Before they enter the ring at Barclays Center, fighters competing on Saturday’s card headlined by the middleweight title showdown live on SHOWTIME® between Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs and Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin held a media workout Wednesday at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn.
In attendance at the workout were both main event fighters, co-main event participants Jesus Cuellar and Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo along with Chris Algieri, Erick Bone and “Sir” Marcus Browne, who will have their fights aired on SHO EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT).
Competing in separate undercard fights and also in attendance at Gleason’s Wednesday were Heather “The Heat” Hardy, Yuri Foreman, Will Rosinsky and Joe Smith Jr.
Tickets for the live event start at $50, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. The event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and sponsored by Corona. The Algieri vs. Bone and Rosinksy vs. Smith Jr. fights are promoted in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.
Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday:
DANIEL JACOBS
“Not only are we fighting for the bragging rights in Brooklyn, but we both want to be at the top of the middleweight division. All the top middleweights are fighting each other and we’re right in that realm.
“I believe my speed is my greatest advantage. My skill, my ring generalship … I could go on and on. Ultimately it’s about going in there and proving it.
“I think taking a loss before benefits me. I know exactly how to prepare and how to prepare to make sure I never have that feeling again.
“He’s gonna have to hit me to test my chin. This sport is about hitting and not getting hit. Anybody can be knocked down, but you have to land shots. Every time I’ve gotten knocked down, I’ve gotten up.
“My prediction is that I’m going to have my hand raised in victory. Whether it’s by knockout or decision, we’ll have to see.
“This camp has been different because I’ve had a pre-camp. We had three weeks of just strength and conditioning. I got in shape to get ready for camp. When it’s all done, it’s going to be a 10-week camp.
“Mentally I feel like I’m strong and I like where I’m at physically. My weight is good and I feel healthy. We’re going to give the best of everything.
“A lot of people are excited about the fights. I’m just excited it is finally here and I’m hoping to come out with a victory in impressive fashion.
“This is a boxer vs. a boxer-puncher. If I get a guy hurt. I can get a guy out of there as well. My punching power is there. I have more knockouts than Quillin and I’m going to be at my best on Saturday.
“I’m thankful for all my fans. I want everyone to know that I’m coming to represent Brooklyn and this show will not disappoint on Saturday night.”
PETER QUILLIN
“Distractions are in your head, but they can be a bit more here in New York. It’s nice to get away to Miami and be able to concentrate on training and have everything right there.
“The buzz around Brooklyn is I am the new champ. I came to New York with a small city mindset but big city dreams and now they are all coming true.
On chatting with Floyd Mayweather Tuesday night at Barclays Center: “It’s funny because I was speaking to a school today, but when I first met Floyd Mayweather, it was at my school and I was like ‘man I could be like that too one day’ and I told him about it. He didn’t understand why I said that, ‘it all started because of you’ and he said ‘what do you mean’ and I told him what happened. We laughed about it and that’s all I needed right there. I didn’t need him to do anything for me just to know that it all started back with him coming to my school and speaking to kids like me and look where I am now. I was only 14-years-old.
“You can expect fireworks in the month of December. We’re going to be throwing everything we can possibly throw.
“Being in Miami with all the Cuban history there was great. Boxing was like a fighter lifestyle. I was around many people who were inspirational beyond words.
“When I went to the (Erislandy) Lara fight we were looking for parking and I went up to a guy and I asked if we could park there. He goes ‘tu eres chocolate?’ (you are chocolate) and I said yes, and he said ‘do you know how much Cuban people love you?’ I had never realized that before and it made me more inspired, to speak more Spanish, to understand my people. Cuban people are my people, I never would deny that and I am very blessed. I am also a black American as well so I want to set a good example, especially where the time in the world is in right now for black people. I want to be an inspiration for both.
“We’ve got a plan A, plan B, plan C, plan D, plan E, plan F. We are going to go to beyond, but most importantly I am very happy. I am spiritually happy and thankful. You fall out of fear and fall into faith and you can never deny yourself, so that’s where I am right now.
“By being Cuban automatically you fight from a different point of perspective of the globe when it comes to fighting. For me, I’m thankful and more inspired to work even harder because I do have fans that I would never expect would be my fans.
