Colbert vs Arboleda: Fight week quotes

This Saturday night on Showtime (9 pm ET), PBC is back with a tripleheader from Connecticut, featuring rising 130-pound prospect/contender Chris Colbert in the main event against Jaime Arboleda.

Colbert (14-0, 5 KO) gets his first Showtime main event against Arboleda (16-1, 13 KO). Colbert, 24, has looked good so far, slick and flashy at times with some real charisma, but the hard-hitting Arboleda will hope to derail the hype train.

Colbert-Arboleda will be for an interim WBA title at junior lightweight, which as always, no, does not need to exist, as the WBA have a “super world” champion in Gervonta Davis, and a “world” champion in Rene Alvarado as is, and neither of them are inactive.

How to Watch Colbert vs Arboleda

Date: Saturday, Dec. 12 | Start Time: 9 pm ET (Main Card)
Location: Mohegan Sun - Uncasville, CT
TV: SHO
Online Coverage: BadLeftHook.com

Also featured on the card will be a very intriguing crossroads bout between untested 140-pound prospect Richardson Hitchins (11-0, 5 KO) and tricky veteran Argenis Mendez (25-5-3, 12 KO), and a middleweight matchup between Ronald Ellis (17-1-2, 11 KO) and Matt Korobov (28-3-1, 14 KO).

Below, some pre-fight quotes from the six boxers about to glove up on Saturday.

Chris Colbert

“I didn’t watch film on Arboleda. I know he is going to come game and I know his trainer is going to have him in great shape and ready to fight. I am coming to execute my game plan on Saturday night on Showtime. I am just going to be me – ‘Primetime’ – and this time on primetime TV.

“I feel I am one of the best at 130 pounds, but until I prove that in the ring, I can’t consider myself the best in the division yet. I want to get in there with the top five guys. I know I can beat any champion in this weight class.

“I predict a dominating performance. My name is Chris ‘Primetime’ Colbert, I have to look spectacular every single time. You never saw Deion ‘Primetime’ Sanders come out and not look spectacular.”

Jaime Arboleda

“Chris is a very good fighter and a great boxer. He is in the top of the division as far as his boxing skills. On Saturday night, I am going to test him. I don’t think Chris has been tested like I have. I was tested in my last fight against Jayson Velez and came out victorious. Chris is not as strong as Velez.

“Colbert’s biggest downfall will be his arrogance. He doesn’t have the firepower to finish me with one punch. He’s not a puncher like that. He picks his shots and moves. He’s a boxer and I am a boxer-puncher.”

Richardson Hitchins

“After a year like this, I’m just ready to finish it off in spectacular fashion. I was blessed to have two great opportunities with Showtime in 2020, now it’s time to do my part and give the fans a show. I feel great and it’s going to show on Saturday night.

“My opponent is going to come with everything he has and so am I. I’m not making promises. I’m just going to show the world my God-given ability and all the work I’ve put in. Be sure to tune in to watch me and my brother Chris Colbert go to work!

“They say Mendez is a tricky guy and a guy with a known name. I don’t think he has that elite level experience. I know deep in my heart that I am better than him and on Saturday night, I will prove it.”

Argenis Mendez

“Hitchins is not ready for this fight. In my last four fights, I have fought fighters better than him. I think Juan Heraldez and Anthony Peterson were better fighters. I have watched him a lot and I don’t see anything special in him.

“During the pandemic I’ve been able to work on some things that I needed to. I stayed in shape the whole time. I don’t drink or smoke. I stay healthy. It wasn’t difficult to find sparring. I have some tall, fast sparring partners who helped me prepare.

“I want to dominate this young kid. I want to show you my skills and show that I am still here, still dangerous and I can still fight. I want to fight for a world title again.”

Ronald Ellis

“Korobov is a slick boxer and he’s got a lot of experience, but this fight is about me getting punches in bunches. If I stay on him, it’s going to be hard for him to set up anything.

“It’s been a year since his shoulder injury, but he’s on the older side now so I doubt he’s fully recovered We’re going to test that.

“My next fight after this is going to be big. That’s what I am using this fight for. He is thinking he’s going to win and try to get a rematch with Jermall Charlo. I am using it for the same exact thing except it’s not a rematch, it will be my first time against the big guys. I think I deserve to be there and I think this fight is going to be my showcase.”

Matt Korobov

“It’s been exactly one year since my last fight. My shoulder feels good and my preparation went well. I am in the best shape I can be for this fight. I didn’t watch a lot of film, but I studied enough to set my preparations for Saturday night. I was more focused on the work that I needed to do in the gym to get myself ready.

“After a couple of months of healing, my manager tried to get the rematch with Chris Eubank Jr. but we got no answer and had to move on to get back in the ring. Ronald Ellis was the first name they brought up and I told them, ‘yes,’ right away. I want a rematch with [Chris] Eubank Jr. but I guess it will never happen. We’re on to a big fight against Ellis on Saturday.”