Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:
“Good morning everyone. Welcome to Sydney, Australia. A huge night of boxing on Saturday. Two World Championship fights and an all-Australian blockbuster between George Kambosos Jr and Jake Wyllie here at the Qudos Bank Arena, live and exclusive all around the world on DAZN. It’s a hectic schedule at the biggest and best time for boxing. Last week in Orlando, next week in Manchester, and beyond that as well Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis against Stanionis April 12 at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City before we go back to Sheffield for Dalton Smith. The small matter of Conor Benn against Chris Eubank Jr, 65,000 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a Ring Magazine event. And of course the week after, Times Square on a Friday night – Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, Teofimo Lopez – and the day after in Riyadh for Canelo Alvarez before we head to the Copper Box for Johnny Fisher against Dave Allen, and plenty more to be announced in due course. Red hot times for boxing. Of course we want to thank all of our sponsors this week as well, particularly Riyadh Season. Thank you to His Excellency Turki Alalshikh as he continues to drive boxing forwards globally. What a line up of elite fighters we have up here today.”
George Kambosos Jr:
“It’s great to be back home in Sydney. Big fight here, big buzz in the city. This is an extremely important fight. Yeah, we had a certain opponent, but that’s boxing. We’ve always got to be ready for the unexpected. For us, we just adapt. We’ve been through so many scenarios, we’ve been through so many experiences at the championship level, the biggest level in the game.
“One guy is out, and who’s the next guy? Of course we respect Jake jumping in. His style was suited. We said okay, give him the shot. Young kid, respectful, humble kid – give him his Rocky story. But like I’ve said, don’t get it twisted. This is not a happy ending.
“There’s a difference between fighting at domestic level and having the Australian Title, and fighting at the level I’ve been fighting at. He says he sees holes, I’d like to ask him which holes does he see? Which fights to you see the holes in? Is it the Lomachenko fight? Is it the Devin Haney fight? Is it the Lopez fight, when I beat his ass and he’s the current number one at 140? The Lee Selby fight, which we did on a beautiful Matchroom card? These guys are the best of the best.
“People say they see holes, but there’s a difference between the elite, the pinnacle – where I have been for so many years fighting, compared to the level he’s been fighting. And yes, he’s got a nice knockout ratio. Good record, I respect that. I respect the kid. I don’t have any bad beef. I’m not going to sit here and say anything bad about him. But when you deep dive on the guys he’s knocked out, they’re all plums.”
Jake Wyllie:
“It’s huge. We prepared to come down here for sparring, for my fight that was to be in a couple of weeks time. My coach Luke and I had booked tickets to come and watch George. As it is, here we are fighting him.
“It was about 9.15pm on Saturday night and I was half asleep. I sort of rolled over and thought, ‘jeez, who’s calling me this late?’ It was my manager. I thought I’d better call him back. There it was. He told be George’s opponent was out and asked me if I was willing to step up and take this on without any hesitation. I said yes. I could not sleep for the rest of the night.
“I’m here to beat George Kambosos. Yes the money is great. My focus isn’t on that. I’m here to do a job on George and change my life forever.
“True belief. I always stay active, I always stay fit, I always stay healthy so that when these opportunities arise I can drop them hammer and say bang, I’m taking the fight. I don’t have to get ready. I’m always ready. Weight was down. I’m not jumping off the couch here. I’m coming in fit, hard, strong and ready to do a job on George Kambosos.
“Of course I’ve watched him from afar. He’s done big things in Australian boxing. Credit where it’s due. He’s done some huge things. The two Haney fights that he brought over here. That was brilliant. For me, I’ve always looked at George and thought, ‘jeez, if only I could get my hands on him’. He’s so beatable. Now here we are – I’ve got the chance and I’m not going to let this one slip.”
Skye Nicolson:
“I’m more than ready. Absolutely can’t wait. I hope Tiara brings that same energy on Saturday night. Just show up, please, that’s all I ask, because I’m in unbelievable shape and I’m ready for absolutely anything on Saturday.
“She’s a good fighter. We’ve had a look at her. We know her well. You can’t be 18-0 with 11 KO’s and not be a good fighter. I’m ready for absolutely anything on Saturday night, we’ve prepared for the best possible version of Tiara Brown.
