Moses Itauma vs. Dillian Whyte, the heavyweight important occasion and different fighters on the cardboard participated within the remaining press convention at this time in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia forward of battle evening in ANB Area. The occasion will happen on Saturday, August 16, airing reside worldwide completely on DAZN PPV (12:45 p.m. ET) and is dropped at you in affiliation with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions.
Thursday’s press convention noticed Itauma (12-0, 10 KOs), ranked No. 1 by the WBO and The Ring’s 2024 Prospect of the 12 months, and Whyte (31-3, 21 KOs), the previous two-time interim WBC titleholder, take the microphone forward of their 10-round heavyweight conflict.
Hosted by Dev Sahni, Thursday’s press convention additionally had the remaining fighters on Saturday’s card take to the stage, together with WBA Featherweight Champion Nick Ball (22-0-1, 13 KOs) and the undefeated Sam Goodman (20-0, 8 KOs) who meet in a 12-round title bout within the co-main occasion together with The Ring Ambassador and Japanese junior light-weight prospect Hayato Tsutsumi (7-0, 4 KOs), and former Olympian Qais Ashfaq (13-3-1, 5 KOs) earlier than their 10-round bout. Heavyweights Filip Hrgovic (18-1, 14 KOs), the 2016 Olympic Bronze Medalist, and former British Champion David Adeleye (14-1, 13 KOs) in addition to former WBA featherweight strap holder Raymond Ford (17-1-1, 8 KOs) and former WBC tremendous featherweight challenger Abraham Nova (24-3-1, 17 KOs) traded phrases earlier than their respective 10-round contests. Riyadh’s personal “Mighty” Mohammed Alakel (4-0, 0 KO) answered questions additionally earlier than taking over India’s Yumnam Santosh Singh (3-6, 1 KO) in six rounds of light-weight motion.
Here’s what the fighters and their groups needed to say in the course of the press convention:
Moses Itauma
What are your ideas on taking over somebody you in all probability grew up watching?
“I put the work in and obtained myself to this stage. I really feel like Dillian Whyte is an efficient contender. I’ve respect for each fighter at this desk nevertheless it’s simply enterprise. For a very long time, I didn’t assume this battle was going to occur, however we’re right here and able to rock and roll.”
Whyte has spoken extremely of you, whereas talking down on himself. Do you assume that this can be a technique?
“I feel there’s a rule within the 48 legal guidelines of energy the place you play a sheep to catch a wolf. I really feel like that’s what Dillian Whyte is doing. If he’s or isn’t, it doesn’t matter. I’m going to convey the warmth Saturday evening.”
What kind of battle are you anticipating from Whyte?
“Truthfully, I’m not placing an excessive amount of strain on the result of the battle. I do know my sport plan. I do know what I must do. It’s simply my job to go in there and execute. No matter occurs Saturday evening, let it’s.
Do you genuinely consider this battle can finish early?
We’re all heavyweights right here. Any battle can finish at any level. I’m not delusional. I do know what risk Dillian Whyte poses. I’m not overlooking him, I’m taking this man significantly.”
Any remaining ideas?
“I by no means thought that this many individuals would flip as much as my battle, not to mention a press convention. I’m blessed to be right here and grabbing this chance with each fingers.”
Dillian Whyte
What’s the significance of this battle in your profession?
“I’ve had just a few important occasions, just a few pay-per-view fights, however you realize there’s a lot extra left for me to attain and to chase within the sport. I haven’t actually sat again and checked out my profession and considered this and considered that. I’m somebody who isn’t alleged to be right here, by no means had an ideal beginner profession, no help. I’m a child from Jamaica who has been written off many instances, meant to be useless earlier than I made it to twenty. However right here I’m, doing stuff, so what extra can I say?”
Are you taking part in the sheep to catch the wolf?
“There aren’t any sheep round right here. There are plenty of wolves round right here however no sheep.”
You’ve stated you’re being thrown to the wolves, however they don’t notice you continue to have enamel. How sharp are your enamel going into Saturday?
“Wait till Saturday to seek out out. I’m not going to take a seat right here and say this and that. I at all times come to battle, nothing has modified. I at all times attempt to discover a method to get the victory, I at all times attempt to discover a approach and provides my all within the ring. Nothing has modified.”
What’s the headline going to be about Dillian Whyte after this battle?
