Tag Archives: Vyacheslav Glazkov

boxing

BREAZEALE TO JOSHUA: “LET’S DO THIS!”

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Photo c/o of Timothy Hernandez
Upland, California (April 22, 2016) – Nearly three months after an exciting victory in the inaugural Premier Boxing Champions on Fox series, Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale (17-0, 15 KO’s) finds himself sitting on the cusp of a shot at the world title against newly crowned IBF world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (16-0, 16 KO’s). What has transpired for Breazeale in the last four months, has been nothing short of the irony in how he has reached this point to possibly fight Joshua; is his fate as he sees it.

Back in December of 2015, Breazeale was scheduled to fight Charles Martin in a battle of undefeated American heavyweights. Martin then withdrew from the bout to preserve a title shot against Vyacheslav Glazkov in which he later won. Breazeale went on to fight heavyweight veteran Amir Mansour a month later and after courageously getting up from the canvas, stopped Mansour on his stool prior to the 6th round.
“You know, the incident with Martin was really disappointing as we had trained hard for that bout. To show up fight week physically and mentally prepared for the bout and then it’s all of a sudden called off, is just discouraging. But I trusted in my adviser Al Haymon and he put something together for me quickly.”
“Later the Mansour bout was scheduled and it was a tough fight, but I learned a lot from it. During and after the fight, I realized that I had to use basic fundamentals. He caught me with a good shot but I got off the canvas and started to box him. Only the best of best heavyweights get off the canvas and finish the fight the way I did. Mansour was never stopped before and I clearly showed I have the power needed to stop fighters, and after I broke his jaw, I don’t think he’s ever going to want to fight again,” said Breazeale.
Breazeale, was then scheduled to fight Chris Arreola on April 30th and received disappointing news that Arreola had fractured his ankle and could no longer move forward with the bout. “When I first heard about it, I thought to myself not again, and I was upset that another fight was cancelled, but it was a blessing in disguise,” Breazeale said.
Two weeks later, Anthony Joshua would obliterate Charles Martin and claim the IBF world heavyweight title. “Charles Martin got what he deserved and was totally outclassed by Anthony Joshua. Joshua did what he had to do. Martin wasn’t even developed or prepared for the bout. He was soft and slow and you can’t do that in the heavyweight division,” said Breazeale.
Breazeale, who is now ranked #13 by the IBF, is being considered to fight Joshua in his first title defense, and he hopes that he gets a shot at the world heavyweight title and is chosen for the bout. “When I first heard that I was possibly going to fight Joshua for the title I was extremely excited. I have been thinking about this daily. This is an opportunity that every fighter dreams and hopes of. I’m sure Joshua felt the same way when he first found out he was going to fight Martin for the title. The only difference is that I am not going to lay down like Charles did and hand the belt over.”
“Hey Anthony Joshua! LET’S DO THIS! This a great fight for the heavyweight division and the fans. We are both 2012 Olympians, undefeated, and pack a punch. The United States of America versus Great Britain. I want to go back to London and finish what I didn’t in 2012. Instead of the gold medal, I want the IBF title, and I guarantee you I’m bringing it back to the United States where it belongs!,” said Breazeale.
“Here Comes Trouble“
 
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boxing, Showtime Boxing

New Heavyweight Champ Charles Martin Says: ‘My Time to Shine Will Come!’

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Brand new IBF Heavyweight Champion “Prince” Charles Martin (23-0-1, 21 KOs) should be on cloud nine.
In just his seventh year of boxing and slightly over third as a professional, Martin already finds himself the sixth southpaw to have ever won a heavyweight championship after scoring a TKO 3 over Ukrainian top contender Vyacheslav Glazkov last Saturday night, January 16, at the Barclay’s Center in New York.
Winning any world title is an amazing accomplishment that most never reach in decades of boxing. Add in that Martin took out the 2008 Olympic Super Heavyweight bronze medalist to become the second current American heavyweight champion in a suddenly rejuvenated division.
“It feels good,” admits Martin. “I wanted to do it fast. I couldn’t wait,” he explains of his quick ascension. “Some things they say take time but when you’re really determined to do something, you’ll do it as soon as possible.”
With his place already assured in the boxing history books and several lucrative possible showdowns on the near horizon, why isn’t Martin the happiest man on the planet?
It was the way he won.
“I have an empty feeling right now,” said the 29-year-old champion. “I was in front of so many people and it was my time to shine on Showtime and show the world my skills. I felt that he had no power and said to myself that he would be easy work. I knew I was going to have a great night. I was going to KO him and then everyone would love me… but it didn’t happen like that.”
Glazkov stopped fighting in round three due to torn ACL in his knee and Martin was declared the winner of the then-vacant title by way of injury-induced TKO.
“I wanted to win the belt my way,” continued the disappointed Martin. “He would have got knocked out eventually. It was coming to him. I never even got to use my uppercut on him, but it’s all good.”
Humble and extremely likeable, Martin remained polite, post-fight and expressed his condolences to the disappointed Glazkov. However, since that night, Glazkov has gone on to say he had “figured Martin out” and that the championship would have certainly been his had he not been injured.
“Oh my goodness, I’m trying to stay humble about the situation, but that’s so crazy what he said,” said Martin. “If he really thinks that, he’s tripping. Things were about to get a lot worse for him. I promise you, once he started slowing down, my combinations would have started to come out. I was throwing the one/two because he was getting out of the way pretty good in the first few rounds. I was just getting started. I thought I would box him for a while and then start going at him and whip his butt. I promise you I could have. That injury saved him. It broke my heart that I didn’t get to do what I wanted. How does that happen? I was having fun.”
Martin says his team and friends and relatives have been good to remind him the abbreviated ending was out of his control. He also says he’ll take a quick vacation and then get right back to work.
So what comes next for the new American heavyweight champion?
“Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder. I want them both. I want all the best. That’s the next move. My time to shine will come. I’m a world champion now and I can say that the belt is in the right hands. I’m not going to sit around. I want to fight.”
Martin also says that is Britain’s world champ, Tyson Fury, ever points his taunting antics at him, he won’t mind.
“It’s good for boxing for him to do that kind of stuff. I like that. It’s all business. At the end of the day he has no crazy beef with anybody. Nobody choked anybody’s mother. It’s just boxing. You got to get attention somehow. He makes people want to see a fight. We’re in the entertainment and hurt business. It’s definitely a real fight in the ring though. It’s a non-personal thing that very gets personal once they step in the ring with me. That’s two guys’ livelihood in there. That’s our income for our families.”
boxing, Showtime Boxing

