Grand Arrivals: Stiverne vs. Wilder plus Santa Cruz vs. Ruiz
“RETURN TO GLORY: Stiverne vs. Wilder” fight week is officially here as WBC Heavyweight World Champion Bermane “B. Ware” Stiverne, undefeated No. 1 challenger Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder, Hallof Fame promoter Don King, WBC Super Bantamweight Champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz and all the fighters on the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) this Saturday, Jan. 17, made their grand arrivals at MGM Grand this afternoon.
Here is what the fighters had to say upon their arrivals in Las Vegas Tuesday:
BERMANE STIVERNE , WBC Heavyweight World Champion
“I really don’t feel any emotions towards Deontay Wilder. The most important thing is for me to defend my world title.
“All the trash talking that he does doesn’t worry me. He doesn’t have anything that I want. I am the champ. This is fighting, this is boxing, this is for real. I keep my concentration on the fight.
“We trained like he was the champion. We didn’t talk about his past experience. We trained like he has gone 12 rounds before.
“I’m here to fight for the people. I fight to inspire people anywhere in the world, that’s my responsibility since I am the world champion.”
DEONTAY WILDER, Undefeated No.1 WBC Heavyweight Contender
“I need to let this beast inside of me out. I am so ready for this fight. We are bringing back the heavyweight division.
“Once I knock this guy out it will be on to the next guy for me. He will definitely go down, I’m going to hurt him bad.
“He has never faced someone with my athletic skills. My athleticism alone is going to hurt him.
“There is no better place to have a fight of this magnitude than in Las Vegas. The fight will be explosive, exciting and I will be bringing this heavyweight belt back to America.
“When you have so much animosity towards someone it makes for a great fight. Everything that I’ve said about him and all he has said about me will be settled on Saturday.”
LEO SANTA CRUZ, WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion
“I am always prepared going into every fight. I never underestimate any fighter because those are the ones that can hurt you.
“When you give them the opportunity they come prepared and hungry because they want to take the title away from you.
“Any fighter is dangerous in the ring; one punch could change a fight. Ruiz is a good fighter.
“I trained really hard for this fight as I always do. I am mentally and physically strong, and I’ve been working much more on my power heading into this fight.”
JESUS RUIZ, Super Bantamweight Contender
“I am very excited to be here. I promise you, come Saturday you will have a new world champion.
“I am motivated and looking forward to this fight. It’s an honor for me to be here and I am grateful for the opportunity.
“He’s [Santa Cruz] a fighter that we’re well aware of. I know his style and the way he fights but we’re ready and prepared to win.
“He is an explosive fighter and so am I. I don’t think either fighter has an advantage over the other. I think you’re going to see two strong Mexican fighters going at it, it’s going to be an exciting fight.”