“I haven’t seen ‘Creed’ yet; I am only focused on this fight. I want to create my own ‘Creed’ moments in this fight.
“Altogether I think it’s probably about an equally matched fight. You have two determined guys fighting for their own personal reasons; he’s fighting with a cancer story, I’m also fighting with that. My uncle passed away of cancer so I fight with a piece of him as well.
“I’m just Peter Quillin. All I know is just go in that ring, train against whoever it is, no matter who it is and do my best.
“My mom always said, ‘sometimes it takes getting put on your ass to know where you’re at’ so it could be helpful to him that he’s tasted defeat. He’s been there before, you fight with the reason that you don’t ever want to be there again or he could’ve even gotten better after that sitting on his butt, now he wants to fight harder.
“My prediction for Saturday? A new champion of the world.
“I’ve never been in this kind of moment before where I had to fight one of my friends. You never want to hurt your friend, but in this fight, I want to hurt Danny so what does that tell you about our friendship right there? Sometimes you don’t want to be friends with the guy that beat you up.
“It’s going to be sort of like July 4th but on Dec. 5th. You are going to expect fireworks, two determined guys throwing punches trying to win for two different reasons and you’re going to get an entertaining fight.
“I just have to let my hands go and not have a worry in the world because when you’re in there, you’re in there and there’s no way you can leave unless you leave in a stretcher, hand up or with a draw like we did in that fight.”
JESUS CUELLAR
“I’m coming here very prepared. I know Oquendo is a tough fighter and we are not taking him lightly. We’re ready for a 12-round championship fight.
“We know there will be a lot of Puerto Ricans supporting him, but they won’t change anything. They can’t get in the ring.
“You’re going to see a great fight on Saturday and you’re going to see Jesus Cuellar walk out of the ring a world champion.
“I want to fight the best in the division. There are many good fighters and I want all of them. I have no fear and I am extremely confident in my abilities.”
JONATHAN OQUENDO
“I come ready to fight. I didn’t want to take off a lot of time after I beat Jhonny Gonzalez. The opportunity for a world title shot came and I had to take it.
“I know he is a very strong fighter, but we are coming to win. I’m happy to be here in New York with the Puerto Rican fan base behind me. I never thought I’d be fighting for a world title here in New York on the biggest stage.
“It’s going to be a war. I like to stay there in the pocket. It’s going to be blood in the ring and you can expect that on Saturday.
“I had a great training camp up in Palm Beach, Florida for the first time leaving Puerto Rico, my hometown for training but on Saturday you’ll see a great Jonathan Oquendo and I’ll come out victorious.
“I have been training since after the fight with Jhonny Gonzalez. I went to Mexico to visit the virgin of Guadalupe and that Monday I was training and for me it was excellent.
“My last victory gave me a lot more energy, a lot more hunger and I know on Saturday we’ll come through victorious.
“Cuellar is a very strong boxer who exerts lots of pressure and we’re ready for that. We know of his record and the great success that he’s had. He’s the current champion and will be until the 5th.
“I’ve always wanted to fight here in New York and I never thought that it would be for a world title.
“It doesn’t matter which way, whether it’s a KO or decision, on Saturday I’m going to win.”
CHRIS ALGIERI
“I feel a lot more comfortable now with (trainer) John David Jackson and having a second camp. We got more weeks with him and haven’t really stopped training. Now I think we can settle in a little more, make some adjustments that were not able to make prior but now I feel a lot more comfortable.
“Being a favorite or not doesn’t change how I prepare for a fight but absolutely, this is the fight of his life. I’ve been here before fighting bigger names than myself but that’s just kind of the life cycle of boxing.
“Barclays Center is my favorite place to fight. I’ve had my best performances here and the fan support has always been fantastic. So I am looking forward to putting on another great show.
“Barclays Center is a premiere venue and it’s great and easy for my Long Island friends to come out and get right in there.
“I’ve learned and gotten more comfortable in the ring now but this is going to be a tough fight to fight. Everybody at this level is good so I’ve got to go out there and perform.
