Today's press conference in Anaheim for Saturday's Showtime double-header featured main event challenger and former IBF titlist Joseph Agbeko and his always-outspoken promoter, Don King. Here are their quotes.
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JOSEPH KING KONG AGBEKO
"I want to thank everyone involved, including the IBF which mandated that we fight again.
"I've put the first fight behind me. It is in the past and gone. My focus right now and in recent weeks of training is on Saturday and regaining my title. I expect the referee to do his job.
"I'm honored to fight Mares (in Southern California) where he lives and to challenge him in front of his home crowd. It will make me fight that much harder.
"I hope we fill the arena and give fans a lot to cheer about. On Saturday, I will prove who is the best bantamweight in the world."
PROMOTER DON KING (Don King Promotions)
Photo by Esther Lin/Showtime
"I'm glad to be in the great state of California with Saturday night's fight in Anaheim under the auspices of the California State Athletic Commission. Everybody who saw the first fight knows the low blows sustained by Agbeko by Mares sent the IBF world title to Mares by robbery. I am just glad that the head of the CSAC, George Dodd, has guaranteed that the rematch will be officiated fairly, and I trust it will.
"Mares didn't win the first fight. He went into that fight at 21-0, and now he's 21 and a question mark, not 22-0 like the record books says. A referee gave him that win, that's why I call it a question mark. Mares should have been disqualified or the match should have been changed to no contest, but now we have a chance to clean this up, and I think it's going to be one great fight, a Pier 6 brawl.
"If Mares wins, I'll give him all the credit he deserves, but in a fair fight I believe Agbeko will have the upper hand. Joseph is dedicated and committed to winning but he feels he's been wronged, that forces beyond him have conspired to deny him two victories in Nevada. It's up to King Kong to go in there and shine against the young lion, Mares. The only one who can beat Agbeko is Agbeko. If he focuses and brings his best to the ring, nobody can beat him."