WILD NIGHT: DEONTAY WILDER RETAINS WBC HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WITH DEVASTATING  KNOCKOUT OF ARTUR SZPILKA

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CHARLES MARTIN CLAIMS IBF BELT TO BECOME
SECOND AMERICAN HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP
SATURDAY ON SHOWTIME® FROM BARCLAYS CENTER
Don’t Miss The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Replay
This Monday At 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME®
Click HERE To Download Photos From Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
 
Click HERE To Download Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment
NEW YORK (Jan. 17, 2016) – American heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder defended his WBC title for the third time with a devastating ninth round knockout of Polish challenger Artur Szpilka on Saturday night, live on SHOWTIME in front of 12,668 fans at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.   VIDEO HIGHLIGHT: http://s.sho.com/1Rtg0ac
With WBA and WBO Heavyweight World Champion Tyson Fury and Wilder’s mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin watching from ringside, Wilder (36-0, 35 KOs) impressed yet again in knocking out his 35th opponent in 36 fights.
It was a close fight until Szpilka walked into a brutal right to the chin while throwing a wide left at 2:24of the ninth round. Szpilka fell onto his back and remained unconscious on the canvas for a few moments before responding to questions and stating he was fine.  Szpilka (20-2, 15 KOs) was conversing and moving all his extremities, however he was taken to Lutheran Hospital on a stretcher as a precautionary measure.
“He’s doing good,” said Szpilka’s trainer Ronnie Shields.  “He’s awake and knows exactly where he is.  He didn’t want to go to the hospital, but he’s going as a precaution.  It’s better safe than sorry.”
Power was the difference for Wilder, a 6-foot-7 bomber who landed 42 percent of his power shots against the southpaw opponent.  The 30-year-old briefly celebrated his victory before checking to ensure that Szpilka was going to be fine.
“I told him he was a great contender,” Wilder said.  “He came to give his all.  He gave his all for Brooklyn.  I always say two prayers.  I say a team prayer and I say an individual prayer.  I don’t want to hurt a man so he can’t go home to his family. We risk our lives every time we step in the ring.  He’s definitely in my prayers and I hope he’s doing well.
“He was definitely a crafty guy,” continued Wilder. “I haven’t competed against a southpaw in three years.  He was a tough competitor, but you’re fighting for a world title.  It’s not supposed to be easy.  I’m surprised it took that long, but we had 12 rounds and they can’t all can’t be pretty.”
Fury, the outspoken British unified world champion, climbed into the ring after the fight and claimed he wanted to fight Wilder in a unification blockbuster.
“Any time, any place, anywhere.  I’ll fight you in your backyard after I beat (Wladimir) Klitschko again.”
Wilder, the first American heavyweight champion in nearly a decade, dismissed Fury’s antics while promising he was game for a showdown that is undoubtedly one of the biggest fights that can be made in boxing.
“We all know Fury is just a phony,” Wilder said.  “This is just an act.  I’m not scared of anybody.  We’ll come to your backyard.  This is just an act – you’re not a real fighter.  I don’t play.  This isn’t wrestling. When you do step in that ring with me I promise you I will baptize you.
“I would love to fight him next, unfortunately, I have other mandatories due.  Make the date Tyson, I promise you.”
In the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING opener, Charles Martin won the IBF Heavyweight World Championship when Vyacheslav Glazkov suffered a right knee injury in the third round and was unable to continue.  The fight was scored a third round TKO (1:50) after Glazkov told referee Earl Brown that he was unable to continue.
Martin (23-0-1, 21 KOs), who was the aggressor throughout the fight, becomes the sixth southpaw heavyweight champion in boxing history and the second current American heavyweight titlist.
Glazkov (21-1-1, 13 KOs) slipped early in the third and seemed uneasy when he returned to his feet.  The previously undefeated Ukrainian continued fighting, but he fell to the canvas again while throwing a punch.  Replays confirmed that the right knee injury was a slip and wasn’t the result of a connected shot from Martin.  After the fight, ringside doctor Gerard Verlotta confirmed to SHOWTIME Sports reporter Jim Gray that the injury was a torn right ACL.
“I still wanted to fight,” Martin said.  “We trained for 12 rounds and we were going to get stronger as the rounds went on.  He just kind of twisted his ankle, it looked like.  But every time I hit him in the body and his legs were flying.  It’s boxing,. That was a football injury.  I’m sorry for him.  It’s unfortunate he couldn’t continue the fight.
“I want to unify the titles.  We didn’t even fight tonight.  I want another fighter.  I want Tyson Fury.”
A dejected Glazkov pleaded his case for a rematch while being inspected by doctors in his locker room.
“This should have been my belt,” Glazkov said.  “I already had him figured out. I slipped and felt a sharp pain in my right knee and felt it give it out.  I’m very upset. I want a rematch when I recover.”

In non-televised action, Brooklyn’s Adam Kownacki (13-0, 10 KOs) thrilled the hometown crowd with an exciting and dominant victory over Danny Kelly (9-2-1, 8 KOs). The Polish-born fighter used precise hooks and devastating uppercuts to earn the unanimous decision by scores of 80-72 twice and 79-73.
Undefeated Notre Dame alum Mike Lee (16-0, 10 KOs) was sharp in his cruiserweight outing as he stopped Joseph Gardner (11-9-1, 1 KO) 43 seconds into round three. Lee dropped his opponent twice in round three before finishing the bout in round four.
 
Ivan Golub (10-0, 8 KOs) blasted out Juan Rodriguez (12-4, 5 KOs) and scored a TKO victory in the first round. The Ukranian-born fighter now training out of Brooklyn delivered an enormous overhand right that sent Rodriguez down and prompted the referee to stop the fight 2:41 into the round.
Undefeated Polish middleweight Maciej Sulecki (22-0, 7 KOs) dominated veteran
Derrick Findley (22-18-1, 14 KOs) to remain perfect via a stoppage 1:29 into the seventh round. In a fun battle of unbeaten prospects Botisher Obidov (4-0-1, 1 KO) eked out a narrow unanimous decision over Ramil Gadzhiev (1-1, 1 KO) with all three judges scoring the fight 39-37.
Light heavyweight prospect Carlos Gongora  (4-0, 3 KOs) scored three knockdowns before eventually stopping Derrick Adkins (1-1-1, 1 KO) in round four. The final shot was a devastating body shot that ended the fight 1:58 into the round.
Brooklyn’s Julian Sosa (4-0-1, 2 KOs) thrilled his many fans in attendance with a dominant performance on his way to stopping Bryan Timmons (3-7, 3 KOs) at 1:48 into the second round.
Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will re-air on Monday, Jan. 18 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available On Demand beginning this Sunday.
Mauro Ranallo called the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING action with Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and former world champion Paulie Malignaggi commentating and Jim Gray reporting. In Spanish, Alejandro Luna called the blow-by-blow with former world champion Raul Marquez serving as color commentator.
The event was promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Sferis Knockout Promotions and sponsored by Corona. The executive producer of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is David Dinkins Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing.
Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP.  For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @BronzeBomber, @Szpilka_Artur, @BarclaysCenter, @WarriorsBoxingProm and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment,www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter.
boxing, Showtime Boxing

