This Saturday on Integrated Sports PPV ($24.95) in the United States and Channel 5 in the UK, Tyson Fury takes a stab at the British heavyweight title against Dereck Chisora, while Ashley Theophane defends his British junior welterweight title against Jason Cook. Here are some quotes from both fighters at their media workout.
Tyson Fury
How do you feel: "Feeling good, feeling strong, feeling fit, feeling ready."
What Chisora brings to the table: "He's going to bring aggression, desire, youth. I think he brings quite a few things to the table, nothing I can't handle, anyway."
Prediction: "My prediction is I'm going to win, probably by knockout. As soon as I catch him, he'll be knocked out."
Next: "I'm going to, hopefully, get to fight Wladimir Klitschko. Keep pushing for that."
Training Camp: "Training Camp was really good we had a long, nice training camp. A lot of good training, good sparring, and everything went really right. I drank a lot of water, vitamins and proteins. I did everything I should have done, so there are no excuses. All my toes are okay, as well."
Note from Scott: I think the Klitschko bit is probably a bit out of context. Fury recently said that he's not targeting the Klitschkos after Chisora, as he doesn't feel he's ready for that. So when he says, "Keep pushing for that," I think he's saying he'd like to keep working toward a shot at Wladimir. But that's not what he truly sees coming next.
Ashley Theophane
Training Camp: "Training camp's gone well. I spent a month in Brooklyn and a month in London finishing off. It's been a good camp. I've done some quality work, some quality sparring, and I'm ready to go."
Jason Cook: "Jason Cook is a former European champion. He won the IBO title. He's got a decent punch and he comes to fight very aggressive. It should be an interesting fight."
Game Plan: "No real game-plan because Jason comes swinging at you to see if he can knock you out. I'm just the type of guy; I see how I adjust to fight. The first round or two rounds I see how it goes and then I will work him out and do what I have to do to get the win."
TV: "First, it being on Channel 5 (in UK) is a great thing for boxing and a great thing for me. It gets to be seen, hopefully, by a few million people for the Theophane name to get out there. And for it to be shown in America and Canada is a great thing because I loved being on ESPN a few times and I have Canadian and US friends and fans. It's good because it's like as worldwide event. I'm lovin' that!"
Prediction: "I'm not a guy who stops guys, but don't be shocked if there is a stoppage, and I'm going to win, be it points or stoppage. I'm going to win looking good."
Next: "For me, I haven't fought in America for a year, nearly exactly a year since I beat Delvin Rodriquez who just had a great draw with Pawel Wolak. I'd love - if I had my own way - I know the WBC champ is Timothy Bradley, my No. 1 target. I know he needs an opponent because he's not fighting Khan, so I'd be willing to box with him when he finishes his dealings with his next promoter. Or, I'd be willing, eventually, to fight Berto or Ortiz. They are the long-term guys I want. If Bradley, Ortiz or Berto - win or lose - I want to fight the best. That's what I want to do."