Deontay Wilder vs. Luis Ortiz Final Press Conference Quotes
*BROOKLYN *(March 1, 2018) – Unbeaten WBC Heavyweight World Champion *Deontay
Wilder *and unbeaten contender *Luis Ortiz *exchanged words and went face
to face at the final press conference in Manhattan Thursday ahead of their
main event showdown this Saturday, March 3 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays
Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™, and presented by Premier Boxing
Champions.
Also participating in Thursday’s press conference and opening the SHOWTIME
CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT were super middleweight
contenders *Andre Dirrell *and *Jose Uzcategui*, who meet in a rematch of
their May 2017 matchup on SHOWTIME as they fight for an interim 168-pound
world title in the co-feature.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and
TGB Promotions, start at $50 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets,
visit Ticketmaster.com, BarclaysCenter.com, or call 800-745-3000
<(800)%20745-3000>. Tickets for the event can also be purchased at the
American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.
Here is what the participants had to say Thursday:
*DEONTAY WILDER*
“The reason I wanted this fight is not only do I think Ortiz is one of the
best technical fighters in the division, but he’s the boogeyman that
everyone is running from. Champions have avoided him and I’ve always said I
was the best and this is my chance to prove it.
“This result isn’t up to anyone but myself. Every time I get under the
bright lights, I give the fans what they want to see. This is the best
versus the best and that’s what boxing deserves.
“I had all the excuses in the world to run away from this fight after he
failed the test. There are a lot of good, up-and-coming heavyweights out
there, but I wasn’t interested in them. This fight is how I prove that I’m
the baddest man on the planet.
“On March 3, with all the personal things put aside, it’s going to be an
honor to fight Luis Ortiz, man to man and father to father. I know that
family is his motivation, just like it is for me, and that’s why I blessed
him with this opportunity.
“The exciting thing about Saturday night is for everyone to see what I’m
capable of doing. Luis Ortiz is determined to get my WBC belt. This is my
seventh defense of my title and I’ve enjoyed every one. It’s a lot of
responsibility and I take it seriously. You’ll all see on Saturday night
why I’ve said the things I’ve said.
“Everyone knows what I’m expecting Saturday night. I can’t say it enough. I
have knocked every opponent out for a reason. I plan on continuing my
knockout streak. That’s what I do and that’s what I’m best at.
“This is the best fight right here in boxing that can be made. It doesn’t
get any better than this on Saturday night. You have to be here in person,
because you won’t want to miss anything. You never know what you’ll see, but
Saturday night will be bombs away.”
*LUIS ORTIZ*
“I never say anything bad about fighters because inside the ring, anything
can happen. I respect everyone who steps into the ring. This is my
opportunity. This is my time. Deontay is a great champion but this is my
chance.
“Like I always say, this is my time and it’s going to be a great triumph.
This is big for all of Cuban boxing and I will make my country proud.
“This is going to be like two trains on the same track about to collide.
I’m going to win and I’m going to take his belt.
“This is not a video game. This is not using controllers. You have to
actually step into the ring with me on Saturday night.
“Deontay is scared. He’s talking a lot of nonsense. He’s worried about what
I’m going to do. This is my time. I’m going to show everyone.
“I’m 100 percent ready to go. Sparring has been amazing and I’m totally
prepared for Deontay Wilder. Deontay’s biggest mistake is that he talks too
much.
“I looked into his eyes and I knew that I’m not going to lose this
opportunity. I’m going to be the first Cuban and the first Latino born
outside the country to win a title. Saturday night will be historic.
“The public gave me this opportunity to fight for the title and beat you
for your belt. I’m going to make the most of my chance and knock Deontay
Wilder out.”
*ANDRE DIRRELL*
“It was a rocky start for me in our first fight. He caught me with a good
shot in the early rounds, but I was able to fight through it. I started to
dominate the second half of the fight but he had definitely thrown my game
off. I still weathered the storm and made good things happen. This fight is
very deserving of a rematch and I’m looking forward to it.
“This fight right here is one of the beautiful moments we have in boxing.
There were two wrongs that night in the last fight. I’m really happy with
everyone who has made this rematch and gave the sport what it deserves.
“Now Jose Uzcategui and myself both have chances to prove ourselves again.
This is going to be the worst opportunity of Uzcategui’s life. But it will
be the best opportunity for me.