DEONTAY WILDER VS. ARTUR SZPILKA FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

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“I’m hungry. I’m determined. I’m not playing with anybody in 2016. 
My actions will speak for themselves.” – Wilder
 
“I don’t just want to win; I want to win in spectacular fashion.” – Szpilka
 

 
Click HERE For Photos From Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME®
 
Click HERE For Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment
 
BROOKLYN (January 14, 2016) – A dramatic fight week continued Thursday as WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder and bruising Polish contender Artur Szpilka participated inthe final press conference before they enter the ring this Saturday, January 16 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with unbeatensCharles Martin and Vyacheslav Glazkov fighting for the vacant IBF Heavyweight World Championship.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Sferis Knockout Promotions, start at $25, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.comor by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP
Here is what the participants had to say Thursday:
DEONTAY WILDER
“I’m so happy to be here in the ‘Big Apple.’ It’s been over 115 years since there’s been a heavyweight title fight in Brooklyn and you’ve invited your ‘country friend’ to end that streak.
“Everything has happened at the right time in my life. Even the people I’ve met in my career have come at the right time. I still think about the first time I met Lennox Lewis and he took the time out to talk to me and he showed me different techniques. I’ll never forget.
“Lennox was one of those guys that set the standard. He’s a hard act to follow. But I love a challenge. Everybody has had struggles coming up. Now my children are my motivation and that’s what has made me strong physically and mentally.
“Here we are in 2016, with a young champion trying to follow in the footsteps of a great champion to become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
“People who know me know that if I say I’m going to do something, I’m doing it. I am hungry. I am determined. I’m not playing with anybody in 2016. I don’t say things just to sound good. My actions will speak for themselves.
“This is a great card. Two heavyweight title fights in one night. It doesn’t get much better than that. The heavyweight division is exciting again. Having someone like me, it’s only going to get better.
“I take pride in what I do and what I have. I’m very honored to have the WBC belt. I even have the belt tattooed on my body. It’s not going anywhere. But there are more belts that I want. It’s going to be a long journey and a tough path to fulfill. But I’m that man.
“When people say the heavyweight champion of the world, I want one person to be recognized. I wish my opponent and all future opponents good luck, cause they’re going to need it.
“We’re not looking past Artur Szpilka. Things happen due to adrenaline and excitement, but I’m very confident about what I’m going to do on Saturday night. He wants to be the first Polish heavyweight champion of the world. You know he’s coming to make history.
“This is going to be a hard fight, but a fun fight. Everyone who sees this fight, they’re going to get their money’s worth. It’s going to be a great show. I cannot wait. Waiting is the hardest part of boxing.”
ARTUR SZPILKA
“I’m so happy to fight in front of so many great Polish fans. I want to be the first Polish heavyweight champion of the world. I want to do it.
“There’s no pressure on me. The pressure is on Deontay because I just want to be a world champion, he already is.
“I’m not just here to get my paycheck. Everyone who knows me, knows I come to fight. I don’t just want to win; I want to win in spectacular fashion.
“I have a bunch of friends coming in from Chicago but the next 48 hours will be mostly relaxing. I have a couple small training sessions with Ronnie (Shields) but that’s it.
“I know you have to have a great respect for your opponent and I used to have respect for him. But after what he has said about me, I have a problem. You have to prove it in the ring. He has to do it in the ring, not outside the ring. He can say whatever he wants, but we will see it in the ring.
“I will fight hard and after the fight you will hear ‘The New Heavyweight Champion of the World.’ “
CHARLES MARTIN
“I’m so thankful to be in this position. Everyone who put this together and got me here, I owe them everything. I want to thank my mom for making me a strong guy. We went through everything together. We’ve seen it all.
“It’s starting to get real. I can feel my aggression coming out. I’m a Taurus, I’m a bull. I get mean when it’s time to fight. That’s what I want to bring into the ring on Saturday night. Controlled aggression.
“I’m a nice person but when it’s time to go, I have an angry heart.
“I train for every fight like a title fight. Mentally there was nothing to gear up for. I’m strong mentally. I’ve been running up in the mountains and doing a lot of rounds.
“We’re in great shape after being in one camp for eight weeks and then taking a week off before we got back to it. It was a great training camp.
“I’m happy and excited. I’m looking forward to this fight on Saturday and taking what’s mine.
“I’m so sick of talking about what Glazkov does well, I just want to see if he can do it well against me.”
VYACHESLAV GLAZKOV
“Thank you everyone who supports me and loves boxing. This is a big opportunity for me. I’m 100 percent ready. This will be a good fight and I hope everyone is watching.
“I feel good. I’ve trained very hard. I’m very ready for this fight. Everything is in place for me to become world champion.
“Charles is a big guy. He’s a lefty but he hasn’t fought good opponents. He’s a big strong guy, but it’s the heavyweight division. Everyone is strong. This will be a good fight.
“All of my past fights have helped me get ready for this one. I want all of the belts. This is the first step towards my dream.”
LENNOX LEWIS, Former Unified Heavyweight World Champion
“I’m looking forward to the fights Saturday. There are four great heavyweights that I’m excited to see. I’m happy that my WBC belt is looked after so well.
“The heavyweight division is wide open right now. Now it’s time for the guys who were standing by the wayside to show that they want to be the next undisputed champion.”
LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment
“This is going to be a huge event at Barclays Center on Saturday night. There are still some tickets available, but you better run and get them. We just opened up some more tickets today. We could have a record crowd for boxing at Barclays Center and that’s the power of the heavyweight division and the power of boxing when you deliver a great product to people.
“There are two terrific fights in one night. They will be the first heavyweight title fights in Brooklyn in 115 years. We knew we were going to have Deontay Wilder taking on Artur Szpilka. We didn’t initially expect it, but now we have a title fight for a vacant belt as a co-feature. It really makes it a special night.”
STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports®
“SHOWTIME Sports was born on March 10, 1986 with its first telecast of a sporting event, which happened to feature a spectacular 11th-round knockout by “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler. This is SHOWTIME’s 30thanniversary and we’ll be celebrating all year long.
“In keeping with our heavyweight theme, we are featuring our long history with Evander Holyfield and airing some of his biggest fights. Holyfield has fought with us 18 times, the most of any other fighter. If there is a current fighter who can break that record, it’s Deontay Wilder. He’s fought eight times and we’ve seen the progression of his skills.
“I can’t think of a better way to kick off our year than with this doubleheader of heavyweight title fights. For each of these four fighters on this SHOWTIME card, Saturday night represents a lifetime of work and their dream of being heavyweight champion. I’m convinced we’re going to have two memorable fights that will add to the great history of SHOWTIME.
“We have such confidence in this card we’re doing something unprecedented. Not only is it a part of our Free Preview Weekend, but we’re putting the entire telecast on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel. There’s no excuse for anyone to miss it.”
BRETT YORMARK, CEO of Barclays Center
“Barclays Center is in the big event business and it doesn’t get any bigger than hosting two heavyweight world championship fights Saturday night. Brooklyn has a great history with heavyweights but it’s been a long time. Deontay is the perfect person to bring this tradition back to Brooklyn. He’s confident, tenacious and has a big personality. He’s made to fight in Brooklyn.
“Wilder versus Artur Szpilka is the matchup Brooklyn has been waiting for. The Fort Greene section of Brooklyn has a tremendous Polish population and Artur will have a big rooting section on Saturday night.
“This will be our sixteenth event and I expect 2016 to be our biggest year ever. This is certainly an exciting way to kick off boxing at Barclays for 2016.”
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Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP.  For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @BronzeBomber, @Szpilka_Artur, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter, @WarriorsBoxingPromand @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports,www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter
boxing, Showtime Boxing

