Duva, Adamek, McBride Offer Last Words Before Saturday Clash

The principals, promoter and content providers had their say for the last time ahead of Saturday's heavyweight clash between Tomasz Adamek, who has a date with Vitali Klitshko on deck, and Mike Tyson conqueror Kevin McBride.

Promoter Kathy Duva: “This is a very important fight and we've seen lots of fighters in this situation look past the guy in front of him. In this situation Tomasz is putting a lot on the line and we really have got to give him all the respect in the world for continuing to stay active and wanting to challenge himself as much as he can, before he gets to that fight he's been working for literally his whole life.”

“This man (McBride) pretty much made a name for himself by scoring one of the biggest upsets ever and ending Mike Tyson's career. We are not taking that lightly at all and nor should anyone else.”

Doug Jacobs, Integrated Sports: “I know there are 2 fights on that night (4/9), but we have the better card, we have the less expensive card and we are on every cable system.”

Jerry Quinn: “I've been reading in the papers where the Adamek corner is planning a fight for September with the Klitschko's but there's an old saying, “It's not over when (until) the fat lady sings.” And that's the way we feel. Kevin is in great condition, we've pulled no punches in this one. He has a conditioning coach, he did a lot of sparring, and he had the hypnotist. That's what he wanted and that's what he got. I think it's going to be a very exciting fight and we welcome everyone to come out.”

Kevin McBride: “This is great opportunity for me to show the world that I am a contender and not a pretender.”

“You know, I did say 'I'm gonna shock the world and beat Mike Tyson', and I did do what I said. I'm not going to say that I am going to shock the world when I beat Tomasz Adamek, but I'm going to upset the world and especially the Polish people because I'm here to win. Talk's cheap and you have to put it together on that night.”

“Everyone says he's fast, he's this, that, and you know I never heard of Tomasz Adamek until I got the word of the fight from Jerry Quinn. Now that I have, I've seen him fight and he's a top class fighter, but I believe I have the equalizer in both hands to win this fight.”

“I haven't done weights in 5 to 6 years and I started benching like 200 pounds, just last week I was benching 425 pounds. I feel so strong and my mind is focused, because I have a hypnotist and he has hypnotized me like he did for the Tyson fight. I'm not leaving any stones unturned. This is a big opportunity for me. It's probably my last chance to show the world that I have what it takes. As a kid growing up I wanted to be the first born Irish heavyweight champion of the world… Adamek is in the way and hopefully after I beat Adamek I get an opportunity to fight for the world title and show the world.”

“On the 9th it's going to be exciting because I come to win and there's only two ways I'm coming out of that ring: one is with my hand raised in victory; and two on the stretcher… I'm coming here to fight and I'm gonna show what Irish pride is!”

“I have watched some of Adamek's fights… There is flaws, but I ain't gonna tell you because on the 9th you're gonna see them. I'm gonna be me own referee and me own judge because I come to win. Saturday night is the night.”

Ziggy Rozalski: “Kevin wants to 'spoil our soup' like he did with Mike Tyson, but when we started our training camp in Pennsylvania I told Roger, don't take him lightly. And Tomasz did not take him lightly; we had a great training camp. We are ready for Kevin McBride.”

Roger Bloodworth: “Training camp was very peaceful. It allowed us to focus, cause we're not taking this man (McBride) lightly at all. Anybody that takes a 6-foot-6, 270 pound man lightly, well he needs to be hypnotized. It gave us a good opportunity to work on a lot of things. I saw a lot of improvement and you'll see that in the ring Saturday night.”

Tomasz Adamek: “I've prepared well with Roger. For 7 weeks we stayed in Bushkill, Pennsylvania.” He added, “Roger trains me a little bit more every day. I've changed my style, I'm more flexible. When you see my first fight in heavyweight (compared) to now, I am much more different. I'm everyday a better fighter.”

“I've never trained the same for every fight, I think in my last couple fights my physical coach gave me more exercise because my body is stronger. I feel very good right now, no pain, nothing. I am at my natural weight, 216 -218. I don't want more because I want to keep my speed.”

“Before my big fight in September I must beat Kevin. I respect Kevin and I am ready. I will give all my fans a good show, because I am a warrior. This is my destiny.”

“A couple years ago we were talking about how some day Tomasz was going to get ready to challenge for the heavyweight title. We are finally getting close to it, but before that happens he has one big challenge. Kevin is not just a challenge, he is a BIG challenge and we mean that quite literally.”

INFO:  

The April 9th card at Newark's Prudential Center features Tomasz Adamek vs. Kevin McBride in the IBF International/NABO Heavyweight Championship fight. There are 6 undercard fights scheduled, subject to change. The Brick City Boxing Series card is presented by Main Events & Ziggy Promotions. Doors open at 6:45pm, first fight 7:00pm.

Tickets are priced at $253, $103, $78, and $53. Tickets are available online at  www.ticketmaster.com,  Charge-by-phone: 1-800-745-3000, Ticketmaster Express 866-448-7849 and Ticketmaster ticket centers. Tickets are also available at Prudential Center's Box Office.   

Adamek vs. McBride will be distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network and Avail-TVN and Canada via Viewer's Choice, Bell TV and Shaw Cable PPV for a suggested retail price of only $29.95

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