“I feel fantastic, I feel stronger, everybody says I look better. My power has definitely increased now that I am in a higher class and I am making weight very easy.”
ERICK BONE
“Camp has been strong, it’s been great, it has been one of the best camps that I’ve had so far.
“I feel good because Algieri has a big name. It’s going to be a challenge but in boxing once you get in the ring it doesn’t matter who comes in first or who comes in last in these fights. There’s no A and B, they’re so close.
“It has been very positive being here in Brooklyn to do my camp and training here. Being able to spar with the many great boxers who are here, it’s all a positive experience.
“For the fans that will see me on Saturday, I believe that I am a great boxer and they will see a great fight. They should keep an eye out for me because they will remember my name.
“We’re going to box and I trained to win and we are prepared for just that.”
MARCUS BROWNE
“You can expect fireworks, speed, good boxing ability, but, most importantly, a W. I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life and I’m ready to put on a good show
“Staten Island will come out to support, but I’m a New York fighter through and through. The whole city will be there supporting me.
“He’s tall, throws a lot of punches. We’re going to be ready for whatever he brings. He can get right-hand happy and we’ll be ready to counter that.
“Everyone who fights me, they’re all coming for my 0.
“In boxing at the end of the day, when you’re a young undefeated fighter, everybody wants to take that ‘0’ so that’s what makes guys hungry but for me personally I’m not worried about that. I’m just worried about what I’m going to do and what we’ve been working on in the gym to apply that on fight night come Saturday.”
HEATHER HARDY
“I had no break during Thanksgiving, we went straight through; matter of fact my mom is having our whole family over on Sunday for Thanksgiving dinner. It’s going to be a celebration and I’m going to eat my mashed potatoes like a good Irish girl is supposed to.”
“One thing I can say about my opponent is that she fights like a champion fights. There’s a different caliber of fighter that you go in there with and she’s not a quitter, she doesn’t give up. I couldn’t intimidate her, I couldn’t push her around and that’s something I’ve prepared for. She knows what I have and she’s not afraid to stand toe to toe with me so it’s going to be a battle.
“Her talent does motivate me. It brings something out of me and it puts on a better show for the fans and it gives a better show for female boxing. Holly Holm did not prove that Ronda Rousey couldn’t fight, it proved that more than one woman could fight at the same time. So, when two women can go in there and really go at it and give the people a show, it’s not just one girl doing a great job, it’s two women.
“I’m looking to prove that I am the champion, that I am the “First Lady” of Barclays Center.
“I’ve kept on this winning streak and I think I’m ready for the more elite fighters. I consider myself to really be a contender at this point so I’m looking forward to this. I’d like to start matching up for the world titles and all the girls who’ve got them.
“My trainer always says that there are only four punches in boxing, you better learn how to do them perfect every time you throw them and they’re getting there. So, I feel good, experienced, just being around certain things, not being surprised by anything because I’ve seen it before. All of those things play in to it.
“It’s surreal to be in this position. I still can’t believe sometimes people say ‘hey champ’ and I say ‘what? yea that is me.’ Just to be associated with this and how people think of me, to see me, to be mentioned on this card is an honor.”
YURI FOREMAN
“I don’t do predictions but I can predict that I am going to win.
“I feel good, with this comeback I am feeling these little butterflies here and there. I am happy that it is right here. The training is all done.
“The preparation has been great, I love the routine, I like to challenge myself and push myself to the limit extra hard but it’s a new feeling. I’m also trying to maintain my cool and not get into my head.
“There is extra motivation because there are so many great fighters on this card and everyone wants to showcase their talent, including me.
“My goal is to go up the ladder, be successful and challenge the world champion, whoever it may be at the time.”
WILL ROSINSKY
“I know him because we sparred a lot. I know the adjustments I had to make we’re ready for because we were in front of each other but sometimes you just keep the same game plan.”
“On a week to week basis, I train in the day and work night or work in the day and train at night, depends. On a night tour I train in the morning then work the night tour, get off and go back to training. So, I might not be home for about a day and half. My commitment is 100 percent, it’s no problems at all.