DEONTAY WILDER & ARTUR SZPILKA WORLD TRADE CENTER PHOTOS

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Click HERE For YouTube Link To Footage Of Near-Brawl Between The Heavyweights During Photo-Op
 
Heavyweights Meet Face-To-Face During Visit To
The New World Trade Center Before They Meet In The Ring
Saturday, January 16 At Barclays Center
Live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)
 
Click HERE For Photos From Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
 
BROOKLYN, NY (January 13, 2016) – WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder and Polish contender Artur Szpilka continued their fight-week activities Wednesday, staring each other down for the first time at 4 World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan.
On Saturday, January 16th the two men meet in a battle for Wilder’s heavyweight world title live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Televised coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and features unbeaten Charles Martin and Vyacheslav Glazkov battling for the vacant IBF Heavyweight World Championship.
Wilder and Szpilka posed for photos on the 57th floor of 4 World Trade Center.  Across from 4 World Trade Center is the “heavyweight champion of Manhattan skyscrapers”, One World Trade Center- standing 1,776 feet tall.
As the event came to a close, Wilder and Szpilka exchanged shoves and verbal jabs and they had to be separated by their respective teams. They will go face-to-face again tomorrow afternoon at the final press conference before Saturday’s championship showdown.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Sferis Knockout Promotions, start at $25, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.comor by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @BronzeBomber, @Szpilka_Artur, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter, @WarriorsBoxingProm and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment,www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP.
Tickets for the live event, start at $25, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.comor by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Purchase before January 1 and receive a 10 percent discount. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
boxing, Showtime Boxing

DEONTAY WILDER VS. ARTUR SZPILKA MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS

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Click HERE For Photos From Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME

 

Click HERE For Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment

 

BROOKLYN (January 12, 2016) – A huge fight week featuring the first two heavyweight world title fights in Brooklyn in 115 years kicked off Tuesday with media workouts at world famous Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn.

 

This Saturday, January 16 at Barclays Center, WBC Heavyweight World ChampionDeontay Wilder will make the third defense of his title against Polish bruiser Artur Szpilka while unbeaten heavyweights Charles Martin and Vyacheslav Glazkov battle for the vacant IBF Heavyweight World Championship. The doubleheader will air live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Sferis Knockout Promotions, start at $25, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visitingwww.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.comor by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP

 

Also in attendance at Tuesday’s workout were local favorites and featured undercard fighters Julian Sosa (3-0-1, 1 KO), Ivan Golub (9-0, 7 KOs) and Amanda Serrano (26-1-1, 19 KOs),who will fight Erika Kalderas (11-1, 4 KOs) in a vacant WBO Female Featherweight World Title fight on Saturday night.

 

Here is what the fighters had to say Tuesday:

 

DEONTAY WILDER

 

“I’m just happy to be here in New York. There’s so much great history, especially in the heavyweight division, in this city so I’m really happy about the opportunity. It’s the media capital of the word and I get to fight at Barclays Center. It’s an exciting time.

 

“2016 is going to be a huge year for Deontay Wilder. The fans are going to be very excited and impressed with what I do this year. I’m not playing around. My goal is to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and whoever has those belts is going to have to deal with me.

 

“We’re on a mission. Everything that has happened has been planned. Everything seems to happen at the right time in my career and my life. I was meant to do this. Boxing was my calling in life.

 

“I consider myself the most athletic heavyweight in the division today. I’ve surrounded myself with good people and they’ve helped me get to this place where I am now. I’m happy for it.

 

“I’m from Tuscaloosa just like the Alabama Crimson Tide and they call Tuscaloosa ‘Home of the Champions.’ There’s no better place to be a champion and I’m very proud of the National Champs.

 

“I’m happy that Szpilka got this opportunity. I’m sure he’s excited and overwhelmed. Most fighters don’t get this kind of chance. At the end of the day though, he’s never faced a fighter like me.

 

“I’m mobile and agile. My accuracy and my power is the best out there. Artur Szpilka is in for a world of pain.

 

“2016 is my year. I mean what I say. I feel it inside of me. Szpilka says he’s ready but he’s just trying to promote himself. I really mean what I say.

 

“This is big for me. Being in New York and making history, that’s a dream come true. I’ve been looking to come to Brooklyn for a long time to display my talent. Barclays Center needs a face and I’m looking to make it a home away from home.”

 

ARTUR SZPILKA

 

“I want to be the first Polish heavyweight champion of the world. I’m ready. This is important for Poland and my Polish fans.

 

“Wilder is very tough. He’s tall and strong. This is boxing. He’s human. I know I can beat him. He makes mistakes and I know what I have to do. I know him. I’ve studied him and I see what he does badly.

 

“I can’t wait. This is so important because the Polish people have supported me so well. I know I will be a hero after the fight. I know it and I believe it. Only four days.

 

“This opportunity to fight for a title and on SHOWTIME is something great. I’m here to make history.”

 

CHARLES MARTIN

 

“Getting to this point is very exciting but it will feel even sweeter when I walk out of that ring with the belt on Saturday. Heavyweight boxing is back.

