‘Bam’ aims to become two-weight World champion in San Antonio
A selection of quotes from the final press conference as Jesse Rodriguez aims to become a two-weight World champion when he challenges Cristian Gonzalez for the vacant WBO Flyweight title at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday April 8, live worldwide on DAZN.
Jesse Rodriguez: I’m happy to be back in the ring and do what I love to do. I have the opportunity on Saturday night to become San Antonio’s first two-weight World champion and that would make the night just that little more special.
I would have been ready to fight at 115lbs as I entered camp on weight, I just came into camp more disciplined and a little more in shape coming into camp; I’ve had a ten-week camp away from my family, so I’ve sacrificed a lot and come Saturday night it’s going to show.
I want to go out and show everyone I’m still ‘Bam’ Rodriguez. After my last performance, people wrote me off, so I am ready to do what I do and I’m a different person in that ring.
All the belts, all the champions at 112lbs – that’s what I want. Let’s make these fights, give the fans what they want, so step up to the plate and make it happen.
Cristian Gonzalez: I’ve earned this opportunity and I am ready to give everything in the ring to gain this crown on Saturday night. We’ve studied him, we understand his qualities, we’ve worked hard in camp and as a Mexican I must give everything to try to become World champion on Saturday night.
Murodjon Akhmadaliev: I’m so happy to be in Texas again, I’m ready to showcase myself and show my skills in a great fight. Undisputed is a dream of mine that has always been there, but right now, I’m fully concentrated on this fight. I want to show a great fight with a great opponent.
Marlon Tapales: We’ve worked so hard for this fight and we’re ready. He’s a good boxer, he’s very talented but we’ve prepared well for it with good sparring. This is so big for me and my career. I know it’s the biggest chance and my career.
Raymond Ford: I’m always ready, this is nothing new. It’s just another fight and he’s another fighter. He’s got experience, but so did my last opponent.
People act like I am not supposed to want the big fights. I’m meant to stay at this level for my whole career. All the greats go through this, fighting someone like Jessie, a former World champion, before they go to a World title, and now this is my turn for that.
I rarely take a step back now, I’m getting more comfortable in the pocket, I am not worried about getting hit. We’ve been working on a lot in camp, and I’m sparring top notch fighters, so I know I am ready for this, and these are the types of fights, we wouldn’t have taken it if not. I’ve been calling for these types of fights and these are the fights that are going to make me get up and get active.
We’re back in San Antonio, I feel like I’m the Fresh Prince of San Antonio, I love coming here and they might boo me before, but they will get to like me. I’ve come here to dominate, and that’s what I am going to do.
Me, Shakur, Keyshawn, Khalil, we’re the future of the sport, this was a great camp in Vegas and all in all, it’s going to be a good fight and I’m ready.
Jessie Magdaleno: This is must win, most definitely. We both said yes to this fight and we’re going to put on a great show, we might even steal the show. It’s everything; the experience, the dog in me, the hunger I have. I’ve been through some bad times, but I am ready to let the world know who I am, and I want to show that I’m ready to be back at the top, I want nothing less than that. Fighting for a World title is all that is in my head. Nothing less, my hand will be raised.
Thomas Mattice: I’m hungry too. I am a war, so I am ready for all of that. I’m the ‘0’ collector. I’ve been in his shoes before, so I know that he’s coming to fight, I’ve had that spot multiple times. So, I am sure he’s trained well and is fully prepared, but I know that I have. I don’t want the judges involved on Saturday night, so you know what I am coming to do.
Ramiro Cesena: like any Mexican fighter, I come ready for a war, so I hope he is, because that’s what I am bringing on Saturday night. We always need the opportunity to show that we have the desire and hunger to become known. As a good Mexican, I feel that this is my stage to move up the levels and show what I can do.
Israil Madrimov: I’m ready, I’ve stayed in the gym for a long time to get a fight and I’m happy to be in Texas, I had a great fight here last time. I fight for my fans, my country and my family. I asked for a World title fight for my pro debut, so I have been ready for the very biggest fights for a long time, but my only focus is Saturday’s fight.
Raphael Igbokwe: I’m excited. I didn’t come here to lose, I’m very confident. I spar World champions daily like Regis Prograis, O’Shaquie Foster, Austin Trout, and taking nothing from him, I know he’s not better than those guys. The plan is to fight for a World title. I’m not here to make up the numbers, I can feel that chance being close.
Marc Castro: I’ve got a tough opponent in front of me, he’s ready and he’s had a proper camp – and that’s what I want, a real hard fight. The fights are won in the gym, I’ve been preparing well, and you’ll see that on Saturday night. I know that I have a great fanbase in Fresno, they back me and I’d love to bring a show to my hometown as a headliner.
Ricardo Lopez: I’ve come here from Tijuana and I am living out my dream right now. On Saturday, I will come known throughout the world and I won’t let anyone take my food off the table – I’ll achieve my dream on Saturday.
Khalil Coe: He’s bringing a lot of power and it’s a step up and challenge for me. I had to take a step back and evaluate my situation, my team. I made some changes for the better, and you can see that I’ve been on the up.
Jesus Martinez: this camp has gone to the next level, and I believe you are going to see that on Saturday night. I’m maturing and really looking forward to putting on a great show. I can’t wait, I’ve got a tough opponent who is coming in off a couple of wins, but that’s just going to bring the best out of me.
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