“My goal is to fight for a world title. It’s a common goal in boxing. I want to make money and enjoy the fruits of my labor.
“This is an easy week, my weight is good. Being at 174 is not too heavy for me so I’m not really sucking to make weight last minute. I weighed out in the gym at 173½ yesterday so I am rehydrating up to 175/176 pretty easily.
“There are actually some similarities between fighting and being a firefighter because it’s a controlled chaos as they say. Same idea with the fight, you’re going crazy in your head but you’ve got to stay controlled and stay on your game plan. If your corner tells you something you’ve got to take that in and use it for the next round.”
JOE SMITH JR.
“Training camp has been going real great, done a lot of sparring and a lot of running. I feel great going into the fight, I feel in the best shape of my life and I’m ready to put on a good show.
“I don’t think there’s problems really that my opponent is going to present me with but I’m in the best shape of my life, so as long as I let my hands go there’s nothing that he can do.
“I’m a big puncher and I’m looking to throw a lot of hard punches and put on a good show.
“It’s a great opportunity, it feels good to be a part of something like this.
“I predict that there’s going to be a lot of punches thrown and most likely at some point in the fight I’m probably going to hurt Will and get him out of there.”
Predictions
Chris Algieri, Former WBO Super Lightweight World Champion, (Quillin): “Tough fight to call. I believe whoever can assert their fight will ultimately take the victory. Danny needs to set a fast pace and box smart. Quillin will look to be explosive and bring the pressure. Too close to predict for me but will go with the more experienced man in Quillin to take it.”
Chris Arreola, Former Heavyweight Title Challenger, (Jacobs): “I think it’s a very good fight. I’m taking Jacobs in a very close fight. I just think Jacobs has more to prove and has had to overcome so much. I can’t wait to watch this fight!”
Andre Berto, Former WBC Welterweight World Champion, (No Pick): “Tough fight, it’s really a toss up. If it goes the distance I have Jacobs winning. If it doesn’t I have Quillin by knockout.”
Gabriel Bracero, Welterweight Contender from Brooklyn (Jacobs) – “I think they’re both good fighters and both strong. I think it’s going to come down to who’s smarter and whose sharper the night of the fight almost like an aggressive chess match the first person to make a mistake is going to pay.. I doubt that the fight goes the distance and they’re both going in there like they both have something to prove. I think Jacobs has more of an arsenal and will pull it off.”
Dominic Breazeale, 2012 U.S. Olympian & Undefeated Heavyweight, (Jacobs) – “My prediction is Danny Jacobs wins by way of KO in the 6 round. He’s a very humble, hard working man that deserves a great victory.”
Jermall Charlo, IBF Junior Middleweight World Champion, (Draw): “I hope the fight ends in a draw. I think it’s going to be a draw. Both guys are real strong and they both have good days and they both have bad days. But if someone wins, it will be whoever is in better shape.”
Anthony Dirrell, Former WBC Super Middleweight World Champion (Draw): “I hope it’s a draw, and I think it may be. Both fighters are my guys. Daniel and I went through similar health concerns that brought us closer, but Peter grew up in Grand Rapids. So I really just want to see a great fight and may the best man win. I know both guys respect each other and I hope that’ll always be the case.”
B.J. Flores, Cruiserweight Contender & NBC Boxing Analyst (No Pick): “This is a rough one. I really like Danny Jacobs’ boxing ability and his offensive tools and weapons. He has speed and power. The question is, if Danny is going to be able to stand there and take the hits from Pete when he lands. Whenever he does land, it will be interesting to see if Danny will come in with a game plan to neutralize Peter or if there is really going to be a battle of brooklyn head to head and fight thats the right fight for peter quillin not for danny jacobs. danny needs to take his opponent’s attributes and pete’s main thing he can do is punch, so the question is will Danny be able to take that away from Pete. It is a great opportunity for both and there can only be one king of the city.”
Tony Harrison, Super Welterweight Contender, (Jacobs): “I’m up in the air on this one, but I’m leaning towards Jacobs because he knows what adversity is and how to overcome it. He’s got nothing to los and he’s fighting in his hometown. He should have a chip on his shoulder.”