 

“I’m going to go out there on my A-game. I’m going to box and I’m going to show off my power for everyone.

 

“We want to go in there and figure this guy out. We’re going to break through the barrier and end up on the other side a world champion.

 

“I’ve been doing my normal work in camp. We had some great sparring that got me ready for Saturday night.

 

“I’m not one to talk except when the media brings it out of me, but I definitely prefer to let my hands do the talking.

 

“I feel really good. I’m ready. My body is coming back stronger after training in Big Bear, California.

 

“This is the heavyweight division. One punch can change anything. I’m coming to be the IBF World Champion.”

 

VYACHESLAV GLAZKOV

 

“I’m only going to pay attention to what’s going on in the ring. If I relax I will be successful.

 

“I would like to take care of this bout and then work on unifying all the titles.

 

“My opponent has some skills but I have faced the better opposition. Power alone does not win a fight.

 

“I was always more successful fighting the bigger guys, so I am not worried about his size.

 

“My sparring partners were all perfect in preparing me for this fight. I am very confident in my preparation and it will show on Saturday night.

 

“I’ve seen some video of him. He’s definitely a tall guy. I’ve prepared especially for my opponent and anything he can do in the ring.”

 

AMANDA SERRANO

 

“I don’t care who I’m fighting. I want that belt. No one is going to take it away from me. I’m promising a night of fireworks.

 

“I’ll fight anybody. I’m a fighter at heart. I want all the world titles. I want to be an undisputed champion. Whoever they put in front me, I’m taking down.

 

“It’s an honor to fight at Barclays Center. I’m so thankful to have this opportunity. 2016 is going to be the year of Latino boxing.

 

“I’m thankful for everyone who has supported me and if you stay with me I promise you’ll never be disappointed.”

 

JULIAN SOSA

 

“This is a great opportunity for me on Saturday night and I’m really looking forward to fighting on a big stage like at Barclays Center.

 

“I have big goals in this sport and I know that every single fight is very important to do your best. I’ve trained very hard to get into this position and I’m not going to let it slip by me.

 

“No matter who is put in front of me, I want to excite the fans. I’m going to come forward and get the knockout.”

 

IVAN GOLUB

 

“I’m very excited to fight on such a big card at Barclays Center. It’s the first heavyweight title fights in Brooklyn in 115 years and I’m proud to be a part of that night.

 

“I think I’m going to have to box this guy. Everyone wants to win by knockout and if all goes to plan, that’s what we’ll see.”

 

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Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP.  For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @BronzeBomber, @Szpilka_Artur, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter, @WarriorsBoxingProm and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter

boxing, Showtime Boxing

ARTUR SZPILKA AIMS TO BECOME FIRST POLISH HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, REFLECTS ON SOCCER HOOLIGAN DAYS

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Szpilka Challenges WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder

This Saturday Live on SHOWTIME® From Barclays Center in Brooklyn

 

Click HERE To Watch, Share Or Embed This Video:http://s.sho.com/1ZgecWD

 

Photo Credit: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME

 

Polish heavyweight challenger Artur Szpilka is a reformed man – both in and out of the ring – since joining renowned trainer Ronnie Shields at his gym in Houston.  Szpilka, who was in a “soccer gang” in his native Poland, started working with Shields after suffering the only loss of his career in 2014 and together the team has rallied to score knockouts in all three of their fights.  Check out this video to hear Szpilka and Shields explain their plan to make history this Saturday when they challenge undefeated knockout artist and WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

 

# # #

 

Wilder vs. Szpilka, a 12-round bout for Wilder’s WBC Heavyweight title taking place on Saturday, Jan. 16 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Sferis Knockout Promotions and sponsored by Corona. Opening the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXINGÒ doubleheader, Charles Martin and Vyacheslav Glazkov will battle for the vacant IBF Heavyweight World Championship. The event will be televised live on SHOWTIMEÒ (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. ET) and it will be available in Spanish via Secondary Audio Programming (SAP).

 

Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP.  For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sportsfollow on Twitter @SHOSports, @BronzeBomber, @Szpilka_Artur, @BarclaysCenter, @WarriorsBoxingProm and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports,www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter .

boxing, Showtime Boxing

DEONTAY WILDER VS. ARTUR SZPILKA &  CHARLES MARTIN VS. VYACHESLAV GLAZKOV  MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT

