Holyfield-Oquendo presser!
November 9, 2006
Evander Holyfield and Fres Oquendo met the press for the final time today at Sunset Station in San Antonio in advance of their pay-per-view clash Friday night at the Alamodome. Here's what they had to say:
Evander Holyfield: "I'm honored to be here in San Antonio today and have the opportunity to display my talent. I look forward to putting on a good show Friday night. Everyone will see my talent and be able to decide for themselves. At age eight, I was told that I could be the world heavyweight champion if I never quit and I never have. My goal is to be the undisputed heavyweight champion again. Fres can be champ, but, after me. It is my season now. In 2008 it will be all over for me. So I must do it now. Friday night I'll be a little better than Fres. I hope you all can make it here to the Alamodome or pay $44.95. Thank you."
Murad Muhammad, Promoter: "The whole world will be watching the Alamo City and, just like at the great histroic battle, Evander Holyfield is drawing a line in the sand and saying, 'I am the world's best heavyweight. I will become a five-time champion.' Let whosoever feels they can beat this legend come forward. Evander is like Pan Am because he makes the going great. He is like Delta Airlines, he is ready when you are. And he is like Coca-Cola because, in boxing, Evander is The Real Thing. We thank such San Antonio legends as Red McCombs, Jesse James Leija and Tejano music legend Little Joe for stepping to the plate to support this magical event."
Fres Oquendo: "I thank God for this opportunity. The San Antonio media has been fantastic in helping support this show. I want to thank Evander for this opportunity also. I honestly became a big fan of Evander's when I saw him beat Dwight Muhammad Qawi when I was about eight. I'm a worthy person of winning this fight and winning the world title. I dedicate this fight to my late mother-in-law. This business is a supreme sacrifice. I'm positive and determined to win. Thank you."
Ronnie Shields, Holyfield Trainer: "Training Evander is a great experience for me. You can talk about anything, but it's about will. Evander has it. He really is the Real Deal."
Golden Johnson: "This is a great opportunity for me to fight here in San Antonio. We all know what happened to Oscar Diaz the last time he stepped up in competition. He got beat up by Ebo Elder and lost the fight. This is going to be a lot of fun. I'm in great shape and ready to go."
Oscar Diaz: " It's a big honor to fight on this card. I'm glad Golden accepted this fight. I've been training hard for four months. I give blood and guts in every fight. If you throw one punch, I'll throw 10 back. There is no quit in me. You'll see an exciting fight between Johnson and me. I'll show the world who I am. James Leija was the champion here. I'll be the next champion from San Antonio. You'll have to kill me to beat me. Bring it on Golden."
Lou Duva (Trainer of Diaz) "I'm glad to be back in San Antonio, my second home. The people here are fight fans. After the Whitaker-Chavez fight, all the fans we ran into late into the night said Pernell won the fight. They were all Mexican. I have been everything in this sport but a round card girl and I might try it after Oscar beats Golden Friday night. Leija and Johnson can say all they want, but my guy (Oscar Diaz) will win the fight. Oscar has become part of the Duva family. Oscar will be the welterweight champion of the world."
Gabriel Elizondo: "I want to thank Murad Muhammad for this opportunity. I'm prepared for Navarro. I have a lot of respect for him. It will be a tough fight. I plan to do my best"
Jorge Navarro: "I'm happy to be here to fight again in San Antonio. Elizondo is a great fighter. This is a fantastic card. I want to thank Evander Holyfield also for this opportunity. This will be a great fight between Elizondo and I."
Red McCombs (Major Sponsor): "I'm proud to be a sponsor of this fine event. Nothing gets the city of San Antonio recognized like our proud boxing history. I remember Evander fighting here in the Alamodome as an amateur. It was the first event ever in the Alamodome. I'm happy to be here. Thank you."
Little Joe (King Of Tejano Music): "I'm glad to be a part of this event. I'm real excited about it. I hope San Antonio and South Texas fans support the show like I think they will. I'm a big fight fan. Thank you."
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