Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson final press conference quotes
While the temperatures continue to drop in Manhattan, the heat was certainly felt inside Madison Square Garden during ‘The Ring 6’ final press conference ahead of a marquee main event that will see Teofimo Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs) defend his Ring Magazine and WBO Junior Welterweight Titles against Shakur Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs), who aims to secure his fourth world title in a fourth different weight class.
It all gets underway Saturday night, January 31, live worldwide, exclusively on DAZN PPV.
Ahead of the main event fireworks, the undercard features numerous must-see matchups headlined by WBO #1 ranked Keyshawn Davis (13-0, 9 KOs) in his anticipated return to the ring against Jamaine Ortiz (20-2, 10 KOs) as the co-main event.
Additionally, WBC World Middleweight Champion Carlos Adames (24-1, 18 KOs) will take on Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams (19-1, 13 KOs), while Brooklyn native, Bruce ‘Shu Shu’ Carrington (16-0, 9 KOs) will look to defend his home turf and secure the Vacant WBC Featherweight Championship against veteran, Carlos Castro (30-3, 14 KOs). Heavyweight ‘Big Baby’ Jarrell Miller (26-1, 22 KOs) will also join in on the action against ‘Black Lion’ Kingsley Ibeh (16-2, 14 KOs), and Saudi Arabian prodigy Ziyad ‘Zizo’ Almaayouf (7-0, 1 KO) looks to upend Kevin Castillo (5-2) in a Super Lightweight bout.
Below is what the fighters and their teams had to say ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster night.
Teofimo Lopez
On how his preparation has been going and how big of a challenge it may be for him on Saturday night…
“It’s been very good. Stacy McKinley, our assistant trainer, has been helping out and training me at his gym, alongside my father. The amount of knowledge that’s been bestowed in my skills, and the amount of progress I’ve been creating has really made an impact. I feel very good, excited, determined, and I can’t wait to display that on Saturday.”
On if this is the best he’s felt going into a fight…
“Yes, but more importantly my soul feels great, like a beacon.”
Keith Connolly, Connolly Boxing
On what he’s seen from Teofimo Lopez in this camp…
“I’m super excited, big fight week in New York and nothing like a fight at Madison Square Garden. We’re in the same exact position five, six years ago when he fought [Vasiliy] Lomachenko. He went in and kicked his a**. He’s going to do it again. Shakur Stevenson is a great fighter, but he’s never faced anyone like Teofimo Lopez.”
Shakur Stevenson
On why it matters bringing the kids from New Jersey to Saturday’s fight…
“It means everything to me. I usually do this before a lot of my fights, but it means everything for the kids to get motivation by seeing me fight. They get to see somebody from the same circumstances, but my main thing is to give them motivation.”
On if this fight with Lopez has become personal…
“It’s all business. I’m not treating it that way, but I’m one hundred percent focused and we’ll see on Saturday night.”
On how big of a challenge Teofimo Lopez will be…
“We’ll see. He’s a good fighter.”
James Prince, J Prince Boxing Gym
On what makes Shakur Stevenson unique…
“He’s one of a kind. He’s his own person and a student of the game. He has taken aspects from the great Andre Ward, the great Roy Jones, yet he’s borrowed from all of them and blended it into his own mix. Now, he’s Shakur Stevenson. One of a kind.”
Keyshawn Davis
On how Saturday night’s fight plays out…
“I’m excited, but I don’t want to leave this in the judge’s hands. I like fighting, so let’s do it.”
On what will be different on Saturday night…
“You all will have to see. The amazing Keyshawn Davis, he’s back.”
On how New York and Madison Square Garden brings out his best…
“My first fight after I returned from the Olympics was at The Mecca of Boxing…Madison Square Garden. I had another chance to fight here, but I’ve never fought in front of a sold out crowd. It’s amazing.”
Jamaine Ortiz
On how he’s feeling going into Saturday night…
“I’m feeling great. I’m excited to be here. I’m going to show everybody what I’m made of, and I’m going to get over this hump and take somebody’s old way that night.”
On how much he’s learned from losses and what he’s taking from them into this fight…
“I learned a lot, especially to not leave it [decisions] to the judges. I don’t expect it to go to the scorecards”.
On what he has to do to win this fight…
“I’m going to take out all the tools that I have and show everyone that there’s levels to this. I can do anything I want to do.”