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Lou DiBella
Thank you very much and welcome to the, final conference call for the SHOWTIME Championship Boxing show, January 16 of this new year at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The show will begin at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on SHOWTIME. It’s a world championship, heavyweight championship doubleheader.
These are the first two heavyweight title fights in over 100 years in Brooklyn on the same night, 115 years since the last heavyweight title fight in Brooklyn. And there’ll be two on the same night on January 16 on SHOWTIME.
The first bout will be for the vacant IBF Heavyweight World Championship between Charles Martin and the highest ranked contender in the IBF, former Olympic Bronze Medalist, Vyacheslav “Czar” Glazkov. The main event will be Deontay Wilder, the Heavyweight Champion of the World of the WBC who is defending his title against the very colorful and exciting Artur Szpilka.
We’re going to start with Stephen Espinoza, the man who runs SHOWTIME Boxing and who has put together this great card for us.
Stephen Espinoza
Thank you, Lou. As some of you know, 2016 represents the 30th anniversary of SHOWTIME Championship Boxing. The very first fight at SHOWTIME was telecast on March 10, 1986 and featured Marvelous Marvin Hagler versus John Mugabi. We’ve had a variety of high-profile fighters and fights since.
To kick off our 30th anniversary year, I can’t think of a better way to do it than at Barclays Center in Brooklyn with a doubleheader of heavyweight title fights. There is going to be some explosive action. We have some really entertaining, interesting personalities. In fact, I can’t wait to see what the rest of this all holds.
L. DiBella
I’m going to start with the man who is the leading available contender in the IBF, and he is going to fighting Charles Martin for the IBF Heavyweight Championship. Czar Glazkov, 21-0-1, 13 KOs from the Ukraine originally, now fighting out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He’s a 2007 Silver Medalist at the World Amateur Boxing Championship and a 2008 Olympic Bronze Medalist at Super Heavyweight.
Manager extraordinaire, Egis Klimas is on the call, and he will do the translating for Czar Glazkov. Czar is promoted by Main Events and Kathy Duva of Main Events will be co-promoting this fight with us.
Egis Klimas
Hello, everybody. This is Egis, manager of Vyacheslav Glazkov. We’re very happy to have a title shot, the world title of the IBF. We wanted to thank our promoter Main Events for doing such a good job for bringing Glazkov to this opportunity. I am very fortunate to represent Mr. Glazkov. I’ve been doing it for four years, and this is a big shot for him to become the world champion.
I would like to introduce to you, Vyascheslav Glazkov, the contender for the IBF Title.
Vyaschelav Glazkov
Yes. Hello, everybody. This is Vyacheslav Glazkov. This is a great opportunity for me and a really good chance for me to win the World Championship.
L. DiBella
Charles Martin, 22-0-1 with 20 KOs, born in St. Louis, Missouri, now from Carson, California. Charles is a huge physical specimen at 6’5″. The 29-year-old knockout artist was an accomplished amateur. He won the 2012 National PAL Championship. Charles is something of an unknown commodity to a lot of people. He is the number three-ranked IBF contender and is looking forward to his opportunity and what he thinks is going to be a knockout win against Vyacheslav Glazkov.
Charles, would you like to say a few words, please?
Charles Martin
Yes. I’m so thankful to be in this position and blessed to get a world title shot, and that’s what all boxers dream of. It’s finally becoming a reality to me. I’m not going to let anything stand in front of me of receiving this IBF title. So I will be prepared on January 16th.
I’m up in high altitude right now. I’m in the snow. I’m running in the snow. I’m getting it, grinding with it, and it’s going to all show in the rings.
L. DiBella
Thank you, Charles. Charles is promoted by Warriors Boxing in Florida, so they will also be a co-promoter of this title fight.
I would open it up now to questions for Vyacheslav Glazkov and Charles Martin.
Q
Can you take me through the decision-making process of dropping out of your fight with Dominic Breazeale in December?
C. Martin
I’m glad you asked that because I wanted to do both of the fights. My team is the one that talked me out of it. I was up here making plans to do both. They’re like, yes, yes, you know, that’s right, that’s right. With the conversation with my coaches, I’m like, I can do this fight. I can get this another way. Then I’m lined up right here.
My manager and everybody else, they’re like, “Hey, this is a world title opportunity. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. You fight for a world title. So we’re pulling out. You’re going to back to camp and get this belt.” I guess after a while it sunk in and it started to make sense. And I said, “Hey, you know, whatever. Let’s just do it.” Because anything could happen.
You could get cut or something, any kind of crazy stuff that could have pulled me out of this fight. But I guarantee I was going to knock Dominic out. That’s automatic, you know what I mean? We know each other. I would have knocked him out, for sure.
Q
You’re talking about Breazeale, who you know?
C. Martin
Yes, Dominic Breazeale. I would have knocked him out.
Q
When you did make that decision to withdraw from the fight, did you stay straight through in camp. Did you at least take a couple of days off? Did you do anything over the holidays? Or did you just basically stay in camp and just work all the way through it?
C. Martin
Yes, I took a week off. I took that week off and then we got back to camp. I started back training when I was in L.A.. I live in North Hollywood, so we have a gym right there. These guys they sponsor me and I got a gym right there. Me and my coaches got in there and we were hitting pads and we’re doing workouts, doing pushups and callisthenic-type of movements.
Then we got right back up here into the high altitude, man. We are in Big Bear right now. We’ve been here for a few weeks now. We’ve been up here grinding, man. We’re getting it in. I’m in perfect shape. I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in my life. I’m ready to fight.
Q
When you look at the record of Glazkov, does it make you think to yourself, I better really get rid of this guy because I cannot leave it in the hands of the judges?
C. Martin
I don’t even take the time to think about those kind of things because he’s never been in the ring with a fighter like me. I’m no Cunningham. I’m no Tor Hamer. I’m none of these guys that he fought.
I’m totally a different fighter than he’s ever seen. So come fight night, I’m ready to prove it to the whole wide world. I’m ready to be that superstar. We train like superstars. If you’re going to train mediocre, you’ll be mediocre, and that’s what I see out of a lot of fighters, heavyweights, especially. But we train to be a superstar and that’s what you guys are going to see.
Q
Has everything changed in the mindsets for a fighter like yourself after Klitschko’s loss?
C. Martin
It was going to open up eventually. Klitschko had a very good run. His whole career was outstanding. He’s an awesome fighter. But it’s our time now. There are new fighters on the map. We had big plans to knock him out as well. We wanted to knock him out and become superstars overnight. Everybody got the dream.
It’s here now, man. I get to fight for the IBF World Title. I can’t believe it. Every day I wake up. I think I’m freaking blessed. I’m fighting for a world title. This is crazy. Sometimes it doesn’t even sound right, but it’s real. So I’m going to seize the moment, definitely.
V. Glazkov
Well, I think right now the heavyweights are going to be very interesting because of all the titles getting a split around. There is going to be more champions, and that’s what the fan always like because for many years it was all one person. I’m looking forward to see what is going to be happening in the heavyweight division.
Q
This is for both fighters. I just want to know if one of you, unless there is a draw, wins this title next weekend, are you anxious to unify with either the WBC champion or with Tyson Fury?
V. Glazkov
Yes, of course. This is the dream of every fighter to get all the titles because I truly believe the real champion is whoever is holding all four titles.
C. Martin
Yes, I want it all. As soon as I get this belt, I want to unify. I want everything. I want all the hardware. Look out for “Prince” Charles Martin. I’m here to make a statement and you guys are going to see, finally. I’ve been under wraps a long time but now the world can see me display my skill. Yes, I can’t wait to unify. I want everything.
Q
Charles, do you think that Glazkov is a pretty decent step up in competition on paper from who else you fought? I’d like your assessment of him as a boxer and what you think he brings to the table.
C. Martin
Yes. He’s definitely a step up on paper. His resume reads well. He’s a good fighter. He’s technical, keeping his hands up and stuff like that, has a pretty nice hook. But I got to give you the ups and the downs. He’s a little guy. I’m massive, strong, powerful, elusive. He’s definitely going to be in there for the hardest fight of his life that he’ll ever have.
Q
Czar, you heard what Charles said. He called you a little guy. I’d like your reaction to and what you think of Martin technically. Have you seen tape on him? What do you think of him as a fighter?
V. Glazkov
I respect all of my opponents. Anybody who steps into the ring is doing a very good job. As far as him as a boxer, what can I say? He’s a big dude. He’s a southpaw. I soak up all of his videos. He’s not the standard guy. He’s not a normal guy, but that’s why I’m picking up my sparring partners. That’s why I’m working and preparing for the fighting.
Q
Czar, What’s your prediction for this fight?
V. Glazkov
I’m not going to be saying that I’m going to knock him out. I’m not going to be aiming to knock him out. I’m just going to be fighting and showing everybody my good skills with boxing. If it’s a knockout coming, it’s going to come.
L. DiBella
This is a significant fight. There is a belt at stake. There is an Olympic Medalist fighting a massive American heavyweight, as Charles accurately described himself, and also extremely charismatic and English-speaking American heavyweight that this fight can bring in major new player to the forefront in the heavyweight division. So it’s a very significant fight.
I thank you guys for joining us, and we’ll see you next week.
Now we’re going to move on to the main event of the evening, Deontay Wilder’s third defense of his WBC Heavyweight Championship of the World against Artur Szpilka, who is promoted by Warriors Boxing. If you’ve been following this promotion or listened to our first call, you’ll know that Artur’s English has gotten much better and he’s never at a loss for words nor is he at a loss for confidence.
I know that Deontay is looking forward to fighting a guy that’s looking to bring the fight and is this confident in his own skills and his ability.
Artur, would you like to say a few words to start?
A. Szpilka
Welcome to everybody. The new heavyweight champion is here. You’ll see. I wait for questions.
L. DiBella
Well, the man who believes he is going to be the new heavyweight champion just said a couple of words. Now we’re going to go to the Heavyweight Champion, undefeated Deontay Wilder.
Deontay Wilder
Good evening everyone. Happy New Year. We’re headed into a new year. It’s going to be a hell of a year this year for not only myself but a lot of other fighters as well. There are a lot of things going on in the heavyweight division. The division is definitely alive, and I’m looking to claim it all.