“This is my opportunity to prove all of the critics wrong this time. I’m
not the favorite, and it’s a beautiful thing. I’m going to change every
single mind on Saturday night. I’m stepping up to the plate, and I’m
preparing to hit a home run.
“Virgil Hunter has definitely helped me with my mental game. We’ve worked
on a masterful game plan. Virgil is tough to work with but we did all of
the necessary things we had to in order to accomplish what we have to on
Saturday.
“The next two years or more will be the best years of my career. I’ve been
blessed with an illustrious career. This is a new look for me and I feel
good. I have a very tough, hungry fighter in front of me and I can’t wait
to prove myself.”
*JOSE UZCATEGUI*
“We’re not doing anything differently heading into this fight. I’ve put the
time in at the gym every day to make sure that the fight ends conclusively
this time.
“Before I even got to the ring in the first fight I felt some animosity
from the referee towards me and it kind of led to what happened in the
fight.
“Saturday night you’re not just going to see that I’m a boxer-puncher, but
you’ll see my full power on display.
“I’m happy to be in this rematch. I hope that Dirrell brings action like
he’s talking about on Saturday. I don’t want to chase him around the ring
all night.
“I’m ready to accomplish my dreams, and that involves beating Andre Dirrell
more decisively than last night and leaving no doubt at all who the better
fighter is.”
*LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment*
“Deontay Wilder put everything aside to face one of the greatest amateur
heavyweights in the history of boxing. This fight is happening because
Deontay is that good and he’s that proud. Deontay is ready to prove that
he’s the baddest man on the planet.
“There is a sensational off-television undercard beginning at 5:30 p.m. at
Barclays Center that includes a group of top contenders and prospects. It’s
really a loaded undercard from top to bottom.
“That great undercard includes a woman’s title fight involving Alicia
Napoleon. Everyone involved in this fight has made an effort to have
women’s boxing represented on our cards and I’m proud to be able to deliver
that for fans.
“This will be Deontay’s third defense of his title in Brooklyn at Barclays
Center. He successfully defended against Artur Szpilka and Bermane
Stiverne, with two frightening knockouts. I’m proud to work with Barclays
Center and promote boxing in Brooklyn. This is certainly one of the best
venues for boxing in the world and certainly a venue that is dedicated to
bringing the fans consistently excellent programming inside the arena.
“This fight is getting the kind of reception that it deserves. If you want
to get tickets forSaturday night, I would call now because they’re moving
fast.”
*STEPHEN ESPINOZA, **President Sports & Events Programming, Showtime Sports
Inc.*
“When we have a fight card like this, the network gets a lot of credit but
these fights truly don’t happen unless fighters like Wilder and Ortiz are
ready to take the fights.
“When we announced our schedule back in January, there was one fight that
jumped out to everyone, and it was Wilder vs. Ortiz. They have 67 fights
between them, 67 wins, 0 losses and 62 knockouts. This is part of what
we’re calling ‘March Madness’ on SHOWTIME. All four heavyweight titles, the
top four heavyweights in the world, including Anthony Joshua vs. Joseph
Parker on March 31, facing each other this month on SHOWTIME. There hasn’t
been a lineup like that put together by any network in the history of the
sport.
“The titles are great but these fights are about something else. They’re
about legacy. When people look back and ask, ‘what kind of fighter was
Deontay Wilder?’ This is the fight that they will talk about. More
important than knockouts and unbeaten records, this is why fighters are
remembered.
“Dirrell vs. Uzcategui 2 is good enough to be a main event and they deserve
to have a great stage for this rematch. These are the kind of cards that
people look back and say, were you there that night? If you’re not watching
this card, you’re not a boxing fan. Because this is the best that the sport
has to offer.”
*BRETT YORMARK, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment*
“I can’t tell you how excited I am for Saturday night. People are starting
to realize how viable this sport is and that boxing is a sport on the rise.
We’re thrilled to be a part of it
“Events like Saturday in Brooklyn are why this sport is thriving. It
features a deep card from top to bottom, 50-50 fights and great fighters
with magnetic personalities
“Deontay, even though you weren’t born in Brooklyn, we do consider you our
own. We’re excited to have Luis Ortiz as well, for the first time, on
Saturday night. This is a card from top to bottom that’s incredible and I’m
thrilled to welcome Andre and Jose to Brooklyn.
“The seats are moving really quickly and this should be one of the biggest
fights we’ve had at Barclays Center. We’re very excited for this show and
look forward to seeing everyone there.”
