| Eddie Hearn:”There’s a great narrative for this and we didn’t necessarily need it. The first fight was one of the best 12 rounds of action we have ever seen.
“This is the fight people are talking about on the streets. We will get another unbelievable night on Saturday, there is so much at stake.
“There is a different vibe. They have shared a ring already. Chisora looks unbelievable – the leanest he has ever looked.
“Dillian has improved – he is punching harder. But can he out-box him? It’s about pride. They don’t like each other. It’s about heart. It’s about skill as well, but more about will.”
Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing:
“Here we go again. One of the great fights we’ve seen in recent years – two years ago between Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora, it had to happen again.
“A lot of change has happened in those two years. Both of them are coming off terrific victories in the summer on a wonderful night at The O2.
“It’s a massive fight three days before Christmas – a real pre Christmas cracker, December 22nd at The O2 and what a time for the both of them as well with Heavyweight boxing the talk around the World.”
David Haye, CEO of Hayemaker Boxing:
“Derek has had opportunities in the past but hasn’t capitalised. Experience tells him that he needs to work hard, and sacrifice.”When he stands on the scales tomorrow, you will see the difference. I have felt his power and presence and ferocity in the ring.
“He realises a performance like he produced two years ago won’t be good enough to beat the 2018 version of Whyte. The heat brought to Dillian will put him in an uncomfortable zone.
“He will be let off the leash to do some serious damage. I like the energy and intensity of both fighters. Both teams believe they will win this, but I’m glad to be on team Chisora.
“Derek is like a stream train going full steam ahead. This fight can only be better than last time, they’re both fitter and faster.
“It’s got everything to be another fight of the year.”
Dillian Whyte – Brixton, London – 24-1, 17 KO’s – defending his WBC Silver and WBO International Heavyweight titles against Derek Chisora:
“He won’t be pounding me, there’s levels to this thing. I’m used to people trying to get into my head. I don’t think even Derek himself knows what he is doing.
“I’ve had good learning fights and there’s still a lot more to come – I’ll fight anybody. I’ll do whatever it takes to get the win, I conserve my energy, I’m relaxed.
“Let Derek do all the talking, you will see on fight night. There’s a different animal in front of him this time. There will be blood on Saturday night.”
Derek Chisora – Finchley, London – 24-1, 17 KO’s – challenging Dillian Whyte for his WBC Silver and WBO International Heavyweight titles:
“I am born again. I gave my life to the Lord. By doing that, I became a better person. My good friend David put me through my paces.
“I’ve rebuilt and come back. I’m in a great place. It’s going to be a seek and destroy mission on Saturday. Our game-plan is to bite the gum shield, seek and destroy.
“The tables are screwed down so I can’t move them! I won’t do that anymore. I can’t afford rely on the judges. I will pound him, hit him, pound him, hit him.”
Mark Tibbs, trainer of Dillian Whyte:
“99.9% of the time a good boxer will beat a good brawler. He’s not only just a boxer, he’s a boxer fighter. As long as we get it right on the night, which we will do, we will box and fight our way to a very good victory.”
Don Charles, trainer of Derek Chisora:
“Training camp has gone remarkably well. When different teams get together it’s always a gamble, but I can honestly say that it’s gone really well.
“I haven’t got an awful lot to say. Tune in on Saturday night and all will be revealed.”
Joshua Buatsi – Croydon, England – 8-0, 6 KO’s – making the second defence of his WBA International Light-Heavyweight title against Renold Quinlan:
“This is win at all costs. I’ve prepared for ten hard rounds but if I see an opportunity, I’ll be going for it. I feel my team has made it very clear that we’re more than open for these fights.”
Renold Quinlan – Redfern, Australia – 12-3, 8 KO’s – challenging Joshua Buatsi for his WBA International Light-Heavyweight title:
“Jumping up to Light-Heavyweight, I feel stronger and more powerful. Everyone will see a different Renold Quinlan on Saturday night. I want to take that belt back home to Australia.”
Cristofer Rosales – Managua, Nicaragua – 28-3, 19 KO’s – making the second defence of his WBC Flyweight World title against Charlie Edwards:
“We’re extremely excited about the fight ion Saturday, As Charlie said, it’s his dream and he’s hoping for it to come true.
“Well it was my dream and I made it come true, and I don’t want to wake up. I’m here to keep my belt and I won’t leave it here.”
Charlie Edwards – Croydon, England – 13-1, 6 KO’s – challenging Cristofer Rosales for the WBC Flyweight World title:
“Thanks to Rosales for giving me the shot. I haven’t put a lot of pressure on myself. I believe in myself and believe I will take the belt.
“It will be a hard, tough fight, no stone has been left unturned. Two years ago, I was chucked in the deep end and it made me realise what I had to do to become a world level fighter.
“This is my time, this will be a dream come true. I believe this is my time.”
Ryan Walsh – Cromer, England – 22-2-2, 11 KO’s – making the fifth defence of his British Featherweight title against Reece Bellotti:
“I think I have been on the scene a long time. My first British title fight was five years ago.
“I made a point to myself that if this is it, I’m going to be the best British Champion I can be. I’m grateful in some ways that everything has played out this way.
“I sit here and feel I’m the uncrowned European Champion. But I wouldn’t change anything. I think I’ve got a European title in me at least but I’m fully focused on Bellotti this Saturday. It’s going to be a cracker.”
Reece Bellotti – Watford, England – 13-1, 11 KO’s – challenging Ryan Walsh for the British Featherweight title:
“This is a huge fight for me. It was a big lesson against Doyle. It’s not going to be an easy fight but the styles will gel and I’m going in confident.
“I got to a stage in my career where I thought I could blast everyone out. The loss was a big lesson and hopefully I can turn it around.
“Our styles will gel well, I need a good game-plan and have to bring something different.”
David Price – Liverpool, England – 22-6, 18 KO’s – fighting Tom Little in a eight round Heavyweight contest:
“I’ve had a fantastic camp. Tom is a serious fighter. The sparring we’ve done before tells me there’s going to be fireworks from the off. May the best man win.”I’m pleased that I’m fighting someone like Tom Little. Tom is a serious fighter and he’s a test. We do gel as styles, so you can look forward to an excellent fight.
“If I can get the win, which I’m expecting to, you can take care of the rest, Eddie.”
Tom Little – Hatfield, England – 10-6, 3 KO’s – fighting David Price in a eight round Heavyweight contest:“This is a massive opportunity. Everything for me in this sport is a bonus, I’ll go out and let my hands go. I have a heart the size of this building.
“I’m friends with David, he looks in great shape and I’m sure we will deliver a banger. This is a massive step-up, me and David have done many rounds and it was very painful!”
Fabio Wardley – Ipswich, England – 4-0, 3 KO’s – fighting Phil Williams in a four round Heavyweight contest:
“I can’t wait to get out there. Thank you to Dillian for bringing me onboard and giving me the opportunity. This is what I’ve been working towards. I’m ready to go out there and show off on the big stage.”
Linus Udofia – Luton, England – 11-0, 6 KO’s – fighting Pavol Garaj in a six round Middleweight contest:
“Thank you for the opportunity to be here. I didn’t go to the Olympics, didn’t really do too much in the amateurs. I’ve just grafted my way up the hard way and I’m happy to be here. This is what I’ve been grafting for a while for – a chance on the big stage.” |