Carlos Adames
On how he’s feeling going into Saturday night…
“In terms of Saturday, I look forward to doing what I always do: going in the ring and doing my job.”
On the kind of fight he is expecting from Austin Williams on Saturday…
“He’s been on a good run because he hasn’t faced me. I hope he’s there to put on a good show for the fans on Saturday night.”
Austin Williams
On how confident he is coming into Saturday night…
“I’m beyond confident…I‘m a showman. I came into this sport to be the best performing artist to ever exist. Eddie [Hearn] knows that and it’s why he gives me these amazing opportunities. Me and my coach, Kevin Cunningham, we’ve achieved the vision in my mind of the fighter I want to be. I’m ready to give the fans the greatest performance they’ve ever seen, something that is special.”
On if the fight will be all action right from the opening bell…
“Absolutely. I came into this sport with an idea to be the most cerebral fighter to exist. I’m fighting for my first world championship at 29. Like I said, I’m here to change the world and show what it means to be a true fighter. I’m excited to put that on display on Saturday night.”
Bruce Carrington
On Brownsville fighters never winning a title at Madison Square Garden and his chances to break the trend…
“This is a dream come true. To all the fans that have been watching me for the start of my pro career, they’ve been waiting for this. To all my fans in Brownsville, this is a long time coming. For me to be a part of that list of Brownsville fighters, it means the world to me. This is my moment and I feel like I have to do it. I’ve been doing so much to make sure I’m overly prepared. I cannot wait until Saturday and you don’t want to miss the Shu Shu show.”
On what kind of fight he is expecting on Saturday…
“I expect the best of them [Castro]. I was offered different guys with different names and lesser opposition, but I want to be great. In order to be great, you have to fight a guy as dangerous as him. This is the kind of opportunity that brings out the best in me. Watch it live on DAZN.”
Carlos Castro
On how confident he is going into Saturday night…
“I’m good. I’m confident. I want to prove that I’m here to take down the best. I’m one of the best fighters out there, and I’m here to take any challenge. I’m not scared, I’m not ashamed, and I’m not going away from any challenge. Bruce Carrington is in my way and he’ll realize that there’s levels to this. This is a dream come true and something that not a lot of people in my hometown will see me doing. I’m here.”
On if fighting in New York means he has to bring a little extra…
“No, because I’m fighting him [Bruce Carrington], I’m not fighting New York. We both have the courage to go in there and fight the best. I’m here to give him my all.”
Carrington-Castro fight previewJarrell Miller
On how he feels being at Madison Square Garden….
“The last time I fought in this room was 19 years ago. I don’t really party, I don’t smoke or drink, and I keep my mind sharp. Coming home to fight in front of my fans and family means so much to me. I beat myself up every day since 2019, but it’s an opportunity to not only fight and show the fans, but show myself and Eddie [Hearn] as well that I’m still with them [Matchroom]. Dealing with Matchroom and Eddie over the years, they’ve shown me respect and they fought really hard to get me on this card. It’s been a lot of hard work, but come Saturday night I’m going to make Kingsley’s [Ibeh] head roll. This will be the first time my kids see me fight live…I’m fired up and I’m coming to whoop some a**.”
On if he thinks Kingsley Ibeh has anything in store for him…
“I’ve travelled all over for fighting…fighting [Daniel] Dubois, so am I afraid of him? Hell no. I do understand the risks, though in the heavyweight division. If you know who I am, every fight I show up. Imagine being a professional as long as I have? I’m from Brooklyn…I’m coming to fight.”
Kingsley Ibeh
On how confident he is that he can beat Jarrell Miller…
“Confident is an understatement. I know what’s going to happen. It’s only a matter of time. I’m not a big talker and I’m not a boxer…didn’t grow up boxing. I don’t have much to say, but if people want to make the fight tonight we can do that. Come Saturday night, we will make it interesting.”
On the key to beating Jarrell Miller…
“You’ll see on Saturday night.”
Ziyad Almaayouf
On him traveling the world and his boxing experiences…
“Legacy, memories, and dreams. I’m thankful to fight at The Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden. How about Saudi Arabia’s first professional boxer who had no ring, no bags, for years and years – how about dreaming about Madison Square Garden then and actually getting there? I need to take this opportunity.”
