Efe Ajagba (16-1, 13 KOs) of Ughelli, Nigeria and Stephan Shaw (18-0, 13 KOs) of St. Louis, Missouri sq. off within the ten-round essential occasion at Turning Stone Resort On line casino in Verona, New York on Saturday, January 14. The pair battles it out within the headliner of a heavyweight doubleheader kicking off High Rank on ESPN schedule for 2023. Two days forward of the showdown the fighters hosted a remaining pre-fight press convention.
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Additionally partaking within the press convention had been 2016 Italian Olympian Guido Vianello (10-0-1, 9 KOs) and Jonathan Rice (15-6-1, 10 KOs), who meet in a ten-round co-feature. As effectively, Abraham Nova (21-1, 15 KOs) and Adam Lopez (16-3, 6 KOs), who faceoff in a ten-round junior light-weight bout headlining the undercard. Plus, New York-born Bryce Mills (10-1, 4 KOs), who takes on Margarito Hernandez (3-3-1) at junior welterweight. Take a look at under what the individuals needed to say.
Efe Ajagba
“I’ve the identify ‘The Silent Curler’ as a result of I don’t discuss a lot. Since I got here again from my surgical procedure, I’ve tried to do every part to struggle extra. That’s why I solely had one struggle final 12 months. I’ve been attempting to get extra fights.”
“I’ve made changes for Saturday evening. We’ll see the way it goes. I’m prepared for him. I wished to struggle Oscar Rivas earlier than. However that modified. However now Shaw has the chance to struggle me.”
“It means lots to me to signify my nation. I simply need to be like them [Samuel Peter and Henry Akinwande]. Ever since I began boxing, I’ve tried to be like them.”
“I’m able to placed on a present. I’m going to place extra stress. I can’t wait. I’m so excited to be right here.”
Stephan Shaw
“I need to thank God for giving me this chance. To have that pedigree behind me-that carries me. That’s my basis, and I am going off that. St. Louis has a wealthy historical past of boxing. And I really feel like proper now I’m the pleasure of St. Louis. I’m seeking to proceed that legacy of getting nice world champions signify St. Louis, Missouri.”
“I’ve received God on my aspect. God makes all of the conditions that I’ve confronted in my whole profession and He has made it work. I’ve confronted adversity that the typical man wouldn’t be capable of take care of. Coming from St. Louis, beating the percentages and being on this stage to have my second. I really feel nice. I’m excited.”
“I’m a third-generation fighter. I’m seeking to grow to be a world champion. Saturday evening, I’m going to make my mark.”
Guido Vianello
“I used to be glad to struggle in my nation, however I’m glad to struggle right here as effectively as a result of America is my second dwelling. My final opponent was very powerful. I received him with loads of punches. It was unbelievable as a result of I’ve my gladiator fashion and he had a wild fashion. So, it was good for the Italian folks.”
“Jonnie has loads of expertise, greater than me. However I’m prepared. I’ve been coaching very laborious. I’ve been coaching very laborious for 4 years since I moved to the USA. I practice on a regular basis to struggle in a battle, so I’m prepared for this.”
Jonnie Rice
“This implies the world to me proper now. It’s one other likelihood to beat one other undefeated fighter. And that’s what’s on my thoughts. I’m going to go in there and beat him.”
“An enormous purpose I moved to Las Vegas is to consistently be within the mindset of boxing, consistently be within the mindset of the grind. I’ve had the nice likelihood to work with loads of heavyweight warriors who got here by way of Vegas and saved me rejuvenated and consistently impressed. I actually don’t assume that ring rust will play an element.”
Abraham Nova
“Each struggle is a must-win struggle. There’s not a struggle that I take with no consideration. It is a good alternative for me to showcase my abilities and transfer up within the rankings.”
“I took loads of issues from the defeat {to Robeisy Ramirez}. However the primary factor I realized is that I’ve to be extra wholesome as a fighter and do the best issues as a fighter. I simply must be extra wholesome. It was alternative, and a win right here will put me in a greater place for greater fights.”
Adam Lopez
“It is a large struggle for me. I’m shifting as much as the following weight class. I fought at 130 earlier than once I fought Oscar [Valdez], however now I’m formally a 130-pounder. I really feel like I’ve grown into it. It’s undoubtedly a giant struggle. Nova and I are sort of in the identical spot with our careers. He wants it, and I would like it. I’m excited for it. It’s undoubtedly, in my eyes, a Battle of the Yr candidate kind of struggle.”
Bryce Mills
“I’m blessed. It’s been three and a half years since I’ve fought at dwelling. It’s an incredible alternative. I’m actually excited. There’s nothing like that hometown assist and that hometown vitality once you’re within the ring. It provides a distinct degree of depth and enthusiasm to the struggle.”
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