Amir Khan, Former Unified Super Lightweight World Champion, (Quillin): “I think Peter Quillin wins the fight. It’s a really exciting matchup between two guys fighting in their own backyard in Brooklyn. There is very little to choose between both fighters but if I had to opt for one guy it would be Quillin. I really respect Danny Jacob’s background and the way he has fought to become champion. He’s shown that he has the resilience, skill and punching power to go in and beat the best middleweights around but I think that Quillin is going to look to outwork him and use his movement to win a close points decision. Jacobs has the advantage in reach and height so that could cause Quillin problems especially if he gets his jab going and boxes from the outside. Nevertheless, it’s a really hard fight to call and there are arguments either way but there’s no doubt it’s going to be a great fight because neither guy will want to take a back step in their hometown.”
Erislandy Lara, WBA 154-Pound World Champion, (Quillin): “This is a great matchup between two young hungry fighters and I think it’s going to be a very close fight. With that being said, I’m picking ‘Kid Chocolate’ to win. He’s got Cuban blood running through his veins and has fought better competition. I’ll also be watching very closely because the winner could be one of my future opponents.”
Andy Lee, WBO Middleweight World Champion (No Pick): “I think it’s a close fight. Danny probably has the better boxing fundamentals and will look to outbox Peter. But Peter is certainly the bigger puncher and will look to land heavy punches while boxing with Danny. It’s an exciting fight hard and a hard one to call.”
Aron Martinez, Welterweight Contender, (Jacobs) – “I’ll go with Jacobs by decision. It will be a great fight though I could really see it going either way.”
Sergio Mora, Former WBC Super Welterweight World Champion, (Quillin) – “Both Jacobs & Quillin are big punchers with flawed technique. In the battle of power punching, Quillin’s size & better chin will hold up better, but If Jacobs decides to box & move I can see him outpointing Quillin. It’ll be a close fight either way. I’m picking Quillin by late stoppage.”
Victor Ortiz, Former WBC Welterweight World Champion, (No Pick): “May the best man win. It’s a great fight. Blue corner and red corner. My prediction is that one of those corners is going to win.”
Edwin Rodriguez, IBF No. 10 Light Heavyweight Contender, (Jacobs): “”Jacobs is a better boxer and just as good of a puncher as Quillin with sharper technical skills. It should be an entertaining fight but Jacobs will win by unanimous decision.”
Leo Santa Cruz, WBA Super World Featherweight Champion, (Quillin): “It’s going to be a hard fight for both of them, but Peter Quillin is stronger and he’s never been hurt, so I think he might take it. Quillin by seventh-round KO.”
Keith Thurman, WBA Welterweight World Champion, (Jacobs): “Knowing Jacobs and his amateur background I believe that he has the skills and the knowledge to pull away the victory, but Quillin is no slouch. He has tremendous strength and the ability to stop or hurt Danny at any moment. I’m truly looking forward to this fight. This is another great matchup for the fight fans this year.”
Sammy Vasquez, Undefeated Welterweight Contender, (Jacobs) – “This can go either way. Both have power and are good fighters with two different styles as Peter just comes forward but yet stays mid range and is good at it, Danny moves a lot and has good angles, I would give Danny the edge for his movement but he needs to stay busy and hopefully he doesn’t run into any punches but it’s a toss up to me.”
Daniel Jacobs & Peter Quillin Introduce Nets Players
Before they enter the ring at Barclays Center, Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs and Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin took center stage at the arena in Brooklyn as they conducted the pregame player introductions of the Brooklyn Nets before their win Tuesday night against the Phoenix Suns.
In addition, recently retired pound-for-pound king Floyd “Money” Mayweather was in attendance and posed with his fellow Grand Rapids born fighter in Quillin.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $50, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.comor by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.
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As their pivotal December 5 showdowns loom, Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs (30-1, 27 KOs), Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (32-0-1, 23 KOs), Chris Algieri (20-2, 8 KOs) and “Sir” Marcus Browne (16-0, 12 KOs) took time out of training camp to share their Thanksgiving plans, memories and what it’s like to be training and fighting during the holiday season.