I wish all the heavyweights in the division good luck on their up and coming journeys. And I definitely wish my opponent good luck on becoming the first Polish champion. That is something that has been a hard task to complete for many Polish guys.
He’s not the first to come. It’s going to be difficult for him as well, but I wish him luck. He should be proud that he made it this far, and got this opportunity. So I’m looking forward to January 16, to conquering the world.
Q
How’s training going, Deontay? How’s camp been? How’s your training? Same question for Artur.
D. Wilder
Camp has been wonderful. We’ve had a lot of wonderful guys that come in camp. I’ve always been in shape. That’s always been my motto, that I’m never out of shape. To not have fought a southpaw in three years, and to have a great camp like I’ve had, it’s been crazy.
It reminded me of why I enjoy and love fighting southpaws. I definitely had fun in this camp. I’m looking forward to the fight. I really am. This is my statement year, the start of the year. I’m looking forward to make a statement on Szpilka’s face.
A. Szpilka
Everything is great. Everything is fine. To be honest, I cannot wait to start this whole commotion. Especially I am waiting for the moment that I will be able, for the first time, to look in Deontay’s eyes, and be in the middle of this whole fight week preparation, and fight week craziness.
Q
For each fighter, what is difficult about preparing for the other guy? For Deontay, how different is it facing a southpaw, especially one that kind of fights out of a crouch? And for Szpilka, how difficult is it to prepare for someone who is so tall, and with such reach?
D. Wilder
It’s different levels of what you look at as difficult. Southpaws are my fun people to fight. You know, southpaws are people that pressure me. They are the ones I enjoy the most in sparring and actual fights and stuff like that.
There’s nothing, difficult about the southpaw, other than you’re switching sides with fighters. What you’re used to seeing is just backwards. That’s about it. Everything else is all about your feel, your determination, your IQ in the ring, and what you’re able to do with your ability.
I could put everything I got in the bank on my abilities and skill and will, and what I’m capable of doing in the ring. There’s no other heavyweight in the division like me, especially when it comes into the athletic department. I’m the most athletic heavyweight in the division.
There comes a point in time where it’s enough talking and it’s time to fight, which is what we’re doing now. We’re in the last few couple of words here, and a couple of more days. Then it’ll be time to fight. That way, every fighter has something to say about what they’re going to do.
There comes a time when you have to put forth the action, and actually see whether you’re really just talking to promote yourself, just to sell yourself, or to build your confidence, or build confidence around you, the people that you have inside, or are you the real deal. And I’m pretty sure that I can put every penny on it that I’m the real deal, and what I talk about, I put full action in.
What I’m saying I’m going to, I’ll do it. Everybody that knows me personally knows that if Deontay says he’s going to do something, it’s going to be done. So it’s exciting times, and I can’t wait. I really can’t. I’m in love with boxing. I’m in love with the sport. I love fighting. I love every bit of it and this is just a part of it.
This is the part I hate, just the waiting. And I’ll be so anxious to beat somebody up, just look at their face. This is the part that I hate — the waiting part. I’m ready for the fight. I’m ready to fight. Training is enough. I could have taken off that last little week of training, I didn’t need it.
I’m ready. I didn’t need the last week of training. I didn’t need the last week of strength training. I don’t need that. These guys could have went home. If I wasn’t paying my sparring partners, I would have sent them home.
But I don’t believe in giving out free money, so they had to stay and they had to spar — not to the point that they didn’t give me no work, because they gave me great work. It’s just to the point where I am super-ready. I’m just done, ready.
I’m looking forward to it, and I hope everybody is and everyone who is going to be attending this fight, who all’s going to be attending it or watching it on TV. They’re in for a treat. They’re in for a huge treat, just to start the year off.
I’m excited about the new year, that we get to start it off, make a statement. I want this fight to be already the fight of the year, and this is just the beginning of the year. So that’s what excitement I’m trying to bring to this fight. I’m trying to bring a severe knockout.
I want to get back to my knockout days. My hands were still out of all this time, last year my hand was about 85% when I defended my title. Now it’s, looking back, strong as ever. It’s back to 100%, and I’m looking to go back to where I used to be — four rounds or under.
A. Szpilka
For now I’m just ready to step into the ring. I also like to fight taller fighters. All the time when I’m spending time in Houston with my trainer, this is what we train for. I understand the training is not the actual fight. But I always liked the taller fighters.
Whatever Deontay is saying just makes no sense. I don’t believe in his words, and I will be able to prove it in the ring on the 16th. But for now, it’s just talk by Deontay.
Q
Everybody was just really looking forward to 2016’s Klitschko against Wilder. How disappointed were you when Klitschko just didn’t show up?
D. Wilder
I was very disappointed that Klitschko didn’t show up and do the things that we expected of him and what he was capable of doing. It could be many reasons why that Klitschko didn’t show up, because that wasn’t him as a fighter. Klitschko as a person, his body was there, but as a fighter, something was missing. That isn’tt what we’re used to seeing out of Wladimir Klitschko.
I think Father Time has knocked on his door, and he don’t want to let him in yet. But, I think it’s knocking at his door, and that fight proved it.
There’s talk of a rematch, and I’m going to see the second time around. So some people are still in daze of belief, because they can’t believe what they’ve seen.
Just like my career, many times, people make excuses for me. They say different things; even criticize me because they can’t understand why I’m able to do what I do, and how I do it when I do it. So, it’s the same thing as Klitschko. So we’re going to see the second time around, was this real?
Q
Does it mean extra to you to be fighting in such a new arena in the borough of Brooklyn?
D. Wilder
I’m very happy and honored to be able to be able to fight in Brooklyn. Barclays Center as well with so much rich heavyweight history throughout the state of New York. I’m so looking forward to finally putting my name down in history.
I definitely want to come in in the new year, and not only put history down, but in a great fashion; make a great statement to all the others that are in the division. This is a fine time for me. 2016 is going to be a starting time as well, so just making the whole division back and exciting again.
It’s definitely an exciting time and I’m just happy to be a part of it, and bringing that excitement truly back to the heavyweight division. I may be a country boy, but I don’t think the city’s ready for this boy right here.
Q
My first question is to Szpilka. Where are you guys at right now with the drug testing?
A. Szpilka
I’m still waiting. I’m still waiting. I don’t know why.
D. Wilder
Well I don’t know what he’s talking about. I just went to LabCorp yesterday and got blood drawn for the fight. So this is a championship fight. You’re not going to have a championship fight without being drug-tested. Period. So whether the test is happening before the fight, or whether the test happens after the fight, there will be a drug test.
Q
Is this camp different compared to all the other camps that you guys went through?
D. Wilder
This camp has been one of the most fun camps for the simple fact that I haven’t been involved with a southpaw in like three years. To get my brain back in functioning how to defeat a southpaw, it has been fun. I can’t say challenging, because I had too much fun doing it.
I can’t wait to show you everything that I have to offer. Just as I developing my skill, I develop everything I’ve learned over the years, and apply them in the ring.
Like I said before, I keep saying that I want it to be embedded in you guys’ brains that 2016 belongs to Deontay Wilder, where he will unify the division. There hasn’t been one since 1999. That was Lennox Lewis. Now I must make history. I can’t let any man get in my way from that.
If any man feels that I’m just talk, like Szpilka says, he thinks I’m just talk. There’s never been anything I said that I haven’t done. But we’ve seen him, many times, talk. We’ve recently seen him say the same shit he’s talking about now. And what happened? He ended up becoming the loser.
Everything I’ve said I’ve backed up. That’s why I’m still the champ. That’s why I am a winner. And the thing about it, my 10,000 hours is coming up – of training is coming up (unintelligible). So now I’m coming up four complete fighters now. I understand my abilities and skills inside that ring, and those 10,000 hours is definitely approaching.
I’m looking forward to the world embracing me, and to continue being the heavyweight champ of the world, soon to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
A. Szpilka
Just like I said before, and just like Deontay said before, I also could have skipped the last week of training. Everything is done. Everything is prepared. Right now it’s just waiting. So we’re going to find out who is who on January 16.
Q
I wonder what you think about the fact that you’re fighting in Deontay’s home country, but chances are you’re going to be the one that everybody’s cheering for?
A. Szpilka
There is no doubt that my crowd, the Polish crowd, will be predominant on January 16 in Barclays Center. They will be like additional gloves in the ring for me. They’re going to carry me to be a winner, to be a champion, something special. I’m going to fight also for them.
Q
What would it mean to you to become the first Polish heavyweight to win a world title?
A
This is the most important part of this fight for me, not even to become a world champion. It’s not about that. It’s about to be part of the history; becoming the first Polish heavyweight champion; to be the one when, even after I’m going to be dead, people are going to say, oh, this was the Szpilka guy, the guy who was the first Polish heavyweight champion. This is what I want to do, and this is what I’m going to prove to everybody onJanuary 16.
L. DiBella
Well thank you, Artur, and thank you, Deontay. That’ll be our last question. Once again, the Showtime telecast will begin at 10:00 ET/7:00 PT. But there are tickets still available at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and we urge people to come out.
This is a rare opportunity to see the heavyweight champion of the world defend his title, and to see another heavyweight championship contested — two heavyweight title fights in one night, Barclays Center, January 16, on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing.
Tickets again are at Ticketmaster.com, by calling Ticketmaster; Barclays Center.com; by going to Barclays Center box office. We hope to see you in Brooklyn. Deontay and Artur, we’ll see you next week in Brooklyn, and we look forward to a great event on January 16. Thank you all for joining us.
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Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP.  For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @BronzeBomber, @Szpilka_Artur, @BarclaysCenter, @WarriorsBoxingProm and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports,www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter
boxing, Showtime Boxing

