even bigger fight, and that fell off. Baluta stepped in, and big respect to him for stepping in. It’s a big fight for me and I’m coming to do a job on him. “Personally I thought Brad (Strand) actually won on that night. When Baluta got his hand raised I looked at my manager and said, ‘get me him’. I’d love to smash him, he’s got two wins over the gym. We’re here now and we’re ready.” Ionut Baluta: “To be honest I had four weeks of notice for this fight but I’m completely ready for Saturday and I am here to take away that belt. On Saturday I’ll make it the hat-trick over the stable. I really don’t want to talk about Dennis McCann anymore. All I’ll say on Saturday is that I’m coming to put on a good show and to take away that belt.” Conah Walker: “I’ve trained my whole career for this belt. It’s not going anywhere. This is staying with me. I know I’ve got a tough fight in Liam Taylor. I know what he’s about. I feel like I’ve watched him over the years that much that I know what he’s going to throw and I know how he’s going to navigate around the ring. It’s going to be a tough fight, don’t get me wrong. He’s a very good fighter. He comes to fight, which is what we all want to see, and what I like to do. “This is our sixth fight together now. Sixth time up here. I’ve had six fights, all top level opponents. Every fight I’m just getting better. I’m polishing the edges and I’m becoming a more complete fighter. I’m navigating around the ring better. I’m understanding the rounds. I’m a championship fighter. There’s 12 rounds for a reason. I’m very very confident in my abilities. I’m looking forward to this fight.” Liam Taylor: “Both of our styles will mix well together. It’s going to be one to watch, definitely. I’ve been pro 14 years now. The past couple of years I’ve really knuckled down, especially with Ste (Maylett). The gym is flying and we’ll all pushing each other. That’s helped a lot. We’ve got a couple of British Champions in the gym at the minute. I’ve been pro the longest out of the lot. I feel like I’m a little bit behind them now. That’s given me a little bit more motivation. The reason I turned pro was to win the Lonsdale Belt. I’ve finally got an opportunity again.” Pat Brown: “I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring. My debut was obviously what fighters dream of doing. He was tough and I got a good four rounds out of it. It wasn’t someone who’s just taking a knee in the first round. My opponent this Saturday is a big lump. Six foot five, tall, rangy and he’s coming to win as well. They’re the fights I want. I don’t want fighters who just get hit once and want to take a payday and go on their knee. I want people who are going to bring it to me. That’s when you’ll see the best of me. “It’s good, activity is good. It’s going to be in the back of my mind fighting this kid on Saturday. You can’t be getting cuts, you can’t be getting no injuries. I’ll be taking my time, I won’t be doing nothing silly. Don’t get me wrong, if he wants to have it with me it’s quite hard not to trade a bit of leather. In the back of my mind will be the Manchester fight. I’m really looking forward to that but at the moment I’ve got a job to do on Saturday. I can’t wait.” Aaron Bowen: “I can’t slip up. If I need to go there then I’ll go there. Eight rounder now, and then it’s the Midlands Title, English Title. I can’t afford to slip up. I’ve got to look good and take this guy out of there if I want to push on to the main table slots. Pressure on myself, but I’m looking forward to it. “I’m just looking forward to these next few fights. We can’t look past Saturday, but I really think I’m going to be in some big domestic fights. The Irish fight is there, and hopefully one day we can bring it back to the Ricoh Arena. Just keep winning and keep looking good.” Giorgio Visioli: “It’s a good little step up for me. An Argentinian, 8-1 or something like that. I’m very very close to fighting for the English and British Titles. It’s a matter of time. Me and my team, we’ll do it. “Going out to America was a great experience. The Curmel stuff has gone a bit viral. We know what we did, you’ve seen what we did. It’s just sparring. I’m looking forward to Saturday night and showing more of my levels. I believe I’m one of the best prospects in the world right now.” Ibraheem Sulaimaan: “It’s going to be massive. I can’t wait man. I’ve got everyone coming down. It’s going to be a brilliant night. I’m taking things one step at a time. We’ll get the win on Saturday and then we’ll move on.” Hamza Uddin: “Absolutely I’m ready to go. I’ve got hundreds coming in support. We’ve got a good opponent. We’ve got a Rio 2016 Olympian. Former Continental Champion, so he’s coming to win. He’s no mug. I’m going to show him who Hamza Uddin is. All my fights we’ve seen speed, power, skill, entertainment. This Saturday is about putting it all together and reminding everyone who Hamza Uddin is. At my weight we move quick. Every fight is a step up. I’ll get a few belts around my waste very soon.” Tiah-Mai Ayton: “I’m very excited to get in the ring. I haven’t been in there since like February. I’m just exited to get back in there and fight. I’m undefeated, I’ve had over 300 fights. It’s quite a good record. I think the path to becoming pro in boxing is very good. I just want to get the WBC World Title belt one day hopefully. “I feel like she’s definitely here to win. I’ve just got to show everyone what I’m about as well. Hopefully I can get that stoppage.” |
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