Boxing Insider Notebook: Broner, Theophane, DeGale, Spence, and more…
By: William Holmes
The following is the Boxing Insider notebook for the week of March 22nd to March 29th, covering the comings and goings in the sport of boxing that you might have missed.
Adrien Broner Talks Training Camp, Ashley Theophane, and more..
Adrien Broner is scheduled to face Ashley Theophane on Friday Night on the PBC on Spike from the DC Armor in Washington, D.C. He offered some quotes to the media before his upcoming fight.
“I love training camp in D.C. because it takes me out of my element. I can get rid of the distractions and focus on boxing. The team we have down here brings the best out of me.
“Every fight I tell young guys like Robert Easter Jr. to train like it’s the last fight of your career and the biggest fight of your career. For this fight, the main thing is that it’s just a bigger stage, no other difference.
“I know it’s going to be an electrifying atmosphere with a huge crowd. I’m coming to put on a show. I know that Ashley Theophane is coming to win. He’s not coming to lay down, but we’re ready for anything he can bring.
“Everybody has bad nights. The Porter fight was just one of my bad nights. But we’re back on track, we’re back to being a world champion and I will stay champion after April 1. It’s going to be a fantastic show.
“Floyd knows I can beat his fighter. At the end of the day, he’s doing what’s best for his fighter and that’s getting him a title shot. Boxing is always a punch away from a victory. Everybody has a chance to win but I know I will be victorious. We will put on a great show.
Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto Press Conference Quotes
Victor Ortiz is set to rematch Andre Berto on Saturday, April 30th live on Fox. This bout will be televised live from the StubHub Center in Carson, California.
VICTOR ORTIZ
“This is definitely the next chapter of my boxing career and I want to take full advantage of it. I’m healthy and I’m young and I’m still able to pull the trigger.
“Everyone said I was a ‘tomato can’ who had no business being in the ring with Berto the first time. I had to go to Connecticut to get my belt and my respect.
“I’ve fought a lot of wars. I’ve been in battles. I broke my jaw and my wrist, that’s three years right there. But my will to fight led me back. The more boxing I watched, the more upset it made me. I don’t think the other welterweights are on my level.
“Berto blames me for his downward spiral. He thinks he has a chance this time. Always a good dream to have.
“I’m not going the distance this time. I’m going in 100 miles per hour, full throttle.
“2011 was one heck of a year. The repeat is coming on April 30 because I want another world championship. Berto is a tremendous warrior; I’ll give him that. I’ll be ready and I know he will be too.”
ANDRE BERTO
“I’m excited about this one. April 30 is going to be a tremendous night. I promise you that.
“The fight back in 2011, he got me. He did what he had to do to win. But this time I’m going in extremely focused and ready to take everything that I felt he took from me that night.
“I went to school. I failed the test and now I have the chance to ace it.
“He said it wouldn’t go the distance last time, but I still did and I wasn’t training to my full capabilities.
“My power and speed are still there. I’m glad this fight came about because it’s going to be a great night for the fans.
“I’m not about running my mouth and saying stuff just for the media. I’m going to back it up in the ring.
“I’ve got to show Victor some respect because he beat me the first time. I’m big on being respectful. I respect Victor and the history of Mexican fighters, they put their blood, sweat and tears in there.
“This is what he asked for. So I want to make sure he knows what he’s getting himself into. This isn’t the same situation as last time. So we’ll see it in the ring. Come out on April 30 and see me handle this business.
“When I’m not training I’ve been working on a lot of stuff outside of the ring with About Billions including my new app that just launched and our About Billions merchandise we’ll have on sale at the DC Armory fight night
“The more I win, the more successful I am. I just have to do my thing in the ring and everything will come together.
“All I can say is is don’t blink. Don’t go to the concession stand. It’s going to be an exciting show.”
Mario Barrios Returns April 16th on Spence vs. Algieri Card
On Saturday, April 16th undefeated prospect Mario Barrios (14-0) and top super lightweight contender Luca Giacon (27-1) will compete in separate bouts that highlight the undercard action on Saturday, April 16 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
This card features a Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC Tripleheader headlined by Errol Spence Jr. taking on former world champion Chris Algieri. Additionally, Krzysztof Glowacki will defend his title against former Cruiserweight Champion Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham. Marcus Browne will also be on the televised card and will take on fellow unbeaten Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic.
