Richardson Hitchins vs Gustavo Lemos final press conference quotes
Below are a selection of quotes from the Richardson Hitchins vs Gustavo Lemos final press conference ahead of a stacked night of action at BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on Saturday night (April 6), live worldwide on DAZN.
Richardson Hitchins: “This is my fourth fight with Matchroom and second headlining, my life has changed tremendously since that guy that was sat at the table going back and forth with Montana Love. I was saying that I was the best fighter on that card and that I should be headlining, and I have worked hard and spoken that into fruition.
“At this point I can say that I have been here already, even before I was signed with Matchroom, I’ve said it numerous times before – I’ve beat former World champions, guys that were big punchers, guys that were undefeated; he has never been here. This is a whole different level. He’s never been punched in his face; I’ve been punched in my sh*t hard coming up.
“Everybody he’s fought had terrible records, it’s different when you get in with me, it’s a different type of game. Power isn’t going to win him this fight, being aggressive and trying to go to the body, that’s not going to win you this fight. It’s going to take him having that mind, experience and skill set to try to compete with me.
“I expect Saturday night to be a whitewash, and for me to show that I’m on a whole different level. The only thing that can save him in this fight is his heart and if he can take a punch, and I’ve seen him hurt with bums.
“I’ve never been down in my career and never been hurt, thank god, but we’ll see what happens on Saturday but I just feel that I’m on a whole different level, up there with the Devin Haney’s, Subriel Matias’, Shakur Stevenson’s, the top level guys; I’m the cream of the crop type of talent and you have to start talking that like because I go out there over and over and prove it, I dominate.
“If this guy comes out the way he’s been coming out in his last fights, like the way he fought Lee Selby, it’s not going to go good for him. Lee hurt him in the third round, and I ain’t Lee Selby – he was 35 years old and coming up from 126lbs. This guy has never fought anyone, I’m going to step on him on Saturday and I won’t lie, Eddie, I’m robbing you, this is free money, it’s easy, you are just making my bank account look bigger.
“I’ve proved myself already. It’s time to get to that world stage. I’ve proved myself with the Jose Zepeda’s, Argenis Mendis’, John Bauza’s – I’ve proved myself and I’m going to keep proving myself every time I go out there.
“I will beat whoever you put in front of me. Subriel Matias, Devin Haney, Teofimo Lopez, Pitbull; whoever you put in front of me, I will get the job done.
“When you get in there with me, fighters don’t look the same. I’m not one of the guys Lemos has fought, Devin has fought; I’m not going to just receive punches or just be there; there’s going to be some sh*t coming back at you, there’s going to be a lot of thinking that you are going to have to do in there.
“My focus is on Gustavo Lemos, not Devin Haney, we’ve got to get past Saturday night just like I’ve had to get past all the other fights I’ve had.”
Gustavo Lemos: “We’ve had some great support from Argentina, and we’re fully prepared for this big fight and great opportunity.
“Hitchins is in front of me and in the way of my path at the moment, so we hope we can get through this, and we hope that the public and fans enjoy the show on Saturday.
“We have come to win, and I do my talking inside the ring. It feels like my opponent likes to do a lot of talking outside the ring but let’s see if he’s still speaking inside the ring, that would be beautiful if he’s still speaking inside the ring.”
Diego Pacheco: “I want to thank God, my team, Matchroom, DAZN, and everyone for this amazing opportunity to be here once again in front of all you guys, it’s a blessing. I’m super confident in the work that I’ve put in for this camp, I’m getting better, I feel the sharpest I’ve ever been right now, I’m just ready to go on Saturday night. I’m 20-0 and ranked in the top ten in every sanctioning body, so I am just ready and excited for everything that is to come. I’ve got a tough opponent in front of me on Saturday night, I’ve prepared for that and I’m ready for it.
“I’m locked in on the guy in front of me. I have to get past him before I can think about the future fights and that’s what I’m focused on and what I’ve been working for. I’m extremely motivated and excited for this fight and to be able to showcase my talent again in Las Vegas, it’s an amazing opportunity and to have a lot of talent on the undercard too, I’m so happy to be here and ready to put on a great show for everyone.”
Shawn McCalman: “I can say me and my team we walk into this very confidently, we accepted the fight with no doubts and we’re just continuing to present ourselves that way; confident and calm and we’ll go into the fight the same way.
“It’s a big fight and opportunity, one that I believe I’m ready for and will capitalize on come Saturday night.”
Galal Yafai: “It’s good to be here in Las Vegas, you’ve put me on some great shows like New York and now Las Vegas, this is another box ticked, but it’s all about winning, looking good and that’s all I care about.
“I’m sick of my opponents because they are all tough! But I just have to do what I do. He’s tough, he’s good, he’s got a big fan base, but I don’t care about any of that. I’ve got to go out and do what I do.
“I always look at the other fights. Sunny Edwards is a good fighter. I don’t want to try and mention his name this week to try and get some clout because I know what he’s like. Let me get through this fight and then I can think about them fights after.”
Agustin Mauro Gauto: “I have to thank my promotional team and Matchroom as well for the opportunity. It’s true that I’m a very experienced fighter but I also know that he’s very experienced in terms of the amateur field, so we’re very prepared for this fight.
“On Saturday you are going to see a surprise result, but what I will say is it will be a great fight without doubt.
“I want to thank all the Argentinian fans, I’m really delighted and grateful for the support, but now it’s about becoming known in America and making a name for myself here.”
Skye Nicolson: “As soon as Serrano wasn’t going to be the person I was going to be fighting for this belt, Mahfoud was obviously the next option, the next best, and we want to fight the best, and beat the best to show that I am the best. So I am very excited for this fight.
“It’s a great privilege to be fighting for this belt, my amateur career was my amateur career, but I want my pro career to be its own and I’m really ready for this.
“I’m turning around Australian boxing this weekend 100 per cent.”
Sarah Mahfoud: “I’m going all the way on Saturday and I’m really looking forward to this fight with Skye.
“I don’t know if it was success against Armando Serrano, I lost the fight, but I am here to become World champion again. I learned a lot from the Serrano fight, and I am coming back stronger, and I’ve worked hard to be here.
“I’m so happy to be here in Las Vegas, it’s the biggest experience of all, everything is so big, and the fight is going to be big too.”
Marc Castro: “I feel good and I’m thankful to be here. We’re looking to get the win over Abraham on Saturday.
“We’re moving as a unit, Eddie Hearn, Keith Connolly, my dad, and we’re ready to go capture my first belt.
“I expect him to be ready, he always comes ready, so I’m prepared for it.”
Abraham Montoya: “You can expect the best version of me – I’m come for another victory in my career.
“The win over Lopez was an opportunity that I got to fight in my home city and one we took on with full gusto, as I will for this fight. We’ve prepared really well and we’re ready for whatever comes in the ring.”