“We’ve manifested this moment, coming back to Australia as World Champion, it’s an absolute honour to be here and get to do it in front on an Aussie crowd. I can’t wait, I’m so excited. I’m going to make sure that I perform for them.”
Tiara Brown:
“Thank you Eddie. First of all I want to give God all of the glory, honour and praise for allowing me to be here. Thank you Eddie for allowing me to be here. I had a great camp in DC with my team. I’m going to do my thing. I’ve been boxing for my entire life. I’ve always waited for this opportunity. I should have got this opportunity a long time ago but many champions don’t want to fight when they know that it’s me that they’re having to compete against, because I’m a dog and that’s what I’m going to do against Skye come Saturday. I’m going to dog her. I was born ready. I should have got this opportunity a long time ago but I didn’t. People criticise the opponents that I have fought. I fight whoever will get in the ring with me. I don’t decide who I fight. I fight whoever gets in the ring with me. Many other champions, we’ve asked to fight them, and we were disregarded as if we were no one. Like Skye said, I’ve never done anything in the sport of women’s boxing. I’m a world gold medallist, I was number one on the planet when I was an amateur. I’m going to show those skills come Saturday.”
Sherneka Johnson:
“Look, the belt is in front of me. I won that fight. We full heartedly believe that we won that fight and we’re going to win this one. It’s exciting to fight here again in Australia with Skye Nicolson, George Kambosos and upcoming Teremoana Teremoana. I just feel like this performance is going to be a dominant one and my best one yet. It was a rollercoaster of emotions and I have no doubt that Nina went through the same sort of similar emotions in a way. It’s really hard to explain and I just don’t want that to happen again to either of us. I’m going to leave no doubt, that’s for sure.”
Nina Hughes:
“Obviously the first time, the controversy. All I ask for is fair judging this time. I believe I won the first fight. I’m going to dominate this fight. I believe I should still be the champion. I’m overwhelmed with the Australian support I’ve been receiving. Since I’ve been out here, the amount of Australians, the interviews and the media, that have all supported me, and believed that I won the first fight. They’re actually embarrassed about the whole situation. I’m grateful to the WBA. They acknowledged the incompetent judging. They made me mandatory for the rematch. Here we are now. Of course, I’ve got to dominate and set a fast pace. I just want to be treated fairly. I came over here as a champion last time and I wasn’t given neutral judges. I believe I’ll get the win this time, as long as it is fair.”
Teremoana Teremoana:
“I just want to say thank you to everyone for coming out and supporting. I’m looking forward to being able to showcase my skills again on another Matchroom card. Look at all of the fighters up here. It’s such a pleasure to be able to fight in front of an Australian crowd with so many Australian fighters. I just want to say it’s a privilege to be fighting amongst these fighters. I just want to shout out George Kambosos, Skye Nicolson and Cherneka Johnson also. Jai Opetaia, Liam Paro, Paul Gallen – thank you to you all for bringing so many eyes to Australian boxing. Thank you for providing opportunities for us – the next generation of fighters. Thank you to James for coming all the way over from Fiji, you’ve got a bit of a task in front of you mate. I hope that you come to fight. I hope that you throw some bombs. If you want to come to fight me I’m going to take you out earlier. Let’s see how we go.
James Singh:
“Thank you Eddie. I want to take this time to thank God for the opportunity and Matchroom. Eddie, it’s an honour to fight on the undercard of George Kambosos. To all my people back at home – thank you for the support. I’m coming for him. I know there’s a lot of critics saying that I’m just a walk in the park for him, but I’m taking the fight to him. I know that he’s a tough opponent and I’m coming to him.”
Iman Khataev:
“Yes. I am ready. I have had a good training camp, together with George Kambosos. 3 months. We’re ready. I need good boxers. I want to fight good boxers.”
Durval Elias Palacio:
“Thank you to the promoters. Thank you for this opportunity. I’m more than ready and I’m here to win by knockout.”
Jayden Buan:
“Thanks for having me. A big thanks to you Eddie, and Matchroom for getting me on this show. To be sitting here and rubbing shoulders with some of the best in the world – I feel honoured and privileged. I can’t wait to get out there Saturday night and do my thing. I can’t wait. I feel honoured to be chosen as a local boy to represent Sydney. Coming from Western Sydney to a stage like this is crazy to me. I can’t wait to perform for my people.”