Other undercard fighters include Heather Hardy (15-0), Golden Gloves champion Chris Colbert (4-0), and Earl Newman (8-0).
James DeGale Workout Quotes
James DeGale is scheduled to return to the ring on Saturday, April 30th live on Showtime in an IBF Super Middleweight Title bout with Rogelio Medina. He recently gave a media workout and offered the following quotes.
“I’ve never disrespected an opponent yet in the ring and I’m not going to start now. Medina has a very good record and that means he is as dangerous and the next man. This is boxing and unless you prepare properly you get found out. I’m not going down that avenue. I’m a winner and what I do is get in the ring and win. That’s what Medina is up against – a world champion and a winner.
“I’m too good for him, too fast, too strong, too quick. I’ll beat him and it is just a question of how. I don’t care how it comes as long as I look good and I give the fans what they want, another winning performance and a reminder that I am the best super middleweight out there operating today.
“I respect Medina, but I belong in a different level and I will show that on April 30.
“I’m looking forward to it because this is another chance to show what I can do in America and it is also a mini-tournament. The winner of my fight faces the winner of Badou Jack and Lucian Bute and that means a world unification clash. I want to clean up the division and I have the opportunity to do that.
“I think Jack will win, but I’ve been in the ring with Bute and I know how strong he is. He is a proper fighter and I would always give him a chance against anyone. I think Jack will be too good for him, but who knows? I hope it is Jack as I’ve already taken care of business against Bute, but I want to unify the titles and that means I will fight whoever is put in front of me.
“I’ve no trouble fighting in the U.S. and never will. I would love to win again and take on the winner of Jack and Bute in London, but that is down the line. What I am concentrating on right now is the next person who is standing in my way and that is Medina.
“I can’t wait to get back in action because I live for fighting. It is in my blood and I know that a win over Medina means a very lucrative fight with Jack or Bute. I’m in this to make me financially comfortable for the rest of my life but above all, I’m in it for the glory.
“The day I became world champion was the best of my life, along with winning Olympic Gold, and I don’t want to be a world champion for a few months. I want to be recognized as one of the greats in the super middleweight division. That means win a title and defend it against all-comers, anywhere and everywhere.”
Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade Signs a New Promotional Contract with Banner Promotions and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing
Arthur Pelullo’s Banner Promotions and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing are pleased to announce the re-signing of former WBO junior middleweight world champion, Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade to a new exclusive multi-year promotional contract.
“We are very happy to have Demetrius re sign with Joe & I,” said Banner Promotions president, Arthur Pelullo.
“We are looking to move forward together with Demetrius becoming one of the major players in boxing. The next step is to win the WBC world title and then to unify all the title belts.”
“We have promoted Demetrius since he turned pro 7 years ago. We believed then, as we do now, Demetrius is one of the most talented boxers in the world. We are all looking forward to a bright future together,”said Star Boxing CEO, Joe DeGuardia.
“We are excited to get Demetrius career back on track and are are looking forward to have Demetrius be a co-promoter for his career. He is excited to get back in the ring as quickly and as often as possible,” said Ed Farris of A-Team Promotions.
Andrade of Providence, Rhode Island has a record of 22-0 with 15 knockouts.
Eric Molina Hopes to Keep His Dream Alive in April 2nd Bout with Tomasz Adamek
Texas heavyweight Eric Molina has a unique opportunity on April 2nd to get back in position to challenge for the world title, as well as keep his dream alive of becoming the first Mexican American World Heavyweight Champion.
Molina will face two division world champion Tomasz Adamek in a twelve round pay-per-view shodown for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title, airing live in North America from the Tauron Arena in Krakow Poland.
Molina (24-3) lost his only world title shot last year to WBC Champion Deontay Wilder and will travel to Poland to face the heavily favored Tomasz Adamek (50-4).
The fight will be available on cable and satellite pay-per-view as well as online at www.gfl.tv and EverSport