AMERICAN HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION DEONTAY WILDER OPENS UP ON THE STATE OF THE HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION

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Wilder Defends His Title Next Saturday, Jan. 16,
Live on SHOWTIME® From Barclays Center in Brooklyn

 

Sports Emmy® Award-Winning Writer Mark Kriegel meets in New York with undefeated WBC World Champion Deontay Wilder, as the American heavyweight champ looks to continue his path to heavyweight history by putting his imprint on the division one step at a time.

 

“I’m just a different fighter than these guys in the heavyweight division. My athletic skills, the way I move in the ring, my speed, the power that I have, the awkward style that I have. Do I need to say more? These guys know I am very serious about this. Nobody wants to fight [me], they already know what the results will be.’’

 

Wilder is determined to prove he’s the No. 1 in the world. His current focus is his third title defense against Polish brawler Artur Szpilka, but he doesn’t dismiss the constant chatter about title unification.

 

“Keep fighting, sooner or later celebrate. Keep fighting, keep winning, keep knocking guys out. Once you keep doing those things, you can’t be denied, no matter what. I think unifying the titles … Once you have that strong American heavyweight to unify the division, to hold all the titles, that’s when I feel true stardom will come. Once I unify the division, I think it’ll be a dramatic change.’’

 

Click On The Photo or Link Below To Watch Full Interview

http://s.sho.com/1VJDLdp

 

Video/Photo Credit: SHOWTIME

 

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Wilder vs. Szpilka, a 12-round bout for Wilder’s WBC Heavyweight title taking place on Saturday, Jan. 16 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Sferis Knockout Promotions and sponsored by Corona. Opening the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXINGÒdoubleheader, Charles Martin and Vyacheslav Glazkov will battle for the vacant IBF Heavyweight World Championship. The event will be televised live on SHOWTIMEÒ(10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. ET) and it will be available in Spanish via Secondary Audio Programming (SAP).

 

Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP.  For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @BronzeBomber, @Szpilka_Artur, @BarclaysCenter,@WarriorsBoxingProm and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment,www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter .