ShoBoxers Talk Before Tonight's Fights

WEIGHTS: Marcus Johnson (20-0, 15 KOs) – 170 pounds; Dyah Davis (18-2-1, 9 KOs) – 169.25 pounds; Danny O'Connor (14-0, 3 KOs) – 137.75 pounds; Gabriel Bracero (14-0, 1 KO) – 140 pounds; Willie Nelson (16-0-1, 3 KOs) – 145.75 pounds; Vincent Arroyo (10-1, 7 KOs) – 144.75 pounds.

Here’s what the fighters had to say on Thursday, one day before the exciting tripleheader on ShoBox: The New Generation LIVE on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West coast).

Marcus Johnson:
“I don't feel like Davis is anything special. He's not his dad. I don't care about legacy. I don't care about any of that. I just have to fight him.

“To prove myself as a top super middleweight, I would fight (Lucian) Bute. I'd fight in Canada if I had to.

“I've got the same mentality as my last fight: knock him out. He's a safety first fighter but I'll push him to the limit.”

Dyah Davis:

“At this stage, I don't need softees. It's not going to propel me. Fighting tough opponents, this is the route we're comfortable with.

“I've never tried to trade on my father's career and I won't now. When I'm in the ring with Marcus, it will be all me.

“This is my life. This is a business. And I'm here to take care of it. That's why I am here — not to trash talk.”

Danny O'Connor:
“Bracero can study as much film on YouTube as he wants, nothing is going to change. If that makes him feel better, then fine. But I have plans to show him some stuff he hasn't seen before.

“I'm a problem for anybody. I'm really good with angles and technique. Anything can happen in a fight. It's an adapter sport.”

Gabriel Bracero:
“I have the strongest support system. My mom is here. My family came to the fight. I've got people flying in from New York. I'll have my fans.

“I think I am a decent fighter, a good fighter. But it doesn't matter what you want to call it. It's about how bad you want it when you get in the ring. This is a big opportunity for me and I will take it.

“I just fought a real tough power puncher. I've beat tougher guys than O'Connor.”

Willie Nelson:
“It's Arroyo's job to say things like I haven't fought a warrior like him. I'll fight whatever fight he wants. If he fights clean, we'll fight clean but if he wants to fight dirty, so will I.

“I want to fight Shawn Porter. I'll do it whenever, the future, the past or now.

“Arroyo has never faced a guy at my height. He won't be used to it. Think about it, everyone I fight is shorter than me. I'm used to it. He's not.”

Vincent Arroyo
“Willie can say whatever he wants about me. He is the one that's nervous. I'm coming to war.

“I spoil clean records, period. If he thinks I'm a stepping stone, just wait until he gets to the ring and realizes he is in a real fight.”

Promoted by DiBella Entertainment, the “Rumble on the Rio” will originate from the Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo, Texas. 

Curt Menefee will call the action from ringside with Steve Farhood serving as the expert analyst.
Gordon Hall is the executive producer of ShoBox with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

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