Fighter Quotes Taken at the Final Press Conference
at the United Center
Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Monte Barrett:
“I want to thank the Wirtz family for hosting the fight in Chicago.  I read the article about you Mr. Wirtz and you are an amazing man.  We had a great training camp and did a little bit of everything to prepare for this fight.  I have tremendous respect for Rahman and I am looking forward to the task at hand.  It’s going to be a great fight and I am going home with the green
belt.

Harold “Shadow” Knight:
“All of Monte’s recent fights have been against guys with winning records and he beat them all.  You look at Rahman’s recent opponents and he’s been fighting a bunch of scrubs.  What makes him think he could possibly beat a ready and able Monte Barrett?  There’s nothing he can do and we’re going to take the fight.”

Hasim Rahman:

“I have total respect for Monte Barrett, his family and his pastor who is here today. But his two trainers who got up here and started talking about me and my career, they are clowns.  For starters, Monte went out and got a “Shadow” (Harold Knight.)  And Shadow is a great name for him as the only thing he’s ever done in boxing is shadow the great Emanuel Steward. Then the
next guy (Donnie Cassett,) I’ve never seen him anywhere in boxing before.

“Everyone says I am overlooking Monte because I’m talking about Klitschko too.  Well the reason I am talking about Klitschko is because the winner of this fight fights Klitschko.  I plan on winning.  It’s called multi-tasking and I know how to do that.

“I am in the best shape of my life.  And I hope they are extremely prepared for this fight.  I am ready for whatever he brings.  All the tricks, antics, everything they’ve been talking about leading up to this fight.  I am ready and I am going to win the fight.  I am stronger, quicker and I am coming right out to knock him out.”

Michele Piccirillo:
“I am back in the United States fighting in another big arena like the United Center.  Years ago I fought at Madison Square Garden and now I am fighting here in Chicago in the biggest indoor arena in the world.

For Mayorga, I have heard everything he has said throughout this entire promotion and I can tell you, he is wasting my time and yours.  He better save his breath for Saturday night because he is going to need it if he thinks he is going to beat me.   I am in great shape and I am going to win
Saturday night.  The championship is mine to win.”

Ricardo Mayorga:
“I love Chicago and the people here. It’s a great place and after Saturday night the people will remember me for one thing.  I am going to score the quickest knock-out Chicago has ever seen.  I am going to knock-out Piccirillo who looks like he doesn’t have any meat on his bones, like they have no food in his house.

“Once I beat him, I am going to go back to the hotel and help him and his team pack their bags so they can go home and make some pizzas!  I hope he brings some Italian beers with him so I can drink one for him after our fight.

“I am the best in boxing and people will remember that Saturday night.  I invite all the people to come to the fight.  I know Vargas is in town and I hope he comes to the fight and sits behind Piccirillo’s corner so when I knock him out, Vargas can get in the ring next.”

Prezemyslaw “Chemek” Saleta:
“I am so happy to be fighting in Chicago in front of all of my Polish fans.  Originally I came here from Poland to fight Andrew Golota in an all Polish heavyweight fight.  Once Andrew got hurt and they offered me the fight with Oliver McCall, I decide to take the fight.  I am looking forward to Saturday night, am in really great shape and will do whatever I have to win this fight against Oliver McCall, who I respect immensely.”

Oliver McCall:
“Last Saturday, I was watching the Joe Louis vs Charley Ritzlaff fight on television and that fight was here in Chicago.  Louis got a first round KO with punches and intensity.  That same intensity will be in the United Center Saturday night.  I hope my opponent fights his best and I plan to fight my best.  I just hope we give you a great show.

“There is so many memories for me here in Chicago.  It’s been 18 years since I fought here.  I have fought both amateur and professional fights here and this fight is special for me.  I am dedicating this fight to Arthur Moore and Phil Burton, my first amateur coach and my first professional coach respectively.  I am sorry it took so long to come back here and obviously
they can’t be with me Saturday but I will have great memories when I step in to this room.”

Miguel Angel Gonzalez:
“I'm ready to fight for this title. I want to be champion again.  I can’t wait to fight and I have trained very hard to face Collazo.  I saw a tape of his championship victory and I don’t think he has the guts or experience to match me. I look forward to becoming champion again.  I wish all the luck to my countryman Terra Garcia too.

“After I win this fight, I’m going after Mayorga next.  He’s a big talker with no skill.  I’ll easily take him out.”

Luis Collazo:
“I can’t wait to be on national pay-per-view television to show everyone my talent.  Since winning the title, I am taking my boxing very seriously and I will show everyone that I am the new Puerto Rican star in the welterweight division.”

Luca Mesi:
“I came here from Italy and I know no one really knows who I am.  By the time I am going home on Sunday, everyone will remember my name.  I hope the Italian community and all Italians visiting Chicago from Italy will come out to the fight.”

Terra Garcia:
“I am a world champion and right now, my problem is Luca Mesi.  But Saturday night, Mesi will no longer be my problem and I will still be champion.”