On what he’s trying to show on Saturday night…
“I’m going to show a lot…the faith put in me. Saturday night I’ll become the first professional boxer from Saudi Arabia to fight at Madison Square Garden. You know how many kids, Arabs and Saudis who see me and dream that they can fight at Madison Square Garden? I’ve been through three training camps. I feel like a super hero. Gotham has Batman…Saudi Arabia has Zizo. Saturday night I’ll make history.”
Kevin Castillo
On how he feels about Saturday night after back-to-back losses…
“I’ve worked many years to be on a great stage like this and to be here at Madison Square Garden, I’m full of energy. I also want to say it’s amazing to be up here with great fighters, but I don’t want this to just be an opportunity, I want to come back and show that I can test myself at this level because I was born for this.”
On what a win this Saturday night would mean for him…
“It would be fantastic. It would mean all the work I have put in through the years was worth it and it would also change the destiny of my life and my loved ones. I want to give everything I have and let my fists do the talking.”
Rick Reeno, CEO, Ring Magazine
On the main event…
“We’re only two days away…two of the biggest stars colliding, and that’s why The Mecca of Boxing is sold out, live and exclusively on DAZN. Shakur – if you talk to any of the oddsmakers he’s a favorite. Teofimo upsets the odds, though. He upset the odds against [Vasiliy] Lomachenko, Josh Taylor, and if he does it again, it will be the biggest of his career. I think Shakur is the better fighter.”
“On the other end, Shakur is one the most talented boxers in the game today, and he’s looking to make history on Saturday night by going for his fourth divisional title. I believe it’ll be the biggest victory of his career because I hold Teofimo higher in regard than the fighters Shakur has fought. It’s an intriguing fight with two of the very best colliding along with The Ring title at stake.”
Eddie Hearn, Chairman, Matchroom Sport
On which fight he is most excited about…
“Firstly, you talk about good and bad memories. That’s what you want and that’s what you get when you come to The Mecca of Boxing. I want to say well done to Matchroom and The Ring team for a completely sold-out event. This is something very special and this place is special. A lot of people say to me, ‘Dream venue for boxing?’ and it’s always Madison Square Garden, so we’re very lucky. I can go down the table – Jarrell Miller. A lot has been said, but this is an emotional return for him. I look at Carlos Adames – a great world champion, and to my left, Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams, who turned professional with Matchroom Boxing. I could not sit here any prouder than Ammo. Everything he went through, the ups and downs, has led to the moment he can win that incredible green and gold belt at Madison Square Garden. Carlos Castro, Shu Shu [Carrington] – You’re all from the same school. Shu Shu – I don’t even represent you and I’m excited for you because I know when you walked through those gym doors as a kid coming up from USA boxing. Keyshawn, you’re a great fighter and you’ve been through your ups and downs as well. To our partners at DAZN, I couldn’t be prouder. We came to this market six years ago and we were ridiculed for fighting on an app. Now, we sit as the global home of boxing. The unrivaled global home of boxing and this card on Saturday night should not be missed. Two of the sport’s greatest talents in the main event…this is what makes the sport great. Tune in live on DAZN for a night you won’t forget.”
On the Shakur Stevenson vs Teofimo Lopez fight…
“This is everything. Everyone talks about making boxing great again, and you’ve got to tip your hat off to Shakur and Teo, because Shakur is dominating the 135 pound division. Both fighters know that there’s money out there, deals out there, to just keep on doing the standard thing, but these aren’t standard guys. These are guys that are chasing greatness in a sold out arena that has hosted Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson and Rocky Marciano. That’s what these guys are after. You know the guy to my left [Shakur Stevenson] at 28 years of age, I say it all the time – he’s a three division World Champion looking to become a four division World Champion at the age of 28 and that’s a phenomenal achievement. Any young fighter getting in the game, I would recommend they look at the way that Shakur Stevenson lives his life and his dedication to the sport, and the same with Teofimo [Lopez] as well. This is a joy as I said to the fighters earlier on the undercard…understand what you’re fighting for on Saturday night. Memories. Top to bottom, the whole boxing world will be in New York on Saturday night. You’ve got the Ring Magazine Awards tomorrow night, live on DAZN around the world. Thank you to both men. This is exactly what boxing needs, and I cannot wait.”
