“It’s retirement time . Whoever loses this fight is finished.” – DeGale “There’s nothing he can do in that ring that I can’t handle . I’m going to box his head off.” – Eubank Showtime Championship nkhonya® Begins Live At 3:45 p.m. ET/12 :45 p.m. PT Dinani PANO Pakuti Photos; Mawu a: Ian Walton/SHOWTIME LONDON – February 21, 2019 – Former two-time super middleweight champion James DeGale and former world title challenger Chris Eubank Jr . faced off at the heated final press conference on Thursday for their 12-round showdown that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING this Saturday , February 23 moyo Showtime (3:45 p.m. ET/12 :45 p.m. PT) from The O2 in London . DeGale (25-2-1, 15 Ko) and Eubank (27-2, 21 Ko) will finally settle their long-running score when the two outspoken rivals meet in London . In the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING co-feature bout , Olympic Silver Medalist and top prospect Joe Joyce (7-0, 7 Ko) will measure against former WBC Champion Bermane Stiverne (25-3-1, 21 Ko) in a 12-round heavyweight clash . Anaumba awiri magawano dziko ngwazi, Chris Eubank Sr. , was in attendance and not shy about stating this is not going to be an easy fight for his son . “This is a 50/50 fight and for the first time I am petrified of what the outcome can be . I am petrified that Junior may not win this fight ,"Iye anati. The event is promoted by Poxon Sports and presented by Premier Boxing Champions . Joyce-Stiverne is promoted in association with Ringstar Sports and Don King Productions . The doubleheader will air live in the U.S . exclusively on SHOWTIME and on ITV Box Office in the U.K . Veteran broadcaster Brian Custer will host the doubleheader from London with combat sportscaster Mauro Ranallo calling the action ringside alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein . Three Hall of Famers will round out the telecast team – Emmy ® award winning reporter Jim Gray , boxing historian Steve Farhood as unofficial ringside scorer , and world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr . Here’s what the fighters and their respective camps had to say during Thursday’s press conference at Intercontinental at The O2 : JAMES DEGALE: “I vacated my title for fights like this . Chris Eubank has been calling my name for a long time and finally I get a chance to punch him in his face . “I have no respect for him . None . This guy is a diluted idiot . And on Saturday night I can’t wait to deal with him . I’m going to come and give it to him properly . He can’t box . We’ve all heard this before . “This is the biggest fight of his career . It’s retirement time . Whoever loses this fight is finished . It’s do or die on Saturday…His retirement fight is here . It’s his last fight , Ndikukutsimikizirani kuti. “I’m proven . Ine ndakhala ndiri kumeneko, izo. I’ve won everything . He’s done nothing . And I’m going to retire him . “Eubank is a tough fighter , iye ali wamphamvu. He has a lot of good attributes , but I’m too good for him . To mix it up and go to the very top you need more than strength and toughness . Every time he’s stepped up , he’s lost . “The fear of losing is because I know what’s on the line . This is do or die . If I can’t beat him , if I can’t beat Chris Eubank Jr. , Ndathana nazo. “A lot of people think I’ve seen better days . A lot of people think I’m on the decline . I’ve had issues in the past , but I can honestly say I’m fully fit . I’m in the best shape I’ve been for a long , nthawi yayitali, physical and mentally . When I feel like I feel no one can beat me . “If I can’t beat Chris that means I’m shot , that means I’m over the hill.” CHRIS EUBANK JR. :“This guy is a bum . He talks a good game . He’s going to have a good go , but at the end of the day I’m going to be too much for him . “We are both at a stage where we can’t lose . We are both fighting for our careers . He knows he can’t handle me . He’s asking himself , ‘Can I survive ?’ And the answer is absolutely not . “There’s nothing he can do in that ring that I can’t handle . I’m going to box his head off . “I’ve got a full time trainer now . For the first time in my career , I have a trainer day in and day out focusing on strategy to prepare me for what James is – a slick southpaw . That’s why I’m so confident . If he wants to run , we have the gameplan . If he wants to stand and swing , we have the gameplan . We have a plan for everything . “What matters is that James’ career is over in a few days . I sent him a message after he lost to [George] Groves saying he needs to keep up because we are going to fight one day . And now that we’re finally here I look into his eyes and I don’t see a confident guy . “It’s my time . I’m expecting the best he’s ever been and that’s still not going to be enough . “I’m a world-level fighter . Anyone in the boxing game knows that . This is my opportunity to prove that once and for all to set the record straight and prove I’m the real deal . I know this is a defining fight in my career . It is do or die and I’m ready for that . “James knows what’s coming . Pamapeto pa tsiku, his last performances haven’t been up to par , but i don’t think he respected his [past ] otsutsa. He respects me , and I respect him and that’s why this is a real fight . “I’ve been in the game for a long time but this is just the beginning of a long journey for me . This is my biggest fight . Ndili ndi kupambana. Ngati ine kupambana, I’m back on the world stage . Beating James DeGale sets me up for a world title which is the whole reason I started in this game.” Jim MCDONNELL: “There are levels to boxing . Chris was a good prospect coming through but he’s not on the same level as James . He’ll find out what it takes to be a world champion . James DeGale is levels above Chris Jr . “Chris may have all the drive he needs but he doesn’t have the skills to beat James DeGale . “I know James is not losing . James DeGale is probably the best British fighter I’ve seen in my country.” CHRIS EUBANK SR. :“I’ve seen the pinnacle of James and it’s intoxicating . With Chris , not everything I’ve said has been applied . It may have been heard , but not applied . What I said works . I wouldn’t have 19 championship wins if it didn’t . “I’m not convinced [Chris will win ] because James DeGale has pedigree . Being an [Olympic ] Gold Medalist and former world champion is real . I respect the man’s abilities . Junior hasn’t . “My son looks at the physical aspect of boxing and , from a physical point of view , I don’t think there is anyone who can stand with him . But boxing isn’t just physical – it’s also spiritual , and that’s where Junior lacks . I don’t know whether he has that . “This is a 50/50 fight and for the first time I am petrified of what the outcome can be . I am petrified that Junior may not win this fight . “This is the wisdom of someone who has been here . You never underestimate your opponent based on past performances . Anyone who thinks this guy is on a slide because of past performances is making a mistake . “From a physical aspect , Junior has the upper hand . From a spiritual aspect and pedigree aspect , James has the upper hand , and that’s why this is a 50/50 nkhondo. “I do know Chris has learned and let’s see what is produced . It can be a brilliant fight.” PAULIE MALIGNAGGI: “I like our chances . I know the guy that I have been in camp with . The things I’ve seen , I like . They are much more positive this time around . “You can’t underestimate a guy like Eubank . He always comes to win . Koma, regardless of the gameplan , there is a certain mentality and my guy has it . He’s a Gold Medalist and he knows what mentality to bring on Saturday . “James has won two major world titles , an Olympic Gold Medal . Chris has had some good wins but when he went to that elite level , he lost . Chris is a good fighter but he’s not beaten this level of opposition.” # # # Kuti mudziwe zambiri ulendo www.SHO.com/Sports , subscribe to the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel , follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing .
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