“Every time you fight, you are at the height of your career.
Corbin Bleu [from High School Musical] is going to sing the
national anthem.
“Thank you for your opinion but let the people be the judge. No
one can kill this fight. These young men want to fight for the
pride and legacy and they have trained to make a statement.
“This fight is for finding the cure for breast cancer and it’s
for every women. Roy walked for them [at a walkathon in his
hometown of Pensacola in October], and Tito jumped on board and
we are fighting breast cancer. This event is about fighting
breast cancer and all women of all color who will hope to be
cured of this disease.
“Roy Jones Jr. found redemption and in his whole career, he has
not been late for one thing we did [promoting this event]. He
worked tirelessly for this fight. Tito Trinidad a hero from
ground zero. He was here for 9/11, just two weeks before he was
to fight Bernard Hopkins. He went to Ground Zero to feed the
rescue workers, the disenfranchised and all the volunteers.
Tito didn’t go home he stayed with the people and part of why he
lost the fight was his working for 9/11 and having to fight
right after that.
“Another magical moment for the Garden like Ali vs Frazier is
what this is. This fight will be talked about and go down in
history as another legendary night in this historic building.”
MARK TAFFET – HBO PAY-PER-VIEW
“We can only imagine how many miles they have run and rounds
they have sparred to get ready for this fight. They have put
themselves through very rigorous training camps. They have
great teams and they are ready. They have promised the fans a
great night of boxing.
“We look forward to Saturday night to a great event and a great
beginning to another fantastic year of boxing.”
MIKE MOLLO
“I’m from Chicago, Illinois, and I left the cold and went to
Miami to train. I am so excited to fight at Madison Square
Garden under two great legends like Roy Jones and Tito Trinidad.
“I called out Andrew Golota and I am glad I got this fight. Now
we are in New York and it’s going to be a great fight.”
ANDREW GOLOTA [Fifth time fighting at the Garden]
“Very nice to be in New York again and I am ready for the win.
I can’t wait to get back into the Garden ring and I look forward
to it.”
ROMAN KARMAZIN
“I am dedicating my first fight in Madison Square Garden to two
Russian New York Police Department officers who died in the line
of duty. They were immigrants like me and they sacrificed their
lives for saving and helping people. I am fighting for them and
our freedom.”
ALEX BUNEMA
“I have had a few chances in the past where I came up short, but
I’m not going to let this opportunity get away from me on
Saturday. This is it for me. I am from Zaire now called Congo.
I am excited to be fighting at the Garden. Roy is one of my
boxing heroes and I am thrilled to be on this card. I have been
here before and I can’t wait for Saturday night.”
DEVON ALEXANDER
“This is a big opportunity and I am only 20 years old. I am
looking forward to being there Saturday. We have been training
for two months and the fact that my fight is on television is an
extra bonus. Come Saturday night, ‘The Great’ is on.”
KEVIN
CUNNINGHAM
[Devon Alexander’s trainer and manager]:
“I feel like Devon is prepared to put on a spectacular
performance. He’s ready to make a huge statement. Don King
needs a new star and on Saturday night he’ll have one.”
DeMARCUS “CHOP CHOP” CORLEY
“Thank everyone for having me here. I am glad I can come back
so soon after my last fight. You will see on Saturday night why
they call me Chop Chop because I am coming back with two hands.”
FELIX “TITO” TRINIDAD
“Good afternoon to everyone. I hope all fighters on January 19
give the people a great fight. It is going to be a great night.
“I am feeling very good with a lot of passion and January 19 I
am going to get another victory. I trained and worked very hard
and I know I am going to win. I am confident in myself and I
can’t wait for Saturday night.”
DON FELIX TRINIDAD
“We are on the road to this big fight and I we are very
comfortable about this fight. We have been training for six
months—very hard—and Tito has trained more than he ever has. He
has the passion. He is in the best condition of his life. We
have a team of 21 people and each one has a role and that is the
reason why he will be in one of the best conditions of his
career. We hear Roy is in great condition too.
“In the past all of his opponents have been prepared quite
well. We had the opportunity to fight other big names for
Tito’s comeback. Don King put other big names on the table.
But we said we wanted the biggest name, and that was Roy Jones.
“We also want one thing that he has. We want to beat our fourth
Olympic gold medalist.
“And the knockout can come in any round. This fight won’t be
decided on who is weaker, one or the other. This fight is going
to be won on will, patience and the desire to win. The fighter
who has the better corner in the ring, and that describes a
victory for Tito Trinidad. I am sorry, Roy, but Saturday night
you will have no break against Tito Trinidad. You are going to
fight against the best Tito Trinidad that any opponent has
fought against.”
ROY JONES JR.—SUPERMAN
“Thank God for being here and I appreciate the patriotism for
you [Tito’s fans] booing me. That’s okay you stand for what you
believe in. But come Saturday night you are going to hate me
more after I beat Felix Trinidad. It’s only me and Tito in the
ring and, unfortunately, I have to give Tito a bad birthday
present.
“I do know that they have trained very hard to fight me. They
know I am a problem. Just like I knew I had a problem when I
was going to face John Ruiz. I worked then just like they are
now. I respect that they know they have a problem in me. And
they say they are in shape. But you should have seen what I did
in my training camp. My trainer’s been telling people about it
because Roy Jones Jr. is all the way back. All I can tell you
is I’m going to be raw on Saturday night. You don’t want to
miss it.”
ALTON MERKERSON [Roy Jones Jr.’s longtime trainer]
“What a great night it is going to be Saturday night. This is
going to be an electrifying fight. These guys are legends and
have accomplished such great goals in their careers.
“But there are other challenges and this is a great challenge
for Roy. I can say this. I have been training Roy since 1993
and I saw Roy do things in our training camp that he has not
done in a long time. You are going to see the old Roy Jones Jr.
on Saturday night and he is going to be great.”