The December 5 event is live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from Barclays Center and is headlined by the all-Brooklyn middleweight title showdown between Jacobs and Quillin. In undercard action featured on SHO EXTREME, Long Island’s Algieri will take on Erick Bone (16-2, 8 KOs) in a welterweight bout while Staten Island’s Browne faces Franciso Sierra (27-9-1, 24 KOs) in a light heavyweight match.
While all the fighters have to deal with balancing training camp and the Thanksgiving holiday, there are different challenges for Jacobs and Browne, who remained in New York to train, and Quillin and Algieri, who have set up training camps in Miami.
Here is what the fighters had to say about those challenges, fighting at home and more:
DANIEL JACOBS
You’re going to be just over a week out from your fight, so what are you actually going to be doing for Thanksgiving?
“I’m so focused. I’m only thinking about my fight next week. I will be training and that’s it. There will be no partaking in Thanksgiving from me.”
What are you going to be able to eat at the Thanksgiving table if you are doing a Thanksgiving dinner?
“My family doesn’t really cook the healthiest things on Thanksgiving, so everything is off limits. They cook lasagna, a lot of soul foods and that is NOT in my diet right now!”
Do holidays ever affect when you are going to fight? You have a job to do, but does being in camp during the holiday season sway your decision making in any way?
“My son’s birthday is the Thursday of fight week so that shows I will fight any day. This is my job and my livelihood. It’s a very important time in my career. I would fight on New Years at midnight if I had to.”
Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions (when you aren’t training)?
“Family is a big thing for me. I was raised in a big family. Family is the best part of any tradition. We always spread love and make sure that everyone is close on those particular holidays.”
Is it extra special to be fighting in Brooklyn during the holiday season?
“I think it’s one of the things that for me, when I look at all of the things that I am sacrificing, it makes it all worth the while. Training and missing Thanksgiving and other holidays, birthdays it’s adding to the hunger and making the victory that much sweeter. It’s not about what I am missing, its what it adds to.”
What are you most thankful for this holiday season?
“I am most thankful for my son. That I get the chance to see him smile everyday and get some of the things that I never had as a child. This fight is a lucrative fight for me. That will change his life forever. From that statement, I am very fortunate. Every day is Thanksgiving for me.”
PETER QUILLIN
You’re going to be just over a week out from your fight, so what are you actually going to be doing for Thanksgiving?
“I am actually going to be down here in Miami visiting all of the family and friends I have here. I won’t be eating, but I will be visiting! My wife has family members that live here. My best friend lives here too and his family is my extended family.”
What are you going to be able to eat at the Thanksgiving table if you are doing a Thanksgiving dinner?
“I am actually going to a bunch of dinners, but I am able to eat vegetables and some lean turkey but that’s about it. Everything in moderation.
Do holidays ever affect when you are going to fight? You have a job to do, but does being in camp during the holiday season sway your decision making in any way?
“I look at it like it’s a balance that you must have. If you don’t have that balance you’ll never get where you’re trying to go. This is an opportunity to be there for my wife and be a professional fighter. I stay focused because there’s no other way around it.”
Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions (when you aren’t training)?
“We try to get everyone together and get people together. It’s all about being with family and being grateful for the things we do have in life. It was kind of crazy growing up how I grew up. There were never good holidays for me growing up. We grew up a lot less fortunate than families that I see now.”
“I am now able to provide for my family and I am thankful for what I have now. People forget when they get into the rhythm of these American holidays. My wife is Jewish and I am learning about new holidays. With Christmas, I want my son to know that it is not just about receiving gifts, but being a giver and the purpose of Christmas.”
Is it extra special to be fighting in Brooklyn during the holiday season?
“Of course, it’s like the culture of being in Brooklyn. What more can I say than that I am blessed to be living in Brooklyn and I am happy about anything that comes with it. I’ve come a long way in life. It’s a reminder what I have transformed my life into and how fortunate I am.”
What are you most thankful for this holiday season?
“I am thankful for my life and being humble. I’ve come a long way and I am thankful that I am a humble person. I share these wonderful things with my wife and my son and I just feel so blessed.”
