"He [Rees] is a former champion at light welterweight. He's coming down in weight so he is used to getting hit by strong fighters...I am not about to miss the boulder on this man's shoulders. He is going to be there all night or until I put him to sleep," stated undefeated WBC lightweight champion Adrien Broner, who spoke during the final press conference leading up to his title defense this Saturday against challenger Gavin Rees. Check out what both fighters had to say about the fight and each other.
Adrien Broner, WBC Lightweight World Champion
"What can I say? I'm 23 [years old]. I'm young and I'm getting it.
"I don't underestimate him [Rees]. If we stood face-to-face, I probably couldn't see him, but I respect him as a fighter.
"I respect every fighter because only a boxer knows what we go through once we get into that ring.
"Training camp was great. We don't watch tape. I've never seen him [Rees] fight before.
"They took away my Twinkies during this camp. [Referring to Hostess going out of business.]
"He [Rees] is a former champion at light welterweight. He's coming down in weight so he is used to getting hit by strong fighters.
"I am not about to miss the boulder on this man's shoulders. He is going to be there all night or until I put him to sleep.
"We are going to be eating ice cream in no time.
"This is going to be a fun year for me. I'm not looking past this fight, but I'm ready to fight whoever. We're going to take care of business Saturday night.
"To this day, right now, I could literally leave boxing and be like, 'I did more than anybody in my family ever did.' I could provide for my kids and my family, but I'm not going to settle for that. I'm trying to be the best boxer to ever lace up a pair of gloves. That's my goal.
"I have my own legacy. Everybody has their own legacy. Who knows? Maybe I go all the way up to 154 and win a championship. I know I could do it.
"Put your glasses on because I am going to shine [Saturday night]. Hook, right, goodnight."
Gavin Rees, Former World Champion
"I'm going to knock this [expletive] out Saturday night and I can't wait.
"His attitude stinks man. He shows fighters no respect, but he hasn't even earned the right to do that. What has he done? I've been in the States for five weeks now and American boxing fans don't like him. They tell me they hope I beat him and shut him up. I think he acts like a fool for no reason and no one really likes that.
"Who has he fought? I've seen his fights and half of those guys just stood in front of him letting him dictate the pace of the fight. I'm not going to let him do that. This is the first fight that I have trained away from home because I'm going to show him I'm no walk in the park.
"I've never been stopped. I can take him out in the first round, but I am ready to go into deep water if I have to. Ether way, I have trained hard and will be ready to dictate the pace of the fight and not let him get away with a lot of what other fighters have let him do.
"I have to watch for his right uppercut which he throws from down low, but he's not the best on his feet either. Work rate is going to be important."
David Itskowitch, COO of Golden Boy Promotions
"Adrien Broner's last fight in Atlantic City was a great success. We raised close to $50,000 for Hurricane Sandy relief.
"Adrien [Broner] is known for rapping himself into the ring and getting his hair brushed before his interviews, but he is also one of the hardest working fighters you will ever see. There are no days off for Adrien Broner."
Eddie Hearn, Managing Director of Matchroom Boxing
"This is a huge opportunity for Gavin. Adrien is a great champion.
"Gavin accepted this fight in one and a half nano seconds before even seeing the purse.
"We're extremely confident that we are going to have a massive upset on Saturday night."
# # #
Broner vs. Rees, a 12-round fight for Broner's WBC Lightweight World Championship will take place Saturday, February 16 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, R & R Promotions, sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City and Corona and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.
Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes and service charges, are available for purchase at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.