{"id":64807,"date":"2016-11-16T21:28:59","date_gmt":"2016-11-17T02:28:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/?p=64807"},"modified":"2016-11-16T21:45:40","modified_gmt":"2016-11-17T02:45:40","slug":"badou-jack-james-degale-press-conference-heats-up-floyd-make-it-rain-mayweather-jr-speaks-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/?p=64807","title":{"rendered":"Badou Jack – James DeGale Press Conference HEATS UP & Floyd “Make It Rain” Mayweather, JR Speaks Out"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"image004\"<\/a>Photo credit Tom Casino\/Mayweather Promotions<\/strong><\/p>\n

A star-studded press conference took place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Wednesday, as Floyd Mayweather, along with several New York boxing \u201cambassadors,\u201d signified the return of boxing to New York by announcing the super middleweight world championship unification fight featuring Badou Jack against James DeGale that will take place Saturday, January 14 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn and live on SHOWTIME\u00ae. <\/p>\n

Also announced on Wednesday and featured on the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast is undefeated junior lightweight world champion Jose \u201cSniper\u201d Pedraza taking on unbeaten rising contender Gervonta \u201cThe One\u201d Davis.<\/p>\n

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, start at $25. Tickets are available starting this Friday, Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.<\/p>\n

The press conference signified the return of boxing to New York for the first time since a controversial insurance measure instituted by the New York State Government. Participants were on hand to discuss the exciting doubleheader on January 14 and celebrating the long awaited return of boxing to The Big Apple.<\/p>\n

Here is what the participants had to say Wednesday:<\/p>\n

BADOU JACK<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI think this will be an exciting fight. I\u2019m going to give it my all and he\u2019s going to give it his all. This is a bigger fight than anything we\u2019ve been a part of. He\u2019s going to turn it up and so will I.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow it\u2019s me and DeGale. All the other fights are in the past. We\u2019ve had different results against the same fighters. But none of that matters, it\u2019s time to fight.<\/p>\n

\u201cA real champion can take a loss and bounce back. It shows what kind of person you are. I\u2019ve proven I\u2019m mentally tough.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoxing is not dead. It\u2019s here to stay. There are some very good fights coming up. Probably even more next year.<\/p>\n

\u201cI came from Sweden, a country that has no boxing. Now I\u2019m here headlining in New York for a unification fight. The sky is the limit. I always stay humble and never forget where I came from.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not going to matter what people think on fight night. DeGale is definitely one of the top guys in the division. He\u2019s a road warrior. He comes over here and fights guys in their backyards. He deserves a lot of credit. That\u2019s why this fight is so big. We both want to be great.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like being the underdog. If I\u2019m the underdog in this fight, then that\u2019s perfect for me. There won\u2019t be any excuses when I beat him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just try to stay humble win after win and keep looking forward to bigger and better things. After this fight come talk to me about who is the best in the division.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to compare myself to anyone else but I\u2019ve had a couple of good years. Now we\u2019re working to have two even better years.<\/p>\n

\u201cI made a mistake and got caught in my loss. I was able to bounce back and it made me a way better fighter. It was definitely a blessing in disguise. People are still overlooking me because of it. I look at it as a good thing.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything happens for a reason. I\u2019m very blessed to be here in Brooklyn. This is my second home in America. I trained at Gleason\u2019s Gym in 2009 and now I\u2019m headlining at Barclays Center. It\u2019s amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

JAMES DEGALE<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s here. The big one. The best fighting the best. Number one against number two. Badou Jack is a very good fighter. He doesn\u2019t do anything spectacular, but he\u2019s a compete fighter.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have that X-factor. I\u2019ve lost before and I\u2019m not going to lose again. I\u2019ve come too far in my life to lose this opportunity.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn January 14, Brooklyn is in for a treat. You will not want to miss this one. Make sure you get your tickets.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy people in London can\u2019t wait for me to fight at home. It\u2019s coming. But first I want to take over in America.<\/p>\n

\u201cNew York is one of my favorite cities. It\u2019s a boxing city. I watched Santa Cruz vs. Frampton and it was a wicked atmosphere. I can\u2019t wait to be in there.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very confident in my abilities. I believe I\u2019m the best in the division and one of the best in the world. I\u2019ve been waiting for this fight for a long time and I\u2019m ready to get in there.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think in the last three fights I\u2019ve shown everything. I haven\u2019t been getting the respect that I deserve. I\u2019ve beaten everyone put in front of me. This is what I love to do.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a natural super middleweight. I want to be in fights where people think I\u2019m going to lose. I\u2019ll challenge anybody.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe and Badou Jack are two different fighters. I think I\u2019m going to beat him wide on the scorecards or stop him.\u201d<\/p>\n

JOSE PEDRAZA<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m thankful to everyone here and my people from New York who I know will be supporting me on fight night.<\/p>\n

\u201cI expect this to be a very exciting fight. I\u2019m going to be ready for anything that Davis will bring into the ring. I\u2019m going to take care of business.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very privileged to help with this cause and to help push boxing in New York. I\u2019m going to represent my people on January 14 and I\u2019m very proud of the opportunity.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Davis says he has to be killed to be beaten, then he\u2019s going to have to go down.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m undefeated and I will remain undefeated after January 14. I know Davis is a strong kid, but he isn\u2019t on my level. I am looking to dominate this fight.<\/p>\n

\u201cFighting at Barclays Center is really a dream come true. I know that I will have a lot of support from the Puerto Rican boxing fans and I\u2019m going to train hard to perform for them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry for Davis to be signed for Mayweather, because when I take away his undefeated record, I\u2019m going to feel like I beat Mayweather.\u201d<\/p>\n

GERVONTA DAVIS<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt feels great to fight in Brooklyn for the first time. I\u2019ve never fought in New York and it\u2019s tremendous. I\u2019ll have a lot of hometown fans driving up to here for the fight.<\/p>\n

\u201cPedraza is a tough opponent. We\u2019re going to work hard in camp and be ready to fight on January 14.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy hometown has been backing me for all of these years. On January 14, I get my shot. It\u2019s amazing. I know Pedraza is a great fighter. People will say he has more experience. But I had 206 wins in the amateurs and a lot of titles.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing Pedraza can bring to the ring that I haven\u2019t seen before. I\u2019ve been battle-tested inside the ring and outside the ring.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s going to have to kill me to retain his title. I\u2019m coming home a champion. There\u2019s no doubt about it.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn paper this is definitely my hardest task. We\u2019re both great fighters. I hope he trains hard because I\u2019m training for the fight of my life.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to steal the show on January 14. I\u2019m going to get Pedraza out of there and then work to unify the division against the other champs.\u201d<\/p>\n

FLOYD MAYWEATHER, President of Mayweather Promotions<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re back. What other better city to be in, than New York City? It was always one of my dreams to fight in New York City. I\u2019m glad I\u2019m in a position to put fighters out there to give the fans what they want to see. New York City is the best place for boxing.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor years and years these fighters have worked so hard and dedicated their lives to get to this point. I\u2019m thankful for everyone who is supporting us and supporting our movement.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only thing we\u2019re going to do is continue to build these fighters and help these fighters get to the highest heights. So many people have helped me get to this point, where I can give back to these young fighters.<\/p>\n

\u201cLou DiBella is a guy I love to work with. The boxing business is about working together. Leonard works hard day in and day out to put these fighters in the best position, and I do the same. It\u2019s all about working to get these fighters to the next level.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re here in New York and we want to bring boxing to New York City. This is one of the meccas of boxing. The whole state has embraced me throughout my career.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very proud of Badou Jack. He\u2019s a guy who carries himself like a gentleman. That\u2019s what a true champion does. He\u2019s very respectful, humble and appreciative.<\/p>\n

\u201cBadou Jack is such a hard worker and he\u2019s very appreciative. I remember the position he was in. He\u2019s still very thankful and humble now that he\u2019s in a great position in his life and career.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just happy that I\u2019m able to put fighters in a good position. They then have to take advantage of the position I put them in.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to continue to do fights in this arena and bring championship boxing to New York City. We want to give you great shows again and again.\u201d<\/p>\n

LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a tremendous platform. Coming to New York is something that Floyd has been advocating for. He\u2019s wanted to bring a big event here and come January 14 that\u2019s what the fans are going to get. We have a great night of fights from top to bottom.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is everything for Badou. This is why you lace them up when you\u2019re a kid. This is an opportunity to be the best. He\u2019s the best 168-pounder in the world and on January 14 he\u2019ll have that platform to do it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it comes to unification, you don\u2019t see too many unified champions. The best fighting the best is what it\u2019s all about. DeGale is an Olympic gold medalist and a world champion. He\u2019s fought some very good fighters. Badou will be making his third title defense and there is no better opponent than DeGale.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen two guys come together and they want to determine who\u2019s the best, with everything on the line, that\u2019s what it\u2019s all about.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fans can expect to see Mayweather Promotions go back to Las Vegas with two world champions. One will be a unified champion and one will be the new super featherweight world champion.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a great step-up for Gervonta. That\u2019s what life is about, stepping up and taking risks. That\u2019s why you get into the sport. He\u2019ll have his full arsenal on display on fight night.\u201d<\/p>\n

LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cFans should go out and buy their tickets once they go on sale. There is going to be a show here on January 14. We have lawyers and insurance people on it and we will pay what needs to be paid.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis announcement not only represents a fight announcement, but a call to action to all boxing fans. Boxing needs your help in New York. We need to change or repeal this law that has really shut us down. Even if we can get really expensive insurance for January 14, the small promoters and small fights and grassroots boxing have come to a standstill.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome out to this incredible fight card on January 14. Jack vs. DeGale is as good as it gets. Jose Pedraza is Puerto Rico\u2019s only champion and he\u2019s defending against Gervonta Davis. That is a great fight. The undercard is also going to be terrific.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt also represents boxing trying to take its rightful place back. We\u2019re not sitting back in 2017 and letting our industry be brought to a halt. We\u2019re going ahead and announcing January 14. But we need everyone\u2019s help with respect to making the necessary changes to allow our sport to thrive in this space again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI promoted Badou early in his career and he is a terrific fighter. He does everything well. He\u2019s active in the ring and he makes good fights, and so does DeGale. He comes forward and fights. These two guys are going to throw down. This is a fan friendly main event. With huge significance.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe opening bout features Puerto Rico\u2019s only champion, fighting in front of New York\u2019s huge Puerto Rican community. Gervonta Davis comes right up from Baltimore and it\u2019s a can\u2019t-miss fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

BRETT YORMARK, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to reinforce our commitment to boxing. Not just from a Barclays Center perspective, but from a state perspective. Boxing is very important to the history here in New York and we want that to continue. We want to take a lead position as the sport continues to grow and thrive in the marketplace.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have become one of the premier venues in the country for boxing. We look forward to a very successful 2017. This fight in particular is very important to us. We haven\u2019t had a championship event here since July. Floyd being involved brings a whole different dynamic as well and we\u2019re excited for a tremendous undercard full of Brooklynites.<\/p>\n

\u201cFloyd has been here to the Barclays Center several times and we\u2019re thrilled that he\u2019s back. It\u2019s a pleasure to welcomes Badou Jack and James DeGale to Brooklyn and I\u2019m confident that you will like the Brooklyn crowd.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere has not been a major boxing event at Barclays Center since the July 30 Santa Cruz vs. Frampton card and we\u2019re proud to take the lead on bringing boxing back to New York. We\u2019re excited that January 14 will be the first major boxing card in New York in 2017. We are more committed than ever before to bringing boxing to Barclays Center.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a very exciting time for the building, for the sport and it should be an electric evening for the sport.\u201d<\/p>\n

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive VP & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThis card is unique, high quality and special. You don\u2019t see cards like this every day. These four fighters have made a combined 14 appearances on SHOWTIME. We\u2019re very proud of these four fighters.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo create and deliver special events, it takes commitment. When you\u2019re committed to a cause, special things happen. We\u2019ve done special things with Mayweather Promotions and now we have this great card coming to us.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe four young men on the stage today are some of the most talented and accomplished athletes in the sport. This is the best this sport has to offer. They\u2019re committed to taking on other accomplished athletes. We have four of those fighters here on the televised portion and we have to salute them.<\/p>\n

\u201cNew York City has a tremendous history in boxing. It\u2019s hosted the biggest fights in the history of the sport. Barclays Center has emerged as the biggest and most aggressive supporter of boxing on the east coast. We\u2019re optimistic that there won\u2019t be any holdup getting to January 14.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo network is as committed or as passionate about boxing as SHOWTIME is. The biggest and the best fights are on SHOWTIME. No other network is televising fights like these. Top five versus top five and champion versus champion. There is no better way to kick-off boxing in 2017 than with this great card at Barclays Center.\u201d<\/p>\n

ERIC ADAMS, Brooklyn Borough President<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNow is the call for action. We have witnessed what happens when the call for action is not personified and mobilized. Too many people pass legislation and are focused on the paper it\u2019s written on, instead of the people who are impacted by it. It is clear that New York state is the Empire State where we build empires instead of destroying them and we are destroying the empire of boxing in New York.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we don\u2019t do something about this piece of legislation, then these fighters will no longer have the aspiration to fight in the state that they love. That cannot happen. New Yorkers don\u2019t follow the agenda, we lead the agenda. We must do that to make sure this is done correctly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are going to mobilize and move in the right direction while protecting the fighters. We don\u2019t want to knock out boxing in the state of New York. That cannot happen.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is going to be a great opportunity for these fighters and for Brooklyn and we are thankful to the team at Barclays for putting these fighters on this great stage.\u201d<\/p>\n