CHRIS ALGIERI
You’re going to be just over a week out from your fight, so what are you actually going to be doing for Thanksgiving?
“I will be going to my aunt and uncle’s house here in Florida. We have traditional Thanksgiving meal; turkey, sweet potatoes, a ton of vegetables. My weight is good, so there won’t be really anything I am missing out on. I won’t eat any pie, but I am not a big sweets guy anyways.
“Thursday is my off day as is, so I will head over there in the afternoon, have a nice meal, spend some time with my family, who I am very close with, and then head back home to rest and relax for the remainder of the day.”
Do holidays ever affect when you are going to fight? You have a job to do, but does being in camp during the holiday season sway your decision making in any way?
“No not at all. This is my job and it comes first, before anything else.”
Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions (when you aren’t training)?
“I am the one who cooks the meal back at my home in New York. I am in charge of preparing and the cooking the turkey and my specialty dish, twice baked sweet potatoes. After dinner, before dessert, all of the men in the family go for a nice long walk.”
Is it extra special to be fighting in Brooklyn during the holiday season?
“Yes. There is an extra buzz in Brooklyn during the holiday season that is palpable.”
What are you most thankful for this holiday season?
“I’m most thankful for my health and the health of my family. There is a lot of tragedy going on throughout the rest of the world right now and we sometimes take the little things for granted. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the recent victims of these tragedies, and I wish that they find some solace during these trying times.”
MARCUS BROWNE
You’re going to be just over a week out from your fight, so what are you actually going to be doing for Thanksgiving?
“I am definitely making weight and I’ll be spending the holiday with my kids. A lot of my family isn’t even here so it’s not a big holiday for us anyway.”
What are you going to be able to eat at the Thanksgiving table if you are doing a Thanksgiving dinner?
“Turkey is good. It’s not too bad for you. I would even eat some stuffing, but my diet right now consists of smoothies, grilled chicken salad and salmon.”
Do holidays ever affect when you are going to fight? You have a job to do, but does being in camp during the holiday season sway your decision making in any way?
“I’m happy that I am getting this fight out of the way before Christmas. I have a beard too now so you know I’m going to dress up like Santa this year. If I’m going to miss a holiday I’m glad it’s Thanksgiving and not Christmas.”
Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions (when you aren’t training)?
“People would go to my mom’s house. My aunt, grandmother, sister, brother, nieces and nephews and it was great, but now they now live farther away. My nieces and nephews were my kids before my kids so it was great to be with them.”
Is it extra special to be fighting in Brooklyn during the holiday season?
“I’m not a Grinch. It’s the holiday spirit. I’m fighting at Barclays Center for the 10th time. I want to give my kids a Christmas present by knocking this guy out.”
What are you most thankful for this holiday season?
“My kids, my health and to be able to fight another day.”
The first live fight is at 4:30 p.m. ET. Tickets start at $50, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com,www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.
In a top undercard, non-televised match, undefeated Brooklyn female star and boxing sensation, Heather “The First Lady” Hardy (14-0) meets Noemi Bosques (10-3-2, 2 KO’s) in an eight-round super bantamweight rematch.
Preceding the Jacobs-Quillin all-Brooklyn battle on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, exciting, hard-hitting WBA Featherweight World Champion Jesus Cuellar (27-1, 21 KOs), of Buenos Aires, Argentina, will defend against Puerto Rico’s Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo (26-4, 16 KOs) in the 12-round semi-main.
On SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT), popular former world champion and Long Island-native Chris Algieri (20-2, 8 KOs) will be opposed by Ecuador’s Erick Bone (16-2, 8 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight bout, and promising undefeated Staten Island light heavyweight Marcus Browne faces Francisco Sierra (27-9-1, 24 KOs) of Tepic, Mexico, in an eight-rounder.
Daniel Jacobs vs. Peter Quillin is a 12-round middleweight championship fight taking place Saturday, December 5 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT). In the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® co-feature, WBA Featherweight World Champion Jesus Cuellar will face exciting Puerto Rican contender Jonathan Oquendo. The event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and sponsored by Corona. The Algieri vs. Bone and Rosinksy vs. Smith Jr. fights are promoted in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.