Below are quotes from the call’s participants:
WBO Jr. Middleweight Champion, Sergiy “Razor” Dzinziruk:
“It makes me very excited to know they think that highly of me. I want to thank HBO for making this fight happen. It’s a lifetime opportunity for me. I’m looking forward to fighting Sergio Martinez.”
“So far, no problems with my weight, and I feel comfortable with this weight. I’m fighting big sparring partners. Yes, I’m a 154-pounder but I’m going to fight at 160 and let’s see what happens. I feel very confident with this weight.”
“I’ve mentioned before that 30 is just a number. I feel like I’m 20 years old and I want to keep fighting and winning titles. I’m very comfortable at my age.”
“I don’t do anything out of the ordinary except live a clean life. I’ve had the same training regimen and have just added to it with experience. The main thing is discipline. If something is not right, I don’t do it. Fighting is my life, my world. All I know is how to box. I make sure my lifestyle – my health – I take care of. I’m healthy. I love fighting and want to win a few more titles. I have great discipline.”
“We have watched (tapes) in the past and more recently of Sergio’s fights. He is a great fighter and a great champion, but there’s nothing special. He is just another fighter in front of me and I hope to win.”
“With Buddy McGirt we have our game plan. We’re not thinking about what Sergio can do, we’re thinking about what we can do. There will be a lot of surprises, lots of pressure on Sergio, (for me) to win the fight.”
Dzinziruk’s Co-Promoter, Josh Roy of Banner Promotions:
“Lou and Team Martinez have reasons to be worried. Everybody knows Lou doesn’t say something like that lightly. Sergiy is the best junior middleweight in the world. He is 37-0 with 24 knockouts. He’s never lost; he doesn’t know how to lose. And it’s not like he’s been protected, he’s 7-0 in world title fights. He has made a concerted effort t to come here (to the United States).”
“I want to credit Lou, Team Martinez and Sergio. He didn’t take a soft touch after fighting Paul Williams. He’s going all out.”
“We have complete confidence in Sergiy. He’s bringing his A game; it’s all he knows. HBO will be pleased with the outcome, how it looks, and it’ll highlight Sergiy as a star.”
“I want to thank HBO, Foxwoods and DiBella Entertainment for the opportunity to get Sergiy this fight, on behalf of Banner Promotions and Gary Shaw Promotions.”
“A lot has been made of weight because Sergiy is a junior middleweight. Sergio was a junior middleweight until (three fights ago when he fought Paul Williams (in their first fight). Essentially, they’re the same weight and have been for most of their careers. It’s not like Manny Pacquiao fighting Oscar de la Hoya.”
Dzinziruk’s Advisor, Harry Kazandjian:
“We’re very excited to be on the air with HBO. As Josh and Lou mentioned, it’s a tough fight for both fighters, Sergio as well as Sergiy. Sergio has proven that he’s the man in the (middleweight) division. We have all of the confidence in Sergiy. There will only be one winner at the end of the night. We wish both, good luck. “
“We hope to win. Sergiy has trained hard and March 12th American fans will see where he’s been all these years. Today is Sergiy’s birthday. We’ll celebrate that a little later, He’s turning 35. A few days ago it was Sergio’s birthday.”
Dzinziruk’s Co-Trainer, James “Buddy” McGirt:
“I want to thank Harry, Sergiy and his camp for bringing me onboard. I respect Sergiy. He said that he wanted to maintain his trainer for the past 37 fights (Olesksander Polishchuk). I said I was here to help, not take anybody’s job. I have no ego and it’s an honor for me to work with guys like him. At the beginning (training together), they looked at me, but as time went on they picked-up everything. I want to thank everyone for the opportunity to work with Sergiy.”
“He (Sergiy) is down with precision punches. You’d think he was a typical European fighter but he isn’t. He has a phenomenal jab and a better left – the difference in this fight. You see guys sparring, no, they’re more awkward than Sergio. It took them a round to figure them out and then Sergiy was dancing to his beat.”
“Sergio Martinezx is a great fighter with great hand speed. We’re working on certain tools to eliminate his speed and make our game plan better than him.”
“The key to defending an opponent with hand speed is to nullify it, not out-speed ‘em. Sergiy has the perfect punch to nullify – his right jab. I heard about it but didn’t believe it until I saw it. The jab controls the temp and makes him (opponent) think and then, it’s a whole different ball game.”
Promoter of “Diamond Elite”, Lou DiBella:
“We have a great event March 12th at Foxwoods. The undercard is terrific with HBO televising the fight between Andy Lee and Craig McEwan in ‘Celtic War’ – top Irishman versus top Scotsman prospects. There’s some tremendous talent on the undercard with Javier Fortuna fighting Golden Boy Promotions’ Derrick Wilson; ‘Boo Boo’ Andrade is one of the best prospects; Thomas Dulorme is one of the best young fighters out there.”
My champion, Sergio Martinez, is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters. He has another beast in front of him for the fifth time in a row. Since the beginning I’ve said I didn’t like this fight. Technically, he (Dzinziruk) is one of the best I’ve seen. The kid is very sound. This is his toughest fight and probably the toughest fighter Sergio has faced. Sergiy isn’t well known here but he is the top ’54 pounder. It’s a terribly difficult fight for Sergio but it’s what he wants. HBO has very good fight. I’m worried but I have faith in my champion who understands the challenge.”
“The $50.00 tickets are completely sold out. Affordable $75.00 tickets are available but I’m anticipating that they’ll be going fast. Tickets are going well.”
Tickets for “Diamond Elite: Martinez vs. Dzinziruk” are priced at $450, $250, $125, $75, and $50 and are available now through the MGM Grand at Foxwoods box office. Tickets can be purchased online at www.mgmatfoxwoods.com, by calling the box office at 1-866-646-0609, or in person at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods box office.
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