“On Saturday we’ll discover out. These guys like to take a seat down and analyze all the pieces, however I’m simply chill. Folks assume I’m some loopy man, however I’m only a chill man. I like to hang around and be chill. But when I get pried, then you realize, shit occurs. However I’m chilled and relaxed. If you happen to depart me alone, I’ll depart you alone.”
Do you may have a message in your opponent on Saturday evening?
“Good luck to you man, and hopefully God makes us each depart the ring protected and sound.”
Frank Warren, Queensberry Promotions
How did we arrive right here and what’s at stake?
“It occurred as a result of these two guys needed to battle one another, they stepped up. Lots of people have been avoiding Moses, a 20 year-old undefeated prodigy at one stage referred to as the most effective prospects within the sport of boxing. He’s firmly established himself. The one man keen to take up the gauntlet was the warrior, Dillian Whyte. We all know he at all times involves battle, he’s been on the scene a very long time, and has improbable credentials. You’ve solely obtained to have a look at him to see how he’s skilled for this battle, the situation he’s in and the psychological perspective he’s obtained. And we thought, let’s get this battle on. That is the battle that the followers wish to see. They wish to see the younger up and coming man towards anyone who’s confirmed himself time and time once more within the ring.”
Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing
You stated that Moses Itauma is a horrible matchup for Dillian Whyte and Moses might certainly look sensational towards Dillian Whyte
“Yeah, I feel he’s obtained the momentum going into the battle…I feel this can be a sneaky good card. Numerous these fights could possibly be important occasions in their very own proper. With our man, Ray Ford, we consider we’ve obtained the highest two 130 pounders on the planet with Sugar Nunes and Ray Ford. I feel they’re on a collision course. Nice battle with Abraham Nova. I like Adeleye towards Hrgovic, I feel it’s an amazing battle. If you happen to haven’t seen this man battle, Sam Goodman, know that the model goes to gel right into a battle of the 12 months contender with Nick Ball. It will likely be a warfare. And Dillian, to my left, who we share plenty of historical past with. Simply the little glint in his eye this week. I feel his again’s towards the wall and I feel he’s a really harmful man when that’s the case. I didn’t assume he’d take this battle, however the truth that he took it tells me one thing. And nearly as good as Moses Itauma is, there’s simply a few questions that he’s by no means needed to reply and I feel that is the person to pose them. So be sure to tune in to the worldwide dwelling of boxing, DAZN, this Saturday for what will likely be an excellent card, an ideal heavy weight important occasion and one other unimaginable evening of boxing in Riyadh.”
Nick Ball
How do you are feeling about his feedback that he can undergo you?
“Boxing isn’t any joke, it’s severe, and while you put 100% in like me, you know the way severe it’s and the way severe we take these fights. I’m wanting ahead to it. I’m glad to be again in Riyadh, defending my belt. That is the place I gained it so it’s a particular place to me.”
What do you consider Sam Goodman?
“I don’t actually know to be sincere. I’m not likely considering an excessive amount of about him. He’s unbeaten, he’s hungry, he’s coming however he’s not coming like me. It’s going to be an thrilling evening.”
Do you are feeling a accountability to carry on to your title as Britain’s solely male world champion?
“Not likely, no. I’ve simply obtained to give attention to myself and do what I do greatest. That’s the principle focus. Whether it is there, it’s good strain. It will likely be in my favor.”
How does this battle go?
“Nick Ball wins. Thrilling.”
Sam Goodman
That is your first battle exterior of Australia, your first correct featherweight battle, and your first world title battle. How are you feeling?
“It’s not my first battle at featherweight, I’ve been there earlier than, I’ve been heavier than featherweight as properly, in order that isn’t something new. However I’ve obtained a great man in entrance of me, and it’s a chance I’ve waited a very long time for. I’ve ready my entire life for this second, and I’m not able to let it slip.”
Are you assured you’ll be able to undergo Nick Ball?
“Would I be right here if I wasn’t assured? I’m right here to win this battle, I’m right here to do a great job on this man. Easy.”
Are you involved that there’s any intel that [Brad Strand] has given away to Ball?
“No, not likely. It’s boxing, he’s going to have to determine the puzzle for himself on battle evening. I’ve many avenues to victory, and I’ll exploit whichever one presents itself on battle evening. There are various strings to my bow, and I sit up for displaying that on Saturday.”
Do you assume Ball has ever confronted anybody such as you?
“He’s been in with good guys, however like I stated, I’m a special puzzle. I do know he’s a troublesome fighter and it’s a troublesome problem for me additionally, nevertheless it’s a problem I’m up for and prepared for and I consider I can win.”
Hayato Tsutsumi
In accordance with Ashfaq, you may have a head that’s becoming a member of to get jabbed off on Saturday evening. How do you are feeling about it?
“I’d prefer to maintain it my approach from the start till the top. I’m boxing my very own model this Saturday.”
What’s you prediction for Saturday?
“I promise you, I’ll make it a KO, so please be excited for me.”
Qais Ashfaq
You’re an enormous underdog coming into this battle, why is that this your time?
“As quickly because the battle got here to me, I used to be glad to take it. It’s simply the best way I’m, I suppose. I’ve been written off all week, all camp actually, however I’ve obtained an ideal staff behind me. I’m humble, all I want is Allah. It doesn’t matter what, it’s all I want and I sit up for displaying it on Saturday.”
Do you see something particular in your opponent?
“He’s obtained two arms and two legs and he’s obtained a head that’s going to get jabbed off, in order that’s all that issues.”
Filip Hrgovic
Do you continue to really feel that he will likely be a stroll within the park?
“Let’s get all the way down to enterprise. That’s it. He’s stated all the pieces. We’ll see on Saturday.”
What did you consider his knockout over Jeamie Tshikeva?
“I feel it was towards the principles. He ought to have been disqualified for that knockout however it’s what it’s. We’re right here now. Let’s do it.”
How do you are feeling about his feedback that Zhilei Zhang knocked you down and when you slip up towards him, he’ll end you?
“Zhang didn’t knock me down. It was a slip, he pulled me. If you happen to watch the tape, it was not an actual knockdown. Dubois didn’t knock me down, it was stopped due to the reduce. I used to be by no means down in my profession. I really feel very sturdy, very assured in coming to destroy this man.”
David Adeleye
Is that this a bounce up in stage for you?
“I suppose this can be a bounce up in stage trigger clearly he’s higher than my opponents I’ve had prior to now. However on the finish of the day he’s one other human being and the one particular person I worry is God. I feel Saturday evening goes to be a great evening for the followers.”
How do you are feeling about Hrgovic’s feedback that you may be a stroll within the park?
“Saturday evening, I’m not going to promote the battle. What am I, second on the cardboard? Saturday evening, everybody goes to see what’s getting on.”
Raymond Ford
You’ve obtained a substitute opponent who’s making an attempt to take this out of the decide’s fingers on Saturday evening. How are you feeling about this one?
“Let’s be actual, we all know he’s not knocking me out, so I don’t know why he’s even making an attempt to hype himself as much as even consider that. He is aware of what I’m coming with, I do know what he’s coming with, and he’s simply merely not on my stage, and I’m going to point out you that I’m the very best fighter he has been within the ring with.”
Are you seeking to do a greater job [than O’Shaquie Foster did against Nova] and ship out a little bit of a message?
“I’m going to. I’m going to place fingers on him all evening till it’s time for him to go dwelling.”
Abraham Nova
Why did you say sure to this battle?
“I took this battle as a result of I’ve been energetic, I’ve been coaching. I wasn’t going to take a seat on the sofa. They gave me the decision and I felt prefer it was the right model of battle for myself. Raymond Ford is a hell of a fighter, however I really feel like I belong on that stage with the elites.”
Will you be seeking to take the choice out of the judges fingers?
“Completely. If you happen to’ve been following my profession and know my story, you realize I’ve had some powerful selections, powerful losses. 2025 is my 12 months to show issues round. I feel it’s going to be a breaking level for me.”
Do you may have a response to Ford feeling that he’s on a totally completely different stage than you?
“He’s a fighter, he’s alleged to really feel like that. All fighters really feel like we’re on completely different ranges. We’re all entitled to our opinion. I’m glad that he’s assured in himself. I’m assured in myself and we’ll discover out Saturday evening.”
Mohammed Alakel
How has your 12 months gone, and the way a lot are you wanting ahead to Saturday?
“I feel it went fairly properly to date, I’ve been coaching actually arduous, and hopefully I can showcase my expertise increasingly more, the extra typically I battle.
How has the transition been switching coaching camps to Abel Sanchez in Huge Bear?
“Coaching camp has been powerful. Hopefully, I can showcase the talents and what I’ve realized coaching with Abel [Sanchez].”
