With one of the most potentially explosive, must-see heavyweight matchups in recent history less than a month away, hard-hitting WBC World Champion Bermane "B. Ware" Stiverne and undefeated heavyweight contender Deontay "The Bronze Bomber" Wilder participated in a media teleconference call Thursday to discuss their eagerly anticipated heavyweight world title fight on Saturday, Jan. 17 live on SHOWTIME® at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. The two heavyweights were joined on the call by Hall of Fame boxing promoter Don King, President of Don King Productions and Eric Gomez, Senior Vice President of Golden Boy Promotions.
Here's what Deontay Wilder, as well as Senior Vice President of Golden Boy Promotions, Eric Gomez, and Executive Vice President & General Manager SHOWTIME Sports, Stephen Espinoza had to say Thursday:
DEONTAY WILDER, Undefeated Heavyweight Contender & Mandatory Challenger
"I have a chance to shock the world and I just can't wait for it.
"I think this is the most anticipated heavyweight bout in a long time, there's a lot of energy in my home city [Tuscaloosa, Ala.].
"This is my time. This is me! I don't want to be compared to other fighters. I want to build my own legacy.
"I'm not your average heavyweight I go to work all day, every day as if it's my 9 to 5 job.
"I don't get paid for overtime so why go all the way, that's why I finish things early in the ring.
"I don't want anyone to make excuses to me. I don't want people to discredit me anymore. But the time has come to change that.
"I have heard nothing but excuses for my 32 wins by KO and when I get 33, I don't want to hear anything about it.
"I can't let my ultimate number one fan, my daughter, down on Jan17. I'm going to fulfill my promise to her to be world champ.
"I can't wait! I'm so passionate about this fight. I wish it were tomorrow.
"I have no doubt at the end of this fight my hand will be raised as the new heavyweight champion of the world."
ERIC GOMEZ, Senior Vice President of Golden Boy Promotions
"Deontay Wilder finally gets his chance to fight for a world title. He is the number one ranked contender.
"He has won all of his fights by knockout, and is probably the most exciting American heavyweight boxer in the last 20 years."
STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President & General Manager SHOWTIME SPORTS
"It is an intriguing fight and the perfect way to kick off the New Year on SHOWTIME. This fight has been rumored for quite some time.
"The media demand is on par with a [Floyd] Mayweather fight. The Heavyweights are definitely back.
"This is one of the most highly anticipated fights in the U.S. in many years.
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Stiverne-Wilder should be a gripping, intense encounter for as long as it lasts. Neither boxer is a fan of the other and, with a combined 54 knockouts in 58 fights, both heavy-handed heavyweights expect to triumph by knockout.
The 6-foot-7 Wilder (32-0, 32 KOs), of Tuscaloosa, Ala., hasn't come close to putting in a full night's work. He has gone four full rounds just one time since turning pro in November 2008, knocking out all of his opponents all within the four-round range. The 2008 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist and the last American male boxer to medal in The Olympics, Wilder has fought a total of just 58 rounds, an average of 1.8 rounds per outing. He's registered 18 knockouts in the first round and eight in the second.
Tickets for the live event go on sale tomorrow, Dec. 19 at 10 a.m. PT and are priced at $500, $350, $250, $125 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per person with a limit of four (4) at the $50 price range. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
Stiverne vs. Wilder, a 12-round world championship bout for Stiverne's WBC Heavyweight World Title, is co-promoted by Don King Productions and Golden Boy Promotions. Unbeaten WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz defends against a challenger to be announced in the co-main feature. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., and will air live on